Paramount+ Officially Says Goodbye to J.J. Abrams’ $260M ‘Stranger Things’ Predecessor
Super 8, J.J. Abrams' 2010 science fiction film produced by Steven Spielberg, is leaving Paramount+ on November 1, 2026. The departure marks the end of streaming availability for what Abrams considers his only original theatrical film, a work designed as a homage to Spielberg's classic science fiction and positioned as a cultural bridge between films such as E.T. and the modern phenomenon of Stranger Things.
The film was produced with a budget of $50 million and became a notable commercial and critical success. It holds an 81% certified fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and features acclaimed performances from Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso, and Kyle Chandler. Abrams has not directed another theatrical film since 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX, though he is preparing to return to directing next year with an original science fiction film called The Great Beyond.
- Super 8 leaving Paramount+ on November 1, 2026
- Abrams' only original theatrical film; produced by Spielberg
- Bridge between E.T. and Stranger Things with 81% Rotten Tomatoes score
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Super 8 is a 2010 science fiction film directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. Made as a tribute to Spielberg's classic science fiction works, it serves as a cultural bridge between films like E.T. and modern streaming series such as Stranger Things. It remains Abrams's only original theatrical film.
The film was both a commercial and critical success, earning an 81% certified fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and featuring acclaimed performances from Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso and Kyle Chandler. Since Super 8, Abrams has focused largely on major franchise projects, most recently Star Wars: Episode IX in 2019. He is preparing to return to original filmmaking next year with a science fiction film called The Great Beyond.