The 2013 summer blockbuster season kicks off in just a few days with the release of IRON MAN 3. This summer is so overwhelmingly crowded with top notch blockbusters that we have already been treated to 2 films in the form of G.I. JOE: RETALIATION and OBLIVION that could have easily contended in the hot summer months, but were most likely positioned a bit earlier to avoid the heavy competition. Fine by me! Below you will find the top 5 films I am most excited for this summer season along with its release date, a few thoughts, and a link to each film’s exciting trailer. Let’s not waste any more time and get to it!

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5. STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Release Date: May 17th 2013

Click HERE for the movie trailer!

Director J.J. Abrams (SUPER 8) is back in the director’s chair for the sequel to 2009’s massively popular film STAR TREK which served as a fresh new start for the franchise. The whole crew is back for this one along with a few new faces and an intriguing new villain who is causing quite the stir online. Fans are thirsting for any little bit of new information regarding this sequel and we will all find out this film’s secrets when it light speeds into theaters later this month. I was a big fan of the last installment and thought it was extremely fresh, exciting, and fun. I can’t wait to continue the new adventures of (now) Captain Kirk and his crew.

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4. ELYSIUM

Release Date: August 9th 2013

Click HERE for the movie trailer!

ELYSIUM is the second feature film directed by Neil Blomkamp who was responsible for 2009’s DISTRICT 9. Need I say more. Set in a war torn future where the wealthy reside on a man-made space station while the remaining humans live on a ruined Earth. Sweet future setting? Check. Robots? Check. The return of Sharlto Copley (DISTRICT 9 and THE A-TEAM)? Check. Action, mayhem, and cool weapons/tech? Check. ELYSIUM seems to have a little bit of everything I look for in my sci-fi films. August can’t come soon enough.

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3. KICK-ASS 2

Release Date: August 16th 2013

Click HERE for the movie trailer!

KICK-ASS was hands down my favorite film of 2010 and I could not be more excited for this follow up based on the comic book of the same name. While I am a bit dissapointed that KICK-ASS director Matthew Vaughn (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) is not returning, I am glad that all the cast members will be back along with Jim Carrey (BATMAN FOREVER) who looks like he will be stealing the show here as Colonel Stars and Stripes. I highly recommend watching the red band trailer linked above to get a glimpse at how awesome this movie looks to be. Only time will tell if KICK-ASS 2 has what it takes to reign supreme on my Top 10 list for 2013. Here’s hoping.

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2. PACIFIC RIM

Release Date: July 12th 2013

Click HERE for the movie trailer!

Words cannot explain how pumped I am to see this movie on the big screen. Hulking robots controlled by humans issued to destroy gigantic monsters born from underneath Earth’s seabed directed by Guillermo del Torro (HELLBOY Series)? Holy crap balls yes please! I can’t believe that this movie exists. Seriously, it is so far out there, so nerdy, and so full of science fiction awesome that I am surprised that studios threw their money at it. A LOT of money by the looks of it. If you watch the newest trailer (linked above) and walk away unimpressed I think you are on the wrong website. PACIFIC RIM is a serious contender for not only the #1 summer blockbuster, but the #1 film of 2013. I’m gonna wear a diaper for this one.

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1. MAN OF STEEL

Release Date: June 14th 2013

Click HERE for the movie trailer!

Last but not least we have MAN OF STEEL  directed by the amazingly talented Zack Snyder (SUCKER PUNCH) starring Henry Cavill (IMMORTALS) as our man in red and blue. This Superman reboot looks like it’s doing everything just right. Everything I see in the trailer (linked above) including the actors, the action, and the overall tone looks spot on. While this may be an obvious choice for my most anticipated summer blockbuster of 2013, I think it is well deserved. Speaking of deserving things, I think fans of the character and universe deserve not only a new and worthy Superman film, but also a true Superman trilogy/series. Will Snyder and crew deliver? We will find out soon enough when MAN OF STEEL flies into theaters mid-June.

Well there ya have it my fellow nerds. My top 5 choices for most anticipated summer blockbuster of 2013. While I always love a good sequel (STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and KICK-ASS 2), and I don’t mind fresh new reboots (MAN OF STEEL), I must say that ELYSIUM and PACIFIC RIM get bonus points for being original franchises. This summer is full of a wide variety of promising films besides the 5 listed above. IRON MAN 3 (due out this Friday) comes to mind as a film that just missed being on this list along with FAST & FURIOUS 6 (yes it looks awesome to me!) and THE WOLVERINE. It’s time to get ready nerds because the 2013 summer blockbuster movie season is upon us. Get excited.