What to know

critics consensus

Smart, funny, and disarmingly sweet, Matinee is a film that film buffs will love -- and might even convert some non-believers. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Where to watch

Show all services

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Matinee Videos

View All Videos (1)

Matinee Photos

View All Photos (11)

Movie Info

In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurs and the menace of nuclear war looms over the American South. Low-budget filmmaker Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) is in Key West, Fla., debuting his new film "Mant!" and thinks the prevailing mood of fear surrounding the premiere is perfect to stir up some excitement. A group of local teenagers (Simon Fenton, Lisa Jakub, Kellie Martin) prepare for the film's opening night, experiencing small crises of their own.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Joe Dante
  • Producer:
    Michael Finnell
  • Writer:
    Charles S. Haas
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $8.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Universal Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

John Goodman
Lawrence Woolsey
Cathy Moriarty
Ruth Corday, Carole
Simon Fenton
Gene Loomis
Omri Katz
Stan
Lisa Jakub
Sandra
Kellie Martin
Sherry
Jesse Lee
Dennis Loomis
Lucinda Jenney
Anne Loomis
James Villemaire
Harvey Starkweather
Robert Picardo
Howard
Joe Dante
Director
Michael Finnell
Producer
Charles S. Haas
Screenwriter
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Matinee

John Goodman’s 10 Best Movies
View All

Critic Reviews for Matinee

All Critics (36) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (3)

View All Critic Reviews (36)

Audience Reviews for Matinee

  • Jun 06, 2011
    a funny, innocent, and kindhearted film with a funny way to express itself from a nucular bomb that's about to hit them in a few days. A
    Juan C Super Reviewer
  • May 14, 2010
    John Goodman as William Castle? Directed by Joe Dante? FUCK yes!
    Eduardo C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 27, 2009
    Cast: John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Kellie Martin, Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Lisa Jakub, Jesse Lee Soffer, Lucinda Jenney, James Villemaire, Robert Picardo, Jesse White, Dick Miller, John Sayles, David Clennon, Lucy Butler, Naomi Watts, Joey Fatone Director: Joe Dante Summary: Aging movie producer Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) screens his latest schlock-licious B-movie -- filled with atomic blasts and human mutation -- and gets the attention of teen horror-flick buff Gene Loomis (Simon Fenton), all while the Cuban Missile Crisis intensifies. My Thoughts: "John Goodman is great as Lawrence Woolsey. I liked how there was a film inside the film. Really takes you back to the good old monster flicks when there was always some giant insect dooming you. The film really gives you an insight on what a big production films use to be in the early 60's. Wish it was still such a big deal, maybe more people would take themselves to the theater instead downloading them or streaming them for free on numerous sites. Kind of makes me wanna be part of that era where a scare was so easy to give. In our day it's hard to be scared by anything in any film made. In the end, it's was a charming movie that I am sure the whole family will enjoy."
    ♥˩ƳИИ & Super Reviewer
  • Jan 14, 2009
    A feel-good, have-fun, don't-take-it-too-seriously, William-Castle kind of movie.
    Randy T Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Matinee Quotes

There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.

Movie & TV guides