The biggest films of 2012 FEATURE

A long time ago the ancient civilisation The Mayans predicted that 2012 would bring cataclysmic events to earth - and while we all wait in anticipation for the end of the world, what better way to spend your final days than to watch one of 2012's blockbusters, coming to a silver screen near you this year. Good job there's no apocalyptic movies in our list!

By Lucy Middleton
BritEvents Contributor

When in comes to blockbusters, 2011 was certainly a difficult year to beat. With hit movies such as 'The King's Speech', Lynne Ramsey's 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', 'Wuthering Heights', and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', there's a lot of pressure on directors and producers to wow audiences this year.

However, expectations are high - this year's blockbusters will include 'War Horse', 'The Woman in Black', 'The Avengers', sci-fi prequel to Alien 'Prometheus' the return of Batman in 'The Dark Knight Rises', and the latest 007 thriller 'Skyfall', we think that this year will be a fantastic year to get yourself down to the cinema.

With so many eagerly anticipated, undoubtedly successful blockbusters set to be released this year, BritEvents provides you with a guide to the biggest films of 2012 coming to a cinema near you.

War Horse

War Horse tells the emotional tale of a boy whose beloved horse is sold by his father to the army during WWI.

 Watch Trailer

Based on the popular west end production and children's novel, War Horse tells the emotional tale of a boy whose beloved horse is sold by his father to the army during WWI.

The heartbroken boy, Albert Narracott, lies about his age to enlist in the army to bring his horse home against all odds.

Directed by Stephen Spielberg, this is sure to be an epic movie with stunning visuals - make sure you take tissues!

The Descendants

Starring the ever-handsome George Clooney as a dad trying to reconnect with his children.

 Watch Trailer

Following the success of director Alexander Payne's last film, Sideways, The Descendants has generated a lot of Oscar buzz.

Starring the ever-handsome George Clooney as a dad trying to reconnect with his children in Hawaii while their mum is on life support after a boating incident, The Descendants is expected to be an excellent drama with the comedic value you would expect from both Payne and Clooney.

The Muppets

The Muppets are expected to receive a very warm welcome back to the big screen this year.

Teaming with writer, actor and puppet enthusiast Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother) and songwriter Flight of the Conchord's Bret McKenzie, The Muppets was released early in the States during the holidays to a great reception.

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights... whether you're a big kid at heart or have kids, this promises to be a quality film.

Woman in Black

Tipped to be a spine-tingling, intriguing adaptation of the classic English ghost story.

 Watch Trailer

Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe stars in this thriller/horror portraying a lawyer (Arthur Kipps) who finds himself in a remote village where a vengeful ghost is disturbing the locals. Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true intent.

Tipped to be a spine-tingling, intriguing adaptation of the classic English ghost story with a solid performance from Radcliffe, created by masters of horror, Hammer Films.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a sci-fi set in the future, where the Capitol selects a boy and a girl from different districts to put on live television to fight to the death.

 Watch Trailer

The Hunger Games is a sci-fi set in the future, where the Capitol selects a boy and a girl from different districts to put on live television to fight to the death.

Starring Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence and up-and-coming star Liam Hemsworth (whose older brother starred in Thor last year) with supporting roles from Elizabeth Banks (Role Models, The Uninvited) and Woody Harrelson, this fantastic cast should make for an interesting teenage movie with substance.

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists

Aardman Animation are back with the new swashbuckling kids movie The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.

The stop motion animation tells the tale of Pirate Captain, voiced by Hugh Grant, and his crew out on an exciting mission based in the Victorian era.

The movie trailer looks hilarious and many of the characters are voiced by British stars including Martin Freeman, David Tennant and Lenny Henry - Aardman could be on to a winner!

The Avengers

Featuring an all-star cast with the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Gwyneth Paltrow.

 Watch Trailer

In this eagerly anticipated Marvel blockbuster, Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) and the international agency SHIELD assemble a team of super heroes to form The Avengers in the hopes of saving Earth from the evil grasp of Loki.

Featuring an all-star cast with the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Gwyneth Paltrow, this film is sure to be a huge hit.

Written by Joss Whedon and produced by Marvel Studios, the movie brings together Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America from the Marvel Comics superhero team to save the world from destruction.

Prometheus

Starring Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender, a team of explorers journey out into the far reaches of space.

 Watch Trailer

Tipped as the most anticipated sci-fi of 2012, Alien director Ridley Scott is back on form with Prometheus.

Starring Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender, a team of explorers journey out into the far reaches of space. Discovering a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, their journey takes them to the darkest corners of the universe where they must fight a tough battle to save mankind from the terrifying creatures of the galaxy.

Originally conceived as a prequel to Alien, the movie is scheduled to be released through 20th Century Fox in June 2012.

The Dark Knight Rises

The hype surrounded by the latest Batman film is understandable after 2008's The Dark Knight epic.

 Watch Trailer

The hype surrounded by the latest Batman film is understandable after 2008's The Dark Knight epic.

The story starts eight years after the events of The Dark Knight when terrorist leader Bane (Tom Hardy) comes to Gotham city.

With the police force unable to cope, former hero Batman (Christian Bale) emerges once more, after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes, to take down Bane.

The Bourne Legacy

With The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner as the new star, the Bourne franchise takes a change of direction without Matt Damon in order to tell a new story.

Bourne's previous director Paul Greengrass is also out and has been replaced by Tony Gilroy, who wrote all three previous Bourne films and directed Michael Clayton.

With many looking forward to seeing how Renner does in his first major starring role, will this Bourne film match up to its predecessors?

Snow White and the Huntsman

Snow White and the Huntsman brings a new twist to the classic fairy tale.

 Watch Trailer

The latest action adventure from Universal Pictures, Snow White and the Huntsman brings a new twist to the classic fairy tale where the Huntsman who was ordered to kill the beautiful Snow White has a change of heart and pairs up with the maiden in a quest to kill the Queen.

With Kristen Stewart cast as the fair maiden Snow White, there has been speculation whether the Twilight star is up to the role so it will be interesting to see how the film is received.

Skyfall

Bond's loyalty to Agent M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her in Skyfall. Director Sam Mendes has kept his cards close to his chest with this film, cleverly piquing curiousity and it is working.

Other than announcing Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes are to play roles in the film alongside Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, details have been kept hush hush.

A smart tactic sure to draw crowds to the cinema for its release.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Directed by Peter Jackson with the all star cast of the LOTR trilogy, who wouldn't be excited by the release of the new Hobbit?

 Watch Trailer

Due to Tolkein's extensive exploration of the world he created, there is much more to the stories that The Lord of the Rings trilogy could not cover - enter The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

An Unexpected Journey is the first of a two-part epic movie that will star Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom who will also reprise their original roles.

The movie will follow the journey of Bilbo Baggins who goes on a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug, taking him through treacherous lands swarming with Orc, Wargs, giant spiders, Sorcerors and Goblins.

Directed by Peter Jackson with the all star cast of the LOTR trilogy and a few fresh faces, who wouldn't be excited by the release of the next tale of Middle Earth?

Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2

The last instalment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn part 2 picks up after the birth of Renesmee when the Cullens are required to gather other vampire clans to protect Bella's daughter from the Volturi.

Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, the film promises an exciting ending to the Saga which has accumulated a huge fanbase over the years.