The Fabelmans is a 2022 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and written and produced by Tony Kushner and Spielberg. It is a semi-autobiographical story loosely based on Spielberg's adolescence and first years as a filmmaker, told through an original story of the fictional Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker himself who explores how the power of films can help him see the truth about his dysfunctional family and those around him. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy, with Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch in supporting roles. The film is dedicated to the memories of Spielberg's real-life parents Leah Adler and Arnold Spielberg, who died in 2017 and 2020, respectively.

The film was produced by Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, in association with Reliance Entertainment. Spielberg had conceived the project with his sister Anne as early as 1999, writing a screenplay titled I'll Be Home. He had reservations about exploring his family's story because of concerns that his parents would be hurt, and the project was withheld. Spielberg revisited the project with screenwriter and frequent collaborator Tony Kushner in 2019 while they were making West Side Story, and completed the screenplay by the end of 2020. Development on the film officially began soon after, with casting taking place between March and May 2021. Principal photography began that July in Los Angeles, and wrapped in September.

The Fabelmans had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022, where it won the People's Choice Award, was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 11, 2022, and expanded worldwide on November 23, 2022, by Universal Pictures. The film received widespread critical acclaim for the performances of the cast, Spielberg's direction, the screenplay, cinematography, and John Williams' musical score. It was named one of the top ten films of 2022 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, being the second consecutive film directed by Spielberg to receive these honors after West Side Story. However, The Fabelmans was a box-office bomb, grossing $8.7 million on a $40 million budget, making it the lowest-grossing performance for a Spielberg film.

The film received five nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director for Spielberg, and eleven nominations at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards, including Best Picture.

Synopsis :
Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

The Fabelmans
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner
Produced by Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner
Starring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Judd Hirsch
Cinematography : Janusz Kamiński
Edited by Michael Kahn, Sarah Broshar
Music by John Williams
Production companies : Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : September 10, 2022 (TIFF), November 11, 2022 (United States)
Running time : 151 minutes