2012 was a great year for superhero movies with 'The Avengers' and 'The Dark Knight Rises,' but 2013 is looking even bigger and better. We've got a 2013 superhero movies preview to get you excited about the upcoming year, so get those calendars ready!

  • 'Iron Man 3'

    May 3

    We kick off our 2013 superhero movies with 'Iron Man 3' -- Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark, out to fight the people who destroyed his life and face-off with the deadliest villain he's faced yet: the Mandarin. The film also stars Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, and Don Cheadle, and comes from writer/director Shane Black, who previously worked with Robert Downey Jr. on 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.'

  • 'Man of Steel'

    June 14

    Zack Snyder's 'Man of Steel' traces the origins of Superman, played by Henry Cavill, as he is adopted by an Earth family and grows up to discover and use his powers to protect the world that adopted him. Christopher Nolan ('The Dark Knight' trilogy) worked as executive producer on the film, which tells us this Superman movie will be a little extra special. Russell Crowe plays Superman's dad, Jor-El, and Michael Shannon takes on the iconic role of the villainous General Zod. Michael Shannon as a bad guy? Of course we're there.

  • 'Kick-Ass 2'

    June 28

    Of all the 2013 superhero movies, this is the one that's least conventional. 'Kick-Ass' followed an average high school nerd who donned a superhero costume and doled out some vigilante justice with the help of fellow "superheroes" Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Chloe Grace Moretz returns as Hit Girl in this sequel, which follows Kick-Ass (Aaron Johnson) as he joins with a group of regular people who have been similarly inspired to don costumes and fight crime. Meanwhile, villain Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) is putting together a revenge plot that will forever change Kick-Ass' world.

    Universal Pictures
    Universal Pictures
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  • 'The Wolverine'

    July 26

    We're perhaps the most apprehensive about this 2013 superhero movie, which finds Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine following the not-so-great 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine.' In this film, Wolverine heads to Japan, where he trains with a samurai warrior (a sword and adamantium claws?!) and gets involved with the Silver Samurai and the deadly Viper, two characters who play a major role in Wolverine's story in the comics. Our hopes are higher for this film, which comes courtesy of director James Mangold ('3:10 to Yuma,' 'Walk the Line') and a script that was worked on by Christopher McQuarrie ('The Usual Suspects').

    20th Century Fox
    20th Century Fox
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  • 'Thor: The Dark World'

    November 8

    The year in 2013 superhero movies ends with 'Thor: The Dark World,' a sequel to 2011's 'Thor.' This time around, the action picks up after the events in 'The Avengers,' and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must fight against a race of dark elves led by the vengeful and powerful Malekith, who wants to plunge the entire world into darkness. Also returning are Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston, but we're most excited about Christopher Eccleston ('Doctor Who') as the villainous Malekith.

    Marvel Studios
    Marvel Studios
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