Words Aaron Potter

Timothée Chalamet dons the iconic hat and coat first made popular by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory as part of a new story that spills the secrets of Roald Dahl’s titular chocolatier’s origins. The prequel – from writer-director Paul King, co-writer Simon Farnaby, and Harry Potter producer David Heyman – pays tribute to the 1971 classic and its everlasting appeal. The green-haired Oompa-Loompas are back, as is Wonka’s whistle playing and his general desire to conjure a world of pure imagination.

Set long before he shuts up shop and closes himself off from the world, young Willy Wonka is an ambitious entrepreneur who attempts to open a small sweet shop while fending off the local town’s chocolate cartel, played by Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, and Paterson Joseph. Aided by the bright-eyed Noodle, played by up-and-comer Calah Lane, he sets out to make his name, but being successful won’t take much… just creating chocolate the kind of which no-one has ever seen – or tasted – before.

The ensemble cast features a who’s who of British A-listers, including Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Jim Carter, and even the Oscar-winning Olivia Colman; each a key ingredient in a magical, musical experience that’s a perfect festive treat for all the family.

A Perfect Recipe

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Gene Wilder will always be Wonka for most, but Tim Burton's gothic, Johnny Depp-led adaptation of Dahl's most famous book brings a different flavour many prefer. Will Chalamet's take be to everyone's taste?

The BFG

The story of the Big Friendly Giant and little orphan Sophie, phizz-whizzing visual effects, and Spielberg magic is a recipe for a scrumdiddlyumptious film all human beans can enjoy.

Matilda

Translated for the screen in the nineties as a childhood favourite for a generationan, Dah's story about the power of imagination levels up in the adaptation of the West End musical that proves sometimes it's okay to be a little bit naughty.