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Super 8

Play trailer 2:11 Poster for Super 8 PG-13 2011 1h 52m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 295 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 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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Super 8

Super 8

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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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Critics Reviews

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Sara Reihani Bitch Media 01/07/2021
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. Go to Full Review
Violet Lucca Film Comment Magazine 06/28/2013
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. Go to Full Review
Leah Rozen TheWrap 10/07/2011
Super 8 is accomplished commercial filmmaking. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 11
4/5
And exciting and authentic homage to older monster movies that also manages to inject some contemporary thrills into its narrative. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 31
4/5
What can be said is how sharply calculated "Super 8" is as an amalgamation of what both Spielberg and Abrams separately do best. Go to Full Review
David Griffiths Subculture Entertainment 10/29/2024
4.5/5
The first 90% of Super 8 are brilliant and Abrams really needs to be congratulated for his skill and vision, but the last 15 minutes of this film really do leave a bad taste in your mouth. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rich L. @turnerfan77 Mar 12 It’s been a long time since I had seen JJ Abram’s Super 8. This nostalgia heavy Goonies inspired film had some things going for it like a great cast that had good chemistry and their friendship felt very real. The special effects in this are amazing too! The train derailment scene was phenomenal! The first three fourths of this movie was really good but for me the ending is the weakest part of the film. Since I hadn’t seen this in a long time I forgot how heavy JJ leans into the camera flares and at times it can be very distracting. I did rewatch the 4k disc and it had a great transfer that made the film look fantastic. By The Numbers breakdown: Cast-6 Acting-8 Trailer-10 Ending-6 Story-7 Visuals-9 Direction-8 Sound-9 Genre-9 Sub Genre-9 The Faces For Radio score - 81 See more Garrett B @gmoney637 Mar 6 Super 8 has an interesting and promising start that is ultimately ruined by poor charcater development, a story that doesn’t know what it wants to be, and a disappointing final act. See more Garrett P @petersongarrett1991 Feb 3 It's not the movie the year when it's still really good See more Michael A @Tomato547 Jan 15 Well, Super 8 deserves my positive opinion. And it was great. Who would've thought? See more Rotten P @RT18099091 Dec 21 Super 8 is a thrilling, heartfelt sci-fi adventure that perfectly blends nostalgia, suspense, and coming-of-age storytelling. J.J. Abrams crafts a visually stunning small-town 1970s setting, while the young ensemble cast delivers authentic, emotionally resonant performances that anchor the film’s high-stakes alien mystery. The movie balances pulse-pounding tension with tender moments of friendship, loss, and curiosity, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. With masterful cinematography, a hauntingly effective score, and a plot that unfolds with both wonder and suspense, Super 8 is an exhilarating cinematic ride that appeals to audiences of all ages. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 23 Succes in 01 hour, 51 minutes, and 46 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence, Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Action, Language and Some Drug Use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $127,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2011-2025 Paramount Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in color for the June 10th, 2011, release date of this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
Super 8

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Super 8

Super 8: Official Clip - The Creature's Lair Super 8: Official Clip - The Creature's Lair 2:13 Super 8: Official Clip - Final Goodbye Super 8: Official Clip - Final Goodbye 2:15 Super 8: Official Clip - Tanks Invade the Neighborhood Super 8: Official Clip - Tanks Invade the Neighborhood 2:12 Super 8: Official Clip - Train Crash Super 8: Official Clip - Train Crash 2:14 Super 8: Official Clip - He's Alive Super 8: Official Clip - He's Alive 2:12 Super 8: Official Clip - Allie is Abducted Super 8: Official Clip - Allie is Abducted 2:12 Super 8: Official Clip - My Father's Fault Super 8: Official Clip - My Father's Fault 2:14 Super 8: Official Clip - Gas Station Terror Super 8: Official Clip - Gas Station Terror 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
Bad Robot, Amblin Entertainment
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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