8 Nostalgic Adventure Movies To Watch If You Like Super 8

JJ Abrams’ Super 8 is initially a tale of wonder that is more inclined towards coming-of-age themes. But the more it progresses, the more it expands its vision into the sci-fi genre, leaving viewers stunned by its emotional and equally thrilling drama. Minor details in the movie–such as its predominantly younger cast members, references to zombie classics, and 8mm cameras– evoke a keen sense of nostalgia, particularly for the early works of its producer, Steven Spielberg.

It’s this nostalgia that makes viewers revisit it again and again over the years since its release. Unsurprisingly, Super 8 isn’t the only movie where such emotions come into play. Here are 8 movies that evoke some of the same nostalgic feelings that Super 8 goes for.

8 Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

“Yer a wizard, Harry,” is one dialogue that instills nostalgia like no other. That explains why just like its high-budget successors, the first Harry Potter film is still a fan favorite.

Marking the inception of Harry’s adventures in the wizarding world along with Ron and Hermione, the movie sets a solid foundation for the series and is one of the most popular movies about a mischievous gang of heroic kids ever made. Coupled with John Williams’ brilliant score, the story sends all Potterheads down memory lane.

7 Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)

While many Roald Dahl fans argue which among the two adaptations of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is better, most would agree that Tim Burton’s version has its own dark appeal. Like most Burton movies, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory has pop art imagery that brings new life to Roald Dahl’s original story.

Along with that, there’s also a Gothic undertone that adds more heft to Wonka’s dark sense of humor and young Charlie’s innocence. This one not only warms a viewer’s heart with nostalgia but its underlying allegories make a lot more sense with a second viewing experience.

6 War Of The Worlds (2005)

With War of The Worlds, Steven Speilberg not only delivered a satisfying adaptation of H.G Wells’ classic novel but also brought his own little modern twist to the story. Starring Tom Cruise, the movie focuses on Ray Ferrier, who, along with his son and daughter, struggles to survive a gruesome alien invasion.

Rarely leaving a dull moment, the movie thrives on slambang action scenes, great performances, and terrifying extraterrestrial revelations. What more can a viewer ask for?

5 The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)

Replete with scenic visuals and a diverse set of intriguing characters, The Chronicles of Narnia centers on Lucy and her siblings who find themselves in the mystical lands of Narnia after walking through the doors of a wardrobe. Soon, they learn that are fated to join forces with Aslan and bring an end to the rule of the evil White Witch.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a wonderful adaptation of CS Lewis’ novel series. Although it uses some familiar fantastical tropes and devices, it never fails to please both a younger and older audience.

4 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Often touted as one of Steven Spielberg’s best works, E.T. first enchants viewers with its imaginative vision and then makes them bawl their eyes out over its scintillating drama.

At its fore is young Elliot who befriends an alien left behind on Earth. With what follows, Elliot and his siblings form a deep emotional bond with the friendly alien and do all they can to help him go back home safely.

3 Duma (2005)

Duma unfolds its premise as a journey through the African wilderness, where a young boy named Xan learns the hard way that his pet cheetah isn’t meant to be domesticated. In an adventure that harkens back to the simple animal coming-of-age movies of so many movie fans’ youths, the bond between its young protagonist and his pet cheetah is always heartwarming.

Along with that, the movie’s palpable visuals and poignant coming-of-age drama have a lot of lessons about love and loss tucked deep for younger viewers.

2 Hugo (2011)

Starring a much younger Asa Butterfield from the Sex Education fame, Hugo boasts an Oscar-winning production design. But more than that, it’s the sense of wonder that Martin Scorsese manages to bring to the movie through his artistic vision.

Hugo, the film’s titular character is an orphan who spends his days playing with clocks at a railway station in Paris. In a quest to find a key to his late father’s automaton, he sets out on an adventure of a lifetime that harkens back to the very origins of cinema as fans know it.

1 The Adventures Of Tintin (2011)

Drawn by the Belgian artist Hergé, the Tintin comics have lived generations after generations. Due to this, creating its movie adaptation was not an easy task to pull off. But Steven Spielberg, like with every other project he has helmed, handled it with the utmost skill and created an ambitious and clever adaptation of the renowned series.

The movie begins with Tintin discovering a scroll inside a ship model he buys. This sets of a chain of events that lead him, his dog, and Captain Haddock on a classic adventure in search of a mysterious shipwreck.

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