2014 Summer Movie Preview: Get Ready for Superheros, Animation and, Yes, Godzilla

by Elizabeth Weitzman

Comedy—The Other Woman (April 25)

A revenge comedy with the pacing of a rom-com, the latest from Nick Cassavetes (“The Notebook”) stars Cameron Diaz as a devoted girlfriend who finds out her perfect beau (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is secretly married (to Leslie Mann). Then they discover he’s also dating Kate Upton, and then it’s a real fight.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (May 2)

Andrew Garfield’s sophomore adventure as the Marvel Comics web-slinger finds Peter Parker facing Electro (Jamie Foxx), while Gwen (Emma Stone) swoons and Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) gets green (as in, Goblin) with envy. Marc Webb again directs. In this age of superheroes, Spidey is still one of the biggies.

Chef (May 9)

Over the course of his career, Jon Favreau has alternated passion projects (“Made”) with moneymakers (“Iron Man”). This dramedy has a new ingredient, with Favreau not only writing and directing but starring as a chef who leaves his high-profile restaurant gig for a food truck. Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara and Dustin Hoffman co-star.

Neighbors (May 9)

In a bit of unexpected casting, Seth Rogen is the responsible suburban dad who—along with wife Rose Byrne—goes ballistic when a hard-partying fraternity moves in across the street. When the frat president (Zac Efron) ups the volume, the battle begins. Directed by Nicholas Stoller (“Get Him to the Greek”).

Devil’s Knot (May 9)

Atom Egoyan’s dramatization of the “West Memphis Three” case — memorably captured in the “Paradise Lost” documentaries — stars Reese Witherspoon as the mother of a boy killed in 1993; the subsequent arrest and conviction of three teens led to discussions of innocence, guilt and trumped-up evidence. Colin Firth is a private investigator, and Dane DeHaan is one of the young suspects.

Franchise Rebooted—Godzilla (May 16)

Here comes the giant reptile again, stompin’ and chompin’ up cities (San Francisco and New York are on the menu) and again with the world’s worst halitosis. The surprisingly game cast includes Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, David Strathairn and Juliette Binoche. Geez, we’d watch those people in a movie that didn’t have Godzilla.

The Immigrant (May 16)

In the 1920s, a Polish woman (Marion Cotillard) moves to New York to make a better life for herself and her sister—only to have their fortunes changed by a mysterious stranger (Joaquin Phoenix). Can a dashing stage magician (Jeremy Renner) save them? Don’t dashing stage magicians always save people?

Million Dollar Arm (May 16)

Based-in-truth inspirational sports dramas rarely come with surprises. But director Craig Gillespie (“Lars and the Real Girl”) favors the off-kilter, and it’s unlikely his lead, Jon Hamm, would sign up for generic warm and fuzzies. Hamm plays a desperate agent who heads to India in search of the next great baseball pitcher— by scouting cricket players. Naturally, everyone thinks he’s a madman.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (May 23)

More than a decade after “X-Men 2,” original series director Bryan Singer returns to one of the most reliable superhero franchises of this century. Almost everyone else is back, too, since the original cast is connecting with their earlier selves: Old Xavier (Patrick Stewart) sends Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) through time to find young Xavier (James McAvoy). Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Ian McKellen and Halle Berry also suit up. X-cellent.

Blended (May 23)

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore reunite as single parents who have to share a suite with their various kids at an African resort. Uh-oh, this sounds suspiciously like a vacation the studio paid for.

Maleficent (May 30)

Angelina Jolie in that witchy head garb is enough to bring us to this one, the Sleeping Beauty story told from the point of view of the villain. We see her backstory, of course, and hopefully the way she got the ability to turn into a dragon. Elle Fanning is the dozing honey, Aurora.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (May 30)

Exactly 40 years after Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles,” Seth MacFarlane (“Ted”) upends the Western once again. The writer-director-producer-star plays a laid-back frontiersman who goes up against a tough gunslinger (Liam Neeson) just to impress the women in his life (Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried). And yes, there’s a campfire scene. Don’t like that? Tough beans.

