Main Cast and Characters
The film stars Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford and Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona, with Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron Frye. The lead roles anchor the story around high school romance and financial motivations within the Stratford family. For background on Julia Stiles' career and filmography, see Forbes.
Supporting Cast and Roles
Larry Miller portrays the overprotective father Walter Stratford, and Andrew Keegan plays Joey Stratford, Bianca's boyfriend. David Krumholtz plays Cameron, the nerdy friend who arranges the Patrick-Verona-to-date-Bianca deal. These roles frame the film's central conflict between personal choice and parental financial control.
Production Companies and Distribution
10 Things I Hate About You was produced by Touchstone Pictures and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Touchstone operates as a Disney label focused on broader-appeal films, while Buena Vista handles theatrical and home-media distribution for Disney titles. For current financial data on The Walt Disney Company, see SEC EDGAR filings.
Box Office and Budget
The film earned approximately $53.5 million worldwide against a reported budget of around $30 million. Its commercial performance made it a profitable teen romantic comedy for Disney's Touchstone label during the late 1990s wave of youth-oriented films.
Financial and Corporate Context
The story centers on the Stratford family's rules about dating, with the father enforcing a strict order based on fairness and financial practicality. The plot device of paid dating reflects broader themes of transactional relationships and personal autonomy in teen narratives. For an overview of teen film economics and box office trends, see Forbes.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The film has remained a reference point in teen romantic comedies, with its title phrase and plot structure frequently cited in media and marketing. The cast members have continued acting careers in film and television, and the movie retains visibility through streaming platforms and cultural retrospectives.
Where to Watch and Licensing
Distribution rights for the film are managed by Disney's home entertainment and streaming divisions, with availability on platforms tied to Disney's content ecosystem. Licensing agreements determine where audiences can access the movie digitally or through physical media.