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10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane is a 2016 American science fiction horror thriller film directed by Dan Trachtenberg in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

10 Cloverfield Lane is a 2016 American science fiction horror thriller film directed by Dan Trachtenberg in his feature directorial debut. It stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr., and is the second film in the Cloverfield franchise. The story follows a woman who wakes up in an underground bunker after a car crash and is told the outside world is uninhabitable.

Plot

The film follows Michelle, who wakes up in an underground bunker after a car accident. Howard, one of the men inside, claims that an attack has made the outside world uninhabitable.

Production

The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg and written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle. It was produced by J. J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber and developed as part of the Cloverfield franchise.

Release

10 Cloverfield Lane premiered in New York City on March 8, 2016, then opened in selected countries on March 10 and in the United States on March 11. The U.S. release included conventional and IMAX screenings.

Reception

The film was marketed as a thriller and is widely described as a science fiction horror or mystery thriller. It was noted for its suspense-driven, claustrophobic setting and performances.

Key facts

  • It is the second film in the Cloverfield franchise.
  • The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg as his feature directorial debut.
  • It premiered in New York City on March 8, 2016, and was released in the United States on March 11, 2016.
  • The plot centres on Michelle, who awakens in a bunker with two men after a car crash.
  • The film was released in both conventional and IMAX formats in the United States.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally, including in Canada, as part of a major Hollywood franchise release. Canadian audiences encountered it primarily through its theatrical run and home-media availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is 10 Cloverfield Lane?
It is a 2016 American science fiction horror thriller film directed by Dan Trachtenberg and set within the Cloverfield franchise.
Who stars in the film?
The main cast includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr.
When was it released?
It premiered on March 8, 2016, and was released in the United States on March 11, 2016.
What is the story about?
A woman wakes up in a bunker after a car crash and is told the outside world has become dangerous or uninhabitable.
Is it connected to Cloverfield?
Yes. It is the second film in the Cloverfield franchise.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_Cloverfield_Lane
    Supports: Director, cast, franchise placement, release dates, and basic plot summary.
  2. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/10-cloverfield-lane
    Supports: Official synopsis, runtime, rating, genre, and release context.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10_cloverfield_lane
    Supports: Director, producers, genre, runtime, release date, and U.S. box office.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179933/
    Supports: Cast, country of origin, alternate title, and release date.