2008 Summer Action Movie List
Summer is the peak action movie period. Each summer, you can expect at least one or two franchise movies, several superhero movies, a couple remakes, and something new and exciting that might eventually become a franchise.
No matter the movie, you can expect several explosions, a car chase or two, a bunch of guns, and a nearly deafening soundtrack – the better to disguise the crunching of your popcorn as you bask in the actiony goodness.
2008 Summer Action Movies
2008 is no slouch when it comes to action movies. We’ve picked twelve upcoming movies that should satisfy your appetite for the entire range of action subgenres. With the season now stretching from early May to late September, there’s plenty of time to catch them all.
Iron Man – May 2
Robert Downey Jr. as an action hero. There seems to be a Hollywood rule that every leading man must attempt to start an action franchise. If that’s true, then Robert Downey Jr. is well overdue. So far the early buzz is good about this film about a brilliant (per standard action rules) scientist who invents an invincible metal suit and uses it to fight evil.
Speed Racer – May 9
The first official remake of the season. The small-screen cartoon is transformed into a live-action street race that’s sure to provide thrilling car chases of all kinds.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – May 16
And now the required action film for the kiddy set. This summer’s entry is the sequel to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. We return to C.S. Lewis’s magical land of Narnia for more allegorical action.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – May 22
It’s been nearly two decades since Harrison Ford graced our screen in his second-most famous role ever. Now he returns to wow knew audiences with his smarts and skill, and wrap older audience members in a warm blanket of nostalgia.
The Incredible Hulk – June 13
The Hulk once again returns to the big screen to take a shot at box-office glory. The last one didn’t fare well, but the new green giant is attracting better buzz.
Get Smart – June 20
The remake of the kitschy 1960s series is finally here! Who better to play bumbling Maxwell Smart than Steve Carell? It’s a little bit action, a little bit comedy, and a whole lot of fun.
Wanted – June 27
What’s a summer without Angelina Jolie in an action flick? This time, she’s playing a comic book heroine rather than a video game heroine as the second-in-command for a group of assassins who work for the Fates. It’s also got James McAvoy for the girls. And just in case that’s not enough for you, there are also plenty of car chases, gun fights, and fancy moves.
Hellboy II – July 11
Yet another sequel, yet another comic-book movie, yet another superhero (of a sort) – it’s an action flick trifecta.
The Dark Knight – July 18
In case you haven’t heard, this follow-up to Batman Begins features not only Christian Bale reprising his role as the Caped Crusader, but Heath Ledger’s second-to-last performance as the Joker.
X-Files 2 – July 25
The first real scare of the season arrives with the long-awaited X-Files sequel. Rather than adhering to the original mythology of the show, it features brand-new scares to keep you up at night.
The Mummy 3 – August 1
The summer blockbuster season winds to an early close with Brendan Fraser’s third appearance in the Mummy franchise. It promises more fights, more thrills, and more ghouls.
Death Race – September 26
The final movie of the season is also our final remake. Death Race 2000 was released in 1975. In a huge departure from the original, the “remake” now focuses on a futuristic prison where the inmates are forced to compete in a driving arena.
So there you have it: 4 superheroes, 5 sequels, 5 comic book movies, 3 remakes, 1 movie based on a book, and 2 movies based on TV shows. And they say Hollywood’s lost its originality.
