Fantasy Life (2026)
A sharp, award-winning New York romantic comedy about an unlikely connection, a complicated marriage, and the chaos of starting over.
Fantasy Life - Movie Information
- Original Title: Fantasy Life
- Release Year: 2026
- Directed by: Matthew Shear
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 3, 2026 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Prospect Avenue, Made by Limbo, Charlie's Production Company, AC3 Media, Burn Later Productions, Greenwich Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Fantasy Life - Plot
An anxious law school dropout (Matthew Shear) stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters and falls for the girls' mother (Amanda Peet), an actress in a rocky marriage. A smart, New York-set romantic comedy co-starring Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, and Holland Taylor. Winner of the SXSW Narrative Feature Audience Award.
Fantasy Life - Trailer
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Fantasy Life - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Matthew Shear
Main Cast
- Amanda Peet
- Matthew Shear
- Alessandro Nivola
- Judd Hirsch
- Bob Balaban
- Andrea Martin
- Zosia Mamet
- Jessica Harper
- Holland Taylor
- Sheng Wang
Writers
- Matthew Shear
Producers
- Charlie Alderman
- Chris Dodds
- Amanda Peet
- Philip Keefe
- Emily McCann Lesser
Fantasy Life - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Fantasy Life?
Fantasy Life stars Amanda Peet as Dianne and Matthew Shear as Sam, alongside Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, Jessica Harper, Holland Taylor, and Sheng Wang in a richly populated ensemble cast.
Did Fantasy Life win any awards?
Yes. Fantasy Life won the Narrative Feature Audience Award at SXSW (South by Southwest Film Festival), a prestigious honor voted on by festival attendees that highlights the film's broad, crowd-pleasing appeal.
What is Fantasy Life about?
Fantasy Life follows Sam, an anxious law school dropout who takes a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters and unexpectedly falls for their mother, Dianne, an actress navigating a troubled marriage. The film is a witty, character-driven New York romantic comedy.
Did Matthew Shear write and direct Fantasy Life?
Yes. Matthew Shear wrote, directed, and stars in Fantasy Life, making it a deeply personal triple-threat debut feature. He plays Sam, the film's anxious protagonist, bringing an autobiographical intimacy to the story's New York setting and neurotic comedic sensibility.
What is the age rating for Fantasy Life?
Fantasy Life is rated R by the MPA, meaning it is intended for audiences aged 17 and older. Parental guidance is advised for younger viewers. The rating reflects the film's adult themes and comedic content suited to a mature audience.
How long is Fantasy Life?
Fantasy Life has a runtime of 91 minutes, or 1 hour and 31 minutes. Its compact length keeps the story brisk and focused, a fitting choice for a romantic comedy that thrives on sharp dialogue and character chemistry rather than sprawling narrative.
When was Fantasy Life released?
Fantasy Life was released in the United States on April 3, 2026, rated R. The film had its festival premiere at SXSW prior to its theatrical release, where it earned the Narrative Feature Audience Award.
Who composed the music for Fantasy Life?
The score for Fantasy Life was composed by Christopher Bear, known for his work on emotionally nuanced indie productions. His music complements the film's bittersweet romantic tone and New York atmosphere, adding warmth and texture to the story's comedic and dramatic beats.
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