From 'Harry Potter' to 3-D: 25 new fall movies

Just as leaf peepers marvel at fall foliage, so moviegoers watch the seasons change at the multiplex.

Usually the difference is noticeable: Comedies give way to dramas, action films turn to message movies, loud blockbusters make room for intimate character studies.

Not this time. Though audiences have been groaning in disappointment all year, Hollywood's fall and winter schedule looks a lot like spring and summer. That means more young-adult fantasies like the animated "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," another "Narnia" installment and part one of the "Harry Potter" finale. Speaking of sequels, there will be plenty, including Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" and Disney's much-hyped "Tron: Legacy." There also are more remakes ("Let Me In," based on an acclaimed Swedish vampire drama), more comic-book movies (the action-comedy "Red," starring Bruce Willis, due Oct. 15) and more spinoffs from existing brands ("Yogi Bear").

How about more 3-D? You got it - get ready for bug-eyed versions of the stunt comedy "Jackass 3D" (Oct. 15), the horror film "Saw 3D" (Oct. 22) and even "The Nutcracker in 3D" (Nov. 24).

As for Oscar, we may have difficulty finding 10 best picture nominees. There have been few obvious contenders so far - maybe "Toy Story 3" - and there aren't many more coming. Potential bright spots include "The Social Network," David Fincher's up-to-the-nanosecond history of the creation of Facebook; "Hereafter," a drama about near-death experiences directed by Clint Eastwood; and the Coen Brothers' latest literary adaptation, "True Grit" (it was a novel by Charles Portis before it became the 1969 John Wayne classic).

Here are 25 releases that, for better or for worse, may define the rest of your moviegoing year.

Easy A | Sept. 17 | Watch the trailer

SEE PHOTOS25 biggest movie opening weekends

Wholesome high schooler Emma Stone ("Zombieland") goes along with a false rumor that she lost her virginity. Oddly, her reputation improves. With Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church.

The Town  | Sept. 17 | Watch the trailer

Ben Affleck directs, co-writes and stars in this crime drama about a career bank robber who falls for a hostage (Rebecca Hall). With Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Chris Cooper.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger | Sept. 22

Woody Allen's latest dispatch from London concerns a man (Anthony Hopkins) in midlife crisis, a call girl (Lucy Punch), a novelist (Josh Brolin) and a mystery woman (Freida Pinto).

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole | Sept. 24

Director Zack Snyder ("Watchmen") tackles the young-adult fantasy genre with this 3-D animated tale about a young owl who dreams of becoming a great warrior. Based on novels by Kathryn Lasky.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps | Sept. 24 | Watch the trailer

Oliver Stone follows up his go-go 1980s classic "Wall Street" with Michael Douglas once again playing alpha-financier Gordon Gekko. Shia LaBeouf plays his newest acolyte; Carey Mulligan is Gekko's daughter.

Let Me In | Oct. 1

The American remake of the acclaimed Swedish vampire drama "Let the Right One In," starring Chloe Moretz as an unusually pale little girl and Kodi Smit-McPhee ("The Road") as her smitten neighbor. Matt Reeves ("Cloverfield") directs.

The Social Network | Oct. 1 | Watch the trailer

Folks at Facebook have seen this biopic about co-founder Mark Zuckerberg - played by Jesse Eisenberg as a nerdy outsider desperate for acceptance - and they aren't happy. David Fincher directs from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin.

It's Kind of a Funny Story | Oct. 8

Zach Galifianakis plays a mental patient who takes a stressed-out teen (Keir Gilchrist) under his wing. Also with Emma Roberts, Zoë Kravitz and Viola Davis. Written and directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden ("Half Nelson") from Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel.

Hereafter | Oct. 22

Clint Eastwood's latest follows an American psychic, a French journalist and a London schoolboy as they grapple with questions of death and spirituality. With Matt Damon and Cécile de France ("Un Secret").

Due Date | Nov. 5

Robert Downey Jr. plays an expectant father who hitches a cross-country ride home with an aspiring actor (Zach Galifianakis). Directed by Todd Phillips ("The Hangover").

Fair Game | Nov. 5

Naomi Watts and Sean Penn star as outed CIA agent Valerie Plame and her husband in this political thriller based on Plame's autobiography. Directed by Doug Liman ("The Bourne Identity").

Megamind | Nov. 5 | Watch the trailer

In this animated feature, supervillain Megamind (voiced by Will Ferrell) defeats good guy Metro Man (Brad Pitt) but becomes so bored he creates another superhero, Titan (Jonah Hill). With Tina Fey and David Cross.

