Super 8 (2011 film)

Super 8
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	J. J. Abrams
Produced by	J. J. Abrams Bryan Burk Steven Spielberg
Written by	J. J. Abrams
Starring	Kyle Chandler Elle Fanning Joel Courtney Gabriel Basso Noah Emmerich Ron Eldard Riley Griffiths Ryan Lee Zach Mills
Music by	Michael Giacchino
Cinematography	Larry Fong
Edited by	Maryann Brandon Mary Jo Markey
Production company	Bad Robot Productions Amblin Entertainment
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	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
Box office	$260.1 million

Super 8 is a 2011 American science-fiction horror film written, co-produced, and directed by J. J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle Chandler and tells the story of a group of young teenagers 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.

Super 8 was released on June 10, 2011, in conventional and IMAX theaters in the United States. The film was well received, with critics praising the film for 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. 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.

In 1979, Deputy Sheriff Jack Lamb (Kyle Chandler) of Lillian, Ohio, and his 14-year-old son Joe (Joel Courtney), mourn the death of his mother Elizabeth (Caitriona Balfe) in a steel mill accident. Jack blames her co-worker, Louis Dainard (Ron Eldard), as she was covering his shift while he recovered from a hangover, and all Joe has left is a locket that belonged to her, that he now holds on to.