“Matilda” is a 1996 American fantasy comedy film directed and co-produced by Danny DeVito, inspired by Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel. Mara Wilson plays Matilda Wormwood, a brilliant young girl with psychokinetic abilities. DeVito also serves as both the narrator and a supporting character, with Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris playing important supporting parts. Matilda utilizes her telekinetic skills to challenge her uncaring family and a harsh school administration.
The plot centers on Matilda, a brilliant girl who discovers her psychic powers and uses them to challenge the cruelty she faces from her family and school. As she grapples with her isolation and the harshness of her surroundings, Matilda’s abilities become her tool for standing up against the injustices in her life.
Directed by Danny DeVito, “Matilda” features a distinctive 90s-style setting that blends a homely feel with quirky elements. If you’re interested in exploring the locations featured in the film, we can provide details about those sites.
Where was “Matilda” Filmed?
The movie was filmed in California, a state famous for its film industry. The filming took place from May 8, 1995, to October 24, 1995. California’s numerous landscapes, including Silicon Valley, national parks, beaches, and Sonoma Valley, provide substantial filming infrastructure and talent, making it an ideal location for movie production. The majority of the film was shot in Los Angeles County. Let’s look at the individual locales featured in the film.
Los Angeles County, California
Whittier: The house where Matilda’s family lives in the movie is in Whittier. The house is located at 15811 Youngwood Drive. Whittier is known for its Greenway Trail and its connection to President Richard Nixon.
Altadena: Some scenes were filmed in Altadena, a city near the San Gabriel Mountains. In the movie, a house called Crank House is shown as Miss Trunchbull’s home. This house is located at 2186 East Crary Street. Altadena has many interesting places like Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Mount Lowe Railway Trail.
Pasadena: Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena served as the hospital where Matilda was born. This school is located at 500 Bellefontaine Street. Additionally, several sequences were shot in the Pasadena Public Library, located at 285 East Walnut Street.
Long Beach: For another library scene, the crew traveled to Long Beach. The street depicted in the film is East Third Street and Pine Avenue. The library shown in the film is the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library at the University of Southern California, which is located at 3550 Trousdale Parkway in Los Angeles.
Arcadia: Some sequences in Arcadia took place at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. This garden is situated at 301 North Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia.
Culver City: Finally, significant portions of the film were shot in Culver City. Instead of shooting outside, the crew utilized Sony Pictures Studios. The filming took place in Stage 12 and other areas of the studio, which is located at 10202 West Washington Boulevard. Sony Pictures Studios has also produced films such as ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’
These locations helped bring the magical world of Matilda to life and made the movie special.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Matilda
Q: Where was “Matilda (1996)” filmed?
A: “Matilda” was primarily filmed in various locations in California. Key filming sites include:
Whittier: The house for Matilda’s family was shot at 15811 Youngwood Drive.
Altadena: Scenes set at Miss Trunchbull’s house were filmed at 2186 East Crary Street.
Pasadena: Mayfield Senior School doubled as the hospital where Matilda is born, located at 500 Bellefontaine Street.
Long Beach: The library scene was shot on East Third Street and Pine Avenue.
Arcadia: The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, was used for some scenes.
Culver City: Sony Pictures Studios, particularly Stage 12, was used for various indoor scenes.
Q: When was “Matilda” filmed?
A: The filming of “Matilda” took place from May 8, 1995, to October 24, 1995. The production covered several months in 1995.
Q: What is the release date of “Matilda”?
A: “Matilda” was released in the United States on August 2, 1996.
Q: Was “Matilda” filmed in any other locations outside California?
A: No, “Matilda” was filmed exclusively in various locations within California. The film utilized different cities in Los Angeles County and did not have any filming outside this state.
Q: Why was California chosen as the filming location for “Matilda”?
A: California was chosen for its diverse locations and established film industry. The state provides a variety of settings and has extensive filming infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for creating the magical and whimsical world of “Matilda”.
