Matilda

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

1996 • 98 min • Comedy · Family · Fantasy

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Synopsis

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.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

4886 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
72 Audience · 4884 · 49%

Matilda, a highly intelligent and neglected young girl, discovers a special gift. With the help of a kind teacher and friends, she uses her powers to stand up to her cruel parents and the terrifying school principal.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Children are mistreated by adults
Brief moments of peril and magical menace
Some gross-out humor

What it models well

Intelligence and learning are powerful
Standing up for yourself and others
Importance of kindness and empathy
Finding your chosen family

Talk about it after

How Matilda uses her intelligence
Dealing with unfair situations
The difference between good and bad role models
The power of friendship

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Matilda. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Danny DeVito • Crew: Nicholas Kazan, Robin Swicord

Trailers & clips

Theatrical Trailer (35mm)

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
**An excellent family comedy with some social criticism in the mix.** The film is one of the most famous family comedies of the 1990s, adapting the story of the same name by Roald Dahl for the screen, where a girl, who was born into an idiotic family unable to understand it, decides to win the right to go to school and to learn, which their parents do not value.…
Filipe Manuel Neto, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Hold on to this gem tightly, because movies like _Matilda_ will probably never get made again. _Final rating:★★★★ - Very strong appeal. A personal favourite._
Gimly, TMDB Community