Unstoppable | Nov. 12 | Watch the trailer

An action film about train engineers, in which Chris Pine ("Star Trek") and Denzel Washington try to stop a runaway locomotive. Directed by Tony Scott.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 | Nov. 19 | Watch the trailer

Warner Bros. is milking the final chapter of this franchise by breaking it into two parts. (So that's where "Twilight" got the idea.) In 3-D and IMAX.

The Next Three Days | Nov. 19

Elizabeth Banks has been convicted of a murder she didn't commit, or so says husband Russell Crowe. His plan: Spring her early. Written and directed by Paul Haggis ("Crash").

Tangled | Nov. 24

Disney's animated feature gives a twist to the tale of Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), who teams up with a dashing bandit (Zachary Levi) to escape her tower.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | Dec. 10 | Watch the trailer

The latest installment in the "Narnia" franchise, this time in 3-D. Tilda Swinton returns as the White Witch; the new director is Michael Apted ("Coal Miner's Daughter," "Nell").

The Fighter | Dec. 10

Mark Wahlberg trained for years to play boxer "Irish" Micky Ward in this drama from David O. Russell ("Three Kings"). The stellar cast includes Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo ("Frozen River").

The Tempest | Dec. 10

Julie Taymor ("Across the Universe") tackles Shakespeare. With Russell Brand, Felicity Jones, Alfred Molina, Alan Cumming and Helen Mir- ren as the sorceress Prospera.

How Do You Know | Dec. 17

Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd make a love triangle. Written and directed by James L. Brooks ("Terms of Endearment," "Broadcast News").

Tron: Legacy | Dec. 17 | Watch the trailer

Disney tries again with this sequel to its 1982 flop, "Tron," with Jeff Bridges returning as super programmer Kevin Flynn. Daft Punk replaces Wendy Carlos' original synth score.

Yogi Bear | Dec. 17 | Watch the trailer

Part animation, part live-action, all in 3-D. Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake provide voices for Yogi and Boo-Boo, respectively; Anna Faris stars.

Gulliver's Travels | Dec. 22

The Jack Black version of Jonathan Swift's classic novel - in 3-D, yet. With Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet and Billy Connolly.

Little Fockers | Dec. 22 | Watch the trailer

Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller are back as frenemies-in-law. Newcomers to the franchise include Laura Dern, Harvey Keitel, Jessica Alba and, in the director's chair, Paul Weitz ("American Pie").

True Grit | Dec. 25

The 1969 John Wayne Western was a novel first; the Coen Brothers are readapting it with Jeff Bridges as Marshal Rooster Cogburn and Matt Damon as Texas Ranger LeBoeuf. Also with Josh Brolin and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.

11 other coming attractions you might not want to miss

Never Let Me Go (Sept. 15). Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel about a creepy boarding school. With Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield (the "Red Riding" trilogy).

Catfish (Sept. 17). In this documentary, two friends filmed another as he prepared to meet his online girlfriend. Critics are keeping admirably mum about the unexpected ending.

Howl (Sept. 24). James Franco stars as the young Allen Ginsberg. With Jon Hamm, Alessandro Nivola, Jeff Daniels.

Nowhere Boy (Oct. 8). Aaron Johnson plays John Lennon on the cusp of fame.

Life As We Know It (Oct. 8). Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl are two confirmed singles trying to raise their late mutual friends' orphaned infant daughter.

Carlos (Oct. 15). Cannes critics who saw this 319-minute saga about terrorist Carlos the Jackal weren't all in agreement - but they all wanted to talk about it. Directed by Olivier Assayas ("Summer Hours").

Paranormal Activity 2 (Oct. 22). Not a "sequel" to last year's micro-budget horror hit but "the next chapter." | Watch the trailer

127 Hours (Nov. 5). Writer-director Danny Boyle follows the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" with a drama based on the true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), the hiker who amputated his arm to survive.

The Nutcracker in 3D (Nov. 24). Sugar plum fairies - comin' at ya! With Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, John Turturro. Songs by Tim Rice ("The Lion King").

Burlesque (Nov. 24). Christina Aguilera is the small-town girl with big dreams; Cher owns a sexy nightclub. With Cam Gigandet and Kristen Bell. | Watch the trailer

Black Swan (Dec. 1). Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis star as obsessively competitive ballerinas in this psychological thriller from Darren Aronofsky ("The Wrestler"). | Watch the trailer