JJ Abrams Movies

While JJ Abrams movies continue to push the career of the writer, producer, and director farther up the Hollywood ladder, many fans also remember him from his work on such shows as Felicity, Lost, and Alias. A true triple threat in the entertainment business, JJ Abrams has been creating feature projects since his senior year in college. Now he’s a powerbroker in La La Land, getting handed the reins to such beloved franchises as Star Trek.

In the list below, we’ll be looking at all the JJ Abrams movies ever released, including one that hasn’t even hit theatres yet. Whether he wrote, directed, or produced the film, you can count on it being included. To watch these motion pictures in the comfort of your own home, be sure to become a member of Netflix, the largest online rental service in the United States.

And if you’re really nuts about JJ Abrams, check out these television series also available through Netflix:

• Felicity
• Alias
• Lost
• The Office (served as a guest director)
• What About Brian
• Six Degrees
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! (guest director)
• Fringe
• Anatomy of Hope
• Undercovers

Now here’s the aforementioned list of JJ Abrams movies:

Taking Care of Business (1990) – While still a senior in college, JJ Abrams co-wrote the treatment that would later become a film about an imprisoned Chicago Cubs fan (Jim Belushi) who wins tickets to the World Series and sneaks out to see the games. Along the way, he adopts the persona of Spencer Barnes, a hotshot ad executive. But the real Spencer Barnes (Charles Grodin) is less than pleased, and a hilarious series of mix-ups occurs. Star Trek fans will be happy to see Gates McFadden (Doctor Crusher) and John de Lancie (Q) in supporting roles.

Regarding Henry (1991) – JJ Abrams continues his efforts as a screenwriter, this time turning out a heartwarming tale of a jackass lawyer (Harrison) who suffers amnesia after being shot in the head. As he struggles to regain mobility and his personality, he comes to realize that he wasn’t a very nice person. Directed by Mike Nichols, the film also provides Annette Bening with a breakout role.

Forever Young (1992) – In addition to writing the screenplay, JJ Abrams also adds co-producer to his resume with this tale adapted from the story “The Rest of Daniel.” A pre-crazy Mel Gibson stars as Captain Daniel McCormick, a test pilot who winds up in suspended animation for fifty-three years and is thawed out in 1992. As he sets out to learn the fates of those he loved, he begins to become close to a young boy (Elijah Wood) and his rather hot mom (Jamie Lee Curtis). A great option for anyone looking for a sentimental romance.

The Pallbearer (1996) – JJ Abrams co-produced this film about a 25-year-old (David Schwimmer) who’s invited to give the eulogy at the funeral of his best friend from high school. The problem is, he doesn’t remember his classmate, but he agrees to do it anyway. This leads to a complicated romance with the deceased man’s mother ((Barbara Hershey), as well as a reunion with his high school crush (Gwyneth Paltrow). Also starring Toni Collette, Michael Rapaport, and Carol Kane.

Gone Fishin’ (1997) – The screenwriting team of JJ Abrams and Jill Mazursky (Taking Care of Business) once again unite for this tale of best friends and fishermen (Joe Pesci and Danny Glover) who get caught up in a series of misadventures en route to Florida. A dud at the box office, the comedy also starred Rosanna Arquette, Lynn Whitfield, and Willie Nelson.

Armageddon (1998) – JJ Abrams was one of the many people who worked on the screenplay for this Michael Bay disaster epic. As a killer asteroid floats through the depths of space on a collision course with Earth, a team of astronauts and deep sea drillers are assembled to land on the asteroid and plant a nuclear device that will split it in two. Bruce Willis leads the all-star cast that also includes Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Owen Wilson, Steve Buscemi, Will Patton, Peter Stormare, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Liv Tyler (whose daddy, Steven Tyler, sings the movie’s hit theme song). If you’ve ever wanted to see grown men repeatedly walk in slow motion, be sure to put this in your Netflix queue.

The Suburbans (1999) – Abrams co-produced this satire that takes a look at the revival of a one-hit wonder band from the 1980s. Known as The Suburbans, the group has now slid into a middle-class funk, something that hardly jibes with their image as rock and rollers. Jennifer Love Hewitt stars as the record exec who urges a band reunion, while Will Ferrell co-stars as the band’s bassist. Also featuring Amy Brenneman, Craig Bierko, Bridgette Wilson, and Ben Stiller.

Joy Ride (2001) – Described as a “thriller road movie” this film was co-written and co-produced by JJ Abrams. The premise concerns a pair of brothers (Paul Walker and Steve Zahn) who are traveling across the country with a childhood friend (Leelee Sobieski). Things start off pleasant enough, but then they buy a CB radio and begin to have fun with the truckers on the other end of the line. This eventually brings them into contact with a deranged truck driver known only as “Rusty Nail” (Ted Levine), and they’re forced to participate in a brutal cat-and-mouse game.

Mission: Impossible III (2006) – Tom Cruise returns as secret agent Ethan Hunt, and JJ Abrams both co-wrote and directed the film. The beginning of the film finds Hunt leading a much quieter life, but the kidnapping of his protégé (Keri Russell) prompts him to assemble a team to get her back. This leads him into a head-on confrontation with a sadistic arms dealer (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and there’s the expected amount of gunfire, explosions, and dramatic theme music. Co-starring Ving Rhames, Maggie Q, Michelle Monaghan, Laurence Fishburne, Simon Pegg, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, the film went on to gross almost $400 million at the global box office.

Cloverfield (2008) – While visiting Japan with his son, JJ Abrams was struck that America needed a monster on a par with Godzilla. That sparked the idea for Cloverfield, a frantic film about a giant creature running loose on the island of Manhattan and crushing plenty of yuppies underfoot. Abrams served as producer, while Matt Reeves helmed the project, and the modest $25 million budget was far exceeded by the box office returns (over $170 million). If roller coasters make you sick, you’ll need to beware of the film’s herky-jerky style of camerawork.

Star Trek (2009) – Off all the JJ Abrams movies ever released, none have received more attention from the media and general public than this reboot of the Star Trek franchise. When a time-traveling Romulan (Eric Bana) seeks payback for the destruction of his home planet, cadets from Star Fleet must head out in the USS Enterprise to save the day. Chris Pine takes over the role of Captain Kirk, and Zachary Quinto makes an adequate replacement for Leonard Nimoy as Spock (Nimoy also stars as the Spock from the future). Other members of the crew include Dr. McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Sulu (John Cho), and Chekov (Anton Yelchin). As for JJ Abrams, he served as both producer and director.

Morning Glory (2010) – JJ Abrams works on another film starring Harrison Ford, this time co-producing the comedy-drama about a TV news producer (Rachel McAdams) who gets hired to save a failing morning show from being cancelled. While it received mixed reviews from the critics, it’s worth seeing for the incredible cast that includes Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, Ty Burrell, Patrick Wilson, and 50 Cent.

Super 8 (2011) – While it hasn’t been released as of this writing, Super 8 is the super-secret sci-fi film written, directed, and co-produced by JJ Abrams. Set in 1979, it’s said to be a tribute to the science fiction films turned out by Steven Spielberg in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Starring Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning, you can be certain that it’ll garner tons of media buzz and contain eye-popping special effects (both trademarks of JJ Abrams movies).

More JJ Abrams movies are sure to pop up in the coming years, but this list should give you plenty to watch in the meantime. And don’t forget to try a free membership to Netflix, the nation’s leading online movie rental service.

See also:

1. Star Trek Websites
2. The Lost Series Finale
3. Carmike Coupons
4. United Artists Coupons
5. Alamo Drafthouse Coupons
6. Cinemark Coupons
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