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(1. Skyfall  2. Lincoln  3. Breaking Dawn Part 2
4. Anna Karenina  5. Silver Linings Playbook  6. Life of Pi
7. Rise of the Guardians  8. Hitchcock  9. The Hobbit
10. Jack Reacher  11. On the Road  12. Les Miserables)

Release dates are nationwide dates when applicable and are subject to change!

November 9

Skyfall
Starring Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory, and Javier Bardem
Based on characters created by Ian Fleming
James Bond returns in the third film of the series featuring Daniel Craig

November 16

Lincoln
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and John Hawkes
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Based in part on the book Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner
Based on the book by Stephenie Meyer
The final installment in the Twilight film franchise

Anna Karenina
Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Matthew Macfadyen
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
The classic Russian saga gets the big budget treatment with a script adaptation by playwright Tom Stoppard

November 21

Silver Linings Playbook
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro
Based on the book by Matthew Quick
A realistic drama about a man just coming home from a mental institution

Life of Pi
Starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, and Tabu
Directed by Ang Lee
Based on the book by Yann Martel
A magical story of a boy and a tiger adrift in the Pacific Ocean

Rise of the Guardians
Starring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, and Isla Fisher
Based on the Guardians of Childhood series by William Joyce
An animated fantasy adventure for children

November 23

Hitchock
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, and Scarlett Johansson
Based on the book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello
A peek into the romantic life of Alfred Hitchcock during the filming of Psycho

November 30

Killing Them Softly (Rated R)
Starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, and Richard Jenkins
Based on the novel by George V. Higgins
Mob crime thriller about a poker game gone wrong

December 7

Lay the Favorite (Rated R)
Starring Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, and Vince Vaughn
Based on the memoir by Beth Raymer
Comedy about the world of sports gambling in Las Vegas

December 14

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, and Andy Serkis
Directed by Peter Jackson
Based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien
The first in a trilogy based on The Hobbit and other Tolkien mythology

December 21

Jack Reacher
Starring Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, and Richard Jenkins
Based on the book series by Lee Child
A gritty action thriller about a homicide investigator

On The Road (Rated R)
Starring Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, and Kristen Stewart
Based on the book by Jack Kerouac
This iconic 1960s road trip story gets the big screen treatment

December 25

Les Misérables
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Helena Bonham Carter
An adaptation of the stage musical based on Victor Hugo’s novel

The Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening soon. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

August 18

With Twilight’s popularity, a vampire romance parody was inevitable. Vampires Suck skewers the whole genre, but appears to take aim primarily at the Twilight franchise. This will be an adequate summer diversion for vampire-haters and Twihards who don’t mind being poked fun at.

August 20

Emma Thompson is back as the inimitable Nanny McPhee in Nanny McPhee Returns. Young moviegoers and their families should flock to this movie, as it’s the first family-friendly film to open this month.

Lottery Ticket stars Bow Wow (he’s not Li’l anymore) as a young man who wins a multi-million dollar lottery and must deal with the money-grubbing hijinks of his friends and family. This broad comedy should attract a teen audience, especially those who are fans of Bow Wow, T-Pain, Ice Cube and the other rappers who star in it.

In The Switch, a guy named Wally (Jason Bateman) drunkenly spills the sample from his best friend Kassie’s (Jennifer Aniston) sperm donor and replaces it with his own. Seven years later, he finally meets his son and must confront the situation. While this will mostly appeal to an older audience, teens who are fans of Aniston or Bateman will likely be interested.

Piranha 3D (Rated R) is the latest remake of the 1978 B-movie Piranha. This horror flick stars a host of familiar names including Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O’Connell, and Richard Dreyfuss and features lots of gratuitous blood, gore, and nudity, all in 3D.

August 27

Based on the middle grade novel by Wendelin Van Draanen, Flipped gets a wide release this weekend after a limited release earlier this month. It tells the story of the budding romance between Bryce and Juli from second grade through junior high. Early reviews are mixed, but this looks like an endearing film adaptation that will appeal to younger audiences and families.

