Dozens of genre movies are coming to the screen in the next 12 months, and Parallel Universe gives you the lowdown

By Don Kaye
Special to MSN Movies

We start each moviegoing year with anticipation and optimism, but we have to admit that the last couple have been more "meh" than "yeah!" 2010 and 2011 had perhaps a bigger share of disappointments than usual, but something tells us that 2012 is going to be different. It could be because some of the major releases of the coming 12 months just feel bigger: Nothing that came out last year can match the anticipation of "The Hobbit," "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Avengers" or "Prometheus." Those four alone, along with a few others, have practically ensured that 2012 is going to be a movie year that fans will talk about for a long time. As usual, some of the movies coming out this year will hit and some will miss -- maybe even one of the big four, although that's highly unlikely -- but as of now, everything starts with a clean slate.

So here's our rundown of the Class of 2012, along with the basics about each and, once again, how highly they rate on Parallel Universe's very own Geekometer. Many of the films are being released in 3-D -- but unless they were shot that way, we recommend watching them in plain old 2-D. Take a look, make your own choices and let the show begin!

(Warner Bros./20th Century Fox)