Summer blockbusters

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, from left, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. (Jaap Buitendijk/Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/MCT).

Alexis Pfeifer

With summer right around the corner, movie theaters will be one of the many dating hot spots, friendly hangout locations and family night out top choices. The rush to the theaters may cause a lineup at the ticket booth. To avoid the delay, check out the upcoming movies and decide which movie fits the night.

Bridesmaids

Directed by Paul Feig

Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper

Release date May 13

Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, lives in an utterly disastrous world. She is broke and distressed. However, when she finds out her best friend is about to get married, she becomes maid of honor and shows the bridesmaids how far she will go to prove her love for them.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Directed by Rob Marshall

Starring Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane

Release date May 20

The fourth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean quadrilogy follows Jack Sparrow and Barbossa on their adventure to find the fountain of youth. However, Blackbeard and his daughter are in search of the fountain as well. What will become of Sparrow in this hit movie?

The Hangover 2

Directed by Todd Phillips

Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ken Jeong

Release date May 26

This comedic follow-up movie begins when Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug travel to Thailand. With his wedding approaching in the exotic country, Stu plans a safely planned meal before the ceremony. As in the first movie, a safe, quiet getaway is not likely.

X-Men: First Class

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon and Lucas Till

Release date June 3

Professor Charles Xavier, Professor X, and Erik Lehnsherr, Magneto, as two former allies, saved their planet from a nuclear explosion and disaster. However, the two friends found a separating difference between them, beginning the war between the archenemies. Professor X represented good, while Magneto fought for the evil.

Bad Teacher

Directed by Jake Kasdan

Starring Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel and John Michael Higgins

Release date June 24

Elizabeth works as a substitute teacher during the day. Her fiancé dumps her for her inappropriate behavior. While at work, she meets another substitute much different than herself. She plans to attract attention from the good-looking substitute to get out of her job.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Directed by Michael Bay

Starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand

Release date July 1

Following the previous adventure of Autobots and Decepticons is the third movie in the Transformers series. The Autobots race to find a hidden spacecraft on the moon to discover its secrets of the Transformers’ last battle.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Directed by David Yates

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

Release date July 15

The second part of the final chapter of Harry Potter brings Harry, Ron and Hermione back to Hogwarts. The trio fights to destroy Voldemort’s horcruxes until their plan is disrupted. The battle between the trio and Voldemort will end the final movie in the Harry Potter series.

Friends with Benefits

Directed by Will Gluck

Starring Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Emma Stone and Jenna Elfman

Release date July 22

A young New Yorker brings a San Franciscan to her home to build a relationship with each other. Although the attractive couple feels connected to one another, they realize they should be friends. Instead, they become friends with benefits. The friends live in an arrangement with no strings attached.

The Change-Up

Directed by David Dobkin

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde and Alan Arkin

Release date August 5

Two best friends live completely opposite lives and see each other’s lives as ideal. During a night out together, the two drunken men wake up in each other’s bodies. Dave is a lawyer, husband and father. Mitch is a single, irresponsible child. They fight to switch back to their own body without destroying their friend’s life.

Final Destination 5

Directed by Steven Quale

Starring Nicholas D’Agosto, Emma Bell and Arlen Escarpeta

Release date August 26

When a suspension bridge collapses, a group of co-workers fights to survive. In the fifth movie of the Final Destination series, the group experiences dreams of death. They must find a way to escape death, even though they have already survived the bridge collapse.

Contact Alexis Pfeifer at [email protected].