May is looking good. Not just because then it’ll be full-on springtime without the horrible heat of July, and not just because it’ll be the last month of school, but because there are a lot of promising movies coming out in May. Here’s your guide to what to see if you want relief from finals and studying.

“Iron Man 3″ hits theaters May 3. Though the second movie in the series was seen as so-so all around, the massive success of “The Avengers” and a new director might breathe some new life into the franchise. Let’s face it—even if it sucks, everyone is going to go see it, if only so they can get online and complain about it immediately afterwards. I have hope, though. The trailer looks absolutely wicked.

“The Great Gatsby” will be coming out a week later, May 10. I’m excited for this movie on every level—I loved the book, I love Leo DiCaprio, I love Carey Mulligan, and if any story calls for intensity and glamour, this is the one. The trailer gives me the impression that this isn’t going to be a bland take on the story, and hopefully, like Gatsby himself, the movie’s wealth and desire to please won’t overwhelm it. (Spoiler alert—Gatsby’s wealth and desire to please don’t work out so well for him.)

I honestly couldn’t have cared less about the Star Trek franchise until Benedict Cumberbatch got involved. I have no shame in admitting when I’ve jumped on a bandwagon for one specific purpose, and he’s the reason. “Star Trek Into Darkness” will come out May 17, and everyone is already going wild over the movie. I’m going to have to see the first one if I have any intention of making sense of the sequel, but that’s okay. A good movie is worth some preparation, right? (That reminds me—maybe read “The Great Gatsby” before you see it. It’s short, I promise.)

“The Hangover Part III” comes out May 24. I still haven’t seen the first two, though before anyone sends me any angry letters, I do know the tiger lullaby, so that has to count for something. As with “Iron Man,” the second movie seemed to get more lukewarm reviews than the first, so it’s up to the third movie to bring things back around.

What May movies are you excited for? What will you be watching over spring break?