'Charlie vs the Chocolate Factory': everything we know about the new Willy Wonka movie
Coming to cinemas in 2027
I’ve loved the Willy Wonka books since I was a kid, and I’ve watched every screen incarnation since, from Gene Wilder’s twinkling menace to Johnny Depp’s odd genius to Timothée Chalamet’s wide-eyed hopeful.
So when Netflix confirmed a brand new Wonka story was heading to cinemas, I got excited fast.
Charlie vs the Chocolate Factory is an animated feature from Netflix Animation, made with Sony Pictures Entertainment, and it’s already shaping up to be the strangest and most ambitious Wonka story yet.
Here’s everything we know so far.
The story so far
The film is set in modern-day London, years after the events of the original Golden Ticket contest.
Willy Wonka has just been released from prison after turning a child into a blueberry during that contest, and he returns to his factory determined to “add a little sweetness to a bitter world,” according to Netflix’s official synopsis.
But he’s not the film’s hero this time.
Teenager Charlie Paley and his friends are facing eviction, and they hatch a plan to break into the factory, steal a priceless Wonka Bar and save their homes.
Naturally, the factory turns out to be far stranger and more dangerous than any of them bargained for.
Charlie Paley is a new character created for this film, not the Charlie Bucket of Roald Dahl’s original book, which makes this less a straight adaptation than a new chapter in the Wonka world.
Who’s in it
Kit Connor, best known for Heartstopper, voices Charlie Paley.
Taika Waititi voices Willy Wonka, and is also an executive producer on the film.
“He’s so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius — if a little mischievous at times — is hugely exciting,” Waititi said.
Nicola Coughlan, Charithra Chandran, Samson Kayo, Christopher Chung, Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham Carter round out the voice cast.
Jared Stern, who directed The LEGO Batman Movie, and Elaine Bogan, from Trollhunders: Tales of Arcadia, are directing.
Aron Warner and Timothy Yoo are producing.
When and where to watch it
Charlie vs the Chocolate Factory opens in cinemas worldwide on November 5, 2027, before landing on Netflix on December 22, 2027.
That’s close to a seven-week theatrical window before it streams, a rare move for Netflix, which usually keeps its original films’ cinema runs short.
What we don’t know yet
Netflix hasn’t released a trailer or first-look footage yet, and there’s no word on whether the film’s promised original songs will sit alongside any of the classic Wonka tunes.
We also don’t yet have full details on the Australian cinema release, so we can’t confirm local dates just yet.
We’ll update this piece as those details are confirmed.
Worth noting
The film follows Netflix’s 2021 acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company, which is why the streamer now controls the rights to expand the Wonka universe.
Ferrero Group is launching seasonal Wonka-branded products later in 2026 in the lead-up to release, and Moose Toys has signed on as the film’s master toy partner for 2027.
Given how much I’ve loved every version of this story, I’ll be first in line when it opens. Watch this space for more as it’s confirmed.