The 30 Most Popular Movies of 2012
Categories: Movies, Top 10
#30. This Is Forty
Directed by:Judd Apatow
Starring: Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Melissa McCarthy
Release Date:December 21, 2012
The spin-off to 2007′s Knocked Up won’t star Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl but will instead focus on the married couple in trouble, Pete (Rudd) and Debbie (Mann). However, it’s Megan Fox and Melissa McCarthy who’ve got our interest piqued.
Starring: Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Melissa McCarthy
Release Date:December 21, 2012
The spin-off to 2007′s Knocked Up won’t star Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl but will instead focus on the married couple in trouble, Pete (Rudd) and Debbie (Mann). However, it’s Megan Fox and Melissa McCarthy who’ve got our interest piqued.
#29. Jack the Giant Killer
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Starring:Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Eleanor Tomlinson
Release Date:June 15th, 2012
The trend of putting an adult twist on a classic child-targeted fairytale that started this year (2011) continues with Warner Brothers’ grittier version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Who’s Nick Hoult? He played Beast in X-Men: First Class.
Starring:Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Eleanor Tomlinson
Release Date:June 15th, 2012
The trend of putting an adult twist on a classic child-targeted fairytale that started this year (2011) continues with Warner Brothers’ grittier version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Who’s Nick Hoult? He played Beast in X-Men: First Class.
#28. Project X
Directed by: Nima Nourizadeh
Starring: No one you’d know
Release Date: March 2, 2012
A first-time feature length director and a bunch of unknown actors? What gives! Well, it’s produced by Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover). The story follows a couple of teens who decide to throw a large house party and film it, but what was turning out to be the greatest party ever gets out of control in a bad way.
Starring: No one you’d know
Release Date: March 2, 2012
A first-time feature length director and a bunch of unknown actors? What gives! Well, it’s produced by Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover). The story follows a couple of teens who decide to throw a large house party and film it, but what was turning out to be the greatest party ever gets out of control in a bad way.
#27. Savages
Directed by: Oliver StoneStarring: Blake Lively, Emile Hirsch, Taylor Kitsch, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman, Benicio del Toro
Release Date: September 28th, 2012
Based on the book by Don Winslow, the story centers on two buddies from Laguna Beach who do battle with a Mexican drug cartel after their girl is kidnapped. We’ll blaze to that.
#26. The Expendables 2
Directed by:Simon West
Starring:Stallone, Statham, Jet Li, Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Couture, Crews, Liam Hemsworth, JCVD, Willis, Schwarzenegger
Release Date: August 17, 2012
What’s that? You couldn’t possibly stuff any more action stars into an already crowded all-star lineup? False. JCVD joins the roster as the main villain while Chuck Norris plays a character named Booker. Stone Cold and Rourke won’t return.
Starring:Stallone, Statham, Jet Li, Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Couture, Crews, Liam Hemsworth, JCVD, Willis, Schwarzenegger
Release Date: August 17, 2012
What’s that? You couldn’t possibly stuff any more action stars into an already crowded all-star lineup? False. JCVD joins the roster as the main villain while Chuck Norris plays a character named Booker. Stone Cold and Rourke won’t return.
#25. Men in Black 3
Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Nicole Scherzinger, Rip Torn, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve, Jemaine Clement
Release Date: May 25th, 2012
Not only will this one be in 3-D, but it will also have time-travel. The third installment comes out a full decade after the sequel and 14 years after the first.
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Nicole Scherzinger, Rip Torn, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve, Jemaine Clement
Release Date: May 25th, 2012
Not only will this one be in 3-D, but it will also have time-travel. The third installment comes out a full decade after the sequel and 14 years after the first.
#24. Total Recall
Directed by: Len Wiseman
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Biel
Release Date: August 3, 2012
Some might say it’s too soon to be remade but the original came out in ’90, which is like the Stone Age in internet time. In this version, Farrell fills Arnie’s shoes, which places him in the middle of a battle between Euromerica and New Shanghai. Oh, Hollywood!
