While this story has been told before, in a very beloved movie, the Matilda Netflix adaptation is going to be something different. It’s not just based off the Roald Dahl book, but instead being adapted from Olivier winning musical stage production. You haven’t seen Matilda like this before on screen.

After a dance sequence from the trailer went viral on social media (you go red beret girl!), interest in this movie has skyrocketed!

This page was updated: 1/1/22

About The Book:
Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she’s knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she’s a super-nerd and the teacher’s pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda’s world…
For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there’s the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Miss (“The”) Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will, and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

bookshop.org // Amazon // Audiobook

Current Production Status:
Released as of December 25th, 2022.

Matilda Netflix Adaptation Timeline:
The book was first released in 1988 and a film adaptation followed in 1996. In 2010 a musical adaptation debuted on stage. After the play’s success, it was reported in 2013 that the writer and director of the musical were working on a screenplay for a film adaptation. However because of contract stipulations that require a 6 year window before a Broadway opening can have a film version made there was no further development.

In 2018 it was reported that Netflix was working on an animated series of multiple Roald Dahl books. That project was eventually put on hold and in 2020 Netflix signed on to be part of the musical film in the works instead. Casting began in May 2020 with Ralph Fiennes to play Mr. Trunchbull (the musical had both men and women in the role) with expectations of production beginning that summer. But filming delays because of the Covid pandemic led to him leaving the project.

In January 2021 it was announced that Emma Thompson would fill the role, along with casting of the lead. Filming began in May 2021 and lasted throughout the summer, having to pause a few times because of Covid outbreaks.

The first trailer for the Matilda netflix adaptation was released in the summer on 2022, but later in the year a dance sequence from the video went viral on social media helping the project gain growing excitement.

Reception:

The show currently has a 92% tomatometer and 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. 7.2/10 on IMDb.

Who Owns The Rights:
Working Title Films produced the film with Netflix having the rights for distribution. TriStar Pictures bought the rights for theatrical distribution in the UK.

Who Is Attached:
Alisha Weir is playing the lead with actors like Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Grham, and Andrea Riseborough in supporting roles.

Filming Locations:
Various locations around Ireland and England.

Estimated Release:
This movie currently has a release date of December 25th, 2022 on Netflix.

Previous mentions on AiLL:
You can find this movie in the release calendar of this post: 2022 Books to Screen Adaptations

Other Adaptations From This Author:
Matilda has been adapted before both as a movie (1996) and as a musical (2010).
There have been seven total theatrical release movie adaptations: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), The Witches (1990), James and the Giant Peach, Matilda (both 1996), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and The BFG (2016).
The Witches film adaptation was released on HBO Max in 2020.

Happy Reading!!
~Alison

Matilda Netflix Adaptation: Everything We Know So Far

Hi there! I’m Alison in Libraryland, and I’ll be here for all your book related needs. Many of you know me as the girl with the book recommendations. Don’t be shy! Ask me! If you’re looking for a good book or movie adaptation, let me help you find it. I’ll be here for all your literary needs. This is a book blog run on an obsession for shiny new books, worn-through old classics, and all attempts at moving those stories to the screen, just like this new Matilda Netflix adaptation!