Super 8

PG-13

Released Jun 10, 2011

1h 52m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

TRAILER

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List

81%

Tomatometer

297 Reviews

75%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters (Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso) are making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky to escape with their lives. They soon discover that the catastrophe was no accident, as a series of unexplained events and disappearances soon follows. Deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), the father of one of the kids, searches for the terrifying truth behind the crash.

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Critics Consensus

It may evoke memories of classic summer blockbusters a little too eagerly for some, but Super 8 has thrills, visual dazzle, and emotional depth to spare.

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Sara Reihani

Bitch Media

It's a by-the-numbers blockbuster, but one with a key element that's missing from most of the big-budget bloatfests crowding each other for space on the marquee every summer: heart.

Jan 7, 2021

Full Review

Violet Lucca

Film Comment Magazine

While it may not achieve the level of pop culture canonization as the Spielberg films it invokes, Super 8 should inspire many to use their camera-phones for something more creative than a profile pic.

Jun 28, 2013

Full Review

Roger Moore

Tribune News Service

The movie of the summer, the movie of many summers, going back to the '70s...

Rated: 4/4

Jan 8, 2013

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Imbued with that effervescent movie magic quality so often linked to Spielberg, who serves as executive producer here, Abrams' film delivers an exciting and heartwarming adventure.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 7, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[JJ] Abrams gets fine performances from his young cast, especially Elle Fanning in her breakout performance as the well-possessed young woman they cast in their film...

Dec 3, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

I only wish the entire movie could have captured the magic that we see in it’s first 40 minutes.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

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Dani G

Now I know where did the 'Stranger things' idea came from....

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

Ulley T

Really glad I circled back to this. Better than I remembered it when I first watched as a teen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Josh H

I had such high hopes for this film but I ended up being board and uninterested in the characters. As an homage to Spielberg it was very lacking.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

Kieren B

Way ahead of it's time and a clear inspiration for stranger things... The perfect blend of alien horror and heartfelt story telling!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

mark g

Tries too hard to counterfeit a Spielberg film. Just doesn't flow at all. Then there is the mediocre acting by the kids. Wanted to like it, but just seemed like a big budget impersonation of a popcorn thriller.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

Full Review

Georgan G

Hard to beat films by J. J. Abrams & Steven Spielberg. This terrific film is a blended creature feature, sci fi & coming-of-age genres. Amazing train wreck scene!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

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J.J. Abrams

Director

Kyle Chandler

Deputy Jackson Lamb

Elle Fanning

Alice Dainard

Joel Courtney

Joe Lamb

Gabriel Basso

Martin

Ron Eldard

Louis Dainard

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Super 8: Official Clip - The Creature's Lair

2:13

Super 8: Official Clip - Final Goodbye

2:15

Super 8: Official Clip - Tanks Invade the Neighborhood

2:12

Super 8: Official Clip - Train Crash

2:14

Super 8: Official Clip - He's Alive

2:12

Super 8: Official Clip - Allie is Abducted

2:12

Super 8: Official Clip - My Father's Fault

2:14

Super 8: Official Clip - Gas Station Terror

2:13

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Super 8: Trailer 1

2:11

Super 8: Teaser Trailer 1

1:26

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Synopsis

In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters (Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso) are making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky to escape with their lives. They soon discover that the catastrophe was no accident, as a series of unexplained events and disappearances soon follows. Deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), the father of one of the kids, searches for the terrifying truth behind the crash.

Director: J.J. Abrams
Producer: Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
Screenwriter: J.J. Abrams
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Amblin Entertainment, Bad Robot
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Seq. of Sci-Fi Violenc|Intense Seq. of Sci-Fi Action|Language|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $127.0M
Runtime: 1h 52m

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