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.
Directed by Danny DeVito
based on novel or book
parent child relationship
classroom
difficult childhood
child prodigy
childhood trauma
dysfunctional family
telekinesis
school
teacher student relationship
used car salesman
school principal
neglected child
schoolmarm
dysfunctional life
female teacher
parental abuse
crass comedy
based on young adult novel
abused child
tyrannical school principal
Rank
#25 in 1996·#1997 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Mara Wilson
Matilda Wormwood
Danny DeVito
Harry Wormwood / Narrator (voice)
Rhea Perlman
Zinnia Wormwood
Embeth Davidtz
Miss Honey
Pam Ferris
Agatha Trunchbull
Paul Reubens
FBI Agent
Tracey Walter
FBI Agent
Jean Speegle Howard
Miss Phelps
Brian Levinson
Michael Wormwood
Sara Magdalin
Four-Year-Old Matilda
R.D. Robb
Roy
Fred Parnes
Waiter
Crew
Danny DeVito
Director
Nicholas Kazan
Screenplay
Robin Swicord
Screenplay
David Newman
Original Music Composer
Lynzee Klingman
Editor
Brent White
Editor
Stefan Czapsky
Director of Photography
Danny DeVito
Producer
Liccy Dahl
Producer
Stacey Sher
Producer
Michael Shamberg
Producer
Nicholas Kazan
Co-Producer
Popular Reviews
6835 reviews
briPRO
7.9★ · 06/22/25
Is it obvious yet that I stopped watching movies when I became an adult so now I can only review kids movies? 🤣 anyways the trunchbull pigtail scene is iconic and I saw the musical in Buenos Aires which only deepened my love for the story
Is it obvious yet that I stopped watching movies when I became an adult so now I can only review kids movies? 🤣 anyways the trunchbull pigtail scene is iconic and I saw the musical in Buenos Aires which only deepened my love for the story
2
Vampire67PRO
10.0★ · 04/29/26
this movie hits so close to home & for that reason it’s taken me over 10 years to rewatch it. as a child i wanted a Miss honey & now as an adult i realise i became my own Miss honey ❤️🩹 it’s a beautifully heartbreaking movie but just as magical as it felt as a child watching it for the first time.
this movie hits so close to home & for that reason it’s taken me over 10 years to rewatch it. as a child i wanted a Miss honey & now as an adult i realise i became my own Miss honey ❤️🩹 it’s a beautifully heartbreaking movie but just as magical as it felt as a child watching it for the first time.
