Roald Dahl Best Movies

Popular directors such as Steven Spielberg, Danny DeVito, Tim Burton, and Wes Anderson have attempted to adapt Roald Dahl’s stories to the big screen. The adaptations span diverse genres, including animated versions, live-action versions, musicals, and even stop motions. 

The BFG (1989)

This is an animated film by Cosgrove Hall Films that is true to the original plot and retains the whimsical and dark undertones of the novel. The Big Friendly Giant is voiced by David Jason, while the character of Sophie is designed to look like Roald Dahl’s granddaughter. This is the only adaptation of his novels that Roald Dahl approved. He apparently gave a standing ovation to the film upon its release.

The tale begins with Sophie, a young girl residing in an orphanage. Out of the blue, she is taken away by the BFG, also known as the Big Friendly Giant. The BFG explains his role in delivering dreams to children. Sophie becomes captivated by the giant realm, but her perspective changes when she discovers the malevolent giant neighbors who kidnap and consume children. Despite the BFG’s nonviolent nature, Sophie takes a stand against the unfairness of these neighbors, imparting the lesson of confronting bullies to everyone.

The BFG (2016)

Steven Spielberg directed this movie adaptation, with Mark Rylance portraying the titular character, the big friendly giant from the fantastical giant country. The film’s humor does not meet the mark, and the visual effects have been criticized. The movie is sometimes immature, although there are occasional moments of the wonder and grandeur that is the trademark of Spielberg.

The Witches (1990)

Nicolas Roeg has arguably produced one of the best adaptations of a Roald Dahl book in this 1990 version of the story. The movie is almost a horror story for children with its grotesque visual effects and terrifying music score. Anjelica Huston delivers a convincing performance as the Grand High Witch, giving the movie a highly suspenseful and nightmarish aura. The movie has been lauded by critics as an excellent adaptation.

Unfortunately, Roald Dahl did not agree with the ending of the film, which was changed from the original plot to reflect a happy ending. Dahl fought with the director and got an alternative ending filmed, this time following the original plot. However, the moviemakers decided to go with the happy ending instead, forcing Roald Dahl to demand his name be removed from the movie.

The Witches (2020)

In 2020, a version of ‘The Witches’ was released starring Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch. Director Robert Zemeckis cast Stanley Tucci as the hotel clerk and Octavia Spencer as the grandmother. ‘The Witches’ is a dark fantasy tale that underscores the age-old saying, “Looks can be deceiving.” The story follows an unnamed main character who has lost his parents and now resides with his grandmother in Norway. Their journey takes them to the English coast, where they stay at a hotel filled with witches. These witches share a common hatred for children and a desire to transform them into mice. Upon accidentally discovering their scheme, the boy undergoes a transformation into a mouse. Assisted by his friend Bruno and guided by his grandmother’s wisdom, he embarks on a mission to thwart the witches’ sinister plan.

Although the film stars a stellar cast, it has come under criticism for the changes made to the plot of the story, as well as some creative liberties that the director has taken, such as giving the witches three fingers. These decisions have caused critics to question the manner in which the film discriminates against older, conventionally unattractive women but also people with disabilities.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Mel Stuart brought the Chocolate Factory to life in this adaptation of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ Gene Wilder portrays the whimsical Willy Wonka with a brilliant charm, bringing out the mysterious yet mischievous nature of the infamous chocolatier. The Chocolate Factory itself is designed brilliantly, making this a wonderful fantasy for lovers of Roald Dahl’s stories. However, Roald Dahl himself was not a big fan of this particular adaptation, as it deviated from the plot of the story in many ways.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Tim Burton’s remake of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ stars Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. Although the movie is more true to the plot than the previous one, Johnny Depp has received criticism for basing his character on the real-life legend Michael Jackson. The chocolate factory in this version seems bizarrely uninviting, and the movie effectively fails to convey the message that the novel does.

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ is a whimsical children’s tale that commences with three voracious farmers grappling with intense frustration due to a crafty fox repeatedly pilfering their livestock. This cunning fox happens to be none other than Mr. Fox, who is solely attempting to provide sustenance for his family – his wife and four young foxlings. In retaliation, the exasperated farmers devise a scheme to capture Mr. Fox and bring an end to his thievery. Despite Mr. Fox’s successful evasion, the farmers remain steadfast in their determination to apprehend him, resorting to mobilizing the entire farm labor force to ensnare him and his kin within subterranean confines. Yet, displaying ingenuity, Mr. Fox engineers a shrewd strategy to outsmart the farmers and secure his family’s freedom.

