Matinee
Performance & Direction: Matinee Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Matinee (1993) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Matinee features a noteworthy lineup led by John Goodman . Supported by the likes of Cathy Moriarty and Simon Fenton , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Matinee
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1993, Matinee is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Joe Dante. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving John Goodman.
Ending Explained: Matinee
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Joe Dante, Matinee concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving John Goodman, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Matinee reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Matinee?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of John Goodman or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Matinee
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $14.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $9.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Matinee Budget
The estimated production budget for Matinee is $14.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Matinee
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Matinee Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeMatinee Parents Guide & Age Rating
1993 AdvisoryWondering about Matinee age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Matinee is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, Matinee is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1993 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matinee worth watching?
Matinee is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Matinee parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Matinee identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Matinee?
The total duration of Matinee is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Matinee
How Matinee Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Matinee
A bore! John Goodman almost saves 'Matinee', he's good, but not quite. I personally didn't care for the characters of Key West and their stories, especially the parts with those portrayed by Kellie Martin, Omri Katz and James Villemaire. The story shoots off into quite a few directions, but I was genuinely not into any of it apart from the scenes with Goodman's Woolsey. The 'film within a film', 'Mant!', is great though - it actually amused me a fair bit, which was a stark contrast to what the real comedy (or lack thereof) achieved. I appreciate what it was going for, but I just didn't dig the vast majority of it unfortunately.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
