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Matilda

1996·Movie
1h 38min·PG

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Matilda fingerprint

Deeply emotional, funny.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Spectacle6

Heart

Uplifting and cathartic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Hopefulness9
  • Catharsis9
  • Coming of Age9

Humor

Plenty of slapstick and situational comedy

  • Physical Comedy8
  • Situational Comedy7
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

Growing up, family, and fantasy

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and storytelling

  • Acting9
  • Direction8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Standout visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Visual Stylization8
  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want dark or edgy material

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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

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.
Whimsical Family FantasyEmpowering Coming-of-AgeDarkly HumorousMagical RealismChild Genius StoryTriumph Over AdversityVisually DistinctiveHeartwarming Underdog TaleRoald Dahl Adaptation

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Matilda

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Matilda legally?

You can watch it free with ads on YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Matilda worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 7 and Metacritic 72). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Matilda rated?

PGViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Matilda?

1 h 38 min

Matilda runs 1 h 38 min.

Is Matilda based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Matilda?

Critics72
Audiences73

Yes. Critics average 72 and audiences 73 out of 100, so both groups see Matilda much the same way.

Was Matilda a box office hit?

Budget$36 million
Box office$34 million

No. It cost about $36 million to make and earned $34 million worldwide, 93% of its budget.

What language is Matilda in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Matilda?

132ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+118

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Matilda in 132 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Matilda use?

Where the Hell Is Springfield?Actually Pretty FunnyChild Prodigy[Popular Saying], But...But for Me, It Was TuesdayStiff Upper LipScrew This, I'm Outta Here!Armor-Piercing QuestionReadings Are Off the ScaleForced to WatchMind over MatterAdapted Outand 228 more

TV Tropes lists 240 storytelling tropes for Matilda, including Where the Hell Is Springfield?, Actually Pretty Funny, Child Prodigy.