The Whole Wide World

Name: The Whole Wide World
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 1996-09-08
Duration: 1 h 46 min
Rating: 6.6
Cast: Vincent D'Onofrio, Renée Zellweger, Ann Wedgeworth, Harve Presnell, Benjamin Mouton

1996·Movie·106 min·★ 6.6(51)

Drama Romance More English titles

“Based on a true story.”

In 1930s Texas, pulp fiction master Robert E. Howard is introduced to Novalyne Price, a teacher with aspirations of becoming an author herself, and they begin a unique relationship filled with conversation and imagination. Although the possibility exists for romance, Howard's obsession with his work and dedication to his sick mother leads Price to look elsewhere for love, leaving Howard feeling betrayed and alone.

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Where to watch The Whole Wide World in United States

Click a service to open The Whole Wide World there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is The Whole Wide World streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, The CW, Kanopy	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
India	Tubi TV, Plex	—
United Kingdom	Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Canada	Hoopla, Tubi TV, Plex	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Australia	Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Plex	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Germany	Plex, YouTube Free	—
France	Plex	—
Spain	Rakuten TV, Plex	—
Brazil	Plex	—
Japan	Plex	—

About The Whole Wide World

The Whole Wide World is a 1996 English-language drama and romance film directed by Dan Ireland. The cast is led by Vincent D'Onofrio, Renée Zellweger, Ann Wedgeworth. It has a runtime of 1h 46m. Viewers rate it 6.6/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, The CW.

The Whole Wide World was produced in United States of America. It was released on September 8, 1996.

Director: Dan Ireland
Writers: Michael Scott Myers
Release date: September 8, 1996
Original language: English
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Budget: $1 million

#teacher#writer#wistful

The Whole Wide World cast & crew

The Whole Wide World was directed by Dan Ireland and written by Michael Scott Myers.

The cast features Vincent D'Onofrio as Robert E. Howard, Renée Zellweger as Novalyne Price, Ann Wedgeworth as Mrs. Howard, Harve Presnell as Dr. Howard, Benjamin Mouton as Clyde Smith, and Helen Cates as Enid.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, cinematography is by Claudio Rocha, and it was produced by Kevin Reidy and Dan Ireland.

Is The Whole Wide World worth watching?

The Whole Wide World holds an audience score of 6.6/10 from 51 ratings, a solidly received drama films.

At 1h 46m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy drama and romance, The Whole Wide World is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The Whole Wide World

In United States, you can stream The Whole Wide World on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, The CW, Kanopy, and Hoopla, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.