Parents' Guide to

Super 8

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Teens save town in action-heavy sci-fi film with retro feel.

Movie PG-13 2011 112 minutes
Super 8 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 12+

Based on 58 parent reviews

age 12+

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
age 17+

not for 11 to 13 years old

i think this movie they lied about little blood their also a lot of foul language and i think kids shouldnt be watching this especially young people like ages 11 the reason why i pick 17 is because they show some scene that would scare 11 and 13 year old so thats why i pick 17

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (58):
Kids say (197):

Let's forget any attempts at originality, why don't we, because SUPER 8 won't stun with innovation. It definitely feels like an homage to great movies past, particularly E.T., Stand by Me, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (Producer Steven Spielberg's guiding hand is definitely felt.) And the bare bones of the plot are certainly familiar, as is much of the dialogue.

Yet, Super 8 is entertaining -- despite some overly obvious grabs for viewers' heartstrings -- because the personal stories that root the action-heavy film matter to the audience. We feel for Courtney's aching Joe and Fanning's compassionate Alice. We even care for the bossy, foul-mouthed fledgling director Griffiths plays because his friendship with Joe feels grounded and true. Abrams captures the tumult of adolescence, especially when buffeted by very grown-up insights ... never mind the intergalactic space monster threatening to tear this nostalgic town to pieces.

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate