Roald Dahl is one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time, known for his absurd humor and often dark and macabre undertones. His books have sold over 300 million copies, translated into 63 languages, and adapted into over a dozen movies. Almost all of his movie adaptations have been huge critical hits, but interestingly (and for various reasons), most have failed to match that success commercially.

However, we may have entered a Roald Dahl renaissance, with the release of Netflix's short film collection and Wonka. These shorts from Wes Anderson include The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Rat Catcher, and Poison. The deal will further see the streaming giant branching out across multimedia, with planned adaptations including both live-action and animated features, games, virtual reality and immersive experiences, theatrical productions, and tie-in merchandise.

Updated Dec. 27th, 2023: Roald Dahl fans will be glad to hear that this list has been updated with even more of the recent Dahl adaptations.

As the extended Dahl-verse grows, let’s look back at some of the greatest Roald Dahl movie adaptations.

10 The BFG (2016)

BFG
BFG
Family
Adventure
children
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Release Date
June 1, 2016
Director
Steven Spielberg
Cast
Mark Rylance , Ruby Barnhill , Martin Freeman , Bill Hader , Jemaine Clement , Michael Adamthwaite

A kind-hearted orphan named Sophie meets a peculiar friend known as BFG (Big Friendly Giant). Together, the two head off to the land of giants to stop man-eating behemoths from invading the human world. The movie follows their adventures, including the BFG's desire to change the perception of giants into peaceful creatures and find Sophie a place she can call home.

The First Time Spielberg and Disney Worked Together

Directed by Steven Spielberg and co-financed and distributed by Walt Disney, The BFG, surprisingly, marks the first time the two entities have ever worked together. Unfortunately, the result wasn’t as groundbreaking as it could have been and is not the finest movie of either. That’s not to say it’s a bad movie; the animation is extremely pleasant to the eye, and Mark Rylance provides a captivating voice and motion-capture performance for the titular giant. Taking a decidedly lighter tone to other often dark Roald Dahl adaptations, The BFG is a fun, family-friendly affair but, unfortunately, one that is rather forgettable.

Stream The BFG on Disney+

9 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows young Charlie Bucket, who, after winning a coveted golden ticket, is granted a tour of the mysterious chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. While following a plot similar to that of the original film released in 1971, the few differences make the 2005 adaptation more faithful to the book while also updating the candy-making technology.

Tim Burton's Take on Willy Wonka

There are some undeniable charms to 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, largely from the bizarre and dark aesthetic that director Tim Burton brought to the story. However, of the three adaptations, this one is the lowest rated, still fresh with critics at 83% but low with the audience at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is easy to see why, as the musical numbers are pretty abysmal and repetitive, and Johnny Depp's performance of Wonka is too campy and silly, paling compared to Gene Wilder's take on the character. Still, the movie has those wonderful Burton-esque charms that still make it a welcome adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl story.

Stream Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Max

8 The Witches (1990)

The Witches follows a seven-year-old American boy named Luke, who, on vacation with his grandmother Helga in Nowary, learns that there are witches who hate children and go out of their way to capture and transform them. The young boy is then drawn into a magical world and finds a cabal of witches, which he tries to stop to prevent other kids from meeting their end.

A Frightening Yet Entertaining Roald Dahl Adaptation

While the 2020 remake certainly had its moments, the 1990 version of this Roald Dahl classic is far superior. Based on Roald Dahl's fantastically twisted children’s book of the same name, The Witches is one of the most enjoyable yet frightening children’s movies ever made. The witches in question disguise themselves as ordinary, everyday people, specifically targeting children. We’re told of one poor child who was cursed to spend the rest of her life trapped inside a painting, aging gradually until finally disappearing a few years earlier.

However, the fear factor goes into overdrive when the witches reveal their true form, thanks to Jim Henson for some disgustingly impressive prosthetic work. The long noses, rotting teeth, balding scabby heads, and maniacal cackling are enough to give anyone nightmares. This makes the movie perfect for slightly older kids while offering a pleasant light-horror experience for adults. It may not be the best Dahl adaptation, but it fills a niche many audiences will appreciate.

