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Matilda

  • 1996
  • PG
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
186K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
364
139
Danny DeVito, Embeth Davidtz, Kiami Davael, Pam Ferris, Rhea Perlman, Jacqueline Steiger, Michael Valentine, and Mara Wilson in Matilda (1996)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:27
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Quirky ComedySupernatural FantasyComedyFamilyFantasy

A girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.A girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.A girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.

  • Director
    • Danny DeVito
  • Writers
    • Roald Dahl
    • Nicholas Kazan
    • Robin Swicord
  • Stars
    • Danny DeVito
    • Rhea Perlman
    • Mara Wilson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    186K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    364
    139
    • Director
      • Danny DeVito
    • Writers
      • Roald Dahl
      • Nicholas Kazan
      • Robin Swicord
    • Stars
      • Danny DeVito
      • Rhea Perlman
      • Mara Wilson
    • 276User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    Matilda
    Trailer 2:27
    Matilda
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist
    Video 4:49
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist
    Video 4:49
    The 'Hobbs & Shaw' Cast Reveals Its Watchlist

    Photos211

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    Top cast69

    Edit
    Danny DeVito
    Danny DeVito
    • Mr. Wormwood…
    Rhea Perlman
    Rhea Perlman
    • Mrs. Wormwood
    Mara Wilson
    Mara Wilson
    • Matilda
    Embeth Davidtz
    Embeth Davidtz
    • Miss Honey
    Pam Ferris
    Pam Ferris
    • Trunchbull
    Paul Reubens
    Paul Reubens
    • FBI Agent
    Tracey Walter
    Tracey Walter
    • FBI Agent
    Brian Levinson
    • Michael
    Jean Speegle Howard
    Jean Speegle Howard
    • Miss Phelps
    Sara Magdalin
    Sara Magdalin
    • Matilda, 4 Years
    RD Robb
    RD Robb
    • Roy
    • (as R.D. Robb)
    Gregory R. Goliath
    • Luther
    • (as Goliath Gregory)
    Fred Parnes
    • Waiter
    Kiami Davael
    Kiami Davael
    • Lavender
    Leor Livneh Hackel
    • Julius Rottwinkle
    Jacqueline Steiger
    Jacqueline Steiger
    • Amanda Thripp
    Jimmy Karz
    • Bruce Bogtrotter
    Michael Valentine
    • Nigel Hicks
    • Director
      • Danny DeVito
    • Writers
      • Roald Dahl
      • Nicholas Kazan
      • Robin Swicord
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews276

    7.0185.8K
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    Featured reviews

    7sandycochrane-97758

    Never gets old

    1998, I had to endure watching this on repeat because my little brother was obsessed with it. I was young , I don't think I appreciated it enough.

    Skip ahead to the present day , I'm 37 and my own child is now watching it non stop and is obsessed with it. Being older I finally understand what the fuss is all about. I love the film and watch it as many times as my child does. Know every line word for Word. 22 or so years will do that to You.

    Update - i'm now 42 with a 1yr old and i have a whole new generation to watch this film all over again with! I can probably act out all the scenes as a one person play now.
    9ArizWldcat

    One of our favorite family movies

    My daughters (ranging from age 9-16) have loved this movie for several years. I am normally a very sensitive person and wasn't disturbed by the macabre tone of the movie. Somehow the movie remains upbeat as Matilda is able to find someone who will love her even though her parents don't appreciate her. Young Mara Wilson shines as Matilda. Each time I watch this I am amazed at her talents at such a young age. I haven't heard of her making any films lately...I hope this is by her own choice.

    In addition, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Pam Ferris, and Embeth Davidtz all were wonderful in their roles as Matilda's parents, principal and teacher, respectively. I have read the book, and yes, it is different as far as the setting goes, but in my opinion, they've kept the main ideas quite intact. Movies are almost never the same as books, because by definition they can't be. We have enjoyed watching this as a family for at least 5 years now and will continue to. I just wish they'd release a special edition DVD with COMMENTARY. I'd love to hear from Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman about the making of this someday classic movie. At least it is in my family. My criterion for a classic? We are constantly quoting its script to each other.

