With 2011 nearly over, it’s time to look ahead to the next year in movies. Recently, Fandango surveyed thousands of their users, asking what films they most anticipated in 2012. I’m not sure why they split it between male and female viewers, but The Hobbit, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and The Avengers are hitting the top. Here’s my personal top ten films I’m looking forward to in 2012, and I hope you weigh in with your own, too!


1. The Hunger Games. It took me about a week to read all three books, and when I was done I was so sad to never see these characters again. Until I heard that they were making this movie! The trailer promises action, heart, and incredible visuals. Though I don’t believe any movie can really match what one’s imagination conjures while reading a book — The Hunger Games looks pretty close! I was a bit skeptical about their male lead casting, but the trailer also helped me get past that! What do you think? Release date: March 23, 2012.

2. The Great Gatsby. Also based on a book, though one nearing a hundred years old. This adaptation stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy, Joel Edgerton as her husband, along with Tobey Maguire, Isla Fisher and Gemma Ward. You can’t beat that cast, and weird as he may be, director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet) will definitely bring his own spin to the classic tale. And the fashions, the fashions! Release Date: December 25, 2012.

3. Prometheus. I like a good action movie, and watching the Aliens movies growing up is probably part of the reason. So original Alien director Ridley Scott is back with this film that is in some way tied to the franchise — but nobody is quite sure how. The mystery surrounding the story and production only furthers my curiosity. And, oh yeah, Michael Fassbender is in it. PLUS! Charlize Theron, Idris Elba and Noomi Rapace. The trailer just came out yesterday — how thrilling is it?! Release Date: June 8, 2012.

4. Anna Karenina. Based on one of my favorite novels of all time, I anticipate the tragic story to look glorious under the helm of Atonement and Hanna director Joe Wright. Keira Knightley is currently filming to play the titular character, along with Jude Law as her stuffy husband. (Jude Law as stuffy? Hm, maybe this adaptation will take some liberties.) Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) will play the dastardly Vronsky of the love triangle. I’m guessing that’s why he’s sporting such a weird mustache right now – but who knows. Release Date: Fall/Winter 2012.

5. The Dark Knight Rises. Do I have to really explain this one? The final movie in Christopher Nolan’s incredible Batman trilogy? Anna Hathaway as Catwoman? Tom Hardy as Bane? Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, and of course, Christian Bale. The trailer released this week really blew me away — are you excited, too? Release Date: July 20, 2012.

6. Haywire. Apparently Steven Soderbergh saw mixed martial artist Gia Carano in a fight on television and decided to base a movie around her abilities. Basically, she’s kicking butt as an assassin. Soderbergh wants more female action stars. “Someone 20 years ago put Steven Seagal in a movie. Why don’t we step it up?” he said recently. [via LATimes] Plus the film co-stars Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas, Michael Arangano, and Bill Paxton. OK, oK Fassbender is in this one, too. The trailer gets me pumped! Release Date: January 20, 2012.

7. Snow White and the Huntsman. Charlize Theron as the evil queen gives me shivers! The movie also stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the titular Huntsman. I never thought I’d be this excited for a live-action Snow White movie! Release Date: June 1, 2012.

8. The Hobbit. From the same director as the wonderful Lord of the Rings trilogy, comes the prequel — the story of Bilbo Baggins. The trailer was just released yesterday, and it looks like a visual spectacular just as his previous films were. A return to form, and a fantasy lover’s dream. Release Date: December 14, 2012.

9. Cosmopolis. Nobody is quite sure what this movie will entail but it’s by director David Cronenberg, and stars Robert Pattinson. It’s a strange combination, and perhaps the reason it makes my list. Cronenberg is most well-known for his films Eastern Promises and A History of Violence; this movie is based on the Don DeLillo novel of the same name, about a man who spends a day crossing Manhattan in his luxurious limo. Release Date: Late 2012.

10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The book of the same name by Stephen Chbosky was a favorite as soon as I read it about 10 years ago. The film version is directed by the author and stars Emma Watson as the object of the main character’s affection. There are some heavy themes in the book, but I consider it a book that gets the teen experience pretty right. It also stars Paul Rudd, Nina Dobrev, Logan Lerman and Dylan McDermott. Release Date: Sometime in 2012.
Runners-up: Lincoln, D’Jango Unchained, Looper, World War Z, Skyfall, The Avengers, and Dark Shadows.

Do you anticipate any of these movies? Which ones? What other movies are you looking forward to?

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