Rent The Witches on Apple TV

7 James and The Giant Peach (1996)

The 1996 adaptation of the 1961 novel by Roald Dahl centers on a young English orphan boy, James Henry Trotter. To escape his cruel aunt, James enters a gigantic, magical peach inhabited by seven magically altered garden bugs that take him on a surreal cross-world adventure. They head to New York City, encountering various challenges along their journey.

Dahl with a Macabre Edge

Based on the 1961 Roald Dahl novel of the same name, James and the Giant Peach is a 1996 musical fantasy combining stop-motion animation and live-action. The movie was directed by Henry Selick, who also worked on A Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, and produced by Tim Burton. Their trademark animation style and macabre edge are all over it. While arguably slightly lighter in tone than many of their other works, it certainly doesn’t shy away from the darker elements so common in Dahl’s work and is a pleasure to watch for adults and children alike. In addition, James and The Giant Peach features a memorable lead voice from Paul Terry as James and standout supporting performances from Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon.

Stream James and the Giant Peach on Disney+

6 Matilda The Musical (2022)

Matilda The Musical
Matilda the Musical
Release Date
December 25, 2022
Director
Matthew Warchus
Cast
Emma Thompson , Stephen Graham , Andrea Riseborough , Lashana Lynch , Alisha Weir
Main Genre
Musical

Following the story of Matilda Wormwood, an intelligent and magically gifted orphan, Matilda the Musical re-envisions the classic 1988 Roald Dahl novel as a musical. Before its screen adaptation, the musical was a touring show written by Dennis Kelly, with original songs by Tim Minchin. The movie adaptation for Netflix reunited the two and the musical director, Matthew Warchus, to recreate the theater play for the screen authentically.

Related: The Best Classic Hollywood Musicals (in Color), Ranked

Matilda Gets a Chance to Sing

For those who love musical theater or appreciate the more musically inclined adaptations of Dahl's works, Matilda the Musical will be an utter treat. The musical numbers are overly lively, including the popular "Revolting Children," which has also become a slight meme with people putting other music over the expressive dancing children. The movie also showcases young vocal talent that is certain to get kids who love singing invested in the numbers and the bravado of the whole production.

Stream Matilda the Musical on Netflix

5 Wonka (2023)

Wonka
Wonka

Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) gains friends and powerful enemies while trying to achieve his chocolatier dreams.

Release Date
December 15, 2023
Director
Paul King
Main Genre
Fantasy

Serving as an original story for the charismatic and creative candy maker, Wonka follows the titular Willy Wonka from poverty to stardom. Dreaming of owning his own chocolate company, Wonka finds that his dreams are held back by a strict regime of chocolatiers that don't allow newcomers. Determined, he pushes forward, meeting new friends who offer him inspiration.

Read Our Review

The Origins of the Charismatic Willy Wonka Explored

While posing an original story about the origins of Willy Wonka, Paul King's Wonka still exists as a faithful adaptation of Dahl's work, creating a world and atmosphere that is a love letter to the book. In addition, Timothée Chalamet does an exceptional job of bringing a young Wonka to life, coming much closer than Johnny Depp to touching the same brilliance of Gene Wilder's performance. A few creative choices hamper the movie; Hugh Grant's portrayal of an Oompa Loompa will remain a highly contested choice. Still, Wonka is a welcome expansion of the world created by Dahl, which should excite viewers and make them want to see the legacy continue. Currently unavailable to stream.

4 Matilda (1996)

Matilda
Matilda
Release Date
August 2, 1996
Director
Danny DeVito
Main Genre
Comedy

The story of Matilda centers around the titular young orphan girl, Matilda Wormwood, who is gifted with a sharp intellect and supernatural powers. She uses her abilities to help free herself, her fellow students, and her favorite teacher, Miss Honey, from the sadistic headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The journey also draws Matilda closer to Miss Honey, with Matilda finally believing that she may find a family to take her in.

