{Top Ten Tuesday} 10 Disney Movie Releases for 2012

It’s been forever since I participated in Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday, but I was excited this week when I realized I already had a post in mind and ready to go!

This Saturday we’ll be attending a screening for Disney’s 3D release of Beauty and the Beast, out in theaters January 13. This got me to thinking of many of the other Disney projects coming to the big screen in 2012, and how excited we are for them.

For movie – and Disney! – fans like ourselves, I thought I’d give you a head’s up on what Disney has planned for the upcoming year. So, here you go: 10 Disney Movie Releases for 2012:

1.  January 13: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D, also in Disney Digital 3D

Beauty and the Beast is by far one of our favorite Disney movies, and for many reasons. My daughters and I all identify with the bookish Belle. We love the music and the assorted cast of vocal talent. Oh, and the romance…{swoon}. We are REALLY looking forward to this one!

2. February 17: THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

My kids asked for every single film from the Studio Ghibli collection this year for Christmas. They are huge fans of movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle. They are also huge fans of Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and co-writer of Disney’s February release, The Secret World of Arrietty.

The Secret World of Arrietty is based on the children’s book The Borrowers by Mary Norton. The story centers around Arrietty (pronounced AIR-ee-ett-ee) , a “tiny, but tenacious” 14-year old who is discovered by 12-year old Shawn, a boy who comes to stay in the house where Arrietty and her family live amid the nooks and crannies. They become friends, but must work to hide their relationship (and Arrietty’s family) to keep them safe from danger.

3. March 9: JOHN CARTER, also in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D

John Carter is based on science fiction author Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first novel, called A Princess of Mars. A quick synopsis:

John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to mysterious and exotic planet Mars, becomes embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions and discovers that the survival of the planet and its people rests in his hands. 

Judging by the trailer, this looks to be an action-packed movie full of conflict and adventure.

4. April 20 (Earth Day): CHIMPANZEE (Disneynature)

Let the cuteness begin! Seriously, this film promises to tug the heartstrings just as much as last year’s African Cats (my review: here).

Disneynature has done an amazing job over the years capturing the heart behind earth’s inhabitants, on land and in the sea. In Chimpanzee, the story focuses on young Oscar, whose family is confronted by a rival band of chimps, leaving him “to fend for himself until a surprising ally steps in and changes his life forever.”

To be safe, I plan on bringing some tissues to this one.

5. May 4: MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS, also in 3D and IMAX 3D (Marvel Studios)

Eeeeep! May 4th cannot come soon enough! For a house full of Marvel fans (my 15yo daughter is a font of encyclopedic Marvel knowledge, no joke), we are positively giddy with anticipation about this movie.

Avengers brings together Marvel superheros Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye as they join the international peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D to save the world from certain devastation. But the best part is you know they’ll be doing it with style, humor, and a whole lot of bang.

Bring. It. On!!!

6. June 22: BRAVE, also in Disney Digital 3D (Disney/Pixar)

I’ve written before about my goosebumps upon seeing the trailer for Brave. This lush film looks mysterious and gorgeous.

About Brave, a quick synopsis: Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

I’m guessing this film will continue the tradition of greatness from the Pixar studios.

7. August 15: THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN

In case you’re in the same boat as I am – meaning, you’ve heard next to nothing about The Odd Life of Timothy Green, but are intrigued – I’ve included the trailer here for you. My thoughts: it looks like a sweet, powerful, feel-good movie, and how on earth can you not want to watch Jennifer Garner in this? She basically OWNS sweet, powerful, and feel-good!

8. September 14: FINDING NEMO 3D (Disney/Pixar)

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming… . So excited for this one. We love Finding Nemo, and it might be one of the most-quotes Disney movies in our house (“Happy feeling gone!,” “Mine, mine, mine,” “Fish are friends, not food!”). I bet the underwater scenes in this will be lovely in 3D.

9. October 5: FRANKENWEENIE, also in Disney Digital 3D

Tim Burton? Genius. At least he’s considered one in our house.

We love The Nightmare Before Christmas (the soundtrack is also on constant rotation here) and Corpse Bride (we just watched it again in the van on a road trip last week!). Something about his clever, macabre sense of humor coupled with the fascinating medium of stop-action film makes for a twisted, highly enjoyable experience or all of us.

Frankenweenie is a black and white, full-length, stop-motion rendering of Burton’s 1984 live-action story, about “young Victor [who] conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.”

And, of course, it’s just in time for Halloween.

10. November 12: WRECK-IT RALPH, also in Disney Digital 3D (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

I admittedly know very little about Wreck-It Ralph, except that it includes the amazing voice talents of John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman, and Jack McBrayer.

The movie goes behind-the-scenes of the world of video game characters, as they come to life a la Andy’s room in Toy Story. The quick synopsis is this:

“The bad-guy character in a classic game who longs to be a hero brings trouble to his entire arcade after sneaking into a new first-person shooter game and unleashing a deadly enemy.”

Disney shared a bit more about Wreck-It Ralph at D23 in August, and it was enough to get plenty of attendees plenty excited (here’s another enthusiastic take). I look forward to learning more.

SO…there you have it! Which Disney movie(s) are you most excited to watch in 2012?

*Disclosure: Although I was sent this information from Disney, I was not obligated to post it and received no compensation or reward for doing so. I am just sincerely excited for many of these films and thought you might be, too!

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