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Good Will Hunting

Play trailer Poster for Good Will Hunting R 1998 2h 6m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 90 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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Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a predominantly engrossing drama that benefits from its compelling narrative and superb performances... Rated: 4/4 Dec 9, 2023 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gail Exceptional acting and poignant moments throughout Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Paul J How about them apples? With an Oscar-winning performance from Robin Williams on top of an Oscar-winning screenplay by two lifelong friends, Good Will Hunting is an emotional and eye-opening movie that I recommend for every college student. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/25 Full Review Luke B “Good Will Hunting” features outstanding acting and richly developed characters. Matt Damon and Robin Williams deliver powerful, heartfelt performances that elevate the film. The story is both compelling and deeply engaging, drawing the viewer in from start to finish. Overall, the movie stands out as a true masterpiece and personal favorite. Its profound message about life is both enriching and transformative. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/11/25 Full Review Numair H A masterpiece about friendships, Therapy, potential, and the beauty in imperfections. Coming from the minds of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting is a deep dive into what it means to be a unique individual in a world full of imperfections. From the rivalry of two great minds, one choosing greatness while the other choosing passion and love. It delves into a great mind that can see calculations without even knowing anything about them. It takes great inspiration from the historical figures like Beethoven and Tesla that saw something no mere human could ever! With the exploration of the Human mind also comes the broken parts that are the focus of this film. It discusses very human topics like broken minds, healing, loss, and imperfections. Every single actor did a great job playing their parts, but Matt Damon with Robin Williams genuinely brought tears to my eyes. Seeing their chemistry, both the greatest minds being tested but life and lost, is something I have never really seen in a film being discussed this beautifully. I honestly loved the metaphorical dialogues and relationships between the characters and the subtle roles they play in each other’s lives. The writing is just beautiful and heartwarming, and seeing Robin Williams talk about emotions never gets old. No one is perfect, but what matters is if you find your perfect friend/partner, the one who sees what you don’t see in yourself. Just like how Matt saw calculations as child’s play but couldn’t see his own broken mind, where others could sense it so clearly. PROS: - Emotional Deep writing. - Robin Williams’ brilliance. - Great dialogues and chemistry. - Huge rewatch value. CONS: - Honestly couldn’t find any. It is generally a really good film. SCORE: 10/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/11/25 Full Review Jordan P Good Will Hunting, more like Hurtful & Evil Will Hunting! Just kidding, a good movie from the 90s, a little predictable maybe but the Elliot Smith soundtrack adds a special flavor of depression you can really feel if you’re also from Massachusetts. 9/10 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/25 Full Review Tony C. Some distractingly obvious dialog and exposition, but still entertaining because of the charisma of the leads and occasional clever and emotional scenes. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault 2:53 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have 2:12 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA 2:01 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me 2:17 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke 1:36 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets 2:08 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation? Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation? 2:13 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid 2:59 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting 2:15 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections 2:05 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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