The Underrated Sci-Fi Movie That Inspired Stranger Things Just Hit Tubi (And We’re Still Waiting on a Sequel)

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As a huge fan of sci-fi, and especially Stranger Things, I’m getting so excited for the final season! Before it drops on Netflix later this month, I discovered something cool – a movie that actually inspired the show, and it’s fantastic! It’s great how easy it is to find awesome sci-fi these days with all the streaming options. And even better, this particular movie, a real hidden gem directed by Steven Spielberg, is available to stream for free this November, just in time to get me hyped for Stranger Things Season 5!

Let’s talk about Super 8, the 2011 science fiction thriller from director J.J. Abrams. Abrams, Steven Spielberg, and Bryan Burk co-produced the film, which is now available to stream on Tubi as of November 1st. Set in 1979, it centers around a group of kids filming a Super 8 movie who accidentally witness a train crash. They soon realize something survived the wreckage, and strange things start happening in their quiet Ohio town.

Though Super 8 received positive reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) and earned $260 million worldwide, it’s faded from memory with the release of many other sci-fi movies. However, its impact on the genre is significant. In fact, the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have said Super 8 was a key inspiration. They explained on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2023 that they wanted to recapture the heartfelt, adventurous, and family-focused storytelling that Super 8 had successfully delivered, something they felt was largely missing from other films at the time.

Super 8 Is an Incredible Coming-Of-Age Sci-Fi Story

Like Stranger Things, Super 8 is fundamentally a story about growing up, enhanced with science fiction. It handles this blend exceptionally well. The movie focuses heavily on the kids and their connections – dealing with loss, family problems, and new friendships – and the larger sci-fi plot pushes them to grow and change emotionally. It’s clearly inspired by the feel and style of classic Steven Spielberg movies like E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, successfully recreating that sense of adventure and nostalgic wonder.

Despite being a truly exceptional film, Super 8 is unfortunately remembered as a hidden gem and never received a follow-up. While fans have consistently wished for a sequel from J.J. Abrams, he’s stated that the movie feels complete as it is – a satisfying story about love, loss, aliens, and the magic of making films. That said, most of the original cast members have expressed interest in returning if a sequel were ever made.

Other Sci-fi Movies Now on Tubi

If you’re a sci-fi fan looking for something to stream, Tubi’s got you covered! It’s not just Super 8 anymore – November brought a bunch of great titles to the platform. I’m talking Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Jack the Giant Slayer, and even a classic like The Day the Earth Stood Still. And if you’re a fan of found footage thrillers, mark November 24th on your calendar, because 10 Cloverfield Lane is hitting Tubi then too!

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2025-11-23 18:17