Since we can’t spend the entire Memorial Day weekend barbecuing, many Americans observe the day by hopping over to the local cinema to take in a blockbuster movie and some free air conditioning.

Memorial Day 2011 boasts some great flicks, from the Kenneth Branagh-directed treatment of “Thor” to the much-anticipated sequel to “The Hangover” to Woody Allen’s first critical hit in years, “Midnight in Paris.” Here’s your guide to what will being playing in theaters over the holiday weekend.

Action

“Thor”
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
Thor and his mighty hammer get the big screen treatment in this adaptation of the Marvel comic. Newcomer  Chris Hemsworth plays the Norse god who gets banished to the present day, and Natalie Portman is the scientist who finds him here.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz
Jack Sparrow searches for the Fountain of Youth in the fourth installment of the “Pirates” adventure. If he finds it, the franchise could presumably go on forever.

“Fast Five”
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
All the regulars are back, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joins the speedy cast as they take their endless street race to Rio de Janeiro.

Comedy

“The Hangover Part II
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms
Another bachelor party and more trouble for the Wolf Pack in this sequel to the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time.

“Bridesmaids
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph
This female version of “The Hangover,” written by and starring Kristen Wiig, has been a commercial and critical success.

“Midnight in Paris”
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams
In Woody Allen’s biggest critical success for some time, writer Owen Wilson travels to Paris with his fiancée and then back in time, too.

Romantic Comedy

“Something Borrowed”
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson
An unhappily single 30-year-old crushes on her best friends fiancée, and learns that the feeling is mutual.

“Jumping the Broom”
Starring: Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine
Sparks and barbs fly when the “uptown” Watson family and the “downtown” Taylor family get together in Martha’s Vineyard for a wedding.

Family

“Rio”
This 3D, computer-animated musical comedy from the creators of “Ice Age” follows a flightless Macaw from Minnesota as he travels to Brazil to find his female counterpart.

“Kung Fu Panda 2″
Po has become a mighty Dragon Warrior, but with his new title comes more dangerous responsibilities.

More From 97.3 The Dawg