2012 Summer Movie Preview: Comedy

After a spring of comedic disappointments (hint: nyuck nyuck), you are likely in need of a few laughs. And while we can't guarantee this summer's crop of comedies will be funny, we can at least give you a rundown of what's in store.

With a summer that boasts a king's ransom of action-packed features, family flicks and rom-coms, let's take a look at the funny-bone tickling films we're most looking forward to over the next few months.

For the rest of Moviefone's 2012 Summer Preview, head here.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | 2012 Summer Movie Preview: Comedy

• 'Dark Shadows'

  Release Date: May 11 Who's In It: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Eva Green, Chloë Grace Moretz, Bella Heathcote, Gully McGrath What It's About: Based on the 1960s Gothic soap opera, a vampire emerges from his 300-year slumber to find his life completely changed, while a score with a once-jealous witch remains unsettled. Why We're Excited: While Johnny Depp as Tim Burton's pasty muse is nothing we haven't seen before, we're psyched to see "Dark Shadows" back from the dead.

• 'The Dictator'

  Release Date: May 16 Who's In It: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, Megan Fox, John C. Reilly, J.B. Smoove What It's About: A tongue-in-cheek satire about an eccentric dictator who wants to keep his homeland free from democracy. Why We're Excited: If Cohen's stunt at the Oscars is any indication, we're in for an irreverent and tuxedo-dirtying ride.

• 'Piranha 3DD'

  Release Date: June 1 Who's In It: David Koechner, Katrina Bowden, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames, Paul Scheer, David Hasselhoff What It's About: The explicitly titled sequel to "Piranha 3D," this film brings the villainous piranhas back for more bloods. Why We're Excited: It feels like an '80s snuff film -- with a cast to match -- plus there's Cerie from "30 Rock."

• 'High School'

  Release Date: June 1 Who's In It: Adrien Brody, Sean Marquette, Matt Bush, Colin Hanks, Adhir Kalyan, Mykelti Williamson, Yeardley Smith, Curtis Armstrong, Michael Chiklis What It's About: A principal has begun an anti-cannabis crusade right after the school's valedictorian (Matt Bush) does a dance with Mary Jane. In order to thwart expulsion, he and his pothead companion attempt to get the whole student body high. Why We're Excited: It's high (!) time for a good stoner flick, and this one has a crazed and corn-rowed Adrien Brody.

• 'That's My Boy'

  Release Date: June 15 Who's In It: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester, James Caan What It's About: A man (Adam Sandler) tries to reconnect with the boy (Andy Samberg) he fathered as a child. Hilarity/disaster ensues. Why We're Excited: It's like "Big Daddy" but all grown up and far more dysfunctional! The downside: Adam Sandler talks in maybe his most annoying voice ever.

• 'Rock of Ages'

  Release Date: June 15 Who's In It: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise What It's About: The big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical follows a waitress and busboy's love affair with hair-metal music. Why We're Excited: Maybe it's that he's shirtless and sporting long hair, but this feels like the role that Tom Cruise was born to play. And everyone's wearing ridiculous wigs!

• 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World'

  Release Date: June 22 Who's In It: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Adam Brody What It's About: A macabre comedy set on the eve of the end of the world, two strangers (Steve Carell, Keira Knightley) take a road trip toward the ones they love. Why We're Excited: If it were the end of the world, wouldn't you want to spend it with Steve Carell, Keira Knightley and a drunken Patton Oswalt?

• 'Magic Mike'

  Release Date: June 22 Who's In It: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn, Olivia Munn, Matt Bomer, Riley Keough, Joe Mangianello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, Gabriel Iglesias What It's About: Based on Channing Tatum's real-life experience as an exotic dancer, the movie sees him trying to reconcile his "entrepreneurial" profession and his budding romance. Why We're Excited: A stripping movie from bigwig Steven Soderbergh, which features Channing Tatum shirtless and Matthew McConaughey as a stripping emcee. Who isn't excited?

• 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection'

  Release Date: June 29 Who's In It: Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Doris Roberts, Tom Arnold, Denise Richards, Danielle Campbell, Devan Leos, Romeo, John Amos, Marla Gibbs What It's About: Tyler Perry continues his gender bending in "Witness Protection," which imagines a man (Eugene Levy), ruined from his Wall Street ponzi-scheming, in the witness protection program (a.k.a. Madea's house). Why We're Excited: In addition to starring, Perry wrote and directed the film. And he sure makes a convincing lady.

• 'Ted'

  Release Date: June 29 Who's In It: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Seth MacFarlane, Patrick Warburton, Jessica Stroup, Laura Vandervoort What It's About: As a child, John (Wahlberg) was granted the wish that his teddybear (Ted) would come to life. Now a grown man with a serious girlfriend (Mila Kunis), Ted's causing very grown-up problems. Why We're Excited: Any movie that gives Mark Wahlberg a license to curse creatively at/with a stuffed animal sounds like a good time to us.

• 'Neighborhood Watch'

  Release Date: July 13 Who's In It: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Will Forte, Billy Crudup What It's About: A neighborhood watch is set up as legitimate-sounding bro-time, but swiftly changes when the group uncovers a plan for world annihilation. Why We're Excited: Since when have you ever been let down by the hilarity spinning writing team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg?

• 'The Campaign'

  Release Date: July 27 Who's In It: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Katherine LaNasa, Dylan McDermott, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Cox What It's About: The feud between two North Carolina politicians (Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis) heats up when they discover their shared presidential hopes. Why We're Excited: Whether it's cymbals or suits, these two can't lose.

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