Matilda

1996, Kids & family/Comedy, 1h 33m

22 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

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

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Matilda Videos

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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    Kids & family, Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Danny DeVito
  • Producer:
    Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
  • Writer:
    Roald Dahl, Nicholas Kazan, Robin Swicord
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $33.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Columbia Tristar, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Mara Wilson
Matilda Wormwood
Danny DeVito
Harry Wormwood, Narrator
Rhea Perlman
Zinnia Wormwood
Embeth Davidtz
Jennifer "Jenny" Honey
Pam Ferris
Agatha Trunchbull
Paul Reubens
FBI Agent Bob
Tracey Walter
FBI Agent Bill
Brian Levinson
Michael "Mikey" Wormwood
Kira Cook
Hortensia
Kiami Davael
Lavender
Danny DeVito
Director
Roald Dahl
Writer
Nicholas Kazan
Writer
Robin Swicord
Writer
Martin Bregman
Executive Producer
Michael Peyser
Executive Producer
Michael Shamberg
Producer
Stacey Sher
Producer
David Newman
Original Music
Stefan Czapsky
Cinematography
Lynzee Klingman
Film Editing
Brent White
Film Editing
Renee Rousselot
Casting
David Rubin
Casting
Bill Brzeski
Production Design
Philip Toolin
Art Director
Jennifer Polito
Set Decoration
Jane Ruhm
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for Matilda

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (2)
Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Susan Stark Detroit News Full Review… Hollis Chacona Austin Chronicle Full Review… Susan Wloszczyna USA Today Full Review… Bianca Garner In Their Own League Full Review… M. Faust Common Sense Media Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com Full Review… Rob Thomas Capital Times (Madison, WI) Full Review… Daniel M. Kimmel Worcester Telegram & Gazette Full Review… Dan Jardine Apollo Guide
View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for Matilda

  • Jan 02, 2014
    A children's tale told in a fairly entertaining way. And I find Matilda, the character herself, quite fascinating.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Mar 24, 2013
    A charming and fun children's movie with some nice lead performances. It's nothing that hasn't been done before, but it does everything well enough to get a solid recommendation from me. It's just an entertaining and light-hearted film that will definitely resonate with its target crowd of younger children, but it made me feel like a kid at the same time. The film is smart and doesn't have juvenile humor or a half-baked story. It's actually a very well told story with a good message and is well directed by Danny DeVito. There's plenty of memorable characters played wonderfully by some lesser known actors/actresses. Imaginative and unique, Matilda is a movie that children of all ages will likely enjoy on some level, but also happens to be a worthwhile time for the whole family.
    Josh L Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2012
    So touching, suspenseful, extreme, and campy! Mara Wilson had such a deep, sage-like voice, and all the recent 20-year reunion pics of the cast are adorbz.
    Alice S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 05, 2012
    Roald Dahl always writes amazing stories, this one is cute and fun. It's unlike any ordinary family drama, she's not abused but she doesn't belong to the white trash family. It's a film that truly shaped my childhood, a must watch.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
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