Spring is a beautiful time of year for movie theaters, where big budget sequels bloom and blockbusters flourish. Among this quarter’s crop of aspiring hits are comedies of epic proportions like “The Hangover Part III” and “This is the End,” a remake of horror classic “Evil Dead,” and a 3D re-release of acclaimed sci-fi horror “Jurassic Park.” And those are just the honorable mentions. Here are nine films sure to make box office hits in the coming weeks.
“Scary Movie 5”
April 12
The Weinstein Company
In the seven years since the last “Scary Movie,” enough material has come out for dozens of popular movie parodies, and it’s only right for the king of the genre to return. Couple Dan and Jody, played by Simon Rex and Ashley Tisdale, bring home their newborn son only to discover mysterious “paranormal” activity around their house. With the assistance of security cameras and experts on the bizarre, they must stop the demonic spirits taking over their lives. With the assured cameos of many celebrities, among them Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, the fifth installment in the franchise aims to provide a refreshingly comedic start to spring theater.
“Oblivion”
April 19
Universal Pictures
Of all people to survive an alien invasion of Earth after sixty years, a surprising one may be Tom Cruise. As a repairman living above Earth, he has almost completed a mission to collect valuable resources from the abandoned planet. However, after discovering a crashed spacecraft with a troubled female stranger inside, played by Olga Kurylenko, he triggers events that lead to questions about his entire world, or lack thereof. Also starring end-of-the-world survivor Morgan Freeman, “Oblivion” should prove an original, visually impressive sci-fi treat for fans this spring.
“Iron Man 3”
May 3
Walt Disney Pictures
Everyone’s favorite genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark isn’t in the best shape since his time with The Avengers. He’s not getting any sleep, his personal life is in shambles and he’s facing a new arch villain terrorist, the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley. With a cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce, Robert Downey Jr. returns to don his suit with as much class and flair as ever, but with a hint of anguish. The first “Iron Man” film not directed by Jon Favreau, and the first in Marvel’s “second cycle” of planned movies leading up to “The Avengers 2,” “Iron Man 3” promises a darker, more reflexive tale than previous iterations.
“The Great Gatsby”
May 10
Warner Bros.
Oh, Gatsby. Delayed from a Christmas release last year, the highly anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is set to finally arrive in theaters, accompanied by the splendor and culture of the Roaring ’20s. Tobey Maguire plays Nick Carraway, a war veteran who recounts his encounters with millionaire neighbor Jay Gatsby, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Entranced by the lifestyle of Mr. Gatsby, Carraway delves into Gatsby’s shady life as a high-class entrepreneur and affliction with love interest Daisy Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan. Director Baz Luhrmann brings the essence of the prosperous era to life in his vision of the great American novel.
“Star Trek Into Darkness”
May 17
Paramount Pictures
One would be hard-pressed to find a more evil sounding British name than Benedict Cumberbatch. The “Sherlock” actor brings his expanding worldwide fame to J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated sequel as John Harrison, a mysterious character threatening to destroy Starfleet and Earth from the inside out. The returning Enterprise crew of 2009’s “Star Trek,” led by Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, must risk all they have to defeat the powerful madman turning their lives into ashes. With both the “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” franchises under his belt, new ruler of the galaxy Abrams is sure to find only success in sci-fi’s final frontier.
“Fast & Furious 6”
May 24
Universal Pictures
Evidently, Dom and his crew aren’t going fast enough to outrun the sequels. After the successful heist in Rio de Janeiro during “Fast Five,” the racing troop has found life empty without being able to safely return home. When old enemy Luke Hobbs finds them once more, he offers them a deal: head to London to take care of a criminal organization headed by mastermind Owen Shaw in return for full pardons for their crimes. The ideal agreement turns sour when they find Dom’s presumed-dead girlfriend, Letty Ortiz, in high command of criminal organization. Continuing their predictably thriving action series, returning stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Dwayne Johnson race into this new entry with a victory lap sequel already planned.
“Man of Steel”
June 14
Warner Bros.
Just as “Iron Man” was Marvel’s extremely successful attempt at starting a phase of box office-dominating superhero flicks, “Man of Steel” is DC Comics’ endeavor to do the same. Henry Cavill dons the cape as Clark Kent, a Kryptonian sent to Earth to protect him from the destruction of his home planet. In classic Superman style, he must defend Earth and his love interest Lois Lane, played by Amy Adams, from General Zod, an evil alien played by Michael Shannon. The first step to a future Justice League movie, this reboot of the previously successful franchise is an important one, likely to impress.
“Monsters University”
June 21
Walt Disney Pictures
Since 2001, fans of the cliffhanging family hit “Monsters, Inc.” have begged for a sequel to the comedic adventures of Mike and Sulley. Finally, Pixar has responded – with a prequel. Billy Crystal and John Goodman return to voice the two unlikely friends when they were enemies in the same college fraternity. Pixar’s 14th film, filled with all the partying and troublesome antics that occur at real colleges, shows Mike and Sulley in their younger days among a slew of monsters as they compete in their “scaring” major. Just in time for the start of summer, there may be no more appropriate way to end the university year than with a few laughs and scares.
“World War Z”
June 21
Paramount Pictures
An untold amount of actors have had their chance to fight against the end of the world, but now it’s Brad Pitt’s turn. He portrays Gerry Lane, a worker at the United Nations who struggles to cure the zombie pandemic that is quickly demolishing the world. The film, delayed from release last year because of script rewriting, takes on the difficult task of adapting its source material, a 2006 novel of the same name praised for its re-examination and reinterpretation of the zombie genre. Though little is known of the film’s different approach to the story, its intimidating legions of zombie forces prove that the film is one to look out for.
