10 JJ Abrams Dramas / Movies to Rewatch During The Weekends

Last Updated on 2023-04-06 , 2:21 pm

If you’re not aware of who J.J. Abrams is, and still clicked on this article anyway, here’s a visual reminder of him:

But you probably still don’t get it because of the whole ‘I know Steven Spielberg but I have no idea how he looks like‘ thing. As such, the only way to jolt your memory is this:

He directed Lost.

Yeah, I see that light in your eyes and your mouth going ‘Oh THAT GUY’. If you’re surprised how I interpreted your reaction through the screen, it’s because I had that same exact reaction when I was looking up J.J. Abrams.

So anyway, the weekends are almost upon us (just 4 days more to go; very close right?) and as such, there’s really no better time to re-watch a good old J.J. Abrams show.

But what exactly is good, and not good, for re-watch value? Worry not, for we have filtered out the unnecessarily long list for you, just so that you can share this post and make us rich (just kidding).

So let’s cut to the chase, with 10 J.J. Abrams Dramas / Movies to Rewatch During The Weekends!

Note: shows are not ranked in any particular order, and most of them are available in Netflix or paid on-demand services like Google Play Movies.

Mission: Impossible (III)

It’s not because it was J.J. Abrams’ directorial debut that I put it in. Rather, it’s because of Tom Cruise. And that it’s part of the thrilling Mission Impossible series.

And partially because the movie is Abrams’ directorial debut (for a movie).

Otherwise, this is a good popcorn flick to inject your life with some-need adrenaline, especially with your mundane working life from Monday to Friday.

 Lost

Before Game of Thrones stole the hearts of the entire world and crushed them, we had Lost, an American drama series that could only be described as…

Revolutionary.

First things first, it’s an extremely successful show, and I’m not just talking about accolades. During its run of six years, it’s been consistently rated by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time, and the first season had an estimated average of 16 million viewers per episode on ABC.

It was also the recipient of hundreds of industry award nominations, of which they actually swept away numerous. So contrary to its name, it’s not actually that lost and out of place, least of which in awards ceremonies.

Endnote? If you’re into award-winning, fan favourite, mysterious TV shows that feature survivalists doing their best to survive against a series of plot devices… this is your show.

Synopsis:

The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 were 1,000 miles off course when they crashed on a lush, mysterious island. Each person possesses a shocking secret, but they’ve got nothing on the island itself, which harbors a monstrous security system, a series of underground bunkers and a group of violent survivalists hidden in the shadows.

P.S. If you’ve watched it, you’ll know it’s more than erm…just a group of people who’re lost in an island. It’s much, much more.

Super 8

Fancy sci-fi horror films with kids as the protagonists? Because if you do…

You will probably like this. 

Here’s the rough synopsis: In 1979 Ohio, several youngsters (Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Gabriel Basso) were making a zombie movie with a Super-8 camera. In the midst of filming, the friends witness a horrifying train derailment and are lucky to escape with their lives. They soon discover that the catastrophe was no accident, as a series of unexplained events and disappearances soon follows. Deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), the father of one of the kids, searches for the terrifying truth behind the crash.

Incidentally, this film won Abrams a Best Director at the Saturn Award. An accolade well-deserved, if we may say.

And to top it all off, Steven Spielberg also serves as a producer in the movie. #doublewin

Star Wars The Force Awakens

Yes, Abrams is behind the film that kick-started the whole Star Wars reboot frenzy (though he’s also behind the rebooted Star Trek lah).

And to illustrate things, he actually served as a Writer, Director, Producer and even Actor on the show (although he only did a vocal cameo on screen).

While the film was an undeniable winner with fans and critics alike, we think his vocal cameo alone warrants a place on this list.

Synopsis:

Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. When a defector named Finn (John Boyega) crash-lands on a desert planet, he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a tough scavenger whose droid contains a top-secret map. Together, the young duo joins forces with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) to make sure the Resistance receives the intelligence concerning the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi Knights.

Star Trek Into Darkness

With the likes of Chris Pine, Benedict Cumberbatch and Zachary Quinto on board, no moment is boring in this space-induced adventure of… may I say it… a lifetime.

While he has also directed he first Star Trek reboot in 2009, this is the one that many people in the office remember. After all, it made Benedict Cumberbatch’s deep voice overshadow the other Star Trek legend, Patrick Stewart, who was well-known for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation series.

