Matilda the Musical (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2022 |
Key people | Matthew Warchus (director), Dennis Kelly (screenplay), Tim Minchin (music) |
| Products | Fantasy musical film |
| Parent | Working Title Films, Netflix, Sony Pictures Releasing International |
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (commonly referred to as Matilda the Musical or simply Matilda) is a 2022 fantasy film musical film directed by Matthew Warchus, featuring a screenplay by Dennis Kelly. This movie is an adaptation of the stage musical created by Tim Minchin and Kelly, which itself draws from Roald Dahl's 1988 novel Matilda. It serves as the second cinematic version, following the 1996 adaptation. The cast stars Alisha Weir portraying Matilda Wormwood, with supporting roles filled by Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Sindhu Vee, and Emma Thompson. The narrative centers on Matilda, a neglected young girl who discovers psychokinetic abilities, enabling her to challenge her unkind parents and the formidable headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (played by Thompson).
The film project was initially announced in November 2013, confirming Warchus and Kelly's return as director and writer respectively. By January 2020, the production was officially underway, with Minchin rejoining to compose new musical numbers. Christopher Nightingale, who provided the score for the stage version, composed the incidental music for this film. Casting took place from January through April 2021, followed by principal photography commencing in May 2021.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical made its debut at the 66th BFI London Film Festival on 5 October 2022. It later opened in UK cinemas on 25 November under Sony Pictures Releasing International, then saw a limited theatrical release in the United States on 9 December before becoming available for streaming on Netflix starting 25 December. The film earned $37.3 million globally and was met with favorable reviews, receiving nominations for Outstanding British Film and Best Makeup and Hair at the 76th British Academy Film Awards.
Plot
The story opens in a hospital where Mrs Wormwood gives birth to her daughter, Matilda ("Miracle"). Five years onward, Matilda is portrayed as a kind-hearted child passionate about reading despite being overlooked by her parents. Authorities discover she has not received proper education, and teacher Miss Honey recommends enrolling her at Crunchem Hall. Mr Wormwood reacts angrily to a fine imposed for failing to send Matilda to school and warns headmistress Miss Agatha Trunchbull that Matilda is a troublesome child. In retaliation, Matilda mixes her mother’s hair dye into her father’s hair tonic ("Naughty").
At Crunchem Hall, Matilda and fellow student Lavender are cautioned about the strict discipline ("School Song"). In Miss Honey's classroom, Matilda impresses by solving an advanced mathematics problem; Miss Honey requests Trunchbull to advance Matilda to a higher class. Trunchbull denies this request ("The Hammer"). At home, after Mr Wormwood tears up one of Matilda’s library books when she criticizes him, she retaliates by gluing his hat to his head ("Naughty (reprise)").
During lunch, Trunchbull accuses Matilda of stealing cake until Bruce Bogtrotter admits his guilt by belching loudly. The children explain Trunchbull’s punishment method: confinement in the Chokey, a cupboard lined with spikes ("Chokey Chant"). Bruce is forced to consume an entire cake as penance ("Bruce"). Although he succeeds, Trunchbull punishes him regardless. Following this ordeal, the children sing about their aspirations for the future ("When I Grow Up").
After school hours, Matilda narrates a tale to Mrs. Phelps about a pregnant acrobat and an escapologist coerced into performing dangerous stunts by the acrobat’s wicked stepsister; tragically, the acrobat dies after childbirth. The escapologist asks his stepsister to raise their daughter but she neglects her duties. Upon discovering the child locked away in a cellar, he comforts her before confronting the stepsister but never returns ("I'm Here").
The following day at school, Trunchbull subjects the children to grueling exercises designed to suppress defiance ("The Smell of Rebellion"). Lavender secretly places her pet newt into Trunchbull’s drink causing distress. As Trunchbull prepares to discipline another student, Matilda confronts her and uses telekinesis to hurl a cup at her ("Quiet"). Alarmed by the presence of the newt, Trunchbull flees.
Miss Honey invites Matilda to her home where she reveals that the escapologist and acrobat were her parents and that Miss Trunchbull is their malevolent stepsister ("My House"). Enraged by this revelation, Matilda destroys the Chokey using her telekinetic powers. At home, she learns that her father has defrauded the Mafia and that they plan to escape to Spain.
Back at school, Trunchbull forces Miss Honey’s class to spell words correctly or face punishment in newly rebuilt Chokeys. She tricks Lavender into spelling a fictitious word; students then deliberately misspell words as an act of rebellion. Trunchbull boasts about having constructed numerous Chokeys for all children. Using telekinesis, Matilda impersonates the escapologist’s ghost on the blackboard demanding that Trunchbull return Miss Honey’s house or face consequences. When Trunchbull refuses, Matilda expels her from school through telekinetic power. Miss Honey regains ownership of her house along with control of school keys. After Trunchbull flees, students celebrate their liberation by destroying her statue ("Revolting Children").
Mr and Mrs Wormwood arrive to take Matilda away to Spain; however, Miss Honey offers to care for her instead. The Wormwoods consent and Matilda happily accepts. With Miss Honey installed as headmistress, Crunchem Hall undergoes renovations and improvements much to students’ delight while she and Matilda support one another ("Still Holding My Hand").
