Overview
A young girl's extraordinary imagination helps her overcome the darkness of her reality.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- whimsical
- uplifting
- family movie night
- musical movie night
What critics said
Critics generally praised the lively musical adaptation for its energetic choreography, mischievous humor, and memorable performances, especially Emma Thompson’s villainous Trunchbull.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Matilda uses her intelligence, imagination, and emerging telekinetic abilities to challenge her cruel parents and school headmistress.
The film’s child ensembles, especially in the “Revolting Children” sequence, combine parkour-inspired movement with theatrical group performance.
Matilda’s bond with Miss Honey provides a humane counterforce to the abuse and authoritarian discipline imposed by her parents and Trunchbull.
The film combines Roald Dahl’s exaggerated characters with musical numbers, vivid staging, comic villainy, and fantastical events.
Films like Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, and why
Mary Poppins Returns
playful family fantasy, child empowerment, whimsical production design, and musical spectacle
Annie
British family musical fantasy with a defiant child protagonist, eccentric adults, and exuberant choreography
The BFG
magical childhood adventure centered on imagination, friendship, and resistance to cruel authority
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
stylized children’s fantasy with mischievous humor, eccentric villains, and a strong moral contrast between kindness and cruelty
Movie Details
- Director
- Matthew Warchus
- Release Date
- 2022-11-25
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (848)
Cast
- Alisha Weir
- Emma Thompson
- Lashana Lynch
- Stephen Graham
- Andrea Riseborough
- Sindhu Vee
- Carl Spencer
- Lauren Alexandra
- Winter Jarrett Glasspool
- Andrei Shen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical about?
- A brilliant, imaginative girl turns schoolyard solidarity and magical defiance against the adults determined to control her.
- What is Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical as mild.
- What did critics think of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical?
- Critics generally praised the lively musical adaptation for its energetic choreography, mischievous humor, and memorable performances, especially Emma Thompson’s villainous Trunchbull.
- Which films are like Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical?
- Films with a similar feel include Mary Poppins Returns, Annie, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
- How long is Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical?
- Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical?
- In United States, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