Edge of Tomorrow (June 6)

Tom Cruise fights aliens — yes, again — only this time, he’s Earth’s fiercest defender in the future, and he keeps dying over and over again as a glitch in a time-travel loop sends him back to the same day. Emily Blunt co-stars. Maybe he can remake “Vanilla Sky” while he’s going back in time.

Young Adult Book—The Fault in Our Stars (June 6)

How do you tell a sad story based on a best-selling young adult novel? First you hire Shailene Woodley, who’s just coming off her “Divergent” success, to play a teenage cancer patient. Then you cast her “Divergent” co-star Ansel Elgort as the boy who insists on falling madly in love with her. Tissues recommended.

Animated—How to Train Your Dragon 2 (June 13)

The sequel to the 2010 animated smash, again adapted from Cressida Cowell’s terrifically flavorful kids’ book series, finds an older Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) eager to prove himself worthy of his Viking ancestors and fight for peace in his kingdom. His best ally is again his dragon, Toothless, silent but stalwart as ever.

Biopic—Jimi: All Is By My Side (June 13)

OutKast’s Andre Benjamin plays the great Jimi Hendrix in this biopic from writer-director John Ridley, a newly minted Oscar-winner for his script of “12 Years a Slave.” Set in the mid-to-late ’60s, it co-stars Imogen Poots and Hayley Atwell. As Jimi might say, are you experienced?

Lullaby (June 13)

A young guy (Garrett Hedlund) hears his dad (Richard Jenkins) is taking himself off life support in two days. Father and son attempt to reconnect, as an old love (Amy Adams) comes back into the picture. Jennifer Hudson co-stars.

TV Series to Movie—22 Jump Street (June 13)

It’s been a very good year for directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, thanks to the hundreds of millions their “Lego Movie” has already pulled in. Presumably, they’ll bring their sense of snarky silliness to the “21 Jump Street” sequel, too. Undercover buds Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill have graduated to college, but they’re no smarter than they were in high school. But who is?

Think Like a Man Too (June 20)

Steve Harvey’s nonfiction couples’ chronicle, turned into a hit comedy, begets a sequel. Here, the whole gang (including Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Jerry Ferrara, Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union) go to Vegas for a wedding. If they made a comedy from a Suze Orman money advice book, we’d be there.

Biopic—Jersey Boys (June 20)

Though it shouldn’t really be opening the week after Father’s Day, you can still bring Dad to director Clint Eastwood’s musical biopic of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Bonus: Even if you take the whole family, it’ll cost less than a single ticket to the popular Broadway show on which the movie is based.

Third Person (June 20)

Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, James Franco and Adrien Brody are lovers and fighters whose stories play out in New York, Paris and Rome in this movie of interconnected couples. Written and directed by Paul Haggis (“Crash”).

Transformers: Age of Extinction (June 27)

The title almost sounds like a tease, but as long as Michael Bay keeps raking in the money, Transformers will never die. At least Bay has replaced Shia LaBeouf with Mark Wahlberg, and the robotic Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with up-and-comer Nicola Peltz. As father and daughter, they reignite the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. No! Things were going so well!

Snowpiercer (June 27)

In a desolate sci-fi future, a failed global-warming remedy kills most life on Earth (we bet cockroaches survive, though). The world’s last people travel around on a perpetual-motion train called Snowpiercer, though everything starts to drive them mad — especially that whole world-ending thing. Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton and Ed Harris star.

Deliver Us From Evil (July 2)

A series of supernatural crimes is plaguing Gotham. Who ya gonna call? How about a New York cop (Eric Bana) and an unorthodox priest (Edgar Ramirez). Based on the real-life cases of officer Ralph Sarchie. Olivia Munn co-stars as a woman who ain’t afraid of no ghost.

Earth to Echo (July 2)

A family adventure about three kids who pick up an odd transmission on their cellphones. Wouldn’t you know, it’s from a stranded alien. Let’s hope these guys saw “E.T.,” or at least have iPhone 5’s.

