A first run at the year’s movies

Eight Below Paul Walker, Jason Biggs and Bruce Greenwood play members of an Antarctic research team who, after an accident, are forced to leave behind, then later attempt to rescue, their loyal sled dogs. A remake of a Japanese film based on an actual incident. Directed by Frank Marshall (“Alive”). Walt Disney Pictures, Feb. 17

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Eragon A young boy grows up to be a dragon rider and discovers he has the power to save or destroy an empire. Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle, Djimon Hounsou, Sienna Guillory and John Malkovich star. Directed by Stefen Fangmeier. 20th Century Fox, Dec. 15

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The Fountain Hugh Jackman plays a time traveler who struggles for 1,000 years as a Spanish conquistador, a scientist and an astronaut to save the woman he loves. With Rachel Weisz and Ellen Burstyn. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem for a Dream”). Warner Bros., TBA

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Ghost Rider Nicolas Cage stars as the comic book hero Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt rider who makes a deal with the devil. Eva Mendes costars. Directed by Mark Steven Johnson(“Daredevil”). Columbia Pictures, July 14

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Hoot Newly relocated from Florida, a middle-schooler enlists his friends to protect the habitat of some endangered Montana owls. Based on Carl Hiaasen’s award-winning novel. Directed by Wil Shriner. New Line Cinema, April 21

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Night at the Museum Ben Stiller plays a daydreamer whose job as a night watchman at a museum of natural history gets exciting when the various exhibits and dioramas -- including a playful T. rex, Mayas, Roman gladiators, cowboys and a wax figure of Teddy Roosevelt -- come to life. Directed by Shawn Levy (“Cheaper by the Dozen”). 20th Century Fox, Dec. 22

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Pathfinder Left behind in North America by the Vikings, a young boy is raised to manhood by Native Americans but is faced with conflict when his people return decades later. Karl Urban, Moon Bloodgood and Russell Means star. Directed by Marcus Nispel. 20th Century Fox, TBA

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack is joined by cast mates Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush, plus director Gore Verbinski, in this high-seas sequel. Walt Disney Pictures, July 7

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Stormbreaker A 14-year-old boy, trained in the art of secret agentry by his uncle, is called upon by the British secret service to stop a plot to unleash a biological weapon on England. Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor and Mickey Rourke star. Directed by Geoffrey Sax. The Weinstein Co., August

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Superman Returns The Man of Steel (Brandon Routh) is back after being away for several years and discovers that the world -- and Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) -- may have learned to survive without him. James Marsden, Frank Langella, Eva Marie Saint, Parker Posey, Sam Huntington, Kal Penn and Kevin Spacey also star. Directed by Bryan Singer. Warner Bros., June 30