The Trailer for 'Matilda The Musical' Is As Adorable As The Film Itself

Despite what you may think, Matilda the Musical is not based on the popular 1996 movie Matilda that launched the career of Mara Wilson. Both are based on the same source material, Roald Dahl's beloved 1980s-era novel, Matilda. However, the new film that is out in limited release in theaters in America and will be heading to streaming for Christmas is not a musical adaptation of the movie but a movie adaptation of the 2011 stage musical, which was itself a massive hit in London;'s West End and took home multiple Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway.

It helps that the "musical fantasy comedy film" (say that five times fast!) comes from Matthew Warchus and Dennis Kelly, two of the three key figures behind the original stage production (Only Tim Minchin, who wrote the original music and lyrics, did not actively work on the film.) And while, sadly, the new film does not contain cameos from the 1996 movie (which would have created a crossover scenario that would make my head hurt), it does feature a stellar cast, specifically Emma Thompson (Cruella) as Miss Agatha Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as Miss Jennifer Honey, along with newcomer Alisha Weir as the titular Matilda Wormwood.

Telly Visions already published a glowing review of the new film from our foreign correspondent Rory Doherty from its London Film Festival debut back in October, timed to the U.K. theatrical release over American thanksgiving, but suffice to say; the film delivers on the promise of its trailer.