We sure had a lot of fun at the movies this summer, didn't we? Between the tears at the end of the "Harry Potter" saga, the cheers for superheroes like the "X-Men" and "Thor" and the laughs at "Bridesmaids" and "The Hangover: Part II," the summer just flew by. But now it's gone, and it leaves us with just one thing to look forward to.
All the awesome films of fall.
For screen junkies, the best part of the year is yet to come, because the fall movie lineup has all the action of summer combined with the best new festival favorites, horror gems for Halloween and Oscar bait for award season. So saddle up, because we've got your ultimate guide to the 37 must-see movies of fall -- and it's going to be a wild ride.
September
'Contagion'
Release Date: Sept. 9
Starring: Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard
The Scoop: If you're feeling a bit down in the mouth these days, the prescription isn't more cowbell -- it's an ensemble blockbuster from the master of ensemble blockbusters, "Ocean's Eleven" director Steven Soderbergh. He's wrangled up a crew of some of Hollywood's biggest superstars for an infectious new thriller about a worldwide pandemic that threatens to destroy society one microbe at a time. Our suggestion: Buy two tickets and call us in the morning.
'Warrior'
Release Date: Sept. 9
Starring: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte
The Scoop: If you're suffering from combat sport movie fatigue, it'd be easy to dismiss "Warrior" as a "Fighter" clone for the UFC set. Or an unofficial prequel to "The Wrestler." But then you'd be missing what's sure to be one of fall's most acclaimed films, a drama equally as emotional as it is high-kicking and hard-swinging, about estranged brothers (Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton) who reunite in the most unusual of circumstances: in the cage at a high-stakes mixed martial arts showdown. Be prepared to relish in gut-punches and man-tears.
'Drive'
Release Date: Sept. 16
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks
The Scoop: Is Ryan Gosling the new James Franco? The guy has been everywhere recently, earning award nominations and acclaim for films like "Blue Valentine," "Lars and the Real Girl" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love," and even starring as a crime-fighter in real life. His first of two prestige films this fall is the buzzed-about "Drive," in which he stars as a taciturn stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway man for local thieves. When things go sour, he finds himself in a race against time -- and unfortunately for time, racing is what he does best. Welcome to the superstar club, Ryan.
'Abduction'
Release Date: Sept. 23
Starring: Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins
The Scoop: Can Taylor Lautner thrive outside of "The Twilight Saga"? To which we say, does a werewolf have fleas? (That's rhetorical). The answer, provided by "Abduction," is a resounding yes as the abtacular teen idol jumps to the big leagues in a story about a kid who realizes his life is a lie when he sees his own face on a missing person's website. So who is behind the abduction? It's going to be a tricky one for Lautner to solve, because based on his "Twilight" fan base, he has about 50 million suspects.
'Moneyball'
Release Date: Sept. 23
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman
The Scoop: We know what you're thinking: Watching a movie about baseball? Isn't that the only thing more boring than actually watching baseball itself? But we remind you that your average baseball game doesn't have Brad Pitt in it. And since this film -- about a general manager for the Oakland A's who overturns the traditions of the league and creates a whole new style of baseball in the process -- is a labor of love for Pitt, you can be sure that he and co-stars Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman have brought their A-game. Play ball!
'50/50'
Release Date: Sept. 30
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick
The Scoop: Is there anything funnier than cancer? Before you answer that, you might want to check out "50/50," which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a youngster who is diagnosed with The Big C. Seth Rogen plays his best bud, which is fitting considering Rogen co-wrote the movie with his real-life best bud, who also suffered from cancer. The result is both moving and surprisingly funny. And hey, how often do you get to see JGL shave his head on screen? See, even cancer has its upside.
'Take Shelter'
Release Date: Sept. 30
Starring: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain
The Scoop: It's not your imagination: Jessica Chastain has been in every single movie this year. Okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much; "Take Shelter" is one of six movies (along with the critically acclaimed "The Help" and "The Tree of Life") the emerging star headlines in 2011. This time she plays the beleaguered wife of a man ("Revolutionary Road" Oscar nom Michael Shannon) who has terrifying visions. Is he going mad? Or are his visions actually harbingers of the coming apocalypse? We trust Chastain to make yet another right decision.
'Dream House
Release Date: September 30
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts
The Scoop: We think it's probably safe to say that the title "Dream House" is intended to be somewhat ironic considering this movie is about a couple (Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz) who discover their new home is really, really, seriously haunted. Of course, the pair did end up getting married after this horror flick finished filming, so maybe this really was their "Dream House." For the rest of us, though, it's just a good old-fashioned haunted house movie. And in this age of overdone gimmicks, that really could be a dream come true.
'What's Your Number?'
