Matilda

Matilda (1996)

Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.

Release:1996
Runtime:1h 38m
Country:United States
Director:Danny DeVito
Language:English

Genre

ComedyFamilyFantasy
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Keywords

Based On Novel Or BookParent Child RelationshipClassroomDifficult ChildhoodChild ProdigyChildhood TraumaDysfunctional FamilyTelekinesis

Matilda rating: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic

IMDb7/10· 194K votes
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic72%
TMDb7.179/10· 5K votes

With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by 7/10 on IMDb and 72/100 on Metacritic, critical reception of this film has been very positive.

About Matilda

Matilda Wormwood is an brilliant and intelligent little girl. Unfortunately, her parents, Harry and Zinnia, fail to see that fact. As time passes, she finally starts school and has a kind teacher, loyal friends, and a terrifying, sadistic headmistress. As she becomes fed up with the constant cruelty, she discovers she has a special gift that she just might be able to use to outwit the unruly adults around her.

Cast of Matilda

  • Mara Wilson

    Mara Wilson

    as Matilda Wormwood

  • Danny DeVito

    Danny DeVito

    as Harry Wormwood / Narrator (voice)

  • Rhea Perlman

    Rhea Perlman

    as Zinnia Wormwood

  • Embeth Davidtz

    Embeth Davidtz

    as Miss Honey

  • Pam Ferris

    Pam Ferris

    as Agatha Trunchbull

  • Paul Reubens

    Paul Reubens

    as FBI Agent

  • Tracey Walter

    Tracey Walter

    as FBI Agent

  • Jean Speegle Howard

    Jean Speegle Howard

    as Miss Phelps

  • Brian Levinson

    Brian Levinson

    as Michael Wormwood

  • Sara Magdalin

    Sara Magdalin

    as Four-Year-Old Matilda

  • R.D. Robb

    R.D. Robb

    as Roy

  • G

    Gregory R. Goliath

    as Luther

Matilda facts

Budget
$36M
Box office
$33.5M

Ranked by the iRankMovies editorial teamUpdated August 2026MethodologyData sources

Audience opinions

What the audience liked

  • Danny DeVito brings heart to abused child turning prodigy narrative
  • Childhood trauma handled with surprising sensitivity and warmth
  • Strong RT rating reflects beloved family fantasy status across generations

What the audience disliked

  • Dated production values reflect early 1990s design sensibilities clearly
  • Child prodigy fantasy elements feel occasionally saccharine to modern viewers

Trailer

Where to watch Matilda(US)

View on JustWatch

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Availability may change. Data by JustWatch.

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