Is Matinee Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Matinee is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Matinee Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1993, Matinee emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A showman introduces a small coastal town to a unique movie experience and capitalizes on the Cuban Missile crisis hysteria with a kitschy horror extravaganza combining film effects, stage props and actors in rubber suits in this salute to the B-movie. Unlike standard genre fare, Matinee attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
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?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Matinee (1993) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Matinee Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Matinee is a Comedy, Drama film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Matinee Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: 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, 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 the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Matinee Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of Matinee
- John Goodman – Lawrence Woolsey
- Cathy Moriarty – Ruth Corday / Carole
- Simon Fenton – Gene Loomis
- Omri Katz – Stan
- Lisa Jakub – Sandra
Top Highlights
John GoodmanLawrence Woolsey
Cathy MoriartyRuth Corday / Carole
Simon FentonGene Loomis
Omri KatzStan
Lisa JakubSandra
Kellie MartinSherry
Jesse Lee SofferDennis Loomis
Lucinda JenneyAnne Loomis
James VillemaireHarvey Starkweather
Robert PicardoHoward
Where to Watch Matinee Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Matinee is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.6/10, and global collection metrics, Matinee stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1993 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matinee movie hit or flop?
Matinee has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Matinee worth watching?
Matinee is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Matinee online?
Matinee may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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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 analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