And well, it also brought back a favourite Star Trek nemesis (no, not the Borg!).

Synopsis:

The crew of the Starship Enterprise returns home after an act of terrorism within its own organization destroys most of Starfleet and what it represents, leaving Earth in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Capt. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) leads his people (Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoë Saldana) on a mission to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction, thereby propelling all of them into an epic game of life and death.

Armaggedon

Classics always deserve a place on this list, and Armaggedon isn’t any different.

The fact that Abrams wrote the script (including that heart-wrenching scene at the end)? Just a sweet, sweet bonus. Bet you didn’t know that eh?

And the song. Let’s not go into that.

Synopsis:

When an asteroid threatens to collide with Earth, NASA honcho Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb. This leads him to renowned driller Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), who agrees to helm the dangerous space mission provided he can bring along his own hotshot crew. Among them is the cocksure A.J. (Ben Affleck), who Harry thinks isn’t good enough for his daughter (Liv Tyler), until the mission proves otherwise.

10 Cloverfield Lane

Cloverfield was good (if you can tahan the shakiness). But its sequel, 10 Cloverfield Lane, is even better. And I’m not saying that because it scored higher ratings with critics.

Rather, 10 Cloverfield Lane is one of those psychological gems that really, really play with your emotions, right off the bat and till the end. Think Resident Evil 7, except without the practical, creepy loonies.

Well, got lah, just one loony and he’s a human.

So if you want some thrilling vibes to fill your mundane weekend, you might want to consider taking a walk on 10 Cloverfield Lane. Or in its basement.

Synopsis:

After surviving a car accident, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up to find herself in an underground bunker with two men. Howard (John Goodman) tells her that a massive chemical attack has rendered the air unbreathable, and their only hope of survival is to remain inside. Despite the comforts of home, Howard’s controlling and menacing nature makes Michelle want to escape. After taking matters into her own hands, the young woman finally discovers the truth about the outside world.

Star Wars The Last Jedi

I know, I know. This installment was released recently, so what am I asking you to re-watch it for when you probably still remember everything at the back of your mind?

And to that, I can only refer to the Wise Old Man:

“There’s never a time too early to re-watch a good movie, especially one as good as The Last Jedi.”

And indeed, the film, that has grossed over $1.3 billion, is truly a delight for Star Wars fans and popcorn chewers alike.

Synopsis:

Luke Skywalker’s peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey, a young woman who shows strong signs of the Force. Her desire to learn the ways of the Jedi forces Luke to make a decision that changes their lives forever. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren and General Hux lead the First Order in an all-out assault against Leia and the Resistance for supremacy of the galaxy.

 Alias

Arguably the role that propelled Jennifer Garner to stardom, Alias has all the makings of a true classic drama, alongside the nail-biting material for a good old re-run.

Plus, Abrams, apart from serving as Writer, Director and Executive Producer on the series, also composed a theme for the song. Like really… a song? Just how talented is this guy?

But for that, we’re calling it.

Synopsis:

A young woman learns she has a familial history of undercover work and agrees to become an international spy for a supposed secret branch of the CIA. The secrecy complicates her social and love lives, but it’s nothing compared to what happens when she finds out her employer has no ties to the CIA.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

And to end off the list, we have another Tom Cruise flick because honestly, there can never be enough action. And considering the 90% probability that your work life’s stoic and on a rusty old chair…

You will probably need some to spice up your life.

Not sure about you, but since J.J. Lin – I mean, J.J. Abrams started work on the MI series, it just got better and better and better. Maybe it’s just me.

Synopsis:

Blamed for a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the entire IMF agency are disavowed by the U.S. government, while the president initiates the Ghost Protocol. Forced to go “off the grid” — left without resources or backup — Hunt must somehow clear the agency’s name and prevent another attack. Complicating matters even more, Ethan must undertake the impossible mission with a group of fellow IMF fugitives whose actual motives are suspect.

And there we have it folks; 10 J.J. Abrams dramas/ movies for you to binge watch over the weekend.

Any shows you have in mind but we didn’t include on the list? Or do you have gripes with a show on this list? If you do, tell us in the comments section, and we will try out best to engage in a debate battle with you guys (depends on the availability of the staff really).

Well anyway, happy watching, and never forget to credit the man behind it all:

J.J. Abrams.