Summer Action Movies

When people talk about summer movies, they mostly mean action flicks -- you know, big-budget blockbusters full of good guys and bad guys, superpowers and fast cars, things that blow up and stunts we'd never try at home. And this year's no exception. Find out why a Joker, an aging archaeologist, a sexy assassin and an Iron Man will have you all hot and bothered this summer.

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/25440/main' target='_blank'>'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> May 22 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/harrison-ford/24238/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Harrison Ford</font></a>, <A HREF=' http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/shia-labeouf/350236/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Shia LaBeouf</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/karen-allen/1033/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Karen Allen</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> After a 20-year hiatus, Indy is back in a '50s-set adventure that reunites him with former flame Marion Ravenwood (and their possible love child) and has something to do with Area 51. (Aliens! Why did it have to be aliens?) <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/25440/video/trailer-no-1/2070624' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-dark-knight/27016/main' target='_blank'>'The Dark Knight'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> July 18 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/christian-bale/3538/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Christian Bale</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/heath-ledger/268296/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Heath Ledger</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/maggie-gyllenhaal/29409/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Maggie Gyllenhaal</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> After reinventing the Batmobile wheel (so to speak) with <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/batman-begins/18647/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Batman Begins,'</font></a> Bale and director Chris Nolan reteam to caped-crusade against the diabolical Joker (Ledger, in his final completed performance). <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-dark-knight/27016/video/trailer-no-2/2043071' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/iron-man/24396/main' target='_blank'>'Iron Man'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> May 2 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/robert-downey-jr/19966/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Robert Downey Jr.</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jeff-bridges/3197/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Jeff Bridges</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/gwyneth-paltrow/54871/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Gwyneth Paltrow</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Billionaire inventor, professional wiseass and semi-pro drinker Tony Stark (Downey) fashions an indestructible suit made of -- you guessed it -- iron and uses it to battle evildoers bent on world domination. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/iron-man/24396/video/trailer-no-2/2085223' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/hancock/24641/main' target='_blank'>'Hancock'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> July 2 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/will-smith/66596/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Will Smith</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/charlize-theron/216257/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Charlize Theron</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jason-bateman/4511/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Jason Bateman</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Hancock (Smith) may be a flying, life-saving superhero, but his prickly demeanor and destructive tendencies haven't exactly won him an adoring public. Never fear! It's wily PR exec Bateman and his smokin' hot wife (Theron) to the rescue. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/hancock/24641/video/trailer-no-1/2050088' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/speed-racer-2008/28066/main' target='_blank'>'Speed Racer'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> May 9 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/emile-hirsch/239003/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Emile Hirsch</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/christina-ricci/59916/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Christina Ricci</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/matthew-fox/208451/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Matthew Fox</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Can the Wachowski brothers (<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-matrix/5827/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'The Matrix'</font></a>) redefine filmmaking once again? They'll try with this vibrant remake of the '60s anime cartoon, starring Emile Hirsch as racing dynamo Speed and Matthew Fox as the mysterious Racer X. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/speed-racer-2008/28066/video/trailer-no-2/2092386' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/24862/main' target='_blank'>'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> May 16 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/ben-barnes/504098/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Ben Barnes</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/anna-popplewell/319268/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Anna Popplewell</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/william-moseley/429879/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>William Moseley</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Since the Pevensie kids last visited Narnia, 1,300 years have passed AND the kingdom is in the toilet. So, they join forces with Caspian to dethrone the evil king and restore peace. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-chronicles-of-narnia-prince-caspian/24862/video/trailer-no-1/2048478' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-incredible-hulk/26921/main' target='_blank'>'The Incredible Hulk'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> June 13 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/edward-norton/215904/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Edward Norton</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/liv-tyler/198152/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Liv Tyler</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/tim-roth/61768/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Tim Roth</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> In this non-sequel to the 2003 semi-flop, Norton plays Bruce Banner, who -- while searching for a cure to the gamma radiation that has infected him -- uses his smash-happy alter ego Hulk to battle the abominable Abomination (Roth). <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-incredible-hulk/26921/video/trailer-no-1/2088497' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/wanted/28120/main' target='_blank'>'Wanted'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> June 27 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/angelina-jolie/36009/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Angelina Jolie</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/james-mcavoy/357725/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>James McAvoy</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/morgan-freeman/90514/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Morgan Freeman</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Jolie returns to butt-kicking mode as a dead-sexy assassin, aptly named Fox, who recruits a slacker (McAvoy) into a secret society of justice enforcers that live by an ancient code: Carry out the death orders given by fate itself. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/wanted/28120/video/trailer-no-2/2090114' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor/29233/main' target='_blank'>'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> August 1 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/brendan-fraser/24843/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Brendan Fraser</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jet-li/42291/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Jet Li</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/maria-bello/263285/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Maria Bello</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> When Alex O'Connell (<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/luke-ford/352631/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Luke Ford</font></a>) accidentally awakens the evil Han Emperor (Li), he and his archaeologist parents (Fraser and Bello) race to prevent the Emperor's quest for world domination. Luckily, they have some experience with the undead.

