Super 8 (2011 film)

Super 8
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	J.J. Abrams
Written by	J.J. Abrams
Produced by	Bryan Burk J.J. Abrams Steven Spielberg
Starring	Elle Fanning Kyle Chandler Joel Courtney Gabriel Basso Noah Emmerich Ron Eldard Riley Griffiths Ryan Lee Zach Mills
Cinematography	Larry Fong
Edited by	Mary Jo Markey Maryann Brandon
Music by	Michael Giacchino
Production companies	Amblin Entertainment Bad Robot
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release dates	June 9, 2011 (2011-06-09) (Australia) June 10, 2011 (2011-06-10) (United States)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$50 million[1]
Box office	$260.1 million[2]

Super 8 is a 2011 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by J. J. Abrams and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle Chandler and tells the story of a group of young teenagers in 1979 who are filming their own Super 8 movie when a train derails, releasing a dangerous presence into their town. The film was shot in Weirton, West Virginia, and surrounding areas, portraying the fictional town of Lillian, Ohio.

Super 8 was released on June 10, 2011,^[2] in conventional and IMAX theaters in the United States. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised Abrams' direction, its nostalgic elements, visual effects, musical score and for the performances of the cast. In particular, both Fanning and newcomer Courtney's acting was cited, while also being compared to such thematically similar films as E.T., Stand by Me, and The Goonies, featuring a darker interpretation of those iconic premises. Super 8 was also a commercial success, grossing over $260 million against a $50 million budget. The film received several awards and nominations, primarily in technical and special effects categories, Giacchino's musical score, as well as for Courtney and Fanning's performances.