‘04 flickers into view

Around the World in Eighty Days. Jackie Chan is among the many aboard for this trip in Jules Verne’s classic balloon tale. Steve Coogan (“24 Hour Party People”) also stars. Directed by Frank Coraci (“The Wedding Singer”). Walt Disney, June 16.

Artemis Fowl. The young criminal mastermind of novelist Eoin Colfer’s trilogy plots to capture a fairy and ransom her for a pot of gold. Miramax, Summer.

The Brothers Grimm. Terry Gilliam’s take on the dark German fairy tales features Heath Ledger and Matt Damon as the siblings who travel from village to village hoaxing the townsfolk. Monica Bellucci also stars. Dimension Films, TBA.

Catch That Kid. A trio of pint-size plotters plan an adult-size bank heist. Directed by Bart Freundlich (“The Myth of Fingerprints”). Fox, Feb. 6. Comedy

Ella Enchanted. Anne Hathaway (“The Princess Diaries”) traverses a fairy tale land in a quest to rid herself of the curse of obedience. With Hugh Dancy. Directed by Tommy O’Haver (“Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss”). Miramax, April 9.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson enter Year 3 at Hogwarts, which entails facing dark fears and a dangerous escapee (Gary Oldman). Alfonso Cuaron directs. Warner Bros., June 4.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Jim Carrey is the scheming Count Olaf who sets his sights on the Baudelaire orphans’ fortune. With Meryl Streep and the voice of Jude Law. Directed by Brad Silberling. Paramount, Dec. 17

Moto X Kids. A motocross coach (Lorenzo Lamas) battles a motorcycle gang for control of the local dirt track with the help of a cycle-riding chimpanzee. With Gary Busey. Directed by Richard Gabai. Tag Entertainment, Jan. 30.

National Treasure. Archeologist Nicolas Cage and museum curator Diane Kruger search for a Revolutionary War treasure chest using a code hidden in the U.S. Constitution and a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Jon Turteltaub directs. Touchstone, Nov. 24.

The Polar Express. Director Robert Zemeckis and star Tom Hanks (“Forrest Gump” and “Cast Away”) team for a third time for the story of a young boy who takes a train journey to the North Pole. Warner Bros., Nov. 10.

Thunderbirds. Live-action version of the popular ‘60s British TV series featuring puppets follows the exploits of former astronaut Bill Paxton and his five sons, a top secret squad of heroic rescuers whose work is threatened by master criminal Ben Kingsley. Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek: Insurrection,” “Star Trek: First Contact”) directs. Universal, Aug. 6.

Touching the Void. Depicts the harrowing true story of two men’s attempt to climb an unconquered Andean mountain. Director Kevin Macdonald (“One Day in September”) combines dramatic and documentary techniques. IFC, Feb. 6.

Untitled Carroll Ballard Project. The director of the original “Black Stallion” spins the tale of a boy (Alexander Michaletos) and his cheetah as they undertake a journey across South Africa. With Campbell Scott and Hope Davis. Warner Bros., Oct. 8.

*

Editor -- Kinsey Lowe

Capsules -- Richard Cromelin and Kevin Crust