Night at the Museum 2The battle for summer's funniest movie is on ...

What do Ben Stiller, flying old men, and gay Austrian supermodels have in common? No, it's not that they all loved 'Star Trek' (though they probably did); they're the stars of some of this summer's (potentially) funniest flicks.

With 'Wolverine,' 'Star Trek' and 'Angels & Demons' opening in the first three weeks of May, so far the box office has been heavy on the action and light on the laughs. But that will all change on May 22, when Stiller's 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' rolls into theaters, kicking off a slate of comedies that should have moviegoers in stitches from now until the end of July.

Check out our picks for the seven most promising laffers to hit multiplexes this beach season, then cast your vote for which will be summer's funniest.

What do Ben Stiller, flying old men, and gay Austrian supermodels have in common? No, it's not that they all loved 'Star Trek' (though they probably did); they're the stars of some of this summer's (potentially) funniest flicks.

With 'Wolverine,' 'Star Trek' and 'Angels & Demons' opening in the first three weeks of May, so far the box office has been heavy on the action and light on the laughs. But that will all change on May 22, when Stiller's 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' rolls into theaters, kicking off a slate of comedies that should have moviegoers in stitches from now until the end of July.

Check out our picks for the seven most promising laffers to hit multiplexes this beach season, then cast your vote for which will be summer's funniest. -- By Tom DiChiara

Ben Stiller'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' (May 22): In the sequel to the 2006 hit, Stiller's mild-mannered security guard heads to D.C.'s Smithsonian, where he once again grapples with museum exhibits come to life. And this time around he must contend with even more reanimated historical figures, a villainous pharaoh (Hank Azaria) and his weirdly romantic feelings for Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams). Hey, she is pretty hot for a living diorama.




Up'Up' (May 29): Arguably Pixar's funniest -- and saddest -- film to date, 'Up' tells the tale of a lonely widower who, at the ripe young age of 78, finally fulfills his lifelong dream of globetrotting adventure by tying thousands of helium balloons to his house and jetting off to South America. Run-ins with giant birds, multilingual dogs, an evil explorer and bittersweet hilarity ensue.

'Up' showtimes & tickets | 'Up' trailers & clips


The Hangover'The Hangover' (June 5): So what if Todd Phillips' ('Old School') last flick, 'School for Scoundrels,' didn't measure up to his previous endeavors? This tale of a bachelor party gone horribly, amazingly, gut-bustingly awry is riding so much buzz that a sequel is already in the works. It might just be the best bachelor party movie since, well, 'Bachelor Party.'

'The Hangover' showtimes & tickets | 'The Hangover' trailer


Land of the Lost'Land of the Lost' (June 5): Will Ferrell hits theaters with his second straight non-sports comedy (thank you, movie gods), playing a time-traveling scientist who battles dinosaurs (and his own stupidity) for survival in this big screen adaptation of the cheesy '70s serial known for its Sleestaks and entertainingly horrendous special effects. We're feeling so nostalgic, we'll even tolerate a Ferrell streaking scene.

'Land of the Lost' showtimes & tickets | 'Land of the Lost' trailer


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Year One'Year One' (June 19): It's 'Superbad' meets 'Forrest Gump' when two of the most inept cavemen ever to roam the Earth (Jack Black and Michael Cera) are banished from their village and set off on an epic adventure that leaves their idiotic footprints all over history.

'Year One' trailer | 'Year One' clip


Bruno'Bruno' (July 10): 'Borat' genius Sacha Baron Cohen plays a gay Austrian fashion model/reporter: Need we say more? OK, you twisted our arm. He also dupes a bevy of people (including 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul) into faux interviews, adopts an African baby whom he honors with the "traditional African name" of O.J., and generally wreaks havoc across America. 'Bruno': It's all the rage.

Funny People'Funny People' (July 31): Adam Sandler stars as a stand-up comic (yeah, not too big of a stretch) who reevaluates his life after a brush with death. If that sounds a little heavy for a comedy, don't worry: Judd Apatow has publicly assured fans that this flick -- which stars all the usual Apatow players (Rogen, Hill, Mann, etc.) as well as Eric Bana and Jason Schwartzman -- will be every bit as raunchy and raucous as his previous writer-director efforts. All we can say is, "Oh, Kelly Clarkson!"

'Funny People' trailer | 'Funny People' behind the scenes


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