Matilda | |
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Directed by | Danny DeVito |
Screenplay by | |
Based on | Matilda by Roald Dahl |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Stefan Czapsky |
Edited by | |
Music by | David Newman |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $36 million[1] |
Box office | $47 million[3] |
Matilda is a 1996 American fantasy comedy film co-produced and directed by Danny DeVito from a screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord, based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film stars Mara Wilson as the title character, with DeVito himself (who also served a dual role as the narrator), Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris in supporting roles. The plot centers on the titular child prodigy who develops psychokinetic abilities and uses them to deal with her disreputable family and the tyrannical principal of her school.
Matilda was released in the United States on August 2, 1996 by Sony Pictures Releasing under their TriStar Pictures label. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise being directed towards its faithfulness to the novel and DeVito's direction. The film was a box office disappointment, grossing $47 million on a $36 million budget,[1] but Matilda subsequently attained greater popularity after being released on home video.[4]