Riding in Cars with Boys is a 2001 American biographical comedy-drama film based on the autobiography of the same name by Beverly Donofrio, a young teenager who overcame difficulties, including being a young mother, wife and student, later earning a master's degree. The movie's narrative spans the years 1961 to 1986. It stars Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn, Brittany Murphy, and James Woods. It was the last feature film directed by Penny Marshall, who directed television productions thereafter, until her death in 2018. Although the film is co-produced by Donofrio, many of its details differ from the book.