Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory | Rotten Tomatoes

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

G

Now Playing

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Musical

Comedy

Fantasy

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List

92%

61 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The last of five coveted "golden tickets" falls into the hands of a sweet but very poor boy. He and his grandpa then get a tour of the strangest chocolate factory in the world. The owner leads five young winners on a thrilling and often dangerous tour of his factory.

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Critics Consensus

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is strange yet comforting, full of narrative detours that don't always work but express the film's uniqueness.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Exuberant, macabre and unpredictable...

Aug 23, 2022

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, like many childhood favorites, is better left in the past and allowed to reside in memories. As an adaptation of Dahl's story, it's inferior to the Burton remake.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 30, 2020

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Probably the best film of its sort since The Wizard of Oz. It is everything that family movies usually claim to be, but aren't: Delightful, funny, scary, exciting, and, most of all, a genuine work of imagination.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 9, 2018

Full Review

KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a classic delight for all the senses. Gene Wilder has the commendable ability to balance levity and no nonsense charm to confectionery and commentary.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

Oti

For Your Reference Podcast

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory remains a timeless treasure. Its humor still sparkles, proving its enduring appeal. A heartwarming, whimsical journey that continues to delight audiences of all ages.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

Patrick McDonald

WBGR-FM (93.7 FM - Monroe, WI)

What else to say? My amazement is generational, but finding out more about the film makes it even better. Let's just say this may be the greatest film ever made to promote a corporate candy bar, which ultimately melted. Gene Wilder, Best. Wonka. Ever.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 6, 2024

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Elizabeth T

Willy Wonka is an often sickening experience with just enough hilarious jokes and astute social commentary to make it through to the end. The colors are garish, the candy looks vile, and the Oompa Loompas are alarming to look at and even harder to think about. Grandpa and Charlie are at least winsome. But then there is the sublime Gene Wilder. He uses gentle behavior to just barely contain his volcanic emotions. His every move is a dance, every word pitch-perfect. Minimalistic, operatic, totally in control. A unique artist at the very top of his game.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Ariel V

One of my favorite children films of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

Full Review

Eunice T

Definitely one of the classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

Full Review

Farah R

A whimsical and delightful musical adventure that audiences of all ages can enjoy, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory lives up to its legacy as a classic feature among the greatest in the industry. Gene Wilder shines as Willy Wonka and remains the best actor to play the legendary chocolatier. While certain aspects, such as the special effects, look dated compared to what today's advancements in filmmaking technology can achieve, the music and characters continue to resonate with viewers several generations later.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

IMPERFECT A

The tempermant, personality, and emotion gene wilder was able it portray is unrivaled and amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

Zorro F

From all of the behind the scenes trouble, changing what Dahl wrote not just for the film, but also from his book, having unbearable actors, and having the tone all wrong it is going to always pale in comparison to the 2005 Burton classic adaptation.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

Full Review

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Mel Stuart

Director

Gene Wilder

Willy Wonka

Jack Albertson

Grandpa Joe

Peter Ostrum

Charlie Bucket

Roy Kinnear

Mr. Henry Salt

Julie Dawn Cole

Veruca Salt

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Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Trailer 1

3:11

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Synopsis

The last of five coveted "golden tickets" falls into the hands of a sweet but very poor boy. He and his grandpa then get a tour of the strangest chocolate factory in the world. The owner leads five young winners on a thrilling and often dangerous tour of his factory.

Director: Mel Stuart
Screenwriter: Roald Dahl, Roald Dahl
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: David L. Wolper Productions, Quaker Oats Company
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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