THE CINEMA — It may just be March, but the summer movie season is right around the corner and that’s good news considering movie buffs get really anxious from January to April.

There is a lot coming out in the next few months and that’s why we’re splitting this into two articles. One to cover the first half of the summer movie season and the second to cover the latter half.

This article will focus on films being released from April to mid June and the second article coming out next week will cover the second half of June through August.

Here is a peek at some of the notable films heading to theaters this summer:

April

“Shazam!” (April 5)

The DC Comics movie universe has had some hits like “Wonder Woman” and some real misses like “Suicide Squad.” I’m really hoping “Shazam!” is more the former and not the latter.

The previews seem to promise a fun and lighthearted flick with a lot of laughs and plenty of action. Zachary Levi is hard not to like and the premise seems like a good time.

“Missing Link” (April 12)

Laika Studios has brought us films like “Coraline” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” and their newest film looks like it may their most fun yet.

“Missing Link” is about an explorer who helps a bigfoot-like creature find his long-lost relatives. The film looks like a great trip to the theaters for families and includes the voice talents of Zach Galifinakis, Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Timothy Olyphant and Emma Thompson.

“Hellboy” (April 12)

One of the more interesting films heading to theaters in April is “Hellboy.” The comic book has a loyal following and a solid fan base for the two movies that have already been made.

This new version restarts the cinematic universe for the character and also boasts its first R rating.

“Hellboy” stars “Stranger Things” actor David Harbour.

"Hellboy" is rated R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, and language.

“Avengers: Endgame” (April 26)

Let’s be honest, most of you are just slugging through April waiting to get to the 26th so you can finally see “Avengers: Endgame.”

Not much needs to be said here other than this movie will make a sickening amount of money and probably be the premier summer movie event.

Avengers seek revenge on Thanos — with a surprise guest — in new ‘Endgame’ trailer

The Avengers, or what’s left of them, are ready to defeat the archvillain Thanos — whatever it takes.

May

“Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” (May 10)

I am not a Pokémon fan and I rolled my eyes when I heard about this movie. Then I saw the first trailer and had some inner turmoil as Ryan Reynolds's charm as the voice of Pikachu got to me. Then the second trailer came out and my head was spinning because I was actually looking forward to the film.

It may be a big, expensive swing and a miss, but it at least has me intrigued.

“The Hustle” (May 10)

I love the film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” Steve Martin and Michael Caine are hilarious as rival con men trying to get the ultimate score.

It was a film I didn’t believe needed a remake considering “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is a remake of the 1964 film “Bedtime Story” and is still so great, but it’s happening anyway.

The update is called “The Hustle” and stars Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. Much like “Detective Pikachu” I thought this movie was suspect at best, but the first trailer proved funny and it now has my interest.

“Aladdin” (May 24)

Disney knows how to make money and their latest gold mine is live-action remakes of their beloved animated classics. The next up on the list to get that treatment is “Aladdin.”

The trailer was interesting, but Will Smith’s Genie looked like he needed a lot more CGI to be ready for the release date. Overall it looks like it’s pretty much the animated film all over again, but it worked for “Beauty and the Beast” for the most part.

“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (May 31)

I thought “Godzilla” was a big let down, but I thought “Kong: Skull Island” was a lot of fun, so I’m not sure what to think of “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.”

The trailers look OK and the cast is pretty good, but it may be a film lost in the crowd of superheroes and Disney remakes.

'Godzilla,' 'Fantastic Beasts 2' and more can’t-miss trailers from San Diego Comic-Con

The San Diego Comic-Con is now over, but the annual convention for all things movies, comics, TV and more has left us with some great new trailers for some highly anticipated movies.

“Rocketman” (May 31)

“Bohemian Rhapsody” made a fortune at the box office and racked up the Academy Award nominations. This May, “Rocketman” hopes to do the same thing.

The film is a biopic about legendary rocker Elton John and his rise to fame. The trailer looks like a dramatic interpretation of the musician's life in an over-the-top and whimsical way, just like Elton himself would love.

The films stars Taron Egerton as Elton John and hopes to make a big splash at the box office.

June

“Dark Phoenix” (June 7)

If you were wondering, they are still making X-Men movies and the newest one hits theaters this June.

Dark Phoenix is the follow-up to the 2016 disappointment “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Hopefully “Dark Phoenix” is less like that movie and more like “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “X-Men: First Class.”

We’ll find out which film in the X-Men catalogue “Dark Phoenix” will resemble on June 7.

“The Secret Life of Pets 2” (June 7)

Another sequel will be competing with “Dark Phoenix” on June 7, but it’s an animated film and not a superhero flick.

“The Secret Life of Pets” comes out in June and it will likely be a fun movie just like the first one. I’m guessing it will lack the charm of its Pixar counterpart, “Toy Story,” which has its fourth film heading to theaters later in June.

“Men in Black: International” (June 14)

Remember the “Men in Black”? Well, they’re back, but not the ones you remember.

Someone decided it was a good time to reboot the Men in Black franchise with Chris Hemsworth and his “Thor: Ragnarok” co-star Tessa Thompson.

The film is a continuation of the earlier films, but Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are MIA in this new MIB.

Check back next week to see part two of KSL.com's summer movie preview.

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