The 2011 Summer Blockbuster Season continues this weekend with the release of the summer’s only original blockbuster. J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek) wrote and directed Super 8, which hits theaters with a producing credit from Steven Spielberg and a great throwback vibe to the days of Amblin Entertainment and films (like The Goonies and E.T.) where kids were the heroes. There are kids, explosions and a nasty creature – so parents may want to check out this Movies.com guide on when it’s appropriate to watch Super 8 with your children – but nevertheless the film has all the makings of yet another summer hit. It’ll be competing against X-Men: First Class (in its second weekend) and the kids’ flick Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, so don’t count this one as a lock for the creature feature. Let’s take a closer look …
What’s the Scoop: This 1970s-set flick revolves around a group of kids whose small town begins experiencing strange – and often deadly – events after a train crash unleashes a mysterious creature.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: The names J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg should bring out the movie fans in full force, and if anything moviegoers should take this opportunity to see summer’s only purely original blockbuster.
What’s the Scoop: Based on the popular series of novels, the film follows third-grader Judy Moody who sets out to have the best summer of her life.
Why It Might Win the Weekend: This one is perfect for those kids too little to see Super 8, whose lives revolve around the end of the school year because it means they have the whole summer to go out, have fun and just be a kid.
My Prediction: Though some have said its original concept and no-name cast will hurt its opening weekend, I have faith in the moviegoing public that they’ll go out to see Super 8 this weekend. So that’s my pick to win it.
My Pick of the Week: As a guy who grew up with all the Amblin Entertainment movies, it’s hard for me not to recommend Super 8. It’s pure, original summer entertainment at its best, and it’s the film I suggest you go see this weekend.
Now it’s your turn to vote on which film you think will win the weekend box office.
Erik is a leading movie commentator who has worked for outlets such as AOL Moviefone and Movies.com.
Apple Pay Wednesday
Use Apple Pay to get $5 off your order
Limited time offer, and limited quantities available. To redeem the offer, purchase one or more movie tickets every Wednesday through August 19, 2026 (“Participating Wednesdays”: 6/17/26 to see any film through Fandango.com or the Fandango iOS mobile app and use Apple Pay® as the payment method, and must enter the Fandango Promotional Code APPLEPAYWED (“Code”) in order to get the $5 off the entire purchase. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion and therefore the offer is only available first come first served while supplies last. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon earlier of every Participating Wednesday, or after the limit of Code redemptions have been reached. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango iOS app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. One-time use only per email address, for a maximum of one transaction, receiving a maximum of one $5 discount on the purchase total regardless of how many tickets were purchased in that one transaction. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Limit 1 Code per email address. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. The redemption of the Code is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services is a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer. Apple Pay is a registered mark of Apple Inc.
See it in RealD 3D and get $5 off a ticket with code MINIONSIN3D.
*Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 6/1/26 and 7/31/26, purchase at least one (1) RealD 3D ticket to see ‘Minions & Monsters’, and enter the Fandango promotional code MINIONSIN3D (“Code”) to get up to $5 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 7/31/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when ‘Minions & Monsters' is no longer available in RealD 3D theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie ticket and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. Void where prohibited. Non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You may have to pay taxes additionally. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary. Get a $5 ticket to see Young Washington on the Fourth of July with code AMERICA250
Standard format tickets only; excludes Premium Large Formats (e.g., IMAX, 3D, Dolby). Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Visit Fandango on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 5/22/26 and 7/4/26, buy at least one (1) standard format ticket to see Young Washington on 7/4/26 at a participating Fandango theater, and use the Fandango Promotional Code AMERICA250 ("Code") to get one (1) ticket for $5. Code expires, and can no longer be used, upon the earlier of the limit of Code redemptions being reached, or the last showtime on 7/4/26. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. Fandango is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this offer. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Way Down Hadestown Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Hadestown: The Musical plus an exclusive engraved coin!
*Way Down Hadestown Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The exclusive collectible coin will begin shipping in July. Please use a physical U.S. address where the exclusive collectible coin shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/way-down-hadestown-bundle
Step into the battle for Eternia like never before. Grab your Masters of the Universe Power Pint bundle and witness He-Man and Skeletor clash in Dolby Cinema—plus receive Fandango-exclusive collectible pint glasses that bring the power with you.
*Power Pint Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The set of two collectible pint glasses will begin shipping in May. Please use a physical U.S. address where the set of two collectible pint glasses shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/pint-power-bundle
Get The Beyond Infinity Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Toy Story 5 plus a limited-edition Animation Print!
*Beyond Infinity Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Limited-Edition Concept Art Print shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/beyond-infinity-bundle.