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Biel
Release Date: August 3, 2012
Some might say it’s too soon to be remade but the original came out in ’90, which is like the Stone Age in internet time. In this version, Farrell fills Arnie’s shoes, which places him in the middle of a battle between Euromerica and New Shanghai. Oh, Hollywood!
#23. Battleship
Directed by: Peter Berg
Starring: Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard
Release Date:May 18, 2012
Based on the popular board game, this adaptation focuses on a “very dynamic and intense battle” between a naval fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor and an alien race known as “The Regents”. Early buzz says it’s gonna sink.
Starring: Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard
Release Date:May 18, 2012
Based on the popular board game, this adaptation focuses on a “very dynamic and intense battle” between a naval fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor and an alien race known as “The Regents”. Early buzz says it’s gonna sink.
#22. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Directed by: Tommy Wirkola
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen
Release Date: March 2, 2012
This continuation of the Brothers Grimm fairytale takes place 15 years after the traumatic incident at the gingerbread house. The siblings (Renner, Arterton) are now expert hunters who are recruited by the Mayor to rid the area of an evil sorceress (Janssen). The best part? It’s produced by Will Ferrell’s production company.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen
Release Date: March 2, 2012
This continuation of the Brothers Grimm fairytale takes place 15 years after the traumatic incident at the gingerbread house. The siblings (Renner, Arterton) are now expert hunters who are recruited by the Mayor to rid the area of an evil sorceress (Janssen). The best part? It’s produced by Will Ferrell’s production company.
#21. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Directed by: Stephen Daldry
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, James Gandolfini
Release Date: 12/25/11 (limited), 1/20/2012 (wide)
After a 10 year old loses his father (Hanks) in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he goes on a journey across New York to find his father’s lock-box.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, James Gandolfini
Release Date: 12/25/11 (limited), 1/20/2012 (wide)
After a 10 year old loses his father (Hanks) in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he goes on a journey across New York to find his father’s lock-box.
#20. Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie
Directed by: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Release Date: March 2, 2012
“Two guys get a billion dollars to make a film, only to watch their dream run off course.” We’ve seen what they do on a tight budget, so the laughs should be tenfold with a couple extra zeroes tacked on and cast like Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum, John C. Reilly, and Will Forte.
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Release Date: March 2, 2012
“Two guys get a billion dollars to make a film, only to watch their dream run off course.” We’ve seen what they do on a tight budget, so the laughs should be tenfold with a couple extra zeroes tacked on and cast like Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum, John C. Reilly, and Will Forte.
#19. American Reunion
Directed by: Jon Hurwitz
Starring: The original cast from AP 1 PLUS Katrina Bowden and Chad Ochocinco!
Release Date: April 6, 2012
After a bajillion direct-to-DVD releases that were very very loosely tied to the first “trilogy”, the fourth – and we’re assuming final – installment of the series will feature the class of 1999 returning for their high school reunion. Let’s hope they go out with a bang.
Starring: The original cast from AP 1 PLUS Katrina Bowden and Chad Ochocinco!
Release Date: April 6, 2012
After a bajillion direct-to-DVD releases that were very very loosely tied to the first “trilogy”, the fourth – and we’re assuming final – installment of the series will feature the class of 1999 returning for their high school reunion. Let’s hope they go out with a bang.
#18. The Three Stooges
Directed by: The Farrelly Brothers
Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, Will Sasso
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Johnny Knoxville, Jim Carrey, and Andy Samberg were all rumored to be cast. Now you’ve got the big dude from Mad TV, one of the gay guys from Will & Grace, and the cast of Jersey Shore (no joke). At least we’ll get Sofia Vergara’s rack.
Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, Will Sasso
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Johnny Knoxville, Jim Carrey, and Andy Samberg were all rumored to be cast. Now you’ve got the big dude from Mad TV, one of the gay guys from Will & Grace, and the cast of Jersey Shore (no joke). At least we’ll get Sofia Vergara’s rack.
