A guide to Roald Dahl's on-screen adaptations

Timothée Chalamet has been cast to star as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros.' 2023 prequel film about the famed fictional candy maker. First looks show Chalamet wearing a chocolate brown top hat and a deep raspberry velvet topcoat, similar to Gene Wilder in 1971's 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory,' but with a distinct Chalamet twist.

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'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator' -

The official sequel to 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' has never been adapted for screen. Now it's time for Netflix and director Taika Waititi to do right in the world!

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'James and the Giant Peach' - One of Roald Dahl's most recognizable books, 'James and the Giant Peach' was adapted into a movie in 1996.

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'James and the Giant Peach' - Tim Burton directed this dark spin on the children's story. It follows an orphan who goes on an adventure with huge insects who live in a giant peach.

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'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' - The second adaptation was released in 2005. Tim Burton directed the film, which starred Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.

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'Fantastic Mr. Fox' - This exciting book was released in 1970, and follows a fox who robs farmers of their produce.

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'Fantastic Mr. Fox' - Wes Anderson directed the 2009 adaptation, which had an all-star cast featuring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray.

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'Matilda' -

A fan favorite for many, 'Matilda' is about a girl genius who discovers that she has supernatural powers.

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'36 Hours' - This suspenseful film hit theaters in 1965, and is based on Dahl's short story 'Beware of the Dog.'

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'36 Hours' - The plot follows Jeff Pike, a US army major who is abducted after making a trip to Lisbon, Portugal.

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'The Witches' - Dahl's 1983 book centers on a band of witches who kill children. Nicolas Roeg directed a movie adaptation, which starred Anjelica Huston.

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'The Witches' - Rowan Atkinson also appeared in the 1990 movie, playing the petty hotel manager, Mr. Stringer. A new version starring Anne Hathaway was released in 2020.

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'Four Rooms' - 'Four Rooms' took different stories written by Roald Dahl, combining them into this 1995 anthology comedy film.

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'Four Rooms' - 'Four Rooms' was directed by four people, including Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.

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'The BFG' - This book follows the Big Friendly Giant, who plucks an orphan from her bed to go on an adventure. An animated film was made in 1989, and earned high praise from Dahl himself.

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'The BFG' -

Steven Spielberg directed a big-budget adaptation of 'The BFG,' which hit theaters in 2016.

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'Danny, the Champion of the World' - Dahl's 1975 book is a more realistic read. A made-for-TV movie was released in 1989, starring Jeremy Irons.

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'Danny, the Champion of the World' - The story follows a father (Jeremy Irons) and his son (Samuel Irons), who poach pheasants from a local magnate.

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'Esio Trot' - James Corden narrated the made-for-TV movie. Hoffman won an International Emmy Award for his performance as Mr. Henry Hoppy.

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'The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me' - This book follows Billy, a boy who befriends a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey.

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'The Vicar of Nibbleswicke' - This story follows a dyslexic reverend, who mispronounces “God” as “dog.”

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'The Minpins' - 'The Minpins' centers around a young boy, Little Billy, who ventures into the forbidden Forest of Sin in search of trouble.

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'The Enormous Crocodile' -

This lovable story deserves an on-screen adaptation. Follow a gigantic, greedy crocodile as he wreaks havoc in an unnamed African country.

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'Going Solo' - 'Going Solo' is an autobiographical story, following Dahl's travels as a squadron pilot during World War II.

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'Boy' - 'Boy' tells the story of Dahl's early days, including his exploits in the public school system.

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'My Uncle Oswald' -

This adult novel follows the titular character Oswald as he starts a plan to prank kings and queens from all over the world.

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'The Magic Finger' - Similar to 'Matilda,' this book centers around a young girl with supernatural powers. At one point, she turns a family into ducks, forcing them to live in a nest overnight.

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'Wonka' -

BrunoPress

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'Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator' -

The official sequel to 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' has never been adapted for screen. Now it's time for Netflix and director Taika Waititi to do right in the world!

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A guide to Roald Dahl's on-screen adaptations

The legendary author passed away on November 23, 1990

23/11/22 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Films

Roald Dahl could do it all. Across his decades-long career, the novelist wrote some of the most memorable children's books ever realized. For instance, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'James and the Giant Peach' are some of Dahl's greatest works. However, it didn't stop there. The writer also published lurid adult novels, grizzly poetry, and even scripted a James Bond film.

With several new projects in production, we're sure to get our dose of Roald Dahl for years to come—especially since Netflix has acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company. The purchase marks one of their largest investments to date and gives them the opportunity to make movies and TV series using any of the stories in Roald Dahl's catalog. In addition to taking on the Taika Waititi-directed sequel to 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,' they have also announced their intention to make a musical version of 'Matilda.'

To look back on the on-screen adaptations of his work that have charmed us so far, and what we still haven't seen come to life, click through this gallery.