Super 8

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2:11

Super 8

PG-13

2011

1h 52m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

296 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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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

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.

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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.

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Leah Rozen

TheWrap

10/07/2011

Super 8 is accomplished commercial filmmaking.

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Matthew Rozsa

Dread Central

Jun 17

4/4

It is a "perfect movie" because it can be rewatched without ever losing its feeling of freshness and wonder, and because there are no flaws that retroactively diminish the experience.

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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.

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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.

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Kristen S

@Rocketeer90 3d

This is still one of my favorite movies. It has a wonderful mystery, danger, kids being hero’s and lots of heart. I am so bummed it never became popular because it’s so underrated. It also gave the creators of Stranger Things a lot of ideas because this movie is a lot like it. I would not call it a rip off but it’s so similar at times there is no way this movie was not an inspiration for that show.

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David S

@IH8Phags69 Jul 4

This was a bloated piece of garbage with no real plot or interesting storyline!

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C S

@cfshule Jun 8

Underrated gem probably Abrams best

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Annie W

@Annie502 Jun 2

Pretty good especially at the beginning though I thought that it got a bit boring and to much throughout the ending

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Judah S.

@Judah3963 May 3

It’s a well done thriller that has fun action and a decent enough mystery but what it truly packs is emotional depth.

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Downriver R

@Downriver Apr 6

Epic movie that will transcend generations to come. These directors and writers/film makers are the best the movie industry has ever seen. Enjoy what these people make because it's the best you'll see. Epic movie. Awsome Sci fy. Brilliant story. Extravagant film set. A+ cast. Excellent movie

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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

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: 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