The Straight Story poster

Movie

The Straight Story

1999G1h 52m7.7 / 10

A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.

Retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight learns one day that his estranged brother Lyle has suffered a severe stroke. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. He then has the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Sep 2, 2026

The Straight Story is available to stream on Disney+ and The Criterion Channel in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Google Play. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight learns one day that his estranged brother Lyle has suffered a severe stroke. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. He then has the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

More about The Straight Story

Cast

Richard FarnsworthAlvin
Sissy SpacekRose
Jane Galloway HeitzDorothy
Joseph A. CarpenterBud
Donald WiegertSig
Tracey MaloneyNurse
Dan FlanneryDoctor Gibbons
Jennifer EdwardsBrenda

Credits

Directed by
David Lynch
Written by
John Roach, Mary Sweeney

Production details

Status
Released
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
Box office
$6.4M

Production

  • Les Films Alain SardeFrance
  • Picture FactoryUnited States
  • Le Studio Canal+France
  • Film4 ProductionsUnited Kingdom

Themes

based on true storybiographybrother brother relationshipelderly manestranged brotherfamilyfamily relationshipsforgiveness