Development
On 15 November 2013, reports emerged that director Matthew Warchus and writer Dennis Kelly, both involved with the stage adaptation Matilda the Musical inspired by Roald Dahl's novel Matilda, were set to develop a film version. By June 2016, songwriter Tim Minchin confirmed the project was underway, projecting a production timeline of around four to five years.
On 27 November 2018, Netflix revealed plans for an animated series based on Matilda, alongside other works by Roald Dahl. In November 2019, Danny DeVito showed interest in creating a sequel to the 1996 film adaptation, proposing that the story might revolve around Matilda’s own child.
By January 2020, it was announced that Working Title Films would produce the new adaptation, with Netflix handling worldwide streaming distribution and Sony Pictures Releasing managing theatrical and home video releases in the UK through its TriStar Pictures label, which also distributed the original 1996 film. Both Warchus and Kelly continued their involvement with the project. Ellen Kane, who had worked with choreographer Peter Darling on the stage musical, was appointed to choreograph the film.
Casting
Initially, Ralph Fiennes was chosen to portray Miss Trunchbull, a character traditionally played by male actors. However, on 14 January 2021, Emma Thompson was announced as his replacement. Alongside Thompson, Lashana Lynch was cast as Miss Honey, while newcomer Alisha Weir earned the lead role following an "unforgettable audition." More than 200 children were selected to play students at Crunchem Hall. In April 2021, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Sindhu Vee joined the cast as Mr Wormwood, Mrs Wormwood, and Mrs Phelps respectively.
Filming
Originally planned for August to December 2020, filming was delayed until spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of production took place at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. Key filming locations included Bramshill House, a Grade I-listed Jacobean mansion in Hampshire, which served as Crunchem Hall, and Denham, representing Matilda's home village. Additional shooting occurred in Ireland.
Music
On 15 November 2013, Minchin—who had composed songs for the stage musical—entered discussions to write new material for the film and was officially confirmed in this role in 2020. Christopher Nightingale provided original incidental music for the movie, continuing his work from the theatrical production.
The soundtrack album, combining Minchin’s songs with Nightingale’s score, was released worldwide digitally on 18 November 2022 and on physical CD on 9 December 2022 through Milan Records.
Musical numbers
- "Miracle" – Doctor, Mrs Wormwood, Mr Wormwood, Matilda and Company
- "Naughty" – Matilda
- "School Song" – Hortensia, Prefects and Children
- "The Hammer" – Miss Trunchbull, Children and Miss Honey
- "Naughty" (reprise) – Matilda
- "Chokey Chant" – Children
- "Bruce" – Children
- "When I Grow Up" – Children, Miss Honey and Matilda
- "I'm Here" – Matilda and The Escapologist
- "The Smell of Rebellion" – Miss Trunchbull
- "Quiet" – Matilda
- "My House" – Miss Honey and The Escapologist
- "Revolting Children" – Bruce, Hortensia and Children
- "Still Holding My Hand" – Miss Honey, Matilda, Children and Company
Release
Matilda the Musical made its debut at the 66th BFI London Film Festival on 5 October 2022 and was subsequently released across the UK by Sony Pictures Releasing International on 25 November 2022. The film saw a limited theatrical rollout in the United States and other international markets beginning 9 December 2022, before becoming available for streaming on Netflix starting Christmas Day 2022. In the UK, home media distribution was handled by Sony Pictures and Netflix, with streaming access commencing on 25 June 2023.
A special sing-along version was shown in select UK cinemas for a short period starting New Year's Day 2023, preceded by a charity preview screening on 17 December 2022 supporting MediCinema. This edition launched in the US on 6 January 2023.
Television broadcast
The UK television premiere of Matilda the Musical occurred on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Boxing Day 2024, shortly after it ceased streaming availability on Netflix within that region.
Box office
During its opening weekend on 25 November 2022, Matilda topped the UK box office with earnings of $5,000,505, outpacing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It maintained the number one position for three weeks straight until it was surpassed by Avatar: The Way of Water. By 9 April 2023, the film had accumulated $34.7 million in UK box office revenue.
In the year 2022, Matilda ranked as the fourth highest-grossing family movie in the UK, generating $22.7 million. It trailed behind Minions: The Rise of Gru ($56 million), Sing 2 ($44.1 million), and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($34.7 million).
Audience viewership
From its release through June 2023, Netflix reported that viewers had streamed the film for a total of 81 million hours.
Critical reception
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical garnered predominantly positive feedback from critics, holding a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and achieving a Metacritic score of 72, signifying generally favorable reviews.
Emma Thompson’s portrayal of Miss Trunchbull was widely praised as a standout villainous role. The Telegraph described Thompson’s performance as an unforgettable "deranged villain," while The Guardian emphasized the dynamic between Thompson and Tim Minchin as a key element to the film’s humor. The "Revolting Children" number was highlighted by Polygon as one of the top cinematic sequences of 2022. Additionally, Cinema Express referred to the movie as a "fantastical reboot of a beloved classic."