Matilda

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2:22

Matilda

PG

1996

1h 33m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

104 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Aug 3, 2026

2/4

Danny DeVito's movie of Roald Dahl's children's horror family is less frightening than it is coarse and overblown.

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Jane Horwitz

Washington Post

Aug 3, 2026

Terrific acting, a sharp, perceptive script and whimsical design make this a corker both children and adults can enjoy.

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Judy Gerstel

Toronto Star

Jul 29, 2026

4/5

The real stars of the movie are the undiluted sensibility of Dahl, the wit and wisdom of the screenwriters and director, and the glorious creativity of the designers.

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David Elliott

Copley News Service

Aug 5, 2026

3/4

It's a little laborious in tone, but the effects are not overdone, and not only girls will thrill to Matilda's brisk, rallying pluck.

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Holly McClure

Orange County Register

Aug 5, 2026

C+

The problem with "Matilda" is that DeVito went overboard with verbal abuse and cruelty to children.

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Robert Denerstein

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Aug 3, 2026

3/4

In moving the story to America, DeVito loses some of Dahl's spin, but the film has some weird juice -- even if it does rely a little too heavily on special effects.

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Danielle

Mar 23, 2026

Such a comfort movie!! I love the flash back cinema!!!

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Matthew G

Mar 22, 2026

Movies from the 90s were truly better excellent acting and great stunts

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JasonS

Jul 10, 2024

It was a lovely overcoming the odds type of film. Very nice ending. It’s worth a watch.

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Sophonie V

@RT28619027 2 days ago

Each and every scene of this movie irritated me!

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Lars C

@RT85506637 3 days ago

This movie has a lot of action. And it’s really fun.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 2, 2026

I love Matilda, seen the movie twice. While not a *5* star movie, it deserves a *4* star rating.

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Danny DeVito

Director

Mara Wilson

Matilda Wormwood

Danny DeVito

Harry Wormwood

Rhea Perlman

Zinnia Wormwood

Embeth Davidtz

Jennifer "Jenny" Honey

Pam Ferris

Agatha Trunchbull

Matilda: Official Clip - They Named Her Matilda

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Matilda: Official Clip - Pigtail Hammer Throw

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Matilda: Official Clip - And the Trunchbull Was Gone

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Matilda: Official Clip - I Will Get You, Agatha

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Matilda: Official Clip - I'm Smart, You're Dumb

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Matilda: Official Clip - It's a Newt

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Matilda: Official Clip - A Loving Family

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Matilda: Official Clip - Escape from Trunchbull

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Matilda: Official Clip - Little Bitty Pretty One

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Danny DeVito
Producer: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Roald Dahl, Nicholas Kazan, Robin Swicord
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Columbia Tristar, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Jersey Films, TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.1M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Surround

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