Surround sound. Cushy chairs. Hot, greasy popcorn. What better escape is there this summer than the movies? Movie companies plan on crowds of lazy, bored, potential movie-goers flocking to theaters during the summer. In preparation, droves of new movies are released — some good, some bad, some entertaining, some nauseating. Here is a sample of what will be at your neighborhood air-conditioned escape.

‘America’s Sweethearts’

Release date: July 20
Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Cusack play a Hollywood couple that has split privately but has to stay together for appearances. Now they have to appear lovey-dovey at press events to promote their joint movie, leaving their frantic publicist (Billy Crystal) to divert the public’s attention from the failed relationship. To make things tougher for Crystal’s character, both spouses fall in love with someone else — Hank Azaria and Julia Roberts, respectively. The comedy of Cusack, the exotic beauty of Zeta-Jones, and the girl-next-door sweetness of Roberts should make this flick a worthwhile, feel-good romance with a couple of laughs.

‘Moulin Rouge’

Release date: June 1
She’s sexy, she’s single and she’s singing. Nicole Kidman celebrates her newfound singledom from Tom
with the perfect movie to show off her allure. “Moulin Rouge,” the hyped-up, extravagant musical brought to us by Baz Luhrmann, introduces Christian (Ewan McGregor), an innocent young man who comes to Paris and falls in love with Satine (Kidman).

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’
Release date: June 15
This new action flick starring Angelina Jolie is based on the popular 3-D computer game series “Tomb Raider.” In a nutshell, a female version of Indiana Jones (except with big breasts) has to fend off hordes of bad guys. Expect to see Jolie doing lots of running and jumping around and beating up guys who are after her goodies.

‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’

Release Date: August 24
That’s right. The crew that we know and love from “Mallrats,” “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma” is back in full force. Kevin Smith, aka Silent Bob, director of these films, now stars in the newest addition to the cult series, which takes him on a road trip with his sidekick, Jay (Jason Mewes). The duo travels from Red Bank, N.J., to Hollywood to stop the premiere of the “Bluntman and Chronic” movie. Dedicated followers will be glued to the screen to catch every random intellectual thought and ridiculous, colorful insult.

‘Planet of the Apes’

Release date: July 27
The talented Tim Burton finds a way to bring the long-lost film series from the ’70s back to the silver screen. For those who have never seen “Planet of the Apes,” this movie will be a re-imagining of the series, meaning it is a remake of the events rather than a sequel. You may never look at the zoo or bananas the same way again after traveling to a land where apes rule and humans are their slaves.

‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’

Release date: June 15
Disney finally decides to go with the non-traditional, non-musical format, moving into the realm of action. The characters set off to sea in a submarine in search of the underwater city of Atlantis. But they are mysteriously taken away by a giant squid that transports them to the lost city, enduring hardships and obstacles along the way, of course.

‘crazy/beautiful’
Release date: June 29
She’s an uptown girl. He’s a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. They have to fall for each other. And they do. Kirsten Dunst plays the well-off-but-troubled high schooler who struggles through the cultural clashes and social lessons of a relationship with Jay Hernandez, a poverty-stricken bad boy. Good thing it’s rated PG-13 so everyone who wants to see it won’t have to sneak into another R-rated movie.

‘Pearl Harbor’

Release date: May 25
It’s not too hard to guess what this ultra-hyped, timed-to-be-released-on-Memorial-Day historical flick is about. Get this: It’s about the bombing of Pearl Harbor at the start of World War II. But this serves merely as a backdrop to the real focus of the film: a love triangle. Two friends (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) fall in love with the same girl (Kate Beckinsale), and the drama of the various relationships swells to compete with the drama of the war happening in the background. Bring tissues to this one — it promises to be another Titanic.