Matilda
ComedyFamilyFantasy
7+PG⭐ 8.1 / 10
1996·1h 38m·Danny DeVito·Jersey Films·● Script read & verified
A young genius girl with neglectful parents discovers she has telekinetic powers while dealing with an abusive school principal. This whimsical adaptation of Roald Dahl's...
Best watched together — Heavy themes of child neglect and abuse need parental context and discussion
Heads Up for Parents
The child abuse by authority figures is more intense than typical family films, though presented in a darkly comedic Roald Dahl style
What's In It
Violence
Mild▸
Language
Very Mild▸
Scary
Mild▸
Romance
None▸
Substances
Very Mild▸
Stimulation
Very Mild▸
Cultural & Values Guide
Values & Themes
●Traditional family values
Matilda's journey centers on finding true family love and belonging, contrasting her neglectful birth parents with the nurturing relationship she builds with Miss Honey. The film's emotional core celebrates the transformative power of genuine parental love and care.
Family Takeaways
What it gets right
- ✓Celebrates intelligence and reading as valuable traits worth pursuing
- ✓Shows how a caring teacher can make a profound difference in a child's life
- ✓Demonstrates that children can stand up to unfair treatment from adults
Cast:Mara WilsonDanny DeVitoRhea PerlmanEmbeth DavidtzPam Ferris