As is rather fitting for a much-anticipated release, The Fabelmans, the first Stephen Spielberg film in a long while, will be having a platform release through 4 NYC and LA locations before wider release. With marketing heavily skewed to pulling cinephiles into the theater while still attracting a wider audience, it’s a unique moment for the Oscar hopeful. Blake & Wang P.A entertainment attorney, Brandon Blake, takes a look.
Toronto Favorite
The release of semi-autobiographical The Fabelmans, also expected to see some Oscar nominations, has been eagerly awaited since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year. It’s been well received critically, and actually received the TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, too. The 4- cinema release strategy is intended to allow word-of-mouth to snowball, with a further 600 screen release across both arthouse and commercial theaters intended for later this month.
While some of Spielberg’s greats- think Schindler’s List, Lincoln, and The Post– used the same limited opening into wide release strategy, it is an unusual one for modern films.
Strong Media Campaign
We’ve seen a ton of media campaigning for this film, too, including hints that the director himself may grace some of the early red carpets. From Spielburg and cast alike hitting up everything from CBS Sunday Morning to The Today Show, it has even popped up for a spot on connected TV takeovers with Amazon, Samsung, and Roku. It certainly doesn’t have the easiest release date, with the early screenings overlapping directly with the premier of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which will doubtless still be pulling in strong audiences at the later, larger rollout too. We also see a ton of strong festival favorites and Oscar hopefuls launching now, from Tar and Triangle of Sadness to The Banshees of Inisherin and Aftersun. Perhaps the hype generated by the novel release vehicle will help push it to some prominence.
Film and Television 