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/hellboy-ii-the-golden-army/27059/main' target='_blank'>'Hellboy II: The Golden Army'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> July 11 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/ron-perlman/56093/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Ron Perlman</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/selma-blair/232175/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Selma Blair</font></a>,<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/doug-jones/36082/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Doug Jones</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Devil-spawn turned good guy Hellboy (Perlman) returns to battle an army of ungodly creatures aiming to unleash hell on Earth. Luckily, he's got help from his pals, including pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz. Hey, once you go red, you never go back. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/hellboy-ii-the-golden-army/27059/video/trailer-no-1/2045477' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-x-files-2008/31906/main' target='_blank'>'The X-Files: I Want to Believe'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> Opening: July 25 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/david-duchovny/20329/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>David Duchovny</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/gillian-anderson/236974/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Gillian Anderson</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/amanda-peet/215968/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Amanda Peet</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> The top-secret plot reportedly has ex-FBI agents (and investigators of the paranormal) Fox Mulder and Dana Scully probing the mysterious abduction of a group of women from the hills of rural Virginia. And, yes, the truth <i>is</i> out there.

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-happening/29354/main' target='_blank'>'The Happening'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> June 13 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/mark-wahlberg/198251/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Mark Wahlberg</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/zooey-deschanel/271412/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Zooey Deschanel</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/john-leguizamo/41614/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>John Leguizamo</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> In twist-master <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/m-night-shyamalan/231814/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>M. Night Shyamalan</font></a>'s latest, an eerie, large-scale natural "happening" threatens humanity as we know it. Wahlberg and Deschanel play a couple who flee for their lives and see (tons and tons of) dead people in the process. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-happening/29354/video/trailer-no-1/2077447' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Watch trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/journey-to-the-center-of-the-earth-3d/24700/main' target='_blank'>'Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> Opening: July 11 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/brendan-fraser/24843/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Brendan Fraser</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/josh-hutcherson/380181/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Josh Hutcherson</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/anita-briem/462213/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Anita Briem</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> The Jules Verne classic hits the big screen in 3-D, with Fraser starring as a discredited science prof who, along with his nephew (Hutcherson), discovers a brave new world teeming with unusual creatures. The catch: It's miles below the Earth's surface.

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/star-wars-the-clone-wars/32885/main' target='_blank'>'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> August 15 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/anthony-daniels/16857/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Anthony Daniels</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/matthew-wood/277646/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Matthew Wood</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> Get ready to weep, 'Star Wars' fans. This animated flick will serve as a TV series pilot (set between 'Episode II' and 'III') depicting the battle between the Jedi (including a pre-Vader Anakin) and the Sith Lord's separatists. Fingers crossed there's no Jar Jar.

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/bangkok-dangerous-2008/26477/main' target='_blank'>'Bangkok Dangerous'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> August 22 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/nicolas-cage/10155/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Nicolas Cage</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/charlie-yeung/199307/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Charlie Yeung</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/chakrit-yamnarm/446008/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Chakrit Yamnarm</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> In the Pang brothers' English-language remake of their own 1999 flick, Cage (and his increasingly unusual hair) stars as a hit man who goes to Bangkok, falls in love with a local girl and starts to think that "pro murderer" might not be the most fulfilling job. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/bangkok-dangerous-2008/26477/video/trailer-no-1/2100345' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-strangers-2008/26543/main' target='_blank'>'The Strangers'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> May 30 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/liv-tyler/198152/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Liv Tyler</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/scott-speedman/230859/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Scott Speedman</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/gemma-ward/487634/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Gemma Ward</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> A band of bag-headed psychopaths terrorizes a couple (Tyler and Speedman) at their vacation home. Their reason for the attack: "Because you were home." That's some creepy stuff. What's even more terrifying is that this flick is based on true events. <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-strangers-2008/26543/video/trailer-no-1/2091281' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'><u>Trailer</u></font></a>

Summer Action Movies

<A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/babylon-ad/27511/main' target='_blank'>'Babylon A.D.'</a>

<b>Opening:</b> August 29 <b>Starring:</b> <A HREF=' http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/vin-diesel/221690/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Vin Diesel</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/michelle-yeoh/223709/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Michelle Yeoh</font></a>, <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/melanie-thierry/268063/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Melanie Thierry</font></a> <b>What It's About:</b> A mercenary (Diesel) and a nun (Yeoh) join forces to transport a sick woman named Aurora (Thierry) from Russia to China. Turns out Aurora may be host to a deadly organism that a cult wants to harvest to genetically engineer a Messiah. Or it could be the flu.