Matilda

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2:22

Matilda

PG

1996

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a crude, distant father (Danny DeVito) and mother (Rhea Perlman). Worse, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the evil principal at Matilda's school, is a terrifyingly strict bully. However, when Matilda realizes she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to defend her friends from Trunchbull's wrath and fight back against her unkind parents.

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Critics Consensus

The Danny DeVito-directed version of Matilda is odd, charming, and while it diverges from Roald Dahl, it nonetheless captures the book's spirit.

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E Jane Dickinson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

21h

The film has escaped well-meaning attempts to neutralise Dahl's slightly nasty wit and even the book's linguistic quirks have been treated with a respect rare in Hollywood.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

12/01/2008

As a director, DeVito once again proves to be an audacious stylist with an extravagant visual flair.

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Time Out Staff

Time Out

02/09/2006

It's a modern-day pantomime about childhood solidarity and self-empowerment: the real joy here is the view of generational war, the children's assumption of zero tolerance for injustices inflicted by absurd adults.

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Chris Hewitt

St. Paul Pioneer Press

21h

2.5/4

DeVito fills "Matilda" with wildly exaggerated scenes that are a little bit scary, a little bit funny and a little like the way kids tell stories.

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Jessica Gonzales

Geek Vibes Nation

Jul 17

The film effortlessly balances the darker edges of life with the lighter ones, making the important messages it contains more accessible and palatable to a younger audience. It is practically bursting at the seams with heart.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/16/2023

3/4

Carrie for the kiddies.

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Danielle

Mar 23

Such a comfort movie!! I love the flash back cinema!!!

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Matthew G

Mar 22

Movies from the 90s were truly better excellent acting and great stunts

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JasonS

07/10/2024

It was a lovely overcoming the odds type of film. Very nice ending. It’s worth a watch.

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Noel L

@RT15930389 3d

This is one of those movies that's impossible to hate

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M A

@RT25218740 Jun 21

I am shocked the audience gave Matilda an average 73%. This is the comfort movie I still watch as a 31 year old! The acting is incredible, and the character development is fantastic. The morality in the storyline and the classic lines that true fans would still use to this day, makes Matilda a winner 5/5.

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Joshua G

@RT51382686 Apr 12

A great movie full of hilarious and fun parts. It starts with a little super child prodigy that loves to read. Then she goes to a school with a lovely teacher but a terrifying principle. She then discovers that she could move things with her mind. A great movie that everyone should that is why I rate this movie 3.5.

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Danny DeVito

Director

Mara Wilson

Matilda Wormwood

Danny DeVito

Harry Wormwood

Rhea Perlman

Zinnia Wormwood

Embeth Davidtz

Jennifer "Jenny" Honey

Pam Ferris

Agatha Trunchbull

Matilda: Official Clip - They Named Her Matilda

1:29

Matilda: Official Clip - Pigtail Hammer Throw

3:00

Matilda: Official Clip - And the Trunchbull Was Gone

2:59

Matilda: Official Clip - I Will Get You, Agatha

2:52

Matilda: Official Clip - I'm Smart, You're Dumb

2:58

Matilda: Official Clip - It's a Newt

3:00

Matilda: Official Clip - A Loving Family

3:32

Matilda: Official Clip - Escape from Trunchbull

3:14

Matilda: Official Clip - Little Bitty Pretty One

2:36

Matilda: Official Clip - Bruce vs. Chocolate Cake

4:07

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Matilda: Trailer 1

2:22

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Synopsis

This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a crude, distant father (Danny DeVito) and mother (Rhea Perlman). Worse, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the evil principal at Matilda's school, is a terrifyingly strict bully. However, when Matilda realizes she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to defend her friends from Trunchbull's wrath and fight back against her unkind parents.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Roald Dahl, Nicholas Kazan, Robin Swicord
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Columbia Tristar, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Jersey Films, TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.1M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround