We all know summer movies are typically reserved for huge studio blockbusters and fall is when the big awards contenders come out. So where does that leave the months of January through April in a movie year?
Well, it can sometimes be a dumping ground for products that studios don’t have a lot of faith in. However, this is certainly not always the case. Just last year, films like The Grey, Chronicle, 21 Jump Street, and Safe House did big business. And a little flick called The Hunger Games did massive business.
Since it’s 2013, I’ve picked 13 titles coming out between this month and April… or as Hollywood calls it – Spring. These are movies that I believe have the potential to be good and have a shot at box office success. Here we go:
Admission – out March 8
She’s had success in her limited movie career so far with Baby Mama and Date Night and this is Tina Fey’s latest comedy, co-starring the always dependable Paul Rudd. With “30 Rock” ending its run, expect Fey to devote herself to movie stardom full-time and this movie starts it off.
Broken City – out January 18
Mark Wahlberg had a January hit last year with the action flick Contraband. He’s also fresh off the huge comedy Ted and co-star Russell Crowe is appearing in the hit Les Miserables right now. This political thriller looks promising in the trailer.
Evil Dead – out April 12
This remake of the 1981 Sam Raimi cult classic is probably the movie horror fans are most excited about this year. Raimi is on board as a producer here. The trailer (which is red-band, so careful if you’re squeamish) looks like a horror flick lover’s dream. It should be a bloody, really bloody, good time.
Gangster Squad – out January 11
Boasting an A-list cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn, Gangster Squad was originally set for release in October, but was pushed back after its movie theater massacre scene was edited out following Aurora. From Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer, this looks like it could be a really entertaining old time gangster tale. Sean Penn sure seems like he’s having a good time chewing up the scenery.
A Good Day to Die Hard – out February 14
OK, fellas, might as well tell your girl what your Valentine’s Day plans are now. The fifth installment of detective John McClane’s wild adventures continues here. Set in Europe, I’m guessing big explosions and foul-mouthed smack talking from Bruce Willis. The last entry, 2007’s Live Free or Die Hard, was pretty darn good so there’s hope.
The Heat – out April 5
We’ve seen a whole lot of male buddy cop comedies over the years, but not many female ones. This one seems to have a lot going for it, as it stars Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. It’s also director Paul Feig’s first feature since the smash hit Bridesmaids. This one could bring in a lot of money.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone – out March 15
This comedy about washed up magicians features a hell of a cast – Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, and Jim Carrey. With that pedigree, this has gotta have some funny stuff in it.
Jack, the Giant Slayer – out March 1
Director Bryan Singer, who brought us The Usual Suspects and the first two X-Men films, brings us into fairy tale world with his latest picture. Hard to tell with this one and it could go either way, but it looks a whole lot better than this spring’s other fairy tale story, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.
The Last Stand – out January 18
OK, who knows if this will be any good? But I have to include Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first leading role in ten years, since Terminator 3. As you may recall, he was busy the last decade being Governor of California and admitting to being his nanny’s baby daddy. Sly Stallone has a nice little career going lately with the Expendables flicks and Rocky and Rambo returns. Let’s see if Ah-nuld can follow suit.
Movie 43 – out January 25
If Movie 43 doesn’t do well, it certainly won’t be for lack of recognizable cast members. The raunchy comedy, which apparently has multiple stories and directors, features Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Uma Thurman, Richard Gere, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Jason Sudeikis, Terrence Howard, and many, many others.
Oblivion – out April 12
The last sci-fi movies with Tom Cruise were 2002’s Minority Report and 2005’s War of the Worlds and they were both solid. Of course, they were also both directed by Steven Spielberg, who’s, well, pretty decent at that genre. We’ll see how sci-fi and Tommy Boy mix here.
Oz: The Great and Powerful – out March 8
I mentioned director Sam Raimi earlier for Evil Dead, but in the last decade Raimi is known for the Spiderman trilogy. Here, Raimi turns his attention and a $200 million dollar budget to the land of Oz. This certainly has the potential to be a massive blockbuster. The fact that it has the same weekend release slot that Alice in Wonderland had three years ago is not an accident.
Pain and Gain – out April 26
Marky Mark again! Here he stars in this true story action flick along with The Rock. It’s directed by Michael Bay, who gave us the Transformers and Bad Boys movies. Shockingly, Bay decided to go cheap here and the budget is a meager $22 million or about one-tenth of a Transformers flick. Looks like it could be mindless fun though.
So there you have it – 13 titles for the next four months that may get some attention at the box office. Stay tuned!
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