    UPDATE: They DID release a special edition. It does have some fine extras, but I have to wonder why in the world didn't they offer a widescreen edition? That is a big disappointment.
    9J_Leatherwood

    Best Roald Dahl adaptation

    I believe this film best represents the themes behind Roald Dahl's rather subversive children's literature. It follows the continuity of both "The Witches" and "James and the Giant Peach," casting repulsive Trunchbull into the roles of Grand High Witch and repulsive evil aunt, with a bit of the ogre (especially during the chase in Magnus House).

    It's also pretty obvious that J.K. Rowling had read Roald Dahl long before she wrote the first of her Harry Potter books. I find it very odd how few people have noted Roald Dahl's literary influence on the spate of children's fantasy authors today. All the elements for Harry are here, in Matilda, right down to her unpleasant 'Muggle' family -- the Wormwoods -- and a brutish, Dudley-like brother.

    And for the record, Mara Wilson does a good job!
    8adamonIMDb

    Quirky family film with some great characters

    'Matilda' is something of a guilty pleasure for me and I'm sure I'm not the only fully-grown adult who finds this film hilarious. It's a kids film through and through, but I've always found it very funny and can never resist putting it on when I see it flicking through the channels.

    The main reason I find this film so enjoyable is the eccentric characters. Matilda's parents are hilarious but, like everybody else, my favourite is headmistress Miss Trunchball. She is without doubt one of the best and most entertaining characters in any kids/family movie.

    'Matilda' is a classic kids film with a fun story and some ridiculously over-the-top characters. I can't help but find this film hugely enjoyable and would recommend it to people of all ages with a good sense of humour!
    10richard-786

    Utterly Fantastic

    This movie is an absolutely wonderful fantasy. I totally loved it.

    The dialog is brilliant. The humor is both bold, and subtle. The characters are archetypal.

    Matilda perfectly captures what it is like to be an intelligent person, trapped in the body of a child, and surrounded by idiots who control far too much of your life.

    The notion that bad people (even adults) deserve to be punished for their evil ways (even by children) is truly subversive. Any child who suffered through the countless typical abuses of unthinking, uncaring, and ignorant parents will truly love this movie. Those same unthinking, uncaring, and ignorant parents will probably hate this movie, unless they are wise enough to see the truth behind the fantasy.

    Despite the difficulties Matilda faces, like all good fantasies this movie has a wonderfully happy ending. I wish the same for all.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Mara Wilson's mother, Suzie Shapiro Wilson, died of breast cancer while the movie was being filmed. Mara honored her mother by bravely finishing "Matilda," dedicated to her memory.
    • Goofs
      When Miss Trunchbull puts Matilda in the Chokey, she bumps into one of the nails sticking through the door and it shakes like it's rubber.
    • Quotes

      Agatha Trunchbull: I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.

    • Crazy credits
      Newts:
      • Mr. Speaker
      • Sir Isaac
      • Wayne
    • Alternate versions
      Freeform, TBS and YTV airings strangely have the 1993 TriStar Pictures logo plastered with the 1984 Tri-Star Pictures logo. The 1993 logo remains intact on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim telecasts.
    • Connections
      Edited into Funny or Die Presents...: Fifty Shades of DeVito (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Send Me On My Way
      Written by Michael Glabicki, Liz Berlin, John Buynak, Jim DiSpirito (as James Dispirito, James DiSpirito), Jim Donovan (as James Donovan), Patrick Norman, and Jenn Wertz

      Performed by Rusted Root

      Courtesy of Mercury Records

      By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

    Top picks

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Matilda?Powered by Alexa
    • Where does this movie take place?
    • Did the Wormwoods receive a lifetime ban from Cafe LeRitz?
    • Did the cake really contain the cook's sweat and blood?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 2, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Roald Dahl's Matilda
    • Filming locations
      • 15811 Youngwood Drive, Whittier, California, USA(Wormwoods' house; exterior)
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Jersey Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $36,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $33,459,416
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,208,609
      • Aug 4, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $33,461,380
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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