Danny Devito Delivers One of The Best Comedic Adaptations of Dahl's Work

The movie was directed and co-produced by Hollywood legend Danny DeVito, who also acted as narrator and as Matilda’s father in the film. Played for laughs in what is possibly the straightest comedy Dahl adaptation, the movie was still grounded by a gripping story. Notably, Matilda is still a girl who is the victim of family neglect and is terrorized by a teacher who locks disobedient schoolchildren in a closet lined with broken glass. The movie is tremendous fun, nonetheless, and much of this is down to the committed performances from the cast, including Mara Wilson as Matilda, Rhea Pearlman, Embeth Davidtz, and Paul Reubens, alongside DeVito.

Stream Matilda on Fubo

3 The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar and Other Shorts (2023)

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar poster
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
PG
Release Date
September 27, 2023
Director
Wes Anderson
Main Genre
Short

In what has to be the most faithful and creatively expressive adaptation of Dahl's works to date, Wes Anderson directed several shorts for Netflix based on the short stories of the beloved author. These included The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Rat Catcher, and Poison. Various British talent narrated and acted out each short, bringing Dahl's direct words off the page and onto the screen.

Letting the Words of Dahl Speak for Itself

A clever way to help grow Netflix's Dahl-related projects, the shorts provided a quick in and out, introducing viewers to some of Dahl's lesser-known works by exploring his short stories. Anderson's sharp visual direction imbues each segment with a sense of wonderment through visual flair. In addition, the top-notch voice-acting and performing cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel, Richard Ayoade, and Ralph Fiennes.

Stream The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar on Netflix

2 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

willy wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Family
Fantasy
Musical
Release Date
June 29, 1971
Director
Mel Stuart
Cast
Gene Wilder , Jack Albertson , Peter Ostrum , Roy Kinnear , Julie Dawn Cole , Leonard Stone

An adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who, after finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory along with four other children from around the world. During the visit, some extraordinary and most unpleasant things happen to each of the children one by one.

Related: 10 Best Fantasy Movies for Kids to Watch on Netflix

The Classic and Most Beloved Roald Dahl Adaptation

While the remake with Johnny Depp was enjoyable, and he made the character his own, it’s impossible to beat Gene Wilder’s original portrayal of the eccentric chocolatier. While the film did receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score, and Wilder was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, the movie was not a hit at the box office. It has, however, gone on to amass a huge cult following and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity when later released on home video. The film has achieved such respect that it is the only Roald Dahl movie to date selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, cementing its status forever as a true classic.

Stream Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Max

1 Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

The Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Release Date
October 23, 2009
Director
Wes Anderson
Cast
George Clooney , Meryl Streep , Jason Schwartzman , Bill Murray , Wallace Wolodarsky , Eric Chase Anderson
Main Genre
Animation

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a beautifully animated stop-motion movie about the titular Mr. Fox and his incessant thieving, which results in his family and community being hunted down by three relentless farmers: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Mr. Fox must then step up to save his family, both Ms. Fox and his child, while struggling with his animalistic desire to steal chickens, which got him in trouble with the farmers in the first place.

Wes Anderson and Dahl Prove to Be The Perfect Pairing

Directed by Wes Anderson with his trademark sense of whimsy, combined with genuine emotion, and featuring a stellar voice cast — featuring Hollywood A-listers and Anderson regulars including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe and Michael Gambon — Fantastic Mr. Fox is truly a beauty to behold.

With enough wit, adventure, and heart to entertain both adults and children, it never talks down to the younger audience but never gets too dark for comfort. Similarly, the humor is never too slapstick for the adults but never takes itself too seriously. Playing on all the aspects of what makes a Dahl book so enjoyable, Fantastic Mr. Fox is (for now) the greatest movie adaptation to hit our screens.

Stream Fantastic Mr. Fox on Max