THE NICE GUYS – Business is so bad for a Los Angeles private detective that he can barely afford the booze he guzzles to cope with his misery. But a partnership with a similarly struggling enforcer for hire wind up turning around both of their careers. This action comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe is written and directed by Shane Black, who created the “Lethal Weapon” films. Warner Bros. is hoping this turns into a similarly successful franchise.

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE – When his bad temper gets him into trouble at work, a bird is sentenced to anger management class by a judge. There he makes like-minded friends who put him on a new career path as a warrior hero who channels that anger to save his island from evil invaders. Sony’s film version of the wildly popular mobile game has already generated $43 million in early openings overseas.

NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING – Real estate nightmares abound in this comedy sequel about a couple about to sell their home when a noisy sorority suddenly moves into the house next door. They go to desperate lengths to stop the buyers from pulling out of the deal. Seth Rogen and Chloe Grace Moretz star. The plot is largely recycled from the first film, though the first one brought in $271 million on an $18 million budget, so Universal’s strategy looks like a smart move.