I Wanna Hold Your Hand (film)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Zemeckis
Written by	Robert Zemeckis Bob Gale
Produced by	Tamara Asseyev Alexandra Rose
Starring	Nancy Allen Bobby Di Cicco Marc McClure Susan Kendall Newman Theresa Saldana Wendie Jo Sperber
Cinematography	Donald M. Morgan
Edited by	Frank Morriss
Music by	The Beatles
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	April 21, 1978 (1978-04-21)
Running time	98 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2.8 million
Box office	$1.9 million

I Wanna Hold Your Hand is a 1978 American historical comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and starring Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Marc McClure, Susan Kendall Newman, Theresa Saldana, Eddie Deezen, and Wendie Jo Sperber. Its storyline follows a disparate group of teenagers over the course of one day in New York City as they attempt to gain entry to the Beatles' first live appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964. The film also examines the mass hysteria surrounding the event, dubbed "Beatlemania" for the fervency of the group's fans. The film's title is derived from the Beatles' 1963 song of the same name.

The film marked Zemeckis's feature film directorial debut, and was also the first film to be executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. Even though it was modestly budgeted, in order to convince Universal to bankroll it, Spielberg had to promise studio executives that, if Zemeckis was seen to be doing a markedly poor job, he would step in and direct the film himself.^[1]

Despite positive previews and critical response, the film was not a financial success and was considered a flop, unable to recoup its rather modest $2.8 million budget.