Super 8

2011, Sci-fi/Mystery & thriller, 1h 52m

297 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

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. Read critic reviews

You might also like

See More
The Adjustment Bureau poster image
The Adjustment Bureau
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World poster image
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
This Is 40 poster image
This Is 40
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows poster image
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Warm Bodies poster image
Warm Bodies

Where to watch

Rent/buy Rent/buy Subscription Rent/buy

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Super 8 Videos

View all videos (10)

Super 8 Photos

View All Photos (69)

Movie Info

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.
  • 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
  • Director:
    J.J. Abrams
  • Producer:
    Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
  • Writer:
    J.J. Abrams
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $127.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Paramount Pictures

Cast & Crew

Kyle Chandler
Kyle Chandler
Deputy Jackson Lamb
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning
Alice Dainard
Joel Courtney
Joel Courtney
Joe Lamb
Gabriel Basso
Gabriel Basso
Martin
Ron Eldard
Ron Eldard
Louis Dainard
Noah Emmerich
Noah Emmerich
Nelec
Riley Griffiths
Riley Griffiths
Charles
Ryan Lee
Ryan Lee
Cary
Zach Mills
Zach Mills
Preston
Amanda Michalka
Amanda Michalka
Jen Kaznyk
Glynn Turman
Glynn Turman
Dr. Woodward
Richard T. Jones
Richard T. Jones
Overmyer
Brett Rice
Brett Rice
Sheriff Pruitt
Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood
Cooper
Dale Dickey
Dale Dickey
Edie
Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta
Izzy
Jack Axelrod
Jack Axelrod
Mr. Blakely
Michael Hitchcock
Michael Hitchcock
Deputy Rosko
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Director
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Producer
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Producer
Bryan Burk
Bryan Burk
Producer
Guy Riedel
Guy Riedel
Executive Producer
Larry Fong
Larry Fong
Cinematographer
Martin Whist
Martin Whist
Production Design
Maryann Brandon
Maryann Brandon
Film Editing
Mary Jo Markey
Mary Jo Markey
Film Editing
Michael Giacchino
Michael Giacchino
Original Music
Ha Nguyen
Ha Nguyen
Costume Design
April Webster
April Webster
Casting
Alyssa Weisberg
Alyssa Weisberg
Casting
David Scott
David Scott
Art Director
Fainche MacCarthy
Fainche MacCarthy
Set Decoration
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Super 8

RT on DVD &#038; Blu-Ray: <em>Super 8</em> and <em>Conan the Barbarian</em>
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Super 8 and Conan the Barbarian
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Super 8 Captures #1 Spot
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Super 8 Captures #1 Spot
Critics Consensus: <em>Super 8</em> is Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus: Super 8 is Certified Fresh
View All

Critic Reviews for Super 8

All Critics (297) | Top Critics (78) | Fresh (240) | Rotten (57)
Full Review… Sara Reihani Bitch Media Full Review… Violet Lucca Film Comment Magazine Full Review… Leah Rozen TheWrap Full Review… Henry K. Miller Sight & Sound Full Review… David Sexton London Evening Standard Full Review… Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Full Review… Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Mark Jackson Epoch Times Full Review… James Croot Stuff.co.nz Full Review… Carey-Ann Pawsey Orca Sound Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy
View All Critic Reviews (297)

Audience Reviews for Super 8

  • Jan 20, 2019
    I kind of liked the making-a-movie-within-the-movie aspect of Super 8 a lot more than the chief plot with the monster and the train and the badman government and the blah blah blah. Which isn't ideal, but saying that obviously means I liked something about it.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 19, 2017
    A great movie from J.J. Abrams that many people including me think it somehow connects to Cloverfield, The story takes a while to get going but when it does it's full of some great scenes and effects, It does take allot of plot points from other classic sci fi films but it still manages to feel fresh, I don't really like it when the main cast are children as it feels too unrealistic when they escape danger all the time when countless adults die instantly but apart from that it has some great effects and a few little twists that keep it entertaining, It deserves more credit but it will be one of those great films that will be forgotten in time unfortunately.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 01, 2017
    if you like dreamcatcher or the faculty then this is for you!
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • May 02, 2016
    JJ Abrams crafts the perfect blend of a throwback to a vintage summer blockbuster and a modern day sci-fi thriller.
    Sean T Super Reviewer
See All Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides

View All