11 Roald Dahl Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best
Roald Dahl's unparalleled imagination gave the world a treasure trove of beloved stories that filled our childhoods with magic and adventure. We don't blame Hollywood for eating them up and bringing them to life on screen. There have been many cinematic takes on the iconic author's works over the years, but which ones stole our hearts forever and which ones did we nearly forget? Here's our definitive ranking of the film adaptations of Roald Dahl, from worst to best.
11. 'Four Rooms' (1995)
Roald Dahl's books aren't all witches, giants, and children with magical powers. His adult fiction is actually very, well, adult. Case in point: 1995's critically panned "Four Rooms," based on his short writings. This collaboration of directors Allison Anders, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Alexandre Rockwell fell flat, despite a top-notch cast.
10. 'Danny, The Champion of the World' (1989)
This forgettable 1989 movie about a father and son's mission to defeat a local developer didn't pack quite the same punch as other more dazzling Dahl adaptations. Perhaps we've come to expect magic and monsters when it comes to old Roald, and a sweet story about game pheasants and plucky familial determination just doesn't cut it.
9. 'Esio Trot' (2015)
You (probably) missed this cute 2015 BBC One adaptation of one of Dahl's lesser-known works, where Dustin Hoffman falls for his quirky neighbor, played by Judi Dench.
8. 'The BFG' (1989)
Dahl himself was pleased by this 1989 version of one of his most beloved children's stories. Simple animation like this might be considered a throwback nowadays, but this classic is worth checking out.
7. 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (2005)
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Tim Burton directing? Seems like a match made in adaptation heaven. The 2005 version of the storybook masterpiece is a candy-colored, kaleidoscopic visual knockout, which features Dahl's signature wit and a great young cast to boot, even if Depp's take on Wonka was a little wonky.
6. 'James and the Giant Peach' (1996)
This 1996 combo of stop-motion animation and live-action still pretty much holds up 20 years later. The stunningly creative visuals and technical precision take this bittersweet and weirdly wonderful story to the next level.
5. 'The BFG' (2016)
The latest Dahl adaptation to hit the big screen is a satisfying, whimsical delight that does justice to a great tale of friendship and courage. Leave it to Spielberg to capture the spellbinding feeling of complete childlike wonder.
4. 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' (1971)
Raise your hand if this movie actually scared the crap out of you when you were little. Wilder's Wonka is strangely diabolical... We're still reeling from the way he reprimands Charlie and his grandpa. (Charlie deserved it, though. Amirite?). This movie takes the oddball imagination of Dahl to an uncomfortable and exciting place we can't help but enjoy. That technicolor horror show of the tunnel scene alone still haunts us. But this tripped out '70s cult fantasy is a classic, even if it fueled our childhood nightmares.
3. 'The Witches' (1990)
Anjelica Huston as the fabulously frightening child-hating Grand High Witch? Yes, please. This film is what we'd deem "horror lite" for the children's set. It's scary and silly, but kid approved, and Jim Henson's handiwork gives it an extra creepily fun edge.
2. 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009)
Whether you're a longtime fan of the quirky, zoom-heavy, Futura-fonted works of Wes Anderson or not, it's hard to argue that the auteur's witty take on Dahl was a miss. Not only does it feature great voice actors, like George Clooney and Meryl Streep, but the cool, cuddly, yet humorously humanized animal characters make it an instant favorite. Plus, in true Anderson fashion, the soundtrack is awesome.
1. 'Matilda' (1996)
If you don't root for Matlida -- the adorbs telekinetic bookworm up against all odds -- then consider yourself a monster. Danny DeVito directed this magical 1996 adaptation, which features a dynamic performance from Mara Wilson in the title role. Matilda's world of nasty parents and an even nastier principal is a bleak yet hopeful one, and this movie brings her twisted and enchanted journey to life just the way we imagined it. It makes us feel like a wide-eyed kid again upon every repeat viewing.
