Another Tony-winning musical is coming to the silver screen. Matilda the Musical, based on a children’s book from the 1980s, has been adapted for screens and is coming later this year.

The screenplay was written by Dennis Kelley, who wrote the book for the musical. The movie will also feature the music and lyrics written by Tim Minchin that are featured in the stage show. It is directed by Matthew Warchus, who has served as the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre London since 2014. The producers of the film include Tim Bevan (Darkest Hour, Baby Driver), Eric Fellner (Mary Queen of Scots, Cats), Jon Finn (Fate: The Winx Saga, Bulletproof), and Luke Kelly (The Witches), with Alex Oakley (Charlie’s Angels) as an associate producer.

Get ready to sing about revolting children as we tell you what you need to know about Matilda the Musical’s film adaptation.

Matilda the Musical: The Plot

     Netflix

Based on the teaser, Matilda (Alisha Weir) has her work cut out for her. As she begins school at Crunchem Hall, she learns that the principal, Miss Trunchball (Emma Thompson), does not like children. If viewers were unsure of that, it was made very clear when she swings a student around by her pigtails and tosses her in the air, later asking someone to check if the student is alive. It’s likely her other violent tendencies, including the “Chokey,” will make an appearance in the film.

The musical follows Matilda’s life from birth, showing her parents and their behavior towards her and how their daughter immerses herself in books instead. As she enters school, she connects with a teacher who acknowledges her intellect and that she differs from the rest.

Other scenes those may recognize from the first film adaptation are present, from Bruce (Charlie Hodson-Prior) eating chocolate cake to Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch) and Matilda spending time together outside of school. It appears that the adaptation is keeping many elements from the musical, though it isn’t clear if Matilda’s magic will be incorporated to the same degree. The teaser does not hint at her abilities, but it is likely they will be included.

Matilda the Musical: The Cast

Alisha Weir is the lead character Matilda Wormwood. Viewers may recognize her from the series Darklands or 2018’s Don’t Leave Home. Miss Jennifer Honey, the teacher Matilda connects with, is played by Lashana Lynch. The actress is known for her recent roles in No Time to Die, The Woman King, and Captain Marvel, but she has also been in the shows Silent Witness and Bulletproof. Of course, it isn’t Matilda without the iconic antagonist Miss Trunchbull. That role goes to Emma Thompson, who is recognizable from her roles in Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee, and Men in Black: International.

Additional cast members include Andrea Riseborough (The Grudge, Bloodline) as Mrs. Wormwood​​​​​​​, Stephen Graham (Venom: Let There Be Carnage) as Mr. Wormwood, Sindhu Vee (Sex Education) as Mrs. Phelps, Lauren Alexandra (Death on the Nile) as The Acrobat​​​​​​​, Carl Spencer (Rocketman) as Magnus the Escapologist, Meesha Garbett (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) as Hortensia, Rei Yamauchi Fulker as Lavender, and Charlie Hodson-Prior as Bruce Bogtrotter.

Members of the child ensemble, according to IMDb, include Noah Leggott, Serrana Su-Ling Bliss​​​​​​​, Bebe Massey​​​​​​​, Leon Ung​​​​​​​, Charlie Gordon​​​​​​​, Summer Jenkins, Isla Brill​​​​​​​, Kit Cranston, Lila McNamara​​​​​​​, Yasmin Boys​​​​​​​, Olivia Clark​​​​​​​, Jack Meredith, Imogen Darwen​​​​​​​, and Lyla Toplass.

Release Date

The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2022. Audiences can see the film in theaters starting on November 25 in the United Kingdom. It will be on Netflix in the United States starting December 9, 2022.

Everything Else We Know

The film is based on a musical, which is based on a book by Roald Dahl. It isn’t the first film adaptation, though. The original movie came out in 1996, with Mara Wilson as the titular character and Danny DeVito as the director. Matilda the Musical had successful runs on the West End and Broadway, earning seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards.

This isn’t the only work by Dahl that Netflix is adapting. In 2021, The Hollywood Reporter announced that the streaming service had bought the rights to the author’s entire body of work. The plan is to create an animated series and specials, with Netflix securing the rights for 16 of his books several years before. This includes Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and a variety of other popular books aimed at children. When the acquisition was announced, the streamer confirmed an adaption of Matilda the Musical was on the way in addition to a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory series led by Taika Waititi and Phil Johnston.

As you listen to the soundtrack in anticipation, read about who was initially rumored to play Miss Trunchball in the adaptation. Spoiler alert: it was another Harry Potter alum.