Best summer blockbusters year-by-year

Ever since "Jaws" terrified audiences back in 1975, summer has been the go-to season for event-level filmmaking. And in many cases, extinction level events like asteroids and malevolent aliens are the focus.

From May through August, there's at least one new, expensive blockbuster every week. Not all are created equal. Many make money, but only one or two truly enthrall the moviegoing public for months at a time.

So we break down the best blockbusters, year-by-year, since 1990. The measure of criteria is threefold: Thrills, Fun and Buzz. These movies aren't necessarily the "best" from each summer, just the ones that best embody the term, "blockbuster."

Meaning this is the only list where "Armageddon" will ever rank above "Saving Private Ryan."

2012 - The Avengers

Apologies to the Caped Crusader. "The Avengers" brought fun back into the superhero epic.

2011 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

There were better movies last summer ("Super 8"), but EVERYBODY had to see if the boy wizard could stick the (broom) landing. For the most part, he did.

2010 - Toy Story 3

Just edges "Inception" for being the quality, must-see for ages 2-102. The complicated plot of "Inception" might slice decades off each side of that scale.

2009 - Star Trek

The nerds griped about how it deviated from the source material, but everyone else had a blast.

2008 - The Dark Knight

2007 - The Bourne Ultimatum

In a year of disappointing trilogy cappers ("Spider-Man," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek") Matt Damon punched and kicked his way to the top of the heap.

2006 - Mission: Impossible 3

2005 - Batman Begins

The last "Star Wars" was fine, but nobody expected Batman to return to such form after the disastrous "Batman & Robin" in 1997.

2004 - Spider-Man 2

2003 - Finding Nemo & Pirates of the Caribbean

Too close to call. They're both water-centric, so a tie seems appropriate.

2002 - Minority Report

Tom Cruise makes a second appearance. Say what you will about him, he's a charismatic summer headliner.

2001 - Shrek

2000 - Gladiator

Were you not entertained?

1999 - The Sixth Sense

The ridiculously anticipated "Star Wars - The Phantom Menace" landed with a thud, making "Sixth Sense" the surprise thriller nobody expected.

1998 - Armageddon

Sorry, somber and bloody World War II drama, Bruce Willis is busy saving the world!

1997 - Men In Black

1996 - Independence Day

Will Smith begins an incredible summer streak (excluding "Wild Wild West").

1995 - Die Hard With a Vengeance

1994 - Speed

1993 - Jurassic Park

1992 - Batman Returns

This moody Tim Burton sequel wasn't met with much acclaim at the time. Still, it's the high mark of the series before Christopher Nolan came along.

1991 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1990 - Total Recall

Rule: If Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in it, there's absolutely no reason to remake it.

Ticket Stubs is sponsored by the Hayden Cinema Six Theater. Showtimes at www.HaydenCinema6.com Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.