The Avengers got the summer off to a sizzling start last month, with the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time. The season promises to continue in an equally hot vein, with some of the biggest franchises offering animations, reboots and reinterpretations; sequels, prequels and originals; and the morbid, retro and straight up bizarre. (Phew. Think I got everything in there.)
Here's a look at some of the summer blockbusters that everyone's buzzing about.
Snow White and the Huntsman (May 31)
This isn't the fairy tale you think you know. Nor is it the disappointing Julia Roberts vehicle of earlier in the year. 'The fairest one of all' will be played by Kristen Stewart, while Charlize Theron dons the crown and sneer as evil Queen Ravenna. Thor beefcake Chris Hemsworth plays the huntsman, usually a throwaway character in this story - prepare for muscle-bound action.
Prometheus (June 7)
Ridley Scott returns to the helm of the Alien franchise, the horror film par excellence which made Sigourney Weaver a household name way back in 1979 spawned five films, including this one. Expect sci-fi horror like never before.