Cloverfield is a 2008 American found footage monster horror film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams and Bryan Burk, and written by Drew Goddard. It is the first film in the Cloverfield franchise. Before settling on an official title, the film was marketed as 01-18-08. The film, which is presented as found footage shot with a home camcorder, follows six young New York City residents fleeing from a gigantic monster that attacks the city while they are having a farewell party. The film was well received by critics and it earned $170.8 million at the box office against a $25 million budget.