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7 Roald Dahl adaptations to watch after The Twits - including Benedict Cumberbatch film - The Mirror


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7 Roald Dahl adaptations to watch after The Twits - including Benedict Cumberbatch film

The Twits is the latest Roald Dahl movie adaptation and here are some of the best films and TV shows based on the author's work, including The BFG, Matilda and The Witches

The Twits, an animated comedy film inspired by Roald Dahl's 1980 children's novel of the same name, is now available on Netflix.


The star-studded voice cast includes big names such as Margo Martindale, Emilia Clarke and Alan Tudyk.


In this adaptation, Mr and Mrs Twit own the world's most revolting and perilous amusement park: Twitlandia.


When the Twits seize control of their town, a pair of courageous children strive to rescue their city with the help of some unlikely friends.

The Twits is just one of many Roald Dahl movie adaptations, with some other favourites listed below, including one that can be streamed for free.

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The BFG - 2016

Available on Prime Video, The BFG is a fantasy adventure based on Roald Dahl's 1982 novel.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the voice cast features Mark Rylance as the title character and Ruby Barnhill as Sophie, an orphan who forms a friendship with The BFG.

Despite mixed reviews, Justin Chang of Los Angeles Times praised Rylance's performance as a "brilliant amalgam of performance-capture technology and peerless screen presence."


Matilda - 1996

Available on Netflix, this classic 90s film was co-produced and directed by Danny DeVito.

Based on Dahl's 1988 novel, it stars Mara Wilson as the title character, alongside DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris.


The young genius develops psychokinetic abilities which she uses to navigate her disreputable family.

The film received positive reviews from critics.


The Witches - 1990

The dark fantasy film, available to watch with a NOW subscription, is based on the 1983 novel of the same name.

The plot revolves around evil witches who disguise themselves as ordinary women to ensnare children and transform them into mice.

This was the final film project that executive producer Jim Henson worked on before his untimely death.


Roald Dahl reportedly disliked the film and criticised its ending for deviating from the original book.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - 2023

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, from 2023, is a fantasy short film based on the 1977 short story of the same name and is available on Netflix.


Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the titular character in what is the first of a four-part series of shorts adapted from Dahl's short stories, including The Swan, The Rat Catcher and Poison.

Henry Sugar is the alias of a bachelor who uses his inheritance to fund his gambling habits.

Ralph Fiennes portrays Roald Dahl in the film.


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - 2005

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, released in 2005, is available to watch with a NOW subscription and is the second adaptation of the Willy Wonka tales.

This musical fantasy film, directed by Tim Burton, is based on the 1964 novel of the same name.


Johnny Depp stars as Willy Wonka and Freddie Highmore as Charlie Bucket.

In an effort to honour the book's emphasis on texture, Burton primarily used built sets and practical effects rather than computer-generated backgrounds.


Esio Trot - 2015

Esio Trot, a comedy drama TV film based on the 1990 novel, is available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.

The film tells the tale of a retired bachelor who finds himself falling for his widowed neighbour, who has taken to keeping a tortoise as a companion following her husband's passing.

Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench headline the cast.


Danny, the Champion of the World - 1989

Available for rent on Prime Video, this film is an adaptation of the 1975 novel and features Jeremy Irons in the role of William Smith, with his real-life son, Samuel, playing the eponymous Danny.

Together, father and son concoct a scheme to thwart a local businessman's plans to purchase their land by poaching his game pheasants.

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The Twits is on Netflix

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