Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting

R

1998

2h 6m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Critics Consensus

It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey -- and is loaded with enough powerful performances -- that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.

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Bill Boisvert

Chicago Reader

06/16/2022

The problem becomes more glaring when movies portray geniuses, characters who not only think constantly but think thoughts that are incomprehensible to the rest of us.

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Roxana Hadadi

RogerEbert.com

06/05/2020

Good Will Hunting is lyrically directed, efficiently written, side-splittingly funny, quietly devastating.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

01/09/2018

3.5/4

The headline story from this slice of honestly earned sentiment is Matt Damon, who delivers the year's No. 1 breakthrough performance directly atop his agreeable high-profile turn in John Grisham's The Rainmaker.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

12/09/2023

4/4

...a predominantly engrossing drama that benefits from its compelling narrative and superb performances...

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

03/13/2023

Adding moments of erudition and salty wit to a feelgood tale proves to be a winning formula.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

01/19/2023

A

A terrifically warm, tender and entertaining story... In significant ways, the "Rocky" of the '90s.

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Gail

01/30/2025

Exceptional acting and poignant moments throughout

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Adam J.

@adamjue 2d

One of the most classic films. Amazing life advice.

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Mason B

@OsamaBinHatin 5d

This is a Goated movie, nothing else needs to be said. If you havent seen it, watch it.

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Ryan C.

@djrmc24 May 24

Good Will Hunter is a powerhouse of a film with amazing performances all around. The cast includes: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Stellan Skarsgard all star in this with a screenplay from Damon and Affleck. Director: Gus Van Sant is behind the camera and crafts a perfect movie that has stood the test of time with rewatchability through the years. Our main character Will, played by Damon, is a janitor who is a genius, and is discovered by Skarsgard’s character. To avoid jail time for Will for assault, he agrees to therapy with Dr. Maguire played by Robin Williams, who helps him overcome his self-sabotaging behavior and fear of intimacy. This movie has a lot of emotional impact with subjects that are discussed and there is a lot of relatability. This is the film that launched Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s career. Good Will Hunting gets a perfect 5 stars out of 5.

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Liam B

@Lemmy1992 May 24

One of my favourite comfort movies, Robin williams at his finest. The soundtrack is ace too

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Christopher C.

@PapaTangooo May 16

“It’s not your fault.” . . . that scene gets me every time.

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Gus Van Sant

Director

Matt Damon

Will Hunting

Robin Williams

Sean Maguire

Ben Affleck

Chuckie Sullivan

Minnie Driver

Skylar

Stellan Skarsgård

Gerald Lambeau

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault

2:53

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have

2:12

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA

2:01

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me

2:17

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke

1:36

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets

2:08

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation?

2:13

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid

2:59

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting

2:15

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections

2:05

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Synopsis

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Lawrence Bender
Screenwriter: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Be Gentlemen Limited Partnership, Lawrence Bender Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $138.3M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm