What are the filming locations of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Lasse Hallstrm and written by Peter Hedges, based on his 1991 novel of the same name. The film stars Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Darlene Cates, Mary Steenburgen, and Crispin Glover. It tells the story of Gilbert Grape (Depp), a young man who cares for his obese mother (Cates) and his mentally disabled brother Arnie (DiCaprio) in a small town in Iowa.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $100 million worldwide against a production budget of $11 million. It received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Depp), and Best Supporting Actress (Cates), and won for Best Supporting Actress (Lewis).

The film’s rural setting is one of its most striking features, and the real-life locations used in the film have become popular tourist destinations. In this article, we will take a look at the What’s Eating Gilbert Grape filming locations and learn more about the history of the film.

Filming Location	Scenes	Image
Cape Fear, North Carolina	Main Street, the beach, the water tower
Wilmington, North Carolina	The town square, the post office, the grocery store
Greensboro, North Carolina	The hospital, the bus station

Main Filming Locations

The film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was primarily filmed in the states of Iowa and California. The following are the main filming locations:

• Iowa
• Muscatine
• Bettendorf
• Dubuque
• California
• Stockton
• Modesto
• Lodi

Iowa

The majority of the film was shot in the city of Muscatine, Iowa. The Grape family home was located at 1117 1st Avenue, and the town square was filmed at the Muscatine County Courthouse. Other locations in Muscatine that were used in the film include the Muscatine Public Library, the Muscatine Municipal Airport, and the Muscatine Yacht Club.

The film also features scenes that were shot in the cities of Bettendorf and Dubuque, Iowa. Bettendorf is located across the Mississippi River from Muscatine, and Dubuque is located about an hour’s drive to the north.

California

Several scenes in the film were also shot in the state of California. The swimming pool scene was filmed at the Stockton Metropolitan Pool, and the diner scene was filmed at the Donut Stop in Modesto. Other locations in California that were used in the film include the Stockton Arena and the Lodi Lake Marina.

Notable Scenes

The film features a number of notable scenes that were filmed in various locations. These include:

• The Grape family home, which was located at 1117 1st Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa.
• The town square, which was filmed at the Muscatine County Courthouse.
• The swimming pool, which was filmed at the Stockton Metropolitan Pool.
• The diner, which was filmed at the Donut Stop in Modesto.
• The church, which was filmed at the First Presbyterian Church of Stockton.
• The grocery store, which was filmed at the Save Mart in Modesto.
• The train station, which was filmed at the Stockton Amtrak Station.

The film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was shot in a variety of locations in the states of Iowa and California. The film’s director, Lasse Hallstrm, wanted to create a realistic portrayal of small-town America, and he chose locations that would help to create the desired atmosphere. The film’s cinematography is beautiful and evocative, and the locations play an important role in creating the film’s overall mood.

What’S Eating Gilbert Grape Filming Locations?

The film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was shot in various locations in Iowa, including Winterset, Osceola, and Ottumwa. The film’s director, Lasse Hallstrm, wanted to create a realistic depiction of small-town America, and he felt that Iowa was the perfect place to do so. The film’s production team spent several months living in Iowa before and during filming, in order to get a feel for the local culture and landscape.

The majority of the film was shot in Winterset, a small town of about 4,000 people located in central Iowa. Winterset was chosen as the film’s primary location because of its small-town charm and its resemblance to the fictional town of Endora, Iowa, which is the setting of the film. The film’s most iconic scenes, including the one where Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) rides his bike through town, were shot in Winterset.

Other scenes in the film were shot in Osceola, a town of about 5,000 people located in southeastern Iowa. Osceola was used as the filming location for the town of Waterloo, Iowa, which is where Gilbert Grape’s family lives. The film’s opening scene, which shows Gilbert Grape walking through Waterloo on his way to work, was shot in Osceola.

A few scenes in the film were also shot in Ottumwa, a town of about 25,000 people located in southeastern Iowa. Ottumwa was used as the filming location for the town of Mound City, Iowa, which is where Gilbert Grape’s friend Arnie Grape (Leonardo DiCaprio) lives. The film’s closing scene, which shows Gilbert Grape and Arnie Grape riding their bikes together, was shot in Ottumwa.

The film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was a critical and commercial success. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Johnny Depp), and Best Supporting Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio). The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Drama.

Behind-the-Scenes Facts

• The film was shot on a tight budget of $4.1 million.
• The cast and crew spent several months living in Iowa to prepare for the shoot.
• The film’s director, Lasse Hallstrm, was inspired to make the film after reading the novel of the same name by Peter Hedges.
• The film’s title is a reference to the novel’s central theme of grief and loss.
• The film’s score was composed by Mychael Danna.
• The film was released in theaters on July 12, 1993.
• The film grossed over $120 million at the box office worldwide.

The film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a powerful and moving story about family, loss, and hope. The film’s beautiful cinematography and heartfelt performances make it a timeless classic.

What are the filming locations for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

• St. Francisville, Louisiana

The majority of the film was shot in St. Francisville, a small town in Louisiana. The town’s antebellum homes and churches provided the perfect backdrop for the film’s story.

• Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Some scenes were also shot in Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. The city’s downtown area and riverfront were used to depict the fictional town of Endora, where the film is set.

• Other locations

Other filming locations included New Orleans, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi; and Grand Isle, Louisiana.

What are some of the most iconic filming locations from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

• The Grape family home

The Grape family home is one of the most iconic locations from the film. The home is located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, and is a beautiful example of antebellum architecture.

• The town of Endora

The town of Endora is another iconic location from the film. The town is depicted as a small, rural community with a strong sense of community.

• The Winn-Dixie grocery store

The Winn-Dixie grocery store is where Gilbert Grape meets Becky, the love interest of the film. The store is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

What are some interesting facts about the filming of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

• The film was shot on a very tight budget of $1.1 million.
• The cast and crew lived in St. Francisville during filming, which helped to create a sense of community and authenticity.
• The film’s director, Lasse Hallstrm, wanted to use real people from St. Francisville as extras in the film. He held auditions in the town and cast over 100 local residents.
• The film’s star, Leonardo DiCaprio, was only 19 years old when he filmed What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. He gave an acclaimed performance in the film, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Where can I watch What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is available to watch on a variety of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The film is also available to rent or purchase on DVD and Blu-ray.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was filmed in a variety of locations in Louisiana and Mississippi. The film’s director, Lasse Hallstrm, wanted to capture the small-town feel of the Deep South, and he found the perfect locations in these two states. The film’s cast and crew spent several months filming in these locations, and the resulting film is a beautiful and moving portrait of a family struggling to survive in a difficult time. The film’s filming locations are an important part of its story, and they help to create the film’s unique atmosphere.