Moviegoers looking for something more action-packed should check out Takers, a gritty crime thriller about a group of professional bank robbers reuniting for a big heist.

The Last Exorcism presents itself as “found footage” of a disillusioned minister performing an exorcism. This has been making the film festival circuit and looks like a must-see for horror fans.

What movies are you or your teens most looking forward to this month?

The Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening soon. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

August 6

The Other Guys features Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as two incompetent NYC cops who find themselves hot on the tail of some of the city’s biggest criminals. This buddy cop comedy from Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) may have the right combination of star power and broad humor to knock Inception from its box office throne.

The latest installment in the popular dance franchise, Step Up 3D looks to be its most extravagant venture yet. The plot in this is secondary to the all-out dance battles, which should be fantastic and the dance crews are packed with alums from teen favorites So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew.

August 13

Julia Roberts stars in the big-screen adaptation of the Elizabeth Gilbert bestseller Eat Pray Love, which opens this weekend. A recent divorcee heads off on a journey to find herself in Italy, India, and Bali through food, spirituality, and romance. Though primarily for an older demographic, this will likely appeal to many older teen girls especially with Glee’s Ryan Murphy directing.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, stars Michael Cera as a lovable doofus who must defeat the seven evil exes of his new love interest before dating her. Chock full of video game references, hip music tracks, and epic fight scenes, this film is made for the teen and twenty-something set and is being heavily marketed to them. (This is my most highly-anticipated movie of the summer, and maybe even the year!)

The Expendables (Rated R) is an action movie for action movie fans. Directed by Sylvester Stallone and starring himself and other action movie veterans like Jet Li, Steve Austin, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie focuses on a team of mercenaries sent to overthrow a South American dictator. But the plot hardly matters in this kind of mindless summer escape, which is perfect for older teens looking for a distraction.

Best bets

Maybe I’m being optimistic after a summer of so-so movies, but most of these actually look tolerable. My heart’s with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, though, and I think lots of teens will fall for it as well.

Coming up

Paranormal romance parody Vampires Suck, Nanny McPhee Returns, the sequel to the 2005 kid’s charmer, Lottery Ticket, a comedy starring Bow Wow, The Switch with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, horror remake Piranha 3D (Rated R), the film adapation of the middle-grade novel Flipped, action thriller Takers, documentary-style horror film The Last Exorcism, and Going the Distance (Rated R), with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long

The Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening this month. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

July 1

In preparation for the holiday weekend, we’ve not only got Eclipse opening on June 30, but also The Last Airbender, based on the popular animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender opening on Thursday, July 1. This live-action adaptation, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, has already garnered a lot of buzz, but primarily for negative reasons. While the series is set in an Asian-inspired universe, the movie features mostly white actors and many are boycotting the movie, including Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese. See his comic explaining the boycott. Despite the controversy, many fans and new viewers will likely turn out for the movie.

July 9

The 3d animated film Despicable Me attempts to steal some of Toy Story 3’s box office thunder this weekend. This darkly comic tale sees the world’s second best supervillain, Gru, try to dethrone his archnemesis while also caring for three young orphans. Universal has been heavily promoting the movie and it features some popular voice actors including Steve Carell and Miranda Cosgrove, so this looks like an no-brainer for the family crowd and the dark undertones will likely appeal to teens as well.

Sci-fi horror fans will be interested in the Predator sequel Predators (Rated R). In the movie, a group of humans finds themselves trapped on an alien planet as prey for a new breed of predators.

July 14

Loosely based on the Sorcerer’s Apprentice segment in Disney’s Fantasia, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice features Nicolas Cage as a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan. He takes reluctant college student Jay Baruchel under his wings as an apprentice and the two fight evil together. While the plot seems weak, it may find traction with tweens, which looks to be the target market for this film.

July 16

Inception brings together Leonardo DiCaprio and noted director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins, Dark Knight) for what promises to be a mind-bending look at dreams and espionage. Not much is known about the plot, but with its pedigree, this film should be a big hit with teens and older audiences.

