We’ve finally put Winter behind us. Oh, I’m sure we’ll see another nasty week or two before Spring really gets a strong foothold, but the calendar is on our side, now. Trees are starting to bud. Grass is starting to turn green. Flowers are pushing up from the cold soil. And action movies are emerging once again to the theatres.

Yes, this month has already seen the release of 300:Rise of an Empire, and Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and Need for Speed, providing action and adventure for every age. This week adds Divergent and Muppets Most Wanted, both filled with excitement. Next week we’ll see Noah make the scene with its sweeping apocalyptic message.

April will feature big titles like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Rio 2. May will really usher in the Summer block-busters with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Godzilla, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Maleficent. June tries to extend the momentum with 22 Jump Street, and Transformers 4: Age of Extinction.

Think all of these sound done and re-done? How about some more original tales. July brings the roll-out of sci-fi films like Earth to Echo and Jupiter Ascending. And then there’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Hercules: the Thracian Wars.

Then we’ll finish off the summer with Guardians of the Galaxy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Lucy,  Expendables 3, and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

While the action genre is not always known for deep plots and award-winning acting, they are the catalysts for amazing stunts, ground-breaking special effects, and future-forward technological advances in film-making. They also get our adrenalin pumping and our imaginations soaring.

As I look over this list, I see films I’m anxious to watch, as well as a few I’ll probably skip. I imagine a whole new slew of ComicCon costumes. I see fun.

What films are you most excited to see this year?

That’s a wrap for this Toast to Cinema. Thanks for reading.