TL;DR: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical is a high-energy, visually stunning, and occasionally dark adaptation of the stage play. It’s a massive hit on Netflix, fueled by viral TikTok dance trends. While it’s empowering and brilliant, it’s significantly "edgier" than the 1996 Mara Wilson movie. Expect themes of child neglect, intense bullying, and a very scary Miss Trunchbull. Best for ages 7-8+.
If you’ve heard your seven-year-old belt out, "Even if you're little you can do a lot, you mustn't let a little thing like little stop you," while trying to do a complicated syncopated dance in the kitchen, you’ve officially entered the Matilda era.
This isn't the cozy, slightly whimsical Matilda (1996) we grew up with. This version, adapted from the Tim Minchin musical, is sharper, louder, and much more focused on the idea that "being naughty" is actually a moral imperative when the adults in charge are monsters.
At its core, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical follows the same plot as the classic Matilda book: a brilliant young girl with neglectful parents and telekinetic powers finds solace in books and a kind teacher, Miss Honey, while battling the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
However, the musical adds a layer of "revolting" energy. It’s less about a quiet girl finding her place and more about a group of children staging a full-scale revolution. The songs are catchy, the choreography is world-class, and the performances—especially Emma Thompson as a truly terrifying Trunchbull—are top-tier.
If your kids are asking to watch this, it’s likely because they saw the "Red Beret Girl" (Meesha Garbett) on TikTok or YouTube. The "Revolting Children" dance sequence went mega-viral, and for good reason—it’s pure, unadulterated kid power.
1. The Power of Agency
Kids spend their whole lives being told what to do. Matilda taps into the fantasy of finally saying "no" to an unfair system. When Matilda sings "Naughty," she’s telling kids that they don't have to just "grin and bear it." For a kid navigating playground politics or a strict classroom, that’s incredibly cathartic.
2. The Viral "Red Beret" Energy
The choreography in the final act is sharp, aggressive, and cool. It’s moved beyond the movie and become a digital "challenge" where kids try to match the precision of the professional dancers. It’s moved the movie from "theater kid" territory into "everyone" territory.
3. Roald Dahl’s "Us vs. Them" Mentality
Dahl always understood that kids see the world as a place where adults hold all the cards and often use them poorly. This movie leans into that. It doesn't pander. It treats the kids' problems as life-and-death, which is exactly how they feel to a ten-year-old.
Learn more about why Roald Dahl stories resonate with modern kids
While the 1996 movie felt like a PG family comedy, the musical feels a bit more like a "younger" version of a dystopian rebellion.
- Ages 5-6: Might find Miss Trunchbull genuinely traumatizing. She doesn't just yell; she’s a physical threat. The "Chokey" (a cupboard filled with broken glass and nails) is depicted vividly.
- Ages 7-9: The "sweet spot." They’re old enough to get the irony and the "justice" of the plot without being overwhelmed by the darker imagery.
- Ages 10+: Will likely appreciate the technical skill of the dancing and the cleverness of the lyrics.
Screenwise is about being intentional, and that means knowing what you’re walking into. Roald Dahl was not a "soft" writer, and this movie honors that.
The Parents are... Awful
Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood are not just "clueless." They are actively cruel, verbally abusive, and neglectful. In the musical, this is played for dark comedy, but for sensitive kids, the idea of parents who hate their children can be heavy. It’s a good opening to talk about how Matilda finds her "found family" in Miss Honey.
The Physicality of Miss Trunchbull
There are scenes of children being thrown by their hair, forced into the Chokey, and threatened with extreme punishments. It’s stylized, but Emma Thompson’s performance is intense. If your child is prone to nightmares about "scary teachers," maybe pre-screen the "Hammer Throw" scene.
The Message of "Being Naughty"
The lead song "Naughty" includes the line: "If you stick around and let them put you in your shelf, you are only going to get such help if you learn to highlight what is wrong and try to put it right." Some parents worry this encourages defiance. In context, it’s about standing up to actual abuse and injustice. It’s a great conversation starter: What’s the difference between being "naughty" because you’re bored and being "naughty" because something is unfair?
If your family loved the vibe of Matilda the Musical, here are some other picks that hit that same "rebellious but heart-centered" note:
A more modern, pop-heavy take on the classic orphan story. It’s sunnier than Matilda but deals with similar themes of finding where you belong.
If the "kids taking over" energy was the highlight for your family, this is the gold standard. It’s funny, loud, and celebrates the individual talents of "revolting" (or just loud) children.
This Netflix animated flick is very "Dahl-esque." It features neglectful parents and kids who have to save themselves. It’s quirky, stylized, and shares that same dark-but-hopeful humor.
If they haven't read the source material for Dahl's other hits, start here. The Wonka movie is also a great, more whimsical companion for younger kids who found Matilda a bit too intense.
For the kids who are now obsessed with the "theater" part of the musical, this is a charming movie about a kid dreaming of Broadway.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical is a rare 10/10 adaptation. It’s visually arresting, the music is genuinely sophisticated (thank you, Tim Minchin), and it respects a child’s intelligence.
It doesn't pull punches about how scary the world can be, but it gives kids a "red beret" of confidence to face it. Just be prepared to hear the soundtrack on loop for the next three months.
Next Steps:
- Watch together: This is a great "co-viewing" movie because there’s enough wit for adults to actually enjoy it.
- Talk about the "Chokey": If your kid seems quiet after, ask them what they thought of Miss Trunchbull. It’s a good way to gauge if the "darkness" was fun-scary or actually-scary.
- Encourage the dance: If they're trying to learn the TikTok dances, they're actually getting a great workout and practicing motor coordination. Win-win.