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What's Eating Gilbert Grape

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a 1993 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Lasse Hallström.

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

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a 1993 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Lasse Hallström. It stars Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and John C. Reilly, and follows a young man caring for his family in the fictional town of Endora, Iowa.

Plot

The film follows Gilbert Grape as he balances work, family responsibilities, and a desire for personal freedom in small-town Iowa. His life changes when Becky arrives in Endora and draws his attention away from routine obligations.

Production

The film was directed by Lasse Hallström and written by Peter Hedges, who adapted his own novel for the screen. Paramount Pictures distributed the film.

Cast

The principal cast includes Johnny Depp as Gilbert, Leonardo DiCaprio as Arnie, Juliette Lewis as Becky, Mary Steenburgen, and John C. Reilly.

Release and format

The film was released in 1993 and has a reported runtime of 117 minutes. It received a Blu-ray release on August 16, 2022.

Key facts

  • "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a 1993 American drama film directed by Lasse Hallström.
  • The story centers on Gilbert Grape, a grocery store clerk caring for his family in the fictional town of Endora, Iowa.
  • The screenplay was written by Peter Hedges, adapted from his own 1991 novel.
  • The film stars Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and John C. Reilly.
  • The film is rated PG-13 and was released by Paramount Pictures.
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Canadian context

The film is part of widely distributed North American cinema and is familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical and home-media releases; no specific Canada-only connection is identified in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"?
It is a 1993 American drama film about a young man who cares for his family while trying to build a life of his own.
Who directed the film?
It was directed by Lasse Hallström.
Who wrote the screenplay?
Peter Hedges wrote the screenplay, adapting it from his own 1991 novel.
Who stars in the film?
The cast includes Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and John C. Reilly.
Where is the film set?
It is set in the fictional town of Endora, Iowa.
What is the film's rating?
It is rated PG-13.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Eating_Gilbert_Grape
    Supports: 1993 release year, director, cast, setting, and basis on Peter Hedges's novel
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108550/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary about Gilbert caring for his brother and mother
  3. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/whats-eating-gilbert-grape
    Supports: Official studio details including year, rating, genre, runtime, and synopsis
  4. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/95449/whats-eating-gilbert-grape
    Supports: Plot synopsis and setting
  5. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/whats-eating-gilbert-grape/details/
    Supports: Release date, duration, rating, and synopsis
  6. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whats_eating_gilbert_grape
    Supports: Genre, release date, and rating