Tammy (July 2)

Melissa McCarthy is out to prove again that what she comes up with, audiences love. Here, she’s a waitress who finds her husband with another woman, ruins her car and gets fired from her job. She decides to stop her run of bad luck by taking her cranky grandma (Susan Sarandon) on a road trip. Written by McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, who also directed.

Begin Again (July 4)

Known by the more evocative title “Can a Song Save Your Life?” when it was shown at Sundance, this rom-dramedy with music stars Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo as singer-songwriters who find their hearts are in tune when they meet in the East Village. Directed by John Carney (“Once”). With Hailee Steinfeld and Catherine Keener.

Roger Ebert Documentary—Life Itself (July 4)

This documentary about the late film critic and man for all seasons Roger Ebert is for lovers of film and lovers of life. Director Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”) filmed Ebert as cancer was ravaging his body, but as the movie shows, his mind and spirit were as strong as ever.

Franchise Rebooted—Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11)

Those damned smarty apes are back, walking upright and emerging as the heroes of this successfully rebooted franchise. Andy Serkis is again chimp leader Caesar. These flicks have somehow found the Forbidden Zone of quality and box-office primacy.

And So It Goes… (July 11)

Rob Reiner’s recent résumé has not unfolded as we’d have liked, coming from the director of “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally.” But we’re betting he’s back in fine form for this comedy about an obnoxious realtor (Michael Douglas) who needs help (from Diane Keaton) when he gets stuck with his precocious granddaughter.

Film Festival Indy—Boyhood (July 11)

One of the big hits of this year’s Sundance was director Richard Linklater’s unique coming-of-age drama about 12 years in the life of a Texas youth (newcomer Ellar Coltrane). Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette play his parents. Actually filmed with the same actors over a dozen years, with emotionally epic results.

A Long Way Down (July 11)

Pierce Brosnan, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette and Aaron Paul meet cute on a London rooftop on New Year’s Eve: they’re all intent on committing suicide. With that plan called off, they agree to give life another shot for a few weeks. From a Nick Hornby novel. Rosamund Pike, who’ll play the titular “Gone Girl” this fall, co-stars.

The Purge: Anarchy (July 18)

The lickety-split-here-it-is sequel to last year’s future-set horror thriller finds the neighborhood killing spree happening without Ethan Hawke, star of the last one.

Animated—Planes: Fire & Rescue (July 18)

Rather than being grounded by dismal reviews, last summer’s animated comedy “Planes” made good money — which, of course, is the signal of soaring success in Hollywood. So Dane Cook returns to voice Dusty, the crop duster ready to prove himself as an aerial firefighter. Take off!

Jupiter Ascending (July 18)

Andy and Lana Wachowski follow up their trippy “Cloud Atlas” with this sci-fi about a woman (Mila Kunis) who discovers she’s a warrior from beyond the stars. Channing Tatum co-stars.

Wish I Was Here (July 18)

A thirtysomething dad (director Zach Braff) is at a crossroads with family, friends and career. Kate Hudson is his patient wife, and Mandy Patinkin his cranky dad in this Kickstarter-funded flick, Braff’s followup to 2004’s “Garden State.”

Hercules (July 25)

Brett Ratner hasn’t directed a feature film since 2011’s “Tower Heist,” an uneven callback to ’80s action comedies. And Hercules has already buckled at the box office this year, in Renny Harlin’s January flop, “The Legend of Hercules,” starring Kellan Lutz. But this one stars Duane (The Rock) Johnson, a man with the gift of making Hercules look like Hamlet.

Sex Tape (July 25)

After 10 years together, a couple with kids (Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz) tries to get zesty again by making their own sex tape. Guess what happens? Yup, it gets seen by other people. Hate it when that happens, right? Of course.

