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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 Luke G Good Will Hunting is definitely a movie that still delivers the same emotional impact as it did when it was released. A story of a genius janitor is a headline that might get your attention, however, the film is mostly about pain, healing, and getting to know that love and help are not for people who deserve it but even for the ones who think they don’t. Will, a clever yet emotionally lacking guy from South Boston is the main character whose life we follow. The main thing that makes this movie different from others is its plausibility. It doesn’t glamorize any aspect or flaunt with extreme stunts but rather it brings the real people and their real problems to the forefront. One of the best performances of Matt Damon is probably his role as Will. He does not only act but rather feels like one he is the real thing, the brilliance, the anger, and the fear. There is a very strong idea that behind his tough appearance more things are lurking and that’s the reason why he is so much like the human himself in terms of identification. Robin Williams, one of my all time favorites, in the role of Sean the therapist is the one who basically dominates every single scene he is in. The way he slowly but surely wins Will’s trust and then gets him to talk is very credible. Probably the “It’s not your fault” scene is the warmest moment of any film and my favorite scene. The script which was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck very much resembles real life and looks like it was done spontaneously. In fact, the characters' dialogues in a movie are the manner in which real people say and not actors who have memorized the script. The film decides to be quiet without using it as a hint for more deep ideas. When Sean is telling Will on the park bench about life and love, it is the finest example of how life away from books is so much more than just getting knowledge from them. It’s one of those things that don’t leave your mind. The place and the music are quite supportive to the film too. The Boston location gives the film a gritty kind of authentic feel while Elliott Smith’s music is perfect for the film. The songs are soft but very emotional and are in absolute harmony with the quiet parts of the movie. The factor that actually makes Good Will Hunting an ageless piece is the message contained in it. This movie serves as a warning that being intelligent is almost worthless if you lack the courage to face your past or to share with others. It's a very strong and inspiring message, especially the part that shows Will choosing his life-changing path all by himself ironically at the end. This movie would be different from all other movies if its authenticity alone. It doesn’t try to be what it is not. It’s sad and both funny, while being easily relatable. The kind of story that keeps making you think about your own life long after you have watched it. -Luke Getz Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/03/25 Full Review John P. Great movie and I liked it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/25 Full Review Ray C I love it when I turn on a movie, not expecting to finish it all in one setting, but find myself unable to turn it off. Man, I miss Robin Williams. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/25/25 Full Review Keith A Absolutely the best film ever. Written by two young guys far beyond their abilities. Robin Williams puts in a superb performance. Best film ever seen by myself. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/23/25 Full Review Bruce W Been so many years since I last saw this superb film. Robin Williams was a genius on screen. Listening to his words you believed his pain and perhaps it now takes on more poignancy given we know how that ended for him. There are certain scenes that just stayed with you through the decades. The bar scene where Will confronts the arrogant Harvard students, Robin Williams describing the night he first met his wife are just two. Ben & Matt definitely hit it out of the park when it came to this script and backed it up with their performances as did all the cast. A beautiful film and I now feel I need to rewatch Dead Poets Society as that’s been too long since I last saw that. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting

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 - It's Not Your Fault Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault 2:53 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 - Remembering the Imperfections Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections 2:05 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting 2:15 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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