Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting

R

1998

2h 6m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

89 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

06/16/2022

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.

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Roxana Hadadi

RogerEbert.com

06/05/2020

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

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Mike Clark

USA Today

01/09/2018

3.5/4

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.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

12/09/2023

4/4

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

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

03/13/2023

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

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

01/19/2023

A

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

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Gail

01/30/2025

Exceptional acting and poignant moments throughout

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Cinema S

@cinema_sensei 3d

I revisit this every few years, and it hits with the exact same emotional force every time. The dialogue feels so sharp, natural, and remarkably human without ever feeling like a movie script. Robin Williams gives a career-best, tender performance that grounds the entire story, and Matt Damon brings such a perfect mix of defensive arrogance and hidden trauma. It's warm, deeply moving, and just genuinely brilliant cinema.

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Jeff R

@rjr545 4d

The cast had amazing chemistry!

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Zachary F

@RT12934501 Aug 23

very good and compelling story full of emotions

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Sam B

@Swamie Aug 23

That’s a 5 stars for me

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J J

@MFilms7 Aug 21

A Film That Gets Better The story is simple, but the writing, performances and characters make it something special. Matt Damon is excellent, but Robin Williams is the heart of the film. Their scenes together feel incredibly natural, and Gus Van Sant wisely keeps the direction understated and lets the performances do the work. Funny, moving and genuinely human without trying too hard to be inspirational. A great film and an easy 10/10 for me.

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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

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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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