Roald Dahl

Biography: Best known as a beloved writer of children's stories and of rather eccentric short stories, Roald Dahl also worked on a few screenplays. Much of his popularity with children stemmed from his fantastical and sometimes disturbing characters and his refusal to talk down to his younger audiences. Many of Dahl's books allowed children to view life's dark side, their fears and concerns, in a way that was funny and safe. His books often caused controversy for his low regard for corruption and hypocrisy amongst adults and other authority figures. Dahl published his first children's story, The Gremlins, in 1943. He originally wrote the story for Walt Disney, who wanted to make an animated film. The book was designed as a companion to the film. Perhaps because the plot, about cute but evil little Gremlins who sabotage British fighter planes during the Battle of Britain, was a little tasteless in regards to WWII, the project was never completed, though a few copies of the book wereBest known as a beloved writer of children's stories and of rather eccentric short stories, Roald Dahl also worked on a few screenplays. Much of his popularity with children stemmed from his fantastical and sometimes disturbing characters and his refusal to talk down to his younger audiences. Many of Dahl's books allowed children to view life's dark side, their fears and concerns, in a way that was funny and safe. His books often caused controversy for his low regard for corruption and hypocrisy amongst adults and other authority figures. Dahl published his first children's story, The Gremlins, in 1943. He originally wrote the story for Walt Disney, who wanted to make an animated film. The book was designed as a companion to the film. Perhaps because the plot, about cute but evil little Gremlins who sabotage British fighter planes during the Battle of Britain, was a little tasteless in regards to WWII, the project was never completed, though a few copies of the book were printed. Dahl's first screenwriting credit (shared with collaborator Harold Jack Bloom) was for the fifth James Bond movie You Only Live Twice (1967). As a solo screenwriter, he adapted a book by Joy Crowley into The Night Digger (1971) and adapted his own classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into the favorite children's movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). Many of Dahl's books, including The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, and Mathilda have been adapted into feature films by other screenwriters. Expand

Roald Dahl's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average career score: 68
Highest Metascore: 85 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Lowest Metascore: 47 The Witches
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
16 movie reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
48 The Twits Oct 17, 2025 Novel tbd
66 Wonka Dec 15, 2023 Based On Characters Created By tbd
85 The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar Sep 20, 2023 Based On The Book By tbd
72 Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical Dec 9, 2022 Based On The Book By 7.1
47 The Witches Oct 22, 2020 Based On The Book By / Novel 4.7
66 The BFG Jul 1, 2016 Based On The Book By / Based On The Novel By / Book / Novel 6.0
83 Fantastic Mr. Fox Nov 13, 2009 Novel 8.3
72 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Jul 15, 2005 Book / Book 5.0
72 Matilda Aug 2, 1996 Book / Book tbd
78 James and the Giant Peach Apr 12, 1996 Based On The Book By 6.5
78 The Witches Aug 24, 1990 Book 7.9
64 Danny the Champion of the World Apr 29, 1989 Novel tbd
tbd The Night Digger Jul 30, 1971 Screenplay By tbd
67 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Jun 30, 1971 Book "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" / Book "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" / Screenplay / Screenplay tbd
64 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Dec 18, 1968 Screenplay 5.3
61 You Only Live Twice Jun 13, 1967 Screenplay / Screenplay 6.9
61 36 Hours Feb 19, 1965 Based On "Beware Of The Dog" By tbd