#17. Prometheus
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Noomi Rapace
Release Date: June 8, 2012
The big question surrounding this title was: Is it the prequel to 1979′s Alien or not? The short answer is yes, this is a prequel but with different characters, storylines, etc. Let’s hope it’s more X-Men: First Class as opposed to Star Wars Eps 1-3.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Noomi Rapace
Release Date: June 8, 2012
The big question surrounding this title was: Is it the prequel to 1979′s Alien or not? The short answer is yes, this is a prequel but with different characters, storylines, etc. Let’s hope it’s more X-Men: First Class as opposed to Star Wars Eps 1-3.
#16. Skyfall
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris
Release Date: November 9, 2012
Javier Bardem as the villain? If his perf is anything like his turn in “No Country”, we should be in for a real treat. The title “has some emotional context which will be revealed in the film.” Hopefully in the form of a suggestive double entendre.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris
Release Date: November 9, 2012
Javier Bardem as the villain? If his perf is anything like his turn in “No Country”, we should be in for a real treat. The title “has some emotional context which will be revealed in the film.” Hopefully in the form of a suggestive double entendre.
#15. The Bourne Legacy
Directed by: Tony Gilroy
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen
Release Date: August 3, 2012
The first Bourne film without Matt Damon. It appears Renner will play the lead with Norton as the villain. I didn’t see Renner as the Bourne character Damon played, so it makes sense he’s playing a completely different character. A more fiery forgetful secret agent? I’ll buy in.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz, Joan Allen
Release Date: August 3, 2012
The first Bourne film without Matt Damon. It appears Renner will play the lead with Norton as the villain. I didn’t see Renner as the Bourne character Damon played, so it makes sense he’s playing a completely different character. A more fiery forgetful secret agent? I’ll buy in.
#14. 21 Jump Street
Directed by: Phil Lord
Starring: Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Rob Riggle
Release Date: March 16, 2012
In the big screen adaptation of the 80s TV show, two police officers (Hill and Tatum) go undercover in a high school in order to bust a drug ring. I was REALLY skeptical about this until I saw the trailer. Now, I’m on board big time.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Rob Riggle
Release Date: March 16, 2012
In the big screen adaptation of the 80s TV show, two police officers (Hill and Tatum) go undercover in a high school in order to bust a drug ring. I was REALLY skeptical about this until I saw the trailer. Now, I’m on board big time.
#13. The Great Gatsby
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Isla Fisher
Release Date: December 25, 2012
A movie starring Leo that’s due to come out in December? Yeah, it probably won’t suck. Plus, I’ll finally find out what the book was about. Reading is fundamental, kids.
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Isla Fisher
Release Date: December 25, 2012
A movie starring Leo that’s due to come out in December? Yeah, it probably won’t suck. Plus, I’ll finally find out what the book was about. Reading is fundamental, kids.
#12. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper, Alan Tudyk, Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Anthony Mackie
Release Date:June 22, 2012
This film adaptation will focus on Lincoln’s revenge-fueled rampage against vampires after his mother is killed by one. Oh, and Team Dracula is aided by slave owners. Just in case you were wondering which side of the good/evil coin they fell on.
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper, Alan Tudyk, Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Anthony Mackie
Release Date:June 22, 2012
This film adaptation will focus on Lincoln’s revenge-fueled rampage against vampires after his mother is killed by one. Oh, and Team Dracula is aided by slave owners. Just in case you were wondering which side of the good/evil coin they fell on.
#11. Taken 2
Directed by: Oliver Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
Release Date: October 5, 2012
The first flick took in $226 mil on a budget of about $26.5 mil along with $68 mil more in DVD sales. That automatically means sequel. In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
Release Date: October 5, 2012
The first flick took in $226 mil on a budget of about $26.5 mil along with $68 mil more in DVD sales. That automatically means sequel. In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.
#10. Titanic in 3D
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
Release Date:April 6, 2012
The special re-release of the second highest grossing flick of all-time takes place on the 100th anniversary of both the sailing of the fated ship and Paramount Pictures. We got a special sneak peek at the converted edition and we immediately began drawing each other in the nude.
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
Release Date:April 6, 2012
The special re-release of the second highest grossing flick of all-time takes place on the 100th anniversary of both the sailing of the fated ship and Paramount Pictures. We got a special sneak peek at the converted edition and we immediately began drawing each other in the nude.