July 23

Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books get the movie treatment in Ramona and Beezus starring Joey King and Selena Gomez as the title characters. In this adaptation, rambunctious third-grader Ramona attempts to save her family’s home before it’s too late. Some long-time fans may not like the film interpretation, but it looks appealing to a younger crowd.

Angelina Jolie stars as Salt in this action thriller about a spy on the run after being accused of working for the enemy. Originally written for Tom Cruise, the script was reworked for Jolie after Cruise dropped out. Though it will be competing for the same audience as last week’s Inception, this should be a welcome summer distraction for an older crowd.

July 30

Jay Roach of Austin Powers and Meet the Parents directs Dinner for Schmucks, remake of a French dar

The Weekend Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening this month. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

June 4

Starring Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl, Killers tells the story of an ex-CIA operative trying to live a normal suburban life who finds himself with a bounty on his head. Kutcher, Heigl, and the comedic action premist may appeal to teen viewers, but this is already being billed as one of the worst movies of the year with a mere 14% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

The long-running comic strip Marmaduke comes to the big screen in this broad family comedy. Voiced by Owen Wilson, Marmaduke gets himself into all kinds of trouble after his family moves to California. It’s been getting terrible reviews and will likely only appeal to younger kids.

Get Him to the Greek (Rated R), a spinoff of 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall, features Russell Brand as narcissistic rock star Aldous Snow and Jonah Hill as the record company intern who has to get him from London to Los Angeles without a hitch. Expect this to be very funny, but a bit lewd for the younger teen set.

Splice (Rated R), a sci-fi horror film, offers some darker fare for summer movie-goers. Two scientists combine human and animal DNA to create a hybrid creature that becomes their worst nightmare. Based on mostly favorable reviews, this could be a good choice for older teens who enjoy smart sci-fi or dystopian stories.

June 11

We get two ’80s remakes this weekend! First up is The A-Team, based on the television series of the same name, in which a group of ex-Army mercenaries hope to clear their names for a crime they didn’t commit. While the nostalgia factor won’t do much to entice younger moviegoers, they may be hungry for a straight action film.

For the family crowd, The Karate Kid starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith also opens this weekend. Like in the original, the story features a young kid who learns to stand up to a bully with the help of an older mentor, but this story takes place in China, so he learns kung fu (despite the title). Again, the target audience won’t remember the original, but its big names and timeless story will appeal to all ages.

June 18

It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years since Toy Story 2, but Toy Story 3 finally makes its way onto the big screen this weekend. Andy’s off to college and the toys find themselves inadvertantly donated to a daycare, where they meet a new cast of characters. With Pixar’s track record, this should be an entertaining film, even if it doesn’t live up to its predecessors.

Based on a DC Comics character, Jonah Hex stars Josh Brolin as the bounty hunter protagonist in this superhero Western. Jonah Hex doesn’t have the huge built-in fanbase of other superhero franchises like Spiderman and Batman, but this will still interest comic fans and action movie lovers alike.

June 25

In Grown Ups, five junior high friends reunite over 30 years later to spend a long weekend with their families. The film stars Adam Sandler, who also co-wrote, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider, so will

The Weekend Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening in the next two weeks. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

May 7

Apparently no one wants to compete with Iron Man 2, the sequel to one of the biggest comic book movies ever, as it’s the only big release this weekend at 4,000 screens. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the uber-rich playboy Tony Stark, whose alter-ego Iron Man is now public knowledge, and faces new challenges, especially from Mickey Rourke’s character. The original film was a breakout hit, garnering both critical acclaim and box office success, so the sequel will surely draw in the crowds and promises to be a fun ride, even if it’s not up to par with the first.

May 14

Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe team up again for an epic retelling of Robin Hood. It looks to be a traditional interpretation of the story, albeit with a lot of gritty action. I’m not sure if Crowe is still popular with the public, especially teenagers, so it will be interesting to see if this resonates with them.

