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Book to movie

Matilda: Book to Film

Matilda survives neglect at home and cruelty at school by using intelligence, courage, and a strange power she barely understands.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-01

Verified facts

Relationship
Direct adaptation
Source book
Matilda (1988)
Screen work
Matilda (1996)
Story family
Matilda on screen

Adaptation family

Matilda on screen

See all related screen works

Roald Dahl's story has reached film as a non-musical comedy and as a screen version of the stage musical, each giving Matilda a different route to rebellion.

This map covers the related screen works currently supported by PlotGeeks, rather than every adaptation ever made.

  1. Source book | 1988MatildaView book explainer →
  2. 1996 | Feature filmMatildaAdapted from | Danny DeVito

    The film relocates the story to the United States and expands Matilda's telekinesis into a larger comic confrontation with Trunchbull.

    View film explainer →You’re viewing this comparison
  3. 2022 | Feature filmRoald Dahl's Matilda the MusicalAdapted from | Matthew Warchus

    The second feature reaches the novel through the stage musical, using songs and Matilda's invented escapologist story to enlarge her inner life.

Why read this explainer

Compare the British novel's compact cruelty with the American family and school setting. The louder comic treatment changes tone while the chosen home still answers Matilda's neglect.

PlotGeeks note

The chosen home preserves Matilda's relief at finally being recognized after neglect and punishment. A louder comic treatment changes the revolt without removing that need for care.

Connected knowledge

Connected in PlotGeeks

Related explainers and browse pages for Matilda: Book to Film.

At a glance

Book and film, fast

Same coreWhat both versions keep

Matilda survives neglect at home and cruelty at school by using intelligence, courage, and a strange power she barely understands.

Biggest changeThe film changes the cultural setting

The film Americanizes the family and school world.

CompressionWhat the film has to condense

The film condenses episodes while keeping the Wormwoods, Trunchbull, Honey, and Matilda's power central.

Ending shiftChosen family is the release

The film keeps that emotional result and heightens the triumph.

Start hereEither version works first

Either path works. Read first for Dahl's sharper narration; watch first for the film's bright comic energy.

Closer comparison

Book and film side by side

The film changes the cultural setting

In the book

The book is rooted in British comic cruelty.

In the film

The film Americanizes the family and school world.

The film is louder and warmer

In the book

The novel's humor is sharper and more compact.

In the film

The film makes the fantasy and revenge more openly playful.

Chosen family is the release

In the book

The book gives Matilda a home where she is seen.

In the film

The film keeps that emotional result and heightens the triumph.

Source to screen

From Matilda to Matilda

The film changes the cultural setting

The book is rooted in British comic cruelty. The film Americanizes the family and school world.[1][2]

Chosen family is the release

The book gives Matilda a home where she is seen. The film keeps that emotional result and heightens the triumph.[1][2]

Sources

Source trail

Sources for the book, film, and adaptation relationship are listed below. The comparison notes are original PlotGeeks prose.