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Catch and Release (film)

Catch and Release is a 2006 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Susannah Grant in her directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Catch and Release is a 2006 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Susannah Grant in her directorial debut. Starring Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant, the film follows a woman who grieves the death of her fiancé while learning unexpected truths about him and forming a new relationship.

Plot

The story follows Gray Wheeler after the sudden death of her fiancé. As she spends time with his friends, she uncovers hidden parts of his life and develops feelings for Fritz, one of his closest friends.

Production

Catch and Release was written and directed by Susannah Grant, marking her debut as a film director. The cast includes Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Smith, Sam Jaeger, and Juliette Lewis.

Release

The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival on October 20, 2006, and was released in the United States on January 26, 2007. Some sources list a home-media release date in May 2007.

Reception

The film underperformed commercially, with reported box-office earnings of about $16 million against a production budget of $25 million.

Key facts

  • The film is Susannah Grant's first feature as a director.
  • It centers on Gray Wheeler, who copes with her fiancé's death and discovers secrets about his life.
  • Jennifer Garner plays the lead role, with Timothy Olyphant as one of the key supporting characters.
  • The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival before its U.S. theatrical release.
  • It reportedly earned about $16 million against a $25 million budget.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Catch and Release?
It was directed by Susannah Grant, who also wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in Catch and Release?
The film stars Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant, with supporting roles by Kevin Smith, Sam Jaeger, and Juliette Lewis.
What is Catch and Release about?
It follows a woman who grieves her fiancé's death and learns surprising truths about him while rebuilding her life.
When was Catch and Release released?
It premiered in October 2006 and was released in U.S. theatres in January 2007.
Was Catch and Release successful at the box office?
Available sources say it grossed about $16 million on a $25 million budget, indicating it did not perform strongly commercially.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_and_Release_(2006_film)
    Supports: Core production details, cast, release dates, and box office performance.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395495/
    Supports: Runtime, release year, and plot synopsis.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70044592
    Supports: Plot synopsis and principal cast listing.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/catch_and_release
    Supports: Genre and plot synopsis.
  5. Tribute.ca — https://www.tribute.ca/movies/catch-and-release-2007/10699/
    Supports: Canadian-facing listing with runtime, genre, cast, writer, director, and home-media date.