The summer movie season is consistently known for big-budget blockbusters and over-hyped failures, and this year is not different. In fact, 2008's summer schedule is so full of super-hyped hit-or-miss fare that it's nearly impossible to predict the megahits.

The Superhero Movies:

"The Incredible Hulk"

June 13
Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt
    After Ang Lee's 2003 "Hulk" failed to make an impression on audiences and critics alike, everyman Edward Norton was brought onboard to write and star in this reboot of Marvel's famous angry green giant. With any luck, this movie will be more about action and less about science and...Nick Nolte. And hopefully rumors of behind-the-scenes conflict won't affect Marvel's $180 million do-over. Oh, and there's a brief "Iron Man" tie-in during "Hulk." It just might be Marvel's summer to rule the box office.

"Iron Man"

May 2
Starring: Rober Downey Jr., Terrance Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges
     Anyone with a TV or computer has likely seen trailers for "Iron Man," the much-publicized adaptation of the story of wealthy Tony Stark and his fancy metal suit. Ever since pictures and video of Iron Man in full glory first leaked on the Internet have been drooling in anticipation, but will they show up when "Iron Man" hits the big screen? More importantly: Does anyone want to see Gwyeth Paltrow play a superhero's love interest?

"The Dark Knight"

July 18
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart
    When Heath Ledger died in January, Warner Bros. had a bit of a problem on its hands: How do you promote a movie whose major villain is no longer alive? The ad campaign for the follow-up to 2005's "Batman Begins" had previously centered around Ledger's grisly, unsettling character, the Joker. Dead star or no, Batman's loyal fan base is likely to make "The Dark Knight" a big hit, especially after the gritty, completely un-campy "Begins" renewed audiences' faith in the Batman franchise.

The High-Octane Action:

"Speed Racer"
May 9
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman
    The Wachowski brothers might be best known for the "Matrix" trilogy, but now they're out to make their mark on adaptations of anime TV shows. Previews for the shiny, action-packed movie have showed a wealth of bright colors and awesome special effects, but it's not clear if the brothers' "Speed Racer" is meant to appeal to children, as the TV show did, or to more grown-up viewers. Maybe they'll go against type and create a more family-friendly movie. Either way, actually convincing audiences to show up for "Speed Racer" could prove difficult.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

May 22

 Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen
    There had been rumors of a new "Indiana Jones" movie for years, but this year the rumors actually come true. Reaction to the news has been mixed, ranging from elation to dread. "Live Free or Die Hard" proved that some action film series are best left untouched after decades, and "Crystal Skull" could only reinforce that idea. That said, the addition of current stars like Cate Blanchett and Shia LeBeouf could reinvigorate a once-dead franchise.

"Wanted"

June 27
Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie
    Angelina Jolie fans can rejoice -- their favorite baby-adopter is back on the silver screen, and this time she's ditching boring art films for action, the genre that made her popular among young men in the first place. Up-and-comer James McAvoy and trusty mentor Morgan Freeman accompany Jolie in what looks to be an intense thrill-ride of guns, cars and probably a little sex thrown in for good measure. It also helps that Timur Bekmanbetov, the mind behind Russia's immensely successful "Night Watch" series, directed this action flick.

The Chick Flicks:

"Sex and the City: the Movie"

May 30
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Chris Noth
    While most of the summer's headlining features are soaked in testosterone, "Sex and the City" offers some entertainment for viewers of the female persuasion, complete with high fashion and plenty of Cosmos to go around. The movie picks up four years after the TV series' finale and features the fab foursome of women "settled" into their lives. Years of syndicated episodes on cable could translate into a decent box office draw for this female-oriented pic, but getting (straight) guys into theaters will be more difficult.

"Mamma Mia!"

July 18
Starring: Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters
    "Sex and the City" may attract the young female crowd, but "Mamma Mia!," a movie adaptation of the popular stage musical, will certainly draw older viewers with its cast of well-aged talent. The movie is also the latest in a string of stage musicals adapted into films. Some adaptations ("Chicago," "Hairspray") have found success on the big screen, while others ("Rent") have failed to find an audience. Meryl Streep has, however, been a consistent performer, and it's probably safe to assume that "Mamma Mia!" is a good film if she's involved.

The Apatow Comedies:

"Step Brothers"

July 25

Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly

   It seems like summer can't go by without producer Judd Apatow dropping a new comedy on the 20-something demographic. Reuniting the duo that made "Talladega Nights" come alive, Ferrell and Reilly look to be on fire again this July playing two-live-at-home 30 year olds whose single parents decide to get married. They both act like they're still in their teenage years and... let's be honest. You're going to go see this - so does it really matter what the plot is?

"Pineapple Express"

August 8
Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen
    Stoners are definitely out in the open this year; "Pineapple Express" is just one of two movies this year (the other being "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," which opened April 25) that center around characters who smoke marijuana. While "Harold & Kumar" is an established name in the stoner comedy genre, "Pineapple Express" comes from the minds of Evan Goldberg and star Seth Rogen, who also co-wrote last summer's hit "Superbad." That seems to be a recipe for success in today's movie business.