Drugstore Cowboy (1989): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Drugstore Cowboy is a 1989 crime drama directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $4.7 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget. It won 4 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Actor at the Spirit Awards 1990. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Gus Van Sant
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Avenue Pictures Productions
- Budget
- $2.5M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Drugstore Cowboy About?
The premise of Drugstore Cowboy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Led by Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon), a group of drug addicts travels the American West, supporting their habit through petty theft. After a tragic event, Bob is forced to confront his past and consider a path toward change. However, overcoming addiction proves difficult as he grapples with old habits and evades a determined law enforcement officer. His journey explores themes of loss, redemption, and the challenges of breaking free from destructive patterns.
Drugstore Cowboy Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- drugs
- ambush
- amphetamine
- ashtray
- bed
- blood
- breaking down a door
- death by overdose
- drug dealer
- recovering drug addict
- cigarette smoking
- cocaine
+38 more Show fewer
- dead body
- desk bell
- f word
- flash forward
- golf club
- kicking
- methadone
- methamphetamine
- morphine
- old man
- old woman
- pills
- syringe
- thief
- valium
- van
- watching tv
- dark comedy
- year 1971
- existential loneliness
- young woman
- self transcendence
- young man
- existential poetry
- irony of fate
- female nudity
- emptiness
- search for meaning
- male protagonist
- falling asleep
- cigarette lighter
- depressed boy
- male wears underwear
- disappointment
- existential hero
- existential crisis
- narrated by lead character
- angst
Drugstore Cowboy Cast
Matt Dillon leads the cast, with Kelly Lynch. Directed by Gus Van Sant.
-
Director Gus Van Sant
Drugstore Cowboy Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Drugstore Cowboy 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 97% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 85%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 82 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Drugstore Cowboy Plot Summary
What happens in Drugstore Cowboy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A superstitious man named Bob and his wife, Diane, have become deeply entangled in the world of drugs, indulging in substances like dilaudid, morphine, and cocaine. Their addiction leads them to collaborate with another couple in robbing various pharmacies to sustain their habit. However, their activities draw the attention of a persistent police officer who gets too close for comfort. Fearing imminent capture, they quickly decide to abandon their current setup and relocate their operations to another town.
Full summary
The whole story of Drugstore Cowboy, scene by scene
Drugstore Cowboy Box Office & Budget
Drugstore Cowboy grossed $4.7 million worldwide on a $2.5 million budget, 1.9 times what it cost. $4.7 million came from the US and Canada and $274 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$4.7M
1.9× its budget
- US & Canada
- $4.7M
- International
- $274
- Budget
- $2.5M
Drugstore Cowboy Awards & Nominations
Drugstore Cowboy won 4 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Actor at the Spirit Awards 1990.
4 wins8 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1990 4 wins · 8 nominations- Won Best Actor – Matt Dillon
- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Screenplay – Gus Van Sant
- Won Best Supporting Actor – Max Perlich
- Nominated Best Actress – Kelly Lynch
Drugstore Cowboy Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 1 trailer and 8 clips.
- Clip 'Robbing A Pharmacy' Scene
- Clip 'Bob Haggles Drug Prices' Scene
- Clip 'Cops Search Bob's Home' Scene
- Clip 'Nadine Asks For A Dog' Scene
How Well Do You Know Drugstore Cowboy?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the primary substance Bob and Diane are addicted to?
Cars in Drugstore Cowboy
24 cars on screen, including the 1965 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special and the 1965 International Harvester C-Series.
-
1965 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special Main role -
1965 International Harvester C-Series Main role -
1970 Plymouth Fury Important role -
1974 Cadillac Ambulance Minor role
Drugstore Cowboy Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Drogas, amor y muerte” and “Dragstor kauboj”.
- Also known as
-
- Drogas, amor y muerte
- Dragstor kauboj
- Rebelul
- Ladrón de farmacias
- 드럭스토어 카우보이
- No Trilho da Droga
- Аптечный ковбой
- דראגסטור קאובוי
- A gyógyszertári cowboy
- Narkotykowy kowboj
- ドラッグストア・カウボーイ
- 迷幻牛郎, აფთიაქის კოვბოი
+2 more Show fewer
- Аптечний ковбой
- Narkomani
Seen Drugstore Cowboy?
Movies Like Drugstore Cowboy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Drug Store Cowboy, Cocaine Cowboys and Cocaine Cowboys.
Drugstore Cowboy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Drugstore Cowboy, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Drugstore Cowboy?
Drugstore Cowboy runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Drugstore Cowboy released?
Drugstore Cowboy was released on October 6, 1989.
Who directed Drugstore Cowboy?
Drugstore Cowboy was directed by Gus Van Sant.
More films by Gus Van Sant Who is in the cast of Drugstore Cowboy?
Drugstore Cowboy stars Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch.
How much did Drugstore Cowboy make at the box office?
Drugstore Cowboy grossed $4.7 million worldwide ($4.7 million domestic, $274 international) on a budget of $2.5 million.
How is Drugstore Cowboy rated?
Drugstore Cowboy has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
What awards did Drugstore Cowboy win?
Drugstore Cowboy won 4 awards from 8 nominations, including Best Actor at the Spirit Awards 1990.
Does Drugstore Cowboy have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Drugstore Cowboy has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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