In 2009, seven out of the 10 top-earning films were either sequels, remakes or part of a franchise.

And, yes, 2010 has more of those. But there are, thankfully, some original-idea bright spots. We’ve narrowed down 17 buzzworthy films fighting for your moviegoing dollar next year. Time to save the date. JORDAN BARTEL, B

REMAKES/RE-IMAGININGS
“The Wolfman”(Feb. 12): Inspired casting of the year: Benicio del Toro as the titular hairy monster. Because, well, he already sort-of looks like a werewolf (sorry, Benicio). The Oscar winner plays an American man struggling with his werewolfian destiny.

“Alice in Wonderland” (March 5): Tim Burton’s new spin: A now 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska, so brilliant in “In Treatment”) travels back down the rabbit hole to visit her old buddies, including Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter. March 5 will certainly be a very important date.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (April 30): Another year, another 1980s horror remake. But we have high hopes for this new “Nightmare,” starring Jackie Earle Haley as madly depraved Freddy Krueger.

“The Karate Kid” (June 11): Sweeping the leg this time around is Jaden Smith, Will’s cute kid, with Jackie Chan as his wise martial arts adviser in China. The biggest question: In what reality would “work pressures” force a single mom to move with her child to China?

LAUGHERS
“Valentine’s Day” (Feb. 12): Ugh, we’re admitting our weakness for cheesy rom-coms. But this tale of intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles seems promising, especially with a cast filled with the likes of Anne Hathaway, Bradley Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Julia Roberts.

“Hot Tub Time Machine”(March 19): All you need to know is right there in the title. John Cusack, Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson star.

“Date Night” (April 9): A married couple (Steve Carell and Tina Fey, whom we wish were married in real life) has a romantic night out that turns into something completely different because of a case of mistaken identity. James Franco and Kristen Wiig co-star.

“MacGruber” (April 16): We know. A whole movie based on Will Forte’s “MacGyver”-skewering “Saturday Night Live” skit? But (very) early reviews have been surprisingly positive. Plus, more Kristen Wiig!

SUMMER POPCORN
“Iron Man 2” (May 7): Robert Downey Jr. is back as Tony Stark/Iron Man, in a film that will probably make more money than the GDP of Norway. Oh, and Scarlett Johansson is the Black Widow. Start drowling now.

“Robin Hood” (May 14): Russell Crowe again teams with director Ridley Scott for this long-in-the-works actioner about the legendary hero, with Cate Blanchett providing eye candy as Maid Marian.

“Sex and the City 2” (May 28): Call it a hunch, but we’re guessing a baby or babies will probably be involved. And shoes. And bad puns/lady-bonding montages.

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”(June 30): Yes, already.

“Salt” (July 23): No offense to “Changeling,” but we prefer Angelina Jolie when she kicks some serious ass. In this thriller she stars as Evelyn Salt, a C.I.A. officer accused of spying for the Russians.

FALL’S MIXED BAG
“The American” (Sept. 1): George Clooney is back as an assassin in Italy (apparently Clooney’s charm alone isn’t deadly, contrary to scientific theory) on his last assignment. We’re sure everything will go swimmingly.

“The Social Network” (Oct. 15): David Fincher’s take on the incredible backstory of Facebook boasts a screenplay by “West Wing’s” Aaron Sorkin and Jesse Einsenberg as Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg. Oh, and Hopkins phones-in a cameo, doubling for Harvard.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I” (Nov. 19): It’s the beginning of the end. Part II bows in 2011.

“The Green Hornet” (Dec. 22): Seth Rogen slips into the role of the emerald-hued superhero. We can’t believe we just wrote that.

Release dates subject to change. Jordan Bartel is assistant editor at b. E-mail him at jordan@bthesite.com.

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