2011: The Year of the Movie Sequel

There are movie sequels all the time. Movie companies love to take advantage of the already built-in audience that, theoretically, comes with a sequel. But, when I realized how many big name sequels are hitting theaters in 2011, I was a little surprised. "Ong Bak 3" already hit theaters January 14, 2011. Below, I've outlined fifteen other sequels being released in 2011.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son - February 18, 2011

On the not-so-close heels of 2000's "Big Momma's House" and 2006's "Big Momma's House 2" comes the third comedy in the series, "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son." Once again, Martin Lawrence will appear in a big, fat suit as Big Momma.

Scream 4 - April 15, 2011

Wes Craven's "Scream 4" hits theaters on Tax Day - April 15, 2011. That is not a typo. It may seem odd, since there hasn't been a "Scream" movie since 2000's "Scream 3," but it's true. Surprisingly, David Arquette (Sheriff Dewey Riley), Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers-Riley) all reprise their roles in the horror series.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - May 20, 2011

Johnny Depp returns for the fourth time as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." The first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie appeared in 2003, but the last one was released in 2007 and I still haven't watched it because, well, sequels can get old.

The Hangover Part II - May 26, 2011

Apparently, "The Hangover" that occurred in 2009 was not enough. In 2011, there will be a sequel to "The Hangover" called "The Hangover Part II." Execs thought about titling the movie "Puke and Rally" (just a joke), but, yet again, the eponymousness of sequels won the day in this decision making process. Bradley Cooper (Phil Wenneck) and Zach Galifianakis (Alan Garner) reprise their roles in this binge drinking movie that is sure to take drunken extremes to another level of absurdity.

Kung Fu Panda 2 - May 27, 2011

"Kung Fu Panda 2" hits theaters three years after the original "Kung Fu Panda" was released. The voice over list for the animated movie is a who's who of Hollywood actors and actresses. Seth Rogen (Mantis), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Gary Oldman (Lord Shen), Jack Black (Po), Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Jean-Claude Van Damme (Master Croc), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Lucy Liu (Viper) and Michelle Yeoh (The Soothsayer) are all expected to lend their voice over chops to the sequel.

X-Men: First Class - June 3, 2011

At this point, I can no longer keep track of all the X-Men movies, or their derivations. "X-Men: First Class" is kind of the fourth movie in this series, but that's only if you don't count 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." It's not all chronological, anyway. For all intents and purposes, this movie could be called "X-Men Origins: Professor X and Magneto" because that's really what it is. In that case, this is only the second of the "X-Men Origins" series. Overall, it's the fifth X-Men movie to hit theaters since 2000.

Cars 2 - June 24, 2011

Five years after the original "Cars" hit theaters, "Cars 2" provides a movie theater option for the younger crowd. The animated comedy is expected to include the voice over acting of Owen Wilson (Lightning McQueen), Michael Caine (Finn McMissile), Emily Mortimer (Holly Shiftwell) Michael Keaton (Chick Hicks), Bonnie Hunt (Sally Carrera) and Tony Shalhoub (Luigi).

Transformers: Dark of the Moon - July 1, 2011

The third Transformers movie in five years, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" will feature the return of director Michael bay and star Shia LaBeouf.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II - July 15, 2011

The eighth and, dare I say, final movie in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" hits movie theaters in the summer of 2011. All the familiar faces of the Harry Potter series can be expected to return in this final episode, including Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Grainger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort and Gary Oldman as Sirius Black.

Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World - August 19, 2011

"Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World" is the fourth movie in the series since the original "Spy Kids" aired in 2001. In an unusual twist, Robert Rodriguez is slated to write and direct the movie starring Jessica Alba as Marissa Cortez Wilson.

Final Destination 5 - August 26, 2011

I'm unsure how it is possible to have five movies titled "Final Destination," but "Final Destination 5" will, apparently, answer that question in late summer, eleven years after the original "Final Destination" hit theaters.

Paranormal Activity 3 - October 21, 2011

Following the 2007 release of "Paranormal Activity" and the 2010 release of "Paranormal Activity 2" is the third movie in the installment, "Paranormal Activity 3." Katie Featherston is slated to reprise her role in the series as "Katie."

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 - November 18, 2011

The fourth movie, in as many years, adapted from Stephanie Meyer's books, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" hits theaters in the fall of 2011. Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner reprise their roles as Bella Swan, Edward Cullen and Jacob Black, respectively. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" hits theaters in 2012.

Happy Feet 2 in 3-D - November 18, 2011

Five years after the original "Happy Feet" was released in 2006, "Happy Feet 2 in 3-D" hits theaters. A who's who of Hollywood actors will perform voice-overs for the animated movie, including Elijah Wood (Mumble), Pink (Gloria), Robin Williams (Ramon / Lovelace), Matt Damon (Krill #1), Brad Pitt (Krill #2) and Hank Azaria.

Mission: Impossible Ghost Critical - December 16, 2011

"Mission: Impossible Ghost Critical" is the fourth movie in the series following the adventures of Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise. The first three Mission: Impossible movies hit theaters in 1996, 2000 and 2006, respectively.

Sources:

http://www.movieinsider.com/

http://www.imdb.com/