Now that school is out and the unofficial beginning of summer is finally here, now is the perfect time to check out the movie releases for the 2011 summer season. Whether you prefer action-packed drama, nail-biting thrillers or sappy chick flicks, get ready for some summer-time entertainment at your local movie theater. Here are my top movie picks for the summer of 2011 – trailers included.

Summer 2011 Superhero and Action Adventure Films

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – The talented and handsome Johnny Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the latest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series as Captain Jack sets sail to discover the fountain of youth.  Geoffrey Rush and the beautiful Penelope Cruz also star.   The super-popular film is in theaters now.
• X-Men: First Class – Set to release June 3rd, X-Men: First Class is sure to be jam-packed with all sorts of special effects. Kevin Bacon, January Jones and James McAvoy star in this sci-fi action movie.
• The Green Lantern – This sci-fi action film, starring the newly single Ryan Reynolds, is sure to be a big hit! Chosen to wear the green ring, human Hal Jordan, Reynolds dons a super-tight green suit for the big screen adaptation of the DC Comics classic.  And what girl doesn’t love a man in a suit?  Tim Robbins, Geoffrey Rush and Blake Lively co-star in The Green Lantern, coming to a theater near you June 17th.
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon – If you’re a Transformers’ fan, clear your schedule for July 1st. The third installment of the Transformer series stars Shia LeBeouf as Sam, Leonard Nimoy, Frances McDormand and Josh Duhamel and is directed by Michael Bay.
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint continue their search in the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise written by J.K. Rowling.  Directed by David Yates, this film is sure to be a huge blockbuster hit, due out July 15th.
• Captain America: The First Avenger –   This superhero film is due for release in the middle of July.  Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers, who volunteers for a top-secret project and turns into superhero Captain America.  The amazing Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving and Hayley Atwell co-star in this WWII-era adventure, set for release July 22, 2011.
• Conan the Barbarian:3D – Jason Momoa stars in this 3D film made famous by the “governator” – Arnold Schwarzenegger. Watch as Conan sets out to avenge his father’s murder. Conan the Barbarian: 3D, also starring Ron Perlman and Rose McGowan, is due out August 19th.

Animated and Family-Friendly Films

• Kung Fu Panda 2 – Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Jackie Chan “star” in the latest installment of the animated film, Kung Fu Panda.  Watch as Po takes on an old enemy with a brand new weapon.  Its predecessor, Kung Fu Panda, was the highest grossing movie of 2008.  Kung Fu Panda 2 was released May 26th.
• Mr. Popper’s Penguins – The hilarious Jim Carrey stars as Tom Popper in this film set to release June 17th.  Watch the fun as the wealthy New York businessman inherits six penguins and life as he knows it will never be the same.  If working with animals or kids on a film is a bad idea, Jim Carrey sure doesn’t seem to mind!
• Cars 2 – The lovable Owen Wilson stars in this highly-anticipated sequel to the popular 2006 Cars film. Lightning McQueen and Tow-Mater are back in Pixar’s sequel.  Directed and written by John Lasseter, Cars 2 is expected to hit the theaters June 24th.  Michael Caine, Larry the Cable Guy, Joe Mantegna and Cheech Marin also “star” in this animated film.
• Winnie the Pooh – This classic Disney film is a must-see for families.  Like most bears, Winnie sets out to find some honey. Funny-men Craig Ferguson and John Cleese lend their voices to this animated movie expected to be released July 15th.  Jim Cummings stars as Pooh and Tigger.

Have a wonderful summer and see you at the movies!

Sources:

• The Movie Pool.  Lagarreta, Matthew.  Box Office: Predicting the Highest Grossing Films of Summer 2011.
• IMDb

Image courtesy of Pam Roth