Harry Potter, Robin Hood, the Prince of Persia and that lovable ogre, Shrek, will soon take over a big screen near you.

They are only a few of the characters in this summer’s blockbuster lineup. The summer season is a popular time to release big movies because people have more free time, said Chad Browning, a marketing manager for Regal Entertainment Group.

“I think kids being out of school helps greatly,” said Browning. Regal Entertainment Group manages movie theaters, including the Regal Harbour View Grande in North Suffolk.

“People have cabin fever, and everybody’s ready to get out and do more outdoors,” Browning said. “I think cabin fever wears off. In the summertime, people want to get out and go eat and go to the movies. People typically do more family things in the summer than they do in the dead of winter.”

This summer’s blockbusters — called “tentpole films” in the industry — are numerous and varied, Browning said.

“We feel like there’s a good lineup out there to have a great year,” Browning said.

Although they’re called “summer” blockbusters, many people consider the summer blockbuster season to begin in April, when the weather first starts warming and people begin itching to get out of the house.

Several films scheduled for the summer are geared toward children and teenagers.

“Eclipse,” the newest film in the Twilight series, based on a series of books by Stephenie Meyer, is expected to rake in ticket sales when it is released at the end of June. It also will be in IMAX theaters, Browning said.

“Shrek Forever After,” the latest installment in the series of movies about a big, lovable green ogre named Shrek and his pals, should be popular among children and adults, Browning said.

“Predators,” set for release on July 7, however, is one where parents should find a babysitter.

“It ought to be gory,” Browning said. “It ought to be pretty cool if you’re into that stuff.”

“Despicable Me” will star funny man Steve Carell as the voice of a super-villain who wants to steal the moon. His plans may be disrupted, however, by three orphan girls who look at him as potential father material.

“Inception” will star Leonardo DiCaprio. The catch? Nobody really knows what the film is about yet. The people involved with the film are purposely keeping it under wraps, Browning said.

Other potential blockbusters include “Iron Man 2,” “Robin Hood,” “Prince of Persia,” “Sex and the City 2,” “The A-Team,” “Toy Story 3,” “Grown Ups,” “The Last Airbender” and “Resident Evil: Afterlife.”

Giant dogs and remakes of old Kevin Bacon movies also could find a place this summer, Browning said.

“’Marmaduke’ could do great money. ‘Footlose’ could do great money.”

Whatever your film preference, this summer seems likely to bring something for everybody.