2008 Movies: Best Movie Bets of '08

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

Ready for another big year at the movies? There's a swarm of blockbusters on the way, from long-awaited sequels ('Indiana Jones') to franchises-in-waiting ('Iron Man') to TV shows-turned-movies that may actually be watchable ('Sex and the City'). We count down 38 BIG flicks in '08.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

38. 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'

Release Date: Aug. 1

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh
Why It'll Be Big: Li kicks up this threequel, returning star Fraser's a welcome sight, and with Rob Cohen directing, the action will be fast and furious.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

37. 'Revolutionary Road'

Release Date: Dec. 19

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates
Why It'll Be Big: Leo and Kate reunite on screen for the first time since 'Titanic' -- but this time without James Cameron's lame dialogue. We feel like the kings of the world!

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

36. 'Bedtime Stories'

Release Date: Dec. 25

Starring: Adam Sandler, Keri Russell
Why It'll Be Big: Sandler is back in 'Daddy' mode as a man who tells his nephews tales that then come true. A bold prediction: Sandler + kids +
X-mas release = $$$$$.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

35. 'Tropic Thunder'

Release Date: June 11

Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey, Jr.
Why It'll Be Big: Owen Wilson had to drop, but there's still a trifecta of funnymen here as actors in a war film forced into actual battle. It's 'Apocalypse Now' gone Frat Pack.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

34. 'Mamma Mia!'

Release Date: July 18

Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth
Why It'll Be Big: Supergroup ABBA, the divine Streep and a smash hit musical -- my, my, how can we resist you? Answer: We couldn't if we tried. (And oh, we tried.) Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

33. 'He's Just Not That Into You'

Release Date: Aug. 1

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson
Why It'll Be Big: Megawatt cast (also Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Connelly and more!) meets bestselling chick lit. We're very into that.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

32. Untitled X-Files Sequel

Release Date: July 25

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson
Why It'll Be Big: The truth is out there -- again. We've missed Special Agents Mulder and Scully, and are still trying to puzzle out the "answers" the first flick gave us.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

31. 'Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay'

Release Date: April 25

Starring: Kal Penn, John Cho
Why It'll Be Big: The pot-loving duo that made '04's 'White Castle' a surprise commercial (and critical!) success returns for more cannabis-fueled antics. We'll take a hit. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

30. 'Eagle Eye'

Release Date: Sept. 26

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan
Why It'll Be Big: The 'Disturbia' director (D.J. Caruso) and star (LaBeouf) reteam, and this time we won't be surprised when their terrorist-themed thriller is a smash.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

29. 'Semi-Pro'

Release Date: Feb. 29

Starring: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Andre Benjamin
Why It'll Be Big: Will Ferrell in a sports comedy? Let's go way out on a limb here: It'll be a slam dunk. Tack on an extra $20 million if Ferrell takes his shorts off. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

28. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Release Date: Nov. 26

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett
Why It'll Be Big: A Fitzgerald tale about a man who starts aging backwards, directed by David Fincher? Hurry up! We're not getting any younger.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

27. 'Yes Man'

Release Date: Dec. 19

Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Terence Stamp
Why It'll Be Big: After the unintentionally funny 'Number 23,' Carrey returns to broad comedy (thank Morgan Freeman!) as a man who says "yes" to everything for a year.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

26. 'Horton Hears a Who!'

Release Date: March 14

Starring: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Isla Fisher, Seth Rogen
Why It'll Be Big: At last, someone decided not only to make a Dr. Seuss movie animated, but to animate Jim Carrey, too. All the Whos down in Whoville like it ... a lot. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

25. 'The Spiderwick Chronicles'

Release Date: Feb. 15

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn
Why It'll Be Big: If you have kids, or know any, just mention 'Spiderwick'; you'll understand. Sure to be a family fave (take a nephew if you have to). Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

24. 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'

Release Date: April 18

Starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill
Why It'll Be Big: Apatow's crew keeps on charging with this comedy about a guy's breakup with his famous girlfriend. A hit could spell breakout for Segel.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

23. 'Nim's Island'

Release Date: April 4

Starring: Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Abigail Breslin
Why It'll Be Big: 'Little Miss Sunshine' joins two heavy-hitters in this family adventure that recalls 'Romancing the Stone,' and finds Foster dabbling in slapstick.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

22. 'Cloverfield'

Release Date: Jan. 18

Starring: Michael Stahl David, Mike Vogel, Blake Lively
Why It'll Be Big: New York gets decimated for the second time in as many months, this time at the hands of a JJ Abrams mega-monster -- and yet, we're dying to see it. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

21. 'Baby Mama'

Release Date: April 18

Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sigourney Weaver
Why It'll Be Big: Two words: Tina Fey. So good on TV's '30 Rock,' the sexy-smart 'SNL' alum finally gets a shot at leading ladyhood -- and we couldn't be more psyched.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

20. 'Hellboy II'

Release Date: July 11

Starring: Ron Perlman, John Hurt, Selma Blair
Why It'll Be Big: Since 'Pan's Labyrinth,' we'd pay to see Guillermo del Toro's home movies. Luckily, this is better -- a sequel to his super-fun first trip to 'Hell.' Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

19. 'Burn After Reading'

Release Date: TBD

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand
Why It'll Be Big: Fresh off of the acclaimed 'No Country for Old Men,' the Coen brothers join forces with two of the biggest stars on the planet. Can you say "foolproof"?

