Olivia Colman’s musical origin story about the greatest chocolatier who ever lived has been climbing Netflix’s UK charts. Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, is a prequel to 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, going back to the early days of the chocolatier.
Added to Netflix UK on Tuesday, Wonka is now the second most-watched film on the platform. Directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the script with Simon Farnaby, the film features a stacked cast also including Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton and Jim Carter.
Chalamet plays a younger version of the chocolatier portrayed by Gene Wilder in the 1971 movie, as the character forges his path in the chocolate industry and contends with his rivals.
Warner Bros.
Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV
The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic rating of 82% out of 332 reviews, while also proving popular among viewers, having earned an audience score of 90% on the same platform.
Wonka has been branded as “irresistible” by The Telegraph and a “warm, cosy” movie that will be regarded as “a festive classic” (via Time Out).
Elsewhere, The Atlantic wrote: “Wonka is saccharine, yes, but if you’re going to indulge, it’s better to be in the hands of a master confectioner.”
In their review, RogerEbert.com described the film as “a breezy two-hour musical comedy that hopes to make the audience shed a sentimental tear or two, but is mainly content to amuse, delight, and inspire cheers when the bad guys are defeated”.
Jaap Buittendijk
On Chalamet’s performance compared to Wilder, ABC News noted: “No one will ever play the bright comic exterior and dark soul of Willy Wonka like Gene Wilder, but Timothée Chalamet takes a charming shot at it in this wispy musical origin story that earns a pass for offering much needed family fun for the holidays.”
Digital Spy gave the film a three-star review, arguing that the film “doesn’t quite become the delicious confection it wants to be, but there are still enough sweet treats along the way”.
Wonka is streaming on Netflix now.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).