Action-packed second half

MANILA, Philippines – Keep the popcorn coming as you battle with giant robots, hunt dragons, go crazy with friends, uncover hair-raising mysteries, run for your life, and save the world with movie blockbusters showing this second half of 2013.

“Pacific Rim” July 11

Aliens rise from the sea, Manila and other cities become a global battlefield and giant robots are developed to save humanity in Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro’s latest action fantasy.

“Lone Ranger” July 17

TV western revamped to cinema finds Armie Hammer as the titular ranger and Johnny Depp in his much anticipated turn as the Native American Tonto.

“Grown Ups 2” July 24

Adam Sandler and his zany gang reunite in this sequel to the riotous 2010 comedy.

“Elysium” August 21

The world is transformed into a utopia, but only for a privileged few. While the wealthy thrive in Elysium, the rest live in damnation on Earth. Matt Damon takes on the death-defying mission to bring equality to the polarized worlds.

“The Conjuring” August 21

From the creators of “Saw” and “Insidious” comes this file from the archives of paranormal investigation.

“Runner Runner” September

Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck dive into risky business in this thriller. Timberlake is a Princeton student struggling to pay for his schooling through on-line gambling. Desperate and perhaps going out of his mind, he travels to Costa Rica to confront mastermind Ivan (Affleck), whom he suspects to have swindled his bets. As the action progresses, the stakes rise and the tables are turned.

“Gravity” October

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are cast in space in this latest sci-fi by Mexico’s Alfonso Cuaron.

“The Counselor” November 15

Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz are a sexy, dangerous ensemble in Ridley Scott’s frantic tale of drug trafficking.

“Thor: The Dark World” November

 

Chris Hemsworth returns as the Norse god tasked with protecting the Nine Realms against an ancient force. As he reunites with Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, they embark on a journey to save the universe from darkness in which there is no telling what Thor must give up.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” November 22

The hunger games may be finished, but the battle isn’t over for Katniss and Peeta.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” December 12

The adventure and fire-breathing dragons get bigger as Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Gandalf (Ian McKellen) reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. 

Clamoring for more encores of your favorite films? Get ready for this wave of sequels, spin-offs and reboots:

• “300: Rise of an Empire” – March
• “Rio 2” – April
• “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” – April
• “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” – May
• “X-Men: Days Of Future Past” – May
• “Godzilla” – May
• “Transformers 4” – June 
• “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” – July
• “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes” – July
• “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One” – November
• “The Minions” – December