Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ ‘Wonka,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buittendijk. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Based on Roald Dahl’s most beloved character, Willy Wonka, the prequel focuses on a young, bright-eyed inventor who sets out to become the world’s greatest chocolate-maker in ‘Wonka’. A colorful and vibrant musical, this movie serves as an origin story for Willy Wonka and his dream of becoming a world-famous chocolatier.
This film is helmed by ‘Paddington’ director Paul King and stars Timothee Chalamet as young Willy Wonka. Starring alongside Chalamet are Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant.
“Every good thing in this world started with a dream.”
72
1 hr 57 minDec 15th, 2023
Where Can I Watch ‘Wonka’?
(L to R) Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ ‘Wonka,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The movie premiered on November 28, 2023, in London at the Royal Festival Hall. Originally, ‘Wonka’ was initially scheduled to be released on March 17, 2023, but was pushed back and released on December 15, 2023. It was available in Dolby Cinema and IMAX.
Buy Tickets: ‘Wonka’ Movie Showtimes
‘Wonka’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. If you missed the movie in theaters, don’t worry. As of January 30, 2024, it is available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Prices range from $19.99 for rental or $24.99 for purchase.
Where to Stream and Watch: ‘Wonk’ Online
Since ‘Wonka’ was released by Warner Bros. Discovery, it is scheduled to premiere on Max beginning March 8th.
Home Release
(L to R) Calah Lane as Noodle and Timothee Chalamet as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ ‘Wonka,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fans of physical media are in luck. ‘Wonka’ is now available for pre-order. Prices range from $19.95 for DVD, to $24.95 for Blu-ray, to $29.95 for 4K UHD. If steel book is your thing, Walmart has a limited edition available for pre-order. Special features on the DVD/blu-ray include featurettes such as:
- Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King’s Vision
- The Whimsical Music of Wonka
- Welcome to Wonka Land
- Hats Off To Wonka
- Wonka’s Chocolatier
The official release date for the home release is February 27, 2024.
Buy ‘Wonka’ On Amazon
Timothee Chalamet as Wonka
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in ‘Wonka.’ Photo by Eric Charbonneau.
Timothee Chalamet is no stranger to leading roles in mega-blockbuster movies such as Denis Villenue’s ‘Dune: Part Two’. However, riding Sandworms and leading the Fremen in a battle against the vicious Harkonnen has nothing on his preparation for ‘Wonka’. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor says the role was the most physically challenging project he’s been a part of, “This was the most physically challenging project I’ve ever done,” Chalamet recalls. The role also required him to sing and dance throughout the movie.
“I can’t say the singing and dancing comes easy. I’ve been around musical theater my whole life, and danced a little bit in high school, but this was on a different level. It’s different doing it on film. You’ve got to keep being in the center of the frame while dancing, you’ve got to rehearse for months, you’ve got to be on for every take—take 12 and all the other takes—and dance with professional dancers, who are icing their ankles. That’s how serious they were taking it. So it was a big challenge.”
Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Wonka’
Easter Eggs Aplenty
‘Wonka’ is scheduled for release in theaters on December 15th.
There are many new characters to meet in ‘Wonka’, like Noodle, Mrs. Scrubbit, the Chocolate Cartel, and more, but there are quite a few elements that fans of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ will enjoy seeing. For one, Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa. Now, we’re not saying his exact character was in the 1971 film, but to see the familiar green hair and orange face entering the scene dancing to a very recognizable tune had the audience in a frenzy.
Other easter eggs include quotes such as “Scratch that, reverse it!” and, of course, the use of the classic Willy Wonka song “Pure Imagination”
Watch the official trailer for ‘Wonka’ below:
The official synopsis for ‘Wonka’ is below:
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
‘Wonka’ opens in theaters on December 15th.