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Fanboys

Fanboys is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Kyle Newman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fanboys is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Kyle Newman. Set in 1998, it follows a group of Star Wars fans who travel to Skywalker Ranch to try to see an early cut of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace for a terminally ill friend.

Plot

The film follows a group of Star Wars-obsessed friends who travel across the United States with the goal of stealing an early copy of The Phantom Menace from Skywalker Ranch. Their trip is motivated by the illness of one friend, who may not live to see the film's release.

Production and release

Fanboys was directed by Kyle Newman and released in 2009. The film is a comedy with a PG-13 rating for language, drug content, and crude or sexual material. Its theatrical runtime is 90 minutes. The film was released in theatres in February 2009.

Cast

Major cast members include Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, and Kristen Bell. The ensemble plays the group of friends at the center of the story.

Themes

The film explores fandom, friendship, and loyalty through its Star Wars-focused premise. It also uses references to late-1990s pop culture and fan communities.

Key facts

  • The film is set in 1998, before the theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
  • Its story centers on a group of friends and Star Wars fans who plan a road trip to Skywalker Ranch.
  • The plot is driven by their wish to let a terminally ill friend see the film early.
  • The film was released in theatres in February 2009.
  • It is a comedy film with a PG-13 rating for language, drug content, and crude or sexual material.
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Canadian context

Fanboys is a Hollywood film that may appeal to Canadian audiences familiar with Star Wars fandom and late-1990s pop-culture comedy, but the available sources do not indicate a specific Canadian production or setting connection.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fanboys about?
It is about a group of Star Wars fans who travel to Skywalker Ranch in hopes of seeing an early copy of The Phantom Menace for a dying friend.
Who directed Fanboys?
Fanboys was directed by Kyle Newman.
When was Fanboys released?
It was released in 2009, with a limited theatrical release on February 6, 2009.
Who stars in Fanboys?
The film stars Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, and Kristen Bell.
What genre is Fanboys?
It is a comedy film.

References

  1. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanboys_(2009_movie)
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, year, country, genre, cast, and plot premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489049/
    Supports: Plot synopsis, cast, and release-era setting.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/fanboys
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, genre, runtime, rating, and synopsis.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fanboys
    Supports: Genre, PG-13 rating, theatrical release date, and runtime.