Water for Elephants is a 2011 American romantic drama film directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Richard LaGravenese, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Sara Gruen. The film stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, and Hal Holbrook.The film was released in the United States on April 22, 2011. It received mixed reviews from film critics and grossed $117 million worldwide on a budget of $38 million.