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Good Will Hunting

Play trailer Poster for Good Will Hunting R 1998 2h 6m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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).
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Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review Roxana Hadadi RogerEbert.com 06/05/2020
Good Will Hunting is lyrically directed, efficiently written, side-splittingly funny, quietly devastating. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 12/09/2023
4/4
...a predominantly engrossing drama that benefits from its compelling narrative and superb performances... Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gail 01/30/2025 Exceptional acting and poignant moments throughout See more Nyme K @RT33495571 18h Good Will Hunting. How you like them apples? Insane….. Let’s just start by saying that if you didn’t like this movie just think two 20 or older or younger, whatever, wrote this movie by themselves. Great acting, great everything. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were absolutely phenomenal. Crazy. Exquisite. Surreal. Genius. Top movie watch. Please just watch it, you’ll love it. Shoutout to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. See more Jace E @thefilmguy 3d I wish we all had someone like Dr. Sean Maguire. I really enjoyed this film. The performances are great across the board, the message & themes are poignant and the story is interesting. The film has a killer script with memorable pieces of dialogue scattered throughout. Not to mention that the final image is engrained into my mind. Best Character: Sean Best Quote: "How do you like them apples?" - Will Best Scene: Sean's Monologue about his painting Best Piece of Score: "Main Title" Note: Also, the score is gorgeous. Watch Filtered on VidAngel See more Flora J @FloJo100 4d This is one of my all time favourite films. It is so wonderfully written with complex deep relationships between the main characters. I love so much about it, but by far my favourite character Dr. Sean Maguire played by Robin Williams. He is so insightful and creates a close and trusting bond with the guarded, defensive and traumatised Will Hunting. I also love the soundtrack particularly the poetic and ethereal Elliott Smith tracks. See more Zsombor M @RT81474043 Mar 27 A deeply resonant film that gets the "psychological part" exactly right. Will Hunting isn't just a genius; he’s a study in how expectations can become an anchor rather than a sail. The dynamic with the Professor is particularly interesting when viewed through the lens of Dumbledore’s wisdom: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." The Professor is blinded by Will’s talent, but the film’s heart lies in Will’s choice to finally be seen. Flawlessly executed and emotionally raw. See more Rex W @RT28578097 Mar 12 One of the unique stories of the 90s. Great acting, especially from Minnie Driver, who plays Skylar, Will's love interest. She should have easily won over the overrated performance by Kim Basinger. See more Read all reviews
Good Will Hunting

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - It's Not Your Fault 2:53 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - You Got Something None of Us Have 2:12 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Job Interview at the NSA 2:01 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Say You Don't Love Me 2:17 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Skyler's Joke 1:36 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - No Regrets 2:08 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation? Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Direction or Manipulation? 2:13 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Presumptions of a Scared Kid 2:59 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - The Painting 2:15 Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections Good Will Hunting: Official Clip - Remembering the Imperfections 2:05 View more videos

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Good Will Hunting

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Movie Info

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
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