The COVID-19 pandemic may have prevented Steven Spielberg from making The Fabelmans.

While the pandemic was at its peak, “several of my kids flew in from the East Coast and they all took up residence in their old beds and Kate [Capshaw, his wife] and I got a lot of our family back,” he said. “Not being able to report to work was quite unsettling.

Being a director requires constant interaction with others, and I enjoy this aspect of my work. I was having a hard time adjusting to life in the Zoom universe. For a while, I found myself with a great deal of free time.

Used to hop in the car and cruise for hours, taking in sights from all across Los Angeles and beyond, including the Pacific Coast Highway, Calabasas, and the area around Twentynine Palms. In turn, I had more opportunity to reflect on the state of the world.”

Hence, Spielberg went on, “After pondering this, I realised there must be one story I haven’t shared yet that I’ll forever regret not sharing. The account of my childhood from age 7 to age 18 was the explanation I gave every time.”

The ensuing play The Fabelmans, starring Gabriel LaBelle as young Sammy Fabelman and Michelle Williams and Paul Dano as his parents Mitzi and Burt, is semi-autobiographical and based on the author’s own family history. Spielberg’s parents, Leah Adler and Arnold Spielberg, were the inspiration for the film.

There are five Golden Globe Award nominations for the film in 2023, including Best Motion Picture (Drama) and Best Director for Spielberg. Learn how to see the movie below:

The Fabelmans can be shown in theatres right now (check local listings for showtimes), but it’s also available for home viewing. Even though Spielberg’s film isn’t currently streaming anywhere, you can still rent or buy it on services like Amazon Prime and Apple TV.