From library shelf to Hollywood to Broadway to Netflix—Matilda the Musical Movie checks all the boxes.

Telekinesis and tunes come together in Netflix’s Matilda the Musical Movie. The musical movie is slated to premiere on Netflix in December of 2022. It will also be in theatres on December 2, 2022.

Irish actress Alisha Weir stars as Matilda. Emma Thompson has signed on as Miss Trunchbull. Thompson is, of course, well-known for eccentric and character-driven roles in Cruella, Nanny McPhee, and Harry Potter. Lashana Lynch, Captain Marvel, and No Time to Die will portray Matilda’s teacher, Miss Honey.

Like the stage musical, Matilda the Musical Movie is directed by Matthew Marcus; music and lyrics are by Tim Minchin; choreography is by Ellen Kane, who worked with choreographer Peter Darling on the stage production.

Matilda is best remembered as the bookworm with the ability to move things with her mind. Based on the 1988 book by Roald Dahl, the 1996 non-musical film (though the soundtrack is quite good and features a favorite by Rusted Root, "Send Me on My Way"), tells the whimsically magical tale of Matilda Wormwood and her adventures (and misadventures) with her negligent and borderline criminal parents, her teachers Miss Honey, and her headmaster Miss Trunchbull (who is just as awful as she sounds). Along the way, Matilda develops her superpowers and saves her classmates from the atrocities of the “Trunchbull” and the “chokey.”

Mara Wilson starred as Matilda Wormwood with Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman as her parents. DeVito directed and served as the narrator of the film.

The movie Matilda was adapted for the stage by playwright Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Matthew Warchus. The musical originated at the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon and ran from November 2010 to January 2011. The production then went on to the Cambridge Theatre. It made its Broadway premiere in April 2013 at the Schubert Theatre in NYC, ending its run in 2017.  

Matilda the Musical won seven 2012 Olivier awards, including Best New Musical. It holds the record for winning the most Olivier awards, tying with Hamilton in 2018.

Matilda the Musical Movie Cast

  • Matilda Wormwood: Alisha Weir
  • Mr. Wormwood: Stephen Graham
  • Mrs. Wormwood: Andrea Riseborough
  • The Trunchbull: Emma Thompson
  • Miss Honey: Lashana Lynch
  • Librarian: Sindhu Vee

Roald Dahl has written 49 books filled with creative characters, witty words, and fantastical adventures, including The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, and many more.

Have read the book or seen the musical or movie Matilda? Who’s your Roald Dahl favorite character? Let us know in the comments.