2011 Movie Sequels List

From this midyear season all throughout the year end months, movie buffs have many things to watch out for. Quality films with scheduled releases had been announced as early as last year, but 2011 is a year of movie sequels and prequels.

Here are some of them:

Fast Five

Also called Fast and Furious 5 and

Fast and Furious 5: Rio Heist

In 3D

Release Date: April 29

This is the fifth installment from the original movie series The Fast and the Furious which was released in 2001. In this film, former police officer Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) teams up again with street racing pal Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). This time they flee from the law in Rio de Janeiro. Therewith their main enemy is a business man who wants to silence them for good. A federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is also on their tail. Yet this maybe the last mission which will earn them freedom.

Still in the movie is Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto), Paul’s love interest, Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce), O’Conner’s childhood friend, and rapper Ludacris (Tej Parker), O’Conner’s friend – a mechanic, former racer and race host. Ludacris and Tyrese’s characters were first seen in the second movie 2 Fast 2 Furious in 2003. Devon Aoki and Eva Mendes also took part in the same movie.

The third franchise is called The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006 which does not feature any of the original characters. Vin Diesel participated in a racing scene at the end of the movie though.

Fast and Furious of 2009 places the limelight back to the original race team with the exception of a few characters such as Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). The movie was set in the Dominican Republic and happens during the same time frame as the second and third movie. A six installment which may be the last of the series is currently being developed according to producers.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Release Date: May 20

During the filming period, most thought the movie will be titled “The Fountain of Youth” since the plot revolves around the epic theme. The release title is based on the book by Tim Powers where it was adapted from. In this sequel, Penelope Cruz stars as the former love of Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow). Most of the original characters are no longer included in this fourth installment.

The series began with The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003. Herewith Depp shares the limelight with Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swan) and Orlando Bloom (Will Turner). The second and third film Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End were shot back to back and were released in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

The movie producers intend to film a fifth and sixth installment which are proposed to be independent from the four previous films in terms of plot.

The Hangover Part II

Release Date: May 26

The first film in 2009 was set in Las Vegas where the group of four friends had the wildest bachelor party ever. The new film is set in Bangkok where one of the main characters’ wedding will be held.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Release Date: May 27

Kung Fu Panda 2 comes to big screen after the hit premier film in 2008.

X-Men: First Class

Release Date: June 3

This movie is already the fifth in the X-Men series. It is a prequel to the first three films. In this film, the rivalry between Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) is expounded. The plot goes back to the days of their friendship up until its demise.

The other films in the X-Men franchise include X-Men released in 2000, X2 in 2003, X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009.

Cars 2

In 3D

Release Date: June 28

The movie is a follow up to the Disney hit Cars in 2006. Here, buddies Lighting McQueen, a famous race car and Mater, an old tow truck journeys together for the World Gran Prix in search for the fastest car.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release Date: July 1

Dark of the Moon is the third and maybe the final stint in the Transformers movie series. The first bears the same title and the second is called Revenge of the Fallen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Release Date: July 15

The movie teaser says it all: “It All Ends 7.15.” This movie features the second part of the movie franchise finale where Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort battles to the end.

A complete list of the J.K. Rowling hit series include:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

Release Date: October 22

Breaking Dawn is the fourth and last film in the Twilight series. It is offered in two parts. The first will be released this year, October 22 while the latter part is scheduled for 2012, November 16.

In this movie, Bella becomes pregnant after her wedding with Edward. Yet the dangerous pregnancy itself had lead to Bella’s immortality when Edward initiated her rites to vampire hood. Their daughter Renesmee’s birth worsened an already shaky ground between the Cullens (Edward’s clan) and the Volturi, a powerful vampire council. The movie and series culminates with the final battle between these two sides.

Happy Feet 2 in 3-D

Release Date: November 18

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

Release Date: November 18

Chipwrecked is the third of the Alvin and the Chipmunks series; its teaser was first seen in February 2011 but is set for release by November. The first two films were Alvin and the Chipmunks in 2007 and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel in 2009.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Release Date: November 18

A follow up to the 2009 hit based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s well loved character with the same name. In this movie, Holmes played by Robert Downey Jr. and Doctor Watson which stars Jude Law battles with their arch enemy Professor Moriarty as portrayed by Jared Harris.

There you have it. Movie sequels list of 2011!