Summer movies 2014: Potential blockbusters, flops and more

Oh summer...Thoughts of the beach, barbecues and bathing suits come to mind -- and air-conditioned movie theaters, too. The summer movie-going season is heating up with many a potential blockbuster in store for 2014.

Some 50 major films will hit theaters between now and Labor Day, and this year, there's truly a mix with superheroes, revivals, comedies and sequels in store.

The summer season kicks off with bang with the release of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" on May 2, starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

But that's not the only potential blockbuster landing in theaters.

Andrew Stewart of Variety told CBS News that the "Godzilla" reboot, due May 16, is one to watch. The movie, which stars Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, cost an estimated $160 million to make.

"That property hasn't necessarily done so well in the past -- but they're taking a more realistic approach this time around -- less stylized. I think that can help it. Certainly with the success of 'Batman' and 'Man of Steel' --that sort of realistic story-telling," Stewart said. "I think audiences have come to appreciate and respond well to that...It certainly cost a lot and has a lot riding on it."

The time-traveling thriller "X-Men: Days of Future Past" premieres May 23 with a star-studded cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Michael Fassbender and Peter Dinklage.

Another one to see? "Maleficent" -- the twisted fairy tale starring Angelina Jolie, which arrives on May 30.

"'Maleficent' is a risky venture," said Stewart. But he thinks it will perform well at the box office. "I heard some troubling news from the film in terms of its re-shoots and other starts and stops with that production," he said. "I think they're doing a really great job in terms of marketing the film, giving just enough detail to build that anticipation. It can play to a family audience."

Although this summer is poised to feature some major hits, there's a chance for some major flops, too. We saw that last summer with Disney's "The Lone Ranger," which disappointed at the box office. What will be this year's flop? Stewart says it could be "Hercules," a mid-summer release, due July 25.

"'Hercules' is a risk on Paramount's part," he said. "They haven't really done much for it...They only just released the trailer. The Rock he certainly has some cache with audiences, but as Hercules? I don't know."

"'Edge of Tomorrow' -- the Warner Bros. Tom Cruise film -- I think that's a big question mark," Stewart added about the film due out June 6. "I think it has potential to be one of the summer's biggest flops, but you never know. It could find an audience. But they could go for something more easily digestible."

Speaking of which, there's plenty of "digestible" options to go around this summer. Marvel's outer-space journey "Guardians of the Galaxy" with Chris Pratt will likely do well when it hits the theaters on Aug. 1, Stewart says. "They're selling it as a comedy," he said. "The tag line on the poster is just 'You're welcome.'"

And the '80s are back with "Transformers: Age of Extinction" opening June 27 and "Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles" landing in theaters on Aug. 8."

"21 Jump Street" will return to big screen in the form of "22 Jump Street." The sequel has been receiving some positive buzz, which could translate into cash for Sony when it arrives on June 13.

Rob Riggle, who portrayed a gym teacher in the 2012 film, returns for a cameo in the sequel. "The fact that Mr. Walters is back -- I just love it. It's funny and hilarious," Riggle told CBS News about the movie starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. "I'm very grateful to Jonah and Channing for wanting me to come back and letting me come back...We had so much fun on the first one, I think that's why they wanted me to come back for this one...Jonah is a genius and the directors did a great job of giving it a unique story and bringing it to life."

Tell us: Which films are you excited to see this summer? Check out the full summer slate in the gallery above.