#9. Snow White and the Huntsman
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Ian McShane, Lily Cole
Release Date: June 1, 2012
This is one of 2 Snow White flicks coming out in 2012 – the other being “Mirror, Mirror”, which is a comedy while Huntsman is gritty action. We think Mirror, Mirror should consider throwing in the towel.
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Ian McShane, Lily Cole
Release Date: June 1, 2012
This is one of 2 Snow White flicks coming out in 2012 – the other being “Mirror, Mirror”, which is a comedy while Huntsman is gritty action. We think Mirror, Mirror should consider throwing in the towel.
#8. Django Unchained
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kurt Russell, Jamie Foxx, Don Johnson
Release Date: December 25, 2012
With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. Supposedly, this is the first role where Leo plays the antagonist. Tarantino + Leo as a villain = WIN.
Starring: Leo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kurt Russell, Jamie Foxx, Don Johnson
Release Date: December 25, 2012
With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner. Supposedly, this is the first role where Leo plays the antagonist. Tarantino + Leo as a villain = WIN.
#7. The Amazing Spider-Man
Directed by: Marc Webb (hahahahaha, seriously)
Starring: Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Denis Leary, Sally Field
Release Date: July 3, 2012
This “reboot” comes out 5 years after the horrible Spidey 3, the trailer got knocked for ripping off Mirror’s Edge and I don’t buy Garfield as Parker. Webb’s directed a ton of cool music videos and 500 Days of Summer, but can he handle a blockbuster?
Starring: Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Denis Leary, Sally Field
Release Date: July 3, 2012
This “reboot” comes out 5 years after the horrible Spidey 3, the trailer got knocked for ripping off Mirror’s Edge and I don’t buy Garfield as Parker. Webb’s directed a ton of cool music videos and 500 Days of Summer, but can he handle a blockbuster?
#6. World War Z
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Brad Pitt, Bryan Cranston
Release Date: December 21, 2012
This post-apocalyptic tale follows a UN employee who interviews survivors of the Zombie apocalypse. AICN called it, “a genre-defining piece of work that could (have) us all arguing about whether or not a zombie movie qualifies as ‘Best Picture’ material”. It’s also been compared stylistically to Children of Men.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Bryan Cranston
Release Date: December 21, 2012
This post-apocalyptic tale follows a UN employee who interviews survivors of the Zombie apocalypse. AICN called it, “a genre-defining piece of work that could (have) us all arguing about whether or not a zombie movie qualifies as ‘Best Picture’ material”. It’s also been compared stylistically to Children of Men.
#5. The Dictator
Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, John C. Reilly, Megan Fox
Release Date: May 11, 2012
Inspired by Saddam Hussein’s novel, this sure to be epic comedy “tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed”.
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, John C. Reilly, Megan Fox
Release Date: May 11, 2012
Inspired by Saddam Hussein’s novel, this sure to be epic comedy “tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed”.
#4. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett
Release Date: December 14, 2012
The first part of a two-part series (“There and Back Again” comes out 12/2013), “Journey” follows Bilbo Baggins as he joins 13 dwarves to reclaim a treasure from the dragon that conquered their kingdom. No Liv Tyler but we do get Evangeline Lilly.
Starring: Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett
Release Date: December 14, 2012
The first part of a two-part series (“There and Back Again” comes out 12/2013), “Journey” follows Bilbo Baggins as he joins 13 dwarves to reclaim a treasure from the dragon that conquered their kingdom. No Liv Tyler but we do get Evangeline Lilly.
#3. The Hunger Games
Directed by: Gary RossStarring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz
Release Date: March 23, 2012
North America is replaced by Panem, a country divided into 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games, which is like Running Man for Teens.
#2. The Avengers
Directed by: Joss WhedonStarring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson
Release Date:
S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury assembles a team of superheroes that includes Iron man, Captain America, Hulk (this generation’s “Hamlet” according to Ruffalo), Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to battle Loki.
#1. The Dark Knight Rises
Directed by: Christopher NolanStarring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman
Release Date: July 20, 2012
Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman must return to face Bane and figure out what’s up with Selina Kyle (Catwoman).
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