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

18. Untitled Ridley Scott Film

Release Date: Oct. 10

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe
Why It'll Be Big: Two A-listers team up with Scott and scribe William Monahan ('Departed') for a tense political thriller that looks like an Oscar favorite.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

17. 'Leatherheads'

Release Date: April 4

Starring: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger
Why It'll Be Big: After a triumphant directorial drama ('Good Night and Good Luck'), we want to see what Clooney can do with rom-com -- and his big star, Clooney. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

16. 'The Love Guru'

Release Date: June 20

Starring: Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Romany Malco
Why It'll Be Big: In case you forgot what he looks like (hint: not a green ogre), Myers finally returns in the flesh as the titular Cupid who brings Alba and Malco back together.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

15. 'Wall-E'

Release Date: June 27

Starring: Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin, Ben Burtt
Why It'll Be Big: Having made rats in the kitchen adorable, Pixar will now have every kid in America wanting his own robot from outer space. Parents, you've been warned. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

14. 'The Incredible Hulk'

Release Date: June 13

Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
Why It'll Be Big: For those of you who hated Ang Lee's version, this movie's like a do-over; and with Norton as Banner, things are about to get VERY interesting.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

13. 'Wanted'

Release Date: June 27

Starring: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie
Why It'll Be Big: Jolie is back in hot-spy mode (where we like her best), while ever-rising star McAvoy is her trainee. Will they go undercover? We can only hope. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

12. 'Get Smart'

Release Date: June 20

Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson
Why It'll Be Big: Carell's proved he can re-make an already popular character ... And would you believe this is one TV show we've been jonesing to see on the big screen? Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

11. 'The Pineapple Express'

Release Date: Aug. 8

Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Amber Heard
Why It'll Be Big: This stoner comedy, co-written by Rogen and produced by Judd Apatow, sounds like 'Superbad: The College Years.' And that's a very good thing.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

10. 'Star Trek XI'

Release date now May 8, 2009

Starring: Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Simon Pegg
Why It'll Be Big: Despite the controversy over Mr. Shatner's diss, count on Trekkies coming out of the woodwork for JJ Abrams' fashionably cast voyage.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

9. 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'

Release Date: May 16

Starring: Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell
Why It'll Be Big: Considering the first one made a gazillion dollars (unofficial estimate), look for this summer sequel to earn even more green. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

8. 'Hancock'

Release Date: July 2

Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman
Why It'll Be Big: Golden rule: Everyone loves Will Smith. His Peter Berg-directed hard-living superhero will kick all comers to the curb -- and be way more fun than Superman. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

7. 'Speed Racer'

Release Date: May 9

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox
Why It'll Be Big: The Wachowskis turn the '70s 'toon into a live-action film that LOOKS like a 'toon, alienating and thrilling fans all at once. Go, Speed Racer, go! Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

6. 'Sex and the City'

Release Date: May 30

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall
Why It'll Be Big: Hellooo, lover! Let the boys slobber over the action flicks. For fans of the series, this reunion of our "girls" is bigger than Big -- it's fabulous. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

5. 'Iron Man'

Release Date: May 2

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow
Why It'll Be Big: Comic book adaptations are always a gamble, but movie fans have been geeking out over this one since its first footage debuted at Comic-Con. Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

4. 'Bond 22'

Release Date: Nov. 7

Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric
Why It'll Be Big: Hot women, explosive action and Daniel Craig returning as the grittiest 007 in decades -- audiences should prepare to be shaken and stirred.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

3. 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Release Date: Nov. 21

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Why It'll Be Big: We can't stop now! Knowing the plot's never been a problem -- we just want to see how the penultimate 'Potter' plays out on screen.

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

2. 'The Dark Knight'

Release Date: July 18

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger
Why It'll Be Big: With Bale returning and Ledger donning the Joker's maniacal makeup, 'Knight' promises to be even darker (and better?) than 'Batman Begins.' Trailer

38 Flicks We're Psyched to See

1. 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'

Release Date: May 22

Starring: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf
Why It'll Be Big: Hang onto your fedoras: The world's sexiest archaeologist is about to battle aliens. (We think.)