Matilda

Matilda is a 1996 American  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 (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. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise being directed towards its faithfulness to the novel and DeVito's direction. By box office standards, the film was commercially unsuccessful, grossing $33.5 million in the United States on a $36 million budget. However, it did achieve greater success when it was released on VHS.