Widely hailed as the best adaptation of a Roald Dahl novel, ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ by Wes Anderson is the crowning moment of Wes Anderson’s career. George Clooney does a remarkable job voicing the titular character. The remarkable stop-motion animation captures the simple story of a fox stealing the livestock of a farmer to feed his family, but it also expands on the story to include messages of actions and consequences, mid-life crises, and maturity. The movie is captivating and beautiful because it is quintessentially Roald Dahl in its plot while being quintessentially Wes Anderson in its style.

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Among Roald Dahl’s renowned literary works, ‘James and the Giant Peach’ stands out as a particularly notable novel. The story revolves around James, an orphan subjected to the tyranny of his two malevolent aunts. His circumstances take a fantastical turn when an elderly gentleman bestows upon him a collection of enchanted green items. The mystical objects exert their influence, resulting in the miraculous growth of a colossal peach in James’ own backyard. Within the confines of this oversized peach, a community of diverse insects emerges, forming friendships with James. Together, they embark on a global expedition marked by numerous escapades, with James frequently assuming a leadership role, ultimately emerging as the hero who consistently rescues the group from predicaments.

Director Henry Selick and producer Tim Burton adapted ‘James and the Giant Peach’ as a stop-motion film in 1996. James was played by Paul Terry, and the movie has been praised for its wonderful use of the stop motion medium. The songs, composed by Randy Newman, are entertaining enough to make this film memorable.

Matilda (1996)

Director Danny DeVito adapted the beloved children’s story, ‘Matilda,’ to the big screen, starring Mara Wilson as the titular character. The movie is set in America instead of England, where the oppressive school system does not make sense. However, Mara Wilson offers a sweet and endearing performance, and the movie generally remains true to the plot and the message of the original book. The changes that are made with regard to the climax only serve to enhance the movie’s appeal. Although it was a box office bomb, the movie is considered to be an excellent adaptation through the ages.

Matilda the Musical (2022)

This award-winning Netflix musical is the second adaptation of a Dahl classic. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the movie is captivating, with Alisha Weir starring in the titular role. The songs are extremely catchy, and the movie does not add any extra pizzazz. Instead, it attempts to play up the smaller moments in the story and is largely successful in doing so. Emma Thompson is especially praised in her role as the treacherous Miss Trunchbull.

To Olivia (2021)

Directed by John Hay, ‘To Olivia’ is an autobiographical film based on the life of Roald Dahl and his family. This British drama film stars Hugh Bonneville as Roald Dahl and is based on the biography, ‘An Unquiet Life’ by Stephen Michael Shearer. The movie follows the tragic past of Roald Dahl and his wife as they lose their young daughter in the 1960s. The movie was criticized for its handling of grief and its unconvincing portrayal of Dahl’s story.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Roald Dahl worked on adapting a children’s story written by Ian Fleming, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ to the big screen. He worked on the screenplay of this highly imaginative movie, which is directed by Ken Hughes and stars Dick Van Dyke as the creative inventor and father who invented a flying car. He and his family go on various adventures in the flying car to faraway lands. They encounter dangerous royalty and a terrifying child catcher while giving the audience highly entertaining songs and memorable settings.

Four Rooms (1995)

This is an anthology film from directors Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino. Quentin Tarantino directed the concluding story in the film, which is based on Roald Dahl’s short story, ‘Man from the South.’ 

In this eerie story, the narrator encounters Carlos, an elderly South American man, at a Jamaican resort. They meet an American boasting the abilities of his lighter. Carlos offers up a bet: his Cadillac for the American’s little finger if the lighter fails 10 times. The American agrees, and the narrator referees. After 8 successes, a woman intervenes, calling Carlos disturbed. She reveals Carlos’ dark past, which has caused him to take the fingers of many people in his life, including her own. The movie takes this chilling story to greater heights, giving the anthology a satisfying conclusion.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

‘You Only Live Twice’ is a James Bond story written by Ian Fleming. Fleming and Dahl were associates in World War 2 when they worked together as espionage agents. Although the two of them authored vastly different novels, Dahl adapted this Fleming story into a screenplay. The movie is critically acclaimed for its incredible set, including the Piranha pools. Its production design is lauded, especially the volcanic doom lair of Blofeld. However, the movie has since received criticism for its racist undertones.

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