Release Date: Sept. 30
Starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans
The Scoop: Any excuse to see Anna Faris in action is a good excuse, but few have been quite as good as this one: "Number" features the "Scary Movie" star as a young woman who realizes she might have already met -- and dumped -- her dream guy. So she begins tracking down all of her exes to figure out which one of them was actually Mr. Right, which provides the perfect opportunity for everyone from Aziz Ansari to Andy Samberg to Zachary Quinto to provide cameos as the men in her past. Faris's number could be number one after this.
October
'The Ides of March
Release Date: Oct. 7
Starring: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman
The Scoop: Nobody does smart films like George Clooney (see: "Syriana," "Good Night and Good Luck") and now he's back with perhaps his best effort yet. "The Ides of March" features Clooney (who also directs) as a presidential candidate with a dark secret. When his campaign director (Ryan Gosling) discovers that secret he must balance his ideology with the practical politics of winning at all costs. Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman help round out a brilliant cast. That smell in the air? That's the smell of award season approaching.
'Wanderlust'
Release Date: Oct. 7
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Malin Akerman
The Scoop: Jennifer Aniston is kind of like the female Paul Rudd, so it's only fitting that Aniston and Rudd are teaming up here for this new rom-com about a posh New York couple who, forced by the economic downturn to move to the deep south, end up accidentally joining a hippie commune. Oh yeah, did we mention that it's written and directed by "Wet Hot American Summer" writer David Wain? And produced by, of course, Judd Apatow? Say no more.
'The Big Year
Release Date: Oct. 14
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Steve Martin
The Scoop: The unexpected comedy dream team of Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson comes together for a film with an even more unexpected premise: Black and Martin play dudes who team up to take down Wilson in a cutthroat national bird watching championship. That's a real thing, believe it or not. Frankly, we'd watch these three sleep, so the fact that they are in a quirky, offbeat film like "The Big year" is just gravy.
'Footloose'
Release Date: Oct. 14
Starring: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid
The Scoop: It's the generational gap to end all generational gaps. Whether or not you remember leg warmers and Cabbage Patch Kids may determine whether or not you find the idea of a "Footloose" remake to be heresy. Still, we have high hopes that this updated version -- which shows how a rebellious teen (in this case Kenny Wormald) teaches an uptight town the joy of dancing -- will introduce a new generation to the fun of cutting footloose.
'Paranormal Activity 3'
Release Date: Oct. 21
Starring: These aren't actors, it's found footage!
The Scoop: The 1980s are the hottest thing going in Hollywood these days, so it's a real stroke of luck for the people behind the wildly popular "Paranormal Activity" horror franchise that the footage they've found this time happens to be on old VHS tapes from that decade. Those tapes also happen to show sisters Katie and Kristi as little girls -- little girls who innocently stumble upon an undying evil that will haunt their lives forever. What will they find next?!
'The Three Musketeers'
Release Date: Oct. 21
Starring: Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Milla Jovovich
The Scoop: The classic Alexandre Dumas novel "The Three Musketeers" has been adapted for film umpteen times, so you're probably already familiar with the tale of the legendary band of French warriors and their motto, "all for one, one for all." But you probably haven't seen it like this before; after all, this time "Resident Evil" director Paul W.S. Anderson is at the helm, with his wife Milla Jovovich is co-starring as the sinister Milady de Winter. Add in the likes of Orlando Bloom and Christoph Waltz -- not to mention eye-popping 3-D -- and it's safe to say that this isn't your father's (or mother's) "Three Musketeers."
'The Rum Diary'
Release Date: Oct. 28
Starring: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart
The Scoop: Johnny Depp has been working for years to bring his buddy Hunter S. Thompson's novel "The Rum Diary to the big screen and darned if he hasn't finally done it. Of course, being the biggest movie star in the world doesn't hurt, either. Depp headlines the story of a journalist who ditches the mainland in favor of Puerto Rico where he begins drinking, carousing and keeping a detailed diary of his exploits. A rogue who guzzle rum? Captain Jack Sparrow would most definitely approve.
'In Time'
Release Date: Oct. 28
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Wilde
The Scoop: Justin Timberlake has been a force in pop culture for a long time now, but he still looks fresh as a daisy, which makes him the perfect person to star in "In Time." JT plays a guy living in a future where people are immortal -- if they are rich enough. If not, they "expire" at age 25. When he inherits a fortune, his future seems secure, but murder charges have a way of messing up even the best plan, so he goes on the run (along with co-star Amanda Seyfried). Will Timberlake achieve the same immortality on screen that his talents have already earned him off screen? Let's just say that the future looks bright.
'Like Crazy'
Release Date: Oct. 28
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence
The Scoop: Anton Yelchin's fourth film of the year (following "The Beaver," "The Smurfs" and "Fright Night") may be his best of the year as well. Here the up-and-coming star plays a college student who falls in love with a foreign exchange student (Felicity Jones). When she overstays her visa, though, she gets strong-armed out of the country by government officials, turning their perfect romance into a perfect mess. Considering "Like Crazy" won the top prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival, though, their loss is everyone's gain.
