Netflix Is Getting Into The Roald Dahl Business In A Big Way

Get ready for new takes on CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE BFG, and more.

By Nov. 27, 2018

It's been a few hours since Netflix announced an ambitious new addition to its lineup, but don't worry - there's plenty of daylight left. And according to the press release we just received, this next project's a real doozy. 

Thus spake the press release:

"Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company jointly announced today that Netflix is extending the Roald Dahl universe of stories for global family audiences with an exclusive new slate of original animated event series, based on the books from the acclaimed and award-winning author’s best-selling library, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, and many other beloved titles."

Yes, that's right - Netflix is getting into the Roald Dahl business in a big way, signing on to produce a new line of animated shows based on many of Dahl's most well-known novels (conspicuously absent: The Fantastic Mr. Fox and James and the Giant Peach). 

They've even made a little teaser trailer to whet your appetite:

Says Felicity Dahl, widow to the author:

“Our mission, which is purposefully lofty, is for as many children as possible around the world to experience the unique magic and positive message of Roald Dahl’s stories. This partnership with Netflix marks a significant move toward making that possible and is an incredibly exciting new chapter for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Roald would, I know, be thrilled.”

Aaand here's a full list of the titles Netflix will be working with:

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  • Matilda
  • The BFG
  • The Twits
  • Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
  • George’s Marvellous Medicine
  • Boy – Tales of Childhood
  • Going Solo
  • The Enormous Crocodile
  • The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
  • Henry Sugar
  • Billy and the Minpins
  • The Magic Finger
  • Esio Trot
  • Dirty Beasts
  • Rhyme Stew

​That's a whole bunch of material! Some of this stuff's already been adapted (sometimes more than once!), but a good chunk of it will be landing on screens for the very first time. One assumes the aesthetic of these shows (which are set to go into production early next year) will attempt to mirror Dahl's singular style, but that could just be wishful thinking. 

Anyway, what do y'all make of this? Are you curious to see an entire series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Think your kids'll be more into that you? Think you'll skip it entirely? Sound off in the comments below, and stay tuned for more on all of the above as further updates become available.

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