Holes (film)

Holes
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Andrew Davis
Screenplay by	Louis Sachar
Based on	Holes by Louis Sachar
Produced by	Andrew Davis Lowell D. Blank Mike Medavoy Teresa Tucker-Davies
Starring	Sigourney Weaver Jon Voight Patricia Arquette Tim Blake Nelson Shia LaBeouf
Cinematography	Stephen St. John
Edited by	Thomas J. Nordberg Jeffrey Wolf
Music by	Joel McNeely
Production companies	Walt Disney Pictures Walden Media Phoenix Pictures Chicago Pacific Entertainment
Distributed by	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date	April 18, 2003 (2003-04-18) (United States)
Running time	117 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$17 million
Box office	$71.4 million

Holes is a 2003 American neo-Western comedy drama film directed by Andrew Davis and written by Louis Sachar, based on his 1998 novel. The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson, Eartha Kitt, Khleo Thomas, Dulé Hill, Scott Plank and Shia LaBeouf.

In the film, Stanley Yelnats (LaBeouf) IV is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp in Texas, after being wrongfully convicted of theft. The camp forces inmates to dig holes in a dried lake bed under the command of the cruel Warden Walker (Weaver), who is secretly searching for the buried treasure of outlaw Katherine "Kissin' Kate" Barlow (Arquette).

Director Andrew Davis took on Holes to showcase his versatility beyond action films, enlisting author Louis Sachar to adapt his novel into a screenplay. Filming took place over ten weeks in California during the summer of 2002 on a $20 million budget. Shia LaBeouf was cast as Stanley after Davis sought a "young Tom Hanks," though the character’s weight loss arc from the book was omitted for practicality. Scenes of hole-digging were carefully staged with different depth levels, and bearded dragons portrayed the venomous yellow-spotted lizards. The film, dedicated to actor Scott Plank, who passed away after filming wrapped, was produced by Chicago Pacific Entertainment and Phoenix Pictures, with distribution by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista.

Praised for its intelligence and depth, Holes stands out as a rare family film that respects its audience, seamlessly blending humor, folklore, and social commentary. Critics highlight its rich storytelling, weaving past and present through layered flashbacks that enhance its emotional impact. Director Andrew Davis earns recognition for his faithful adaptation of Louis Sachar’s novel, crafting a visually striking and thematically complex film. The cast delivers standout performances, adding authenticity and charm. With its balance of adventure, heart, and mystery, Holes is widely regarded as a compelling, well-crafted film that resonates across generations.

Holes garnered several awards and nominations. It won the California On Location Awards for Production Company of the Year and Location Professional of the Year. LaBeouf received recognition with a nomination for Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards, while the film earned nominations for Best Family Film at the Critics' Choice Awards and Young Artist Awards.

Holes was released in the United States on April 18, 2003, locally it earned $67,406,573 theatrically, and $56.2 million on home video.