13 movies to watch out for in 2013

January 3, 2013 6:29pm

The year has just begun, but it's never too early to start feeling like you need an escape from real life. Fortunately, 2013 has several awesome movies waiting in the wings.

Here are 13 titles to include in your 2013 calendar of screenings.

1. Life of Pi (20th Century Fox)

Based upon the bestselling book by Yann Martel, director Ang Lee's “Life of Pi” hits theaters in just a few days. Newcomer Suraj Sharma stars as the titular character Pi Patel, who survives 227 days stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.

2. Les Miserables (Universal Studios)

The highly anticipated adaptation of the stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel is in theaters this month. After Prisoner 24601, or Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released from prison, he breaks parole and is pursued by the persistent Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). "Set in early revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion," reads the press release.


3. Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (Paramount Pictures)

Cirque du Soleil has mesmerized audiences around the world with their magical stage performances. This 3D fantasy features artistic and acrobatic performances from some of their most elaborate productions.

4. Die Hard 5 (20th Century Fox)


This February, forget flowers and chocolate. For an unforgettable Valentine's Day, go on a date with Bruce Willis as he reprises his role as John McClane in “Die Hard 5.” "A typical bad day for McClane turns into an international adversarial chase when he learns that his son is being held hostage by Russian terrorists intent on war," reads the press release.

5. G.I. Joe: Retaliation (Paramount Pictures)

This March, four years after “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” comes the sequel featuring Bruce Willis as General Joseph Colton, The Rock as Roadblock, Channing Tatum as Captain Duke Hauser, and Ray Park as Snake-Eyes. "The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence," reads the press release.

6. The Great Gatsby (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Baz Luhrmann brings Fitzgerald's classic to the big screen this May. The year is 1922, and aspiring writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) arrives in New York City, chasing his own American Dream. He meets the mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), his cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). "As Nick bears witness, within and without of the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles," reads the press release.

7. Iron Man 3 (Marvel Studios)

This May, Robert Downey Jr. returns as the Invincible Iron Man. 2012's “The Avengers” had fans wanting more, and this third installment of Iron Man promises to be a must-see. Iron Man goes up against new bad guys, including his arch-nemesis The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley).

8. Star Trek: Into Darkness (Paramount Pictures)

For current and future “Star Trek” fans, J.J. Abrams sequel to the 2009 hit will be released this May. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana star in the sequel, which used IMAX cameras for several sequences.

9. Man of Steel (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Coming this June, the Superman reboot is just in time for kids who want to beat the back-to-school blues. Of course, this classic superhero story isn't just for kids. It's a story we already know, but that won't stop anyone from watching the young boy as he discovers his extraordinary powers.

"As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind," reads the press release.

10. World War Z (Paramount Pictures)

Brad Pitt plays a U.N. employee racing against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop a zombie outbreak. To be released in June, the movie is based on the Max Brooks novel "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War."

11. The Wolverine (Marvel Studios)

This July, “The Wolverine” finds eternal warrior and outsider Logan (Hugh Jackman) in Japan. "There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed," reads the press release.

12. 300: Rise of an Empire (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Expect the same breathtaking visual style of "300," but this time the action happens out at sea in this new chapter of the epic saga, which is based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel “Xerxes.” In his attempt to unite all of Greece, Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) must face the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemesia (Eva Green), vengeful commander of the Persian navy. “300: Rise of an Empire” will be released in August.

13. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (20th Century Fox)

December can't come soon enough for Hobbit fans. Based on "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, the second installment in the trilogy sees the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) continue as he journeys with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on their quest to reclaim the Dward Kingdom of Erebor. - Carmela G. Lapeña / KDM GMA News