Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting

R

Released Jan 9, 1998

2h 6m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

91 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

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Critics Consensus

It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey -- and is loaded with enough powerful performances -- that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.

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Bill Boisvert

Chicago Reader

The problem becomes more glaring when movies portray geniuses, characters who not only think constantly but think thoughts that are incomprehensible to the rest of us.

Jun 16, 2022

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

RogerEbert.com

Good Will Hunting is lyrically directed, efficiently written, side-splittingly funny, quietly devastating.

Jun 5, 2020

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Mike Clark

USA Today

The headline story from this slice of honestly earned sentiment is Matt Damon, who delivers the year's No. 1 breakthrough performance directly atop his agreeable high-profile turn in John Grisham's The Rainmaker.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 9, 2018

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a predominantly engrossing drama that benefits from its compelling narrative and superb performances...

Rated: 4/4

Dec 9, 2023

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Adding moments of erudition and salty wit to a feelgood tale proves to be a winning formula.

Mar 13, 2023

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

A terrifically warm, tender and entertaining story... In significant ways, the "Rocky" of the '90s.

Rated: A

Jan 19, 2023

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Gail

Exceptional acting and poignant moments throughout

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

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paul o

Lovely, well acted film. Makes you realise just how good Robin Williams was and what a huge loss his death is.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Patrick C

Sometimes films just touch you at a deep level and become firm favourites. This is one such for me. Can't pretend I can relate to Matt Damon's mathematical genius (I learnt my times tables but not much else) but there's something in his story arc that resonates big time. His performance is superb, as is that of Robin Williams as his psychiatrist. Unlike most people on this earth, I have never found Williams remotely funny. But as a straight actor he can be quite wonderful. The moment his character Sean Maguire finally breaks through Will Hunting's emotional walls is one of the most moving in all cinema. I hesitate to pick holes in such an outstanding piece of work, but sometimes you see a scene included that is so at odds with the rest of the film that you can't believe it made the cut. Here it's the supposedly comic interlude in which Ben Affleck's Chuckie Sullivan goes to a job interview in Hunting's place. It's absurd. The mysteries of directorial and editing decisions, folks.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Emerson H.

Slow but meaningful, Good Will Hunting is fun and clever. I reminds me a little of Stand By Me. I like this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

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Logan F.

Started off slow. Overall had great acting and a good message. Didn’t like the ending so much.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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Freeman L

The film that pierces straight into my heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

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Gus Van Sant

Director

Matt Damon

Will Hunting

Robin Williams

Sean Maguire

Ben Affleck

Chuckie Sullivan

Minnie Driver

Skylar

Stellan Skarsgård

Gerald Lambeau

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault

2:53

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have

2:12

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA

2:01

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me

2:17

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke

1:36

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets

2:08

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation?

2:13

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid

2:59

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting

2:15

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections

2:05

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Synopsis

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Lawrence Bender
Screenwriter: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Be Gentlemen Limited Partnership, Lawrence Bender Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $138.3M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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