Moviegoers looking for a break from all the action will have two options this weekend. The first is the Queen Latifah-fronted Just Wright. She stars as a physical therapist who falls in love with a pro basketball player (Common). The previews look lighthearted and with a PG rating, this movie will likely have broad appeal.

The other romantic option is Letters to Juliet, starring Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave. Seyfried’s Sophie stumbles upon a love letter in Verona, Italy and embarks on a mission to reunite Redgrave’s Claire with her long-lost love and may just find some love of her own. This looks charming and with a dual love story, it could appeal to many generations of viewers.

Best Bets: Iron Man 2

Coming up: The latest Shrek movie, Shrek Forever After, MacGruber, based on the SNL sketch of the same name, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, based on the video game, and Sex and the City 2

The Weekend Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening in the next two weeks. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

March 19

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, based on the wildly popular books by Jeff Kinney, is sure to be a hit with kids and kids at heart. The story follows the trials and tribulations of sixth-grader Greg Heffley as he tries to survive his first year middle school. The movie doesn’t have any huge stars attached, which is refreshing for a kid’s film, and two of the writers were writer-producers on Freaks and Geeks, one of the best portrayals of awkward high school life, so this adaptation looks promising.

For a slightly older crowd, Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler star in The Bounty Hunter. In this action comedy, Butler plays a bounty hunter whose next target is his bail-jumping ex-wife, Aniston. This could certainly find an audience this weekend, especially with its star power, but the trailers make this one look truly atrocious.

Though it’s rated R and only opening on 225 screens this weekend, The Runaways has tons of appeal for teens and music fans. Based on the true story of the ’70s punk band’s formation and rise to fame, the movie stars Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherrie Currie, with a host of other up-and-coming teen actresses rounding out the cast. A wider release is slated for April 9.

March 26

Another book to movie adaptation will try to entice kids to the theaters this weekend. An animated film loosely based on the books by Cressida Cowell, How To Train Your Dragon tells the story of a teenaged viking who upsets the status quo by befriending a dragon. While it will have to compete with the Wimpy Kid fans, it benefits from a huge marketing campaign.

The title of Hot Tub Time Machine (rated R) succintly describes its plot. Four friends wake up in 1986 after a wild night in a ski resort hot tub and capitalize on the opportunity to change their futures. The premise is ridiculous, but this will appeal to fans of movies wacky comedies like The Hangover.

Best bets: Diary of A Wimpy Kid or The Runaways

Coming up: The big budget, mythological Clash of the Titans, Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Last Song with Miley Cyrus, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too, sequel to the 2007 movie, broad comedy Date Night with Tina Fey and Steve Carell

The Weekend Box Office Preview features movies with teen and tween appeal opening in the next two weeks. For the most part I won’t feature R-rated films, but occasionally there will be R-rated movies on teens’ radar and the rating will be noted. Limited release movies will be featured the week they get a wide release.

March 5

Tim Burton’s hotly anticipated interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland finally opens this weekend. Teaming up with long-time collaboraters Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, along with relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Burton brings his trademark bizarre whimsy to the story for what looks like a visual treat of a movie.

March 12

Remember Me, a romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson as a suicidal youngster who finds love in the face of tragedy, is sure to be a hit with teen girls and other members of Team Edward.

In the broad comedy Our Family Wedding, Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia star as two fathers who butt heads as their respective children, played by America Ferrera and Lance Gross, plan their wedding.

Loosely based on the non-fiction book Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, this weekend’s Green Zone (Rated R) reunites Matt Damon and Bourne Supremacy director Paul Greengrass war thriller about WMDs in Iraq.

Raunchy comedy She’s Out of My League (Rated R) stars Jay Baruchel as an average guy who keeps second guessing himself after snagging a way more attractive girlfriend.

Best bets: Alice in Wonderland for pure visual pleasure

Coming up: The Bounty Hunter, starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, based on the books by Jeff Kinney, How To Train Your Dragon, based on the book by Cressida Cowell, and Hot Tub Time Machine, which is just what it sounds like.