Movie

This Boy's Life

“He looked like the ideal husband. He seemed like the perfect father. That's just what they needed. But that's not what they got.”

★ 7.1(1,090)19931h 55m

Drama

▶ Watch trailer IMDb

This Boy's Life is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home in United States. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there yet. Availability checked 9 June 2026.

Where to watch This Boy's Life

🇺🇸 United States

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Good to know

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Release date: 1993-04-09
Runtime: 1h 55m
Language: English
Box office: $4,104,962
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Studio: Knickerbocker Films

This Boy's Life — trailer

About This Boy's Life

This Boy's Life is a 1993 movie in the Drama genre, directed by Michael Caton-Jones, starring Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin and Leonardo DiCaprio. It has a runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes. It holds an average rating of 7.1/10 from 1,090 viewers. Below you can see where to watch This Boy's Life in United States — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

When a son and mother move to Seattle in hopes for a better life, the mother meets a seemingly polite man. Things go south when the man turns out to be abusive, endangering their lives. As the mother struggles to maintain hope in an impossible situation, the son has plans to escape.

Cast

Robert De Niro

Dwight

Ellen Barkin

Caroline

Leonardo DiCaprio

Toby

Jonah Blechman

Arthur Gayle

Eliza Dushku

Pearl

Chris Cooper

Roy

Carla Gugino

Norma

Zachary Ansley

Skipper

Tracey Ellis

Kathy

Kathy Kinney

Marian

Robert Zameroski

Arch Cook

Tobey Maguire

Chuck Bolger

Themes & keywords

jealousybased on novel or booksingle parentseattle, washingtoncar mechanicrelationship problemsbased on true storystepfatherfamily relationshipsalcoholicoppression1950sabusive stepfathertroubled youthrural setting

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch This Boy's Life in United States?+

In United States, This Boy's Life is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there right now.

Is This Boy's Life on Netflix?+

This Boy's Life is not on Netflix in United States right now.

How long is This Boy's Life?+

This Boy's Life has a runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

Who stars in This Boy's Life?+

This Boy's Life stars Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Blechman and Eliza Dushku.

When did This Boy's Life come out?+

This Boy's Life is a 1993 movie directed by Michael Caton-Jones.

What genre is This Boy's Life?+

This Boy's Life is Drama film.

Who directed This Boy's Life?+

This Boy's Life was directed by Michael Caton-Jones.