Step Up: All In (July 25)

The “Step Up” series has delivered diminishing returns with each effort, and this is director Trish Sie’s first time on the floor. At least she has an advantage in the concept: “All-stars” from the other films are reuniting for a battle in Vegas. It’s always nice to see Adam Sevani’s amusing Moose, but we won’t be all in until this franchise secures a cameo from its original all-star, Channing Tatum.

Biopic—Get on Up (Aug. 1)

The colorful, musical life of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, comes to the screen. Chadwick Boseman (“42”) stars, with Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jill Scott co-starring. Tate Taylor (“The Help”) directs. Please, please, please let it be good.

What If (Aug. 1)

Medical school dropout Daniel Radcliffe and animator Zoe Kazan cross paths and fall in love in this romantic comedy. Because when a doc and a cartoonist fall in love, it can only be funny. We wish them luck, but only one of them seems to have a promising profession.

Comic Book to Movie—Guardians of the Galaxy (Aug. 1)

It’s about time daringly deranged director James Gunn (“Super,” “Movie 43”) got a superhero-size project to call his own. This offbeat Marvel adaptation — in which Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel and a raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper protect the universe — sounds perfect. It features a surly, heroic raccoon. How could it go wrong?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Aug. 7)

The Turtles return in this live-action adventure, which brings us back to their beginnings with stars Megan Fox and Will Arnett. How did they get so big? Why are they so good at fighting? Will 21st-century kids even care? What do we do with all those old trading cards?

The Two Faces of January (Aug. 8)

Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortensen are a wealthy American couple traveling through Greece in the 1960s. Oscar Isaac is the con artist who gloms on to them in this version of a Patricia Highsmith novel.

Lucy (Aug. 8)

Scarlett Johansson is pregnant now, but before having to stay away from action flicks, she made this adventure thriller with director Luc Besson. ScarJo plays a woman working as a drug mule who’s captured but turns the tables on her tormentors when she develops powers — thanks to the drugs inside her body. Morgan Freeman co-stars.

The Hundred-Foot Journey (Aug. 8)

Oprah Winfrey co-produced this feel-good dramedy about an Indian family who moves to France to open a restaurant that challenges a successful eatery across the street. Helen Mirren stars. Directed by Lasse Hallström.

The Giver (Aug. 15)

Hollywood’s love of dystopian dramas continues (where is the “Logan’s Run” remake?) with this adaptation of Lois Lowry’s novel about a boy (Brenton Thwaites) who must learn all of history’s secrets from an old recluse (Jeff Bridges) with the memory of mankind. Meryl Streep and Katie Holmes co-star. Wonder if in 200 years anyone will remember all these movies?

The Expendables 3 (Aug. 15)

Now that aging action heroes have figured out how to improve their power—by combining their might—the Expendables keep expanding. For the third round, Stallone, Statham and Schwarzenegger have to fight Mel Gibson’s evil arms dealer. And while we’re not surprised Wesley Snipes has also signed on, how big could Harrison Ford’s tax bill be that he has to do this?

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Aug. 22)

The groundbreaking “Sin City” was one rough ride through the black-and-white world of Frank Miller’s graphic novel. This sequel thankfully looks like more of the same, courtesy of co-directors Miller and Robert Rodriguez. Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Bruce Willis and Rosario Dawson star.

Animated—Underdogs (Aug. 27)

Animated story about a shy kid who gets help from a team of table-top foosball players that magically come alive. The film was released last summer in Argentina, home country of its director, Juan José Campanella (who made the terrific “The Secret in Their Eyes”). We’ll see if it scores with American audiences.

Indy Film—Life of Crime (Aug. 29)

Returning to her quirky roots, Jennifer Aniston stars in this gritty indie as the kidnapped wife of a real estate developer (Tim Robbins). When the guy decides he doesn’t want to pay the ransom for her, double crosses and sneaky plays abound in this adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s The Switch. With Isla Fisher and Will Forte.

The Loft (Aug. 29)

Five married guys plot to share a penthouse for their after-hours kicks — then find a body there. Karl Urban and James Marsden are two of the suspects.