Netflix’s animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1980 classic The Twits has arrived with a splash of chaos and controversy. Directed by Phil Johnston, the film reimagines Dahl’s darkly humorous tale into a grotesque spectacle. Set in the fictional town of Triperot, the story follows the vile Mr. and Mrs. Twit as they wreak havoc with their dangerous amusement park, Twitlandia. The film introduces new characters, including orphans Beesha and Bubsy, who join forces with magical creatures to thwart the Twits’ plans.
While the film boasts a star-studded voice cast and original songs by David Byrne and Hayley Williams, it has polarized critics and audiences alike. Clearly, viewers are loving it—The Twits has already become the third most-watched film on Netflix worldwide. Here is everything you need to know about The Twits—from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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The Twits – all the key details
- Title: The Twits
- Format: Film
- Runtime: 102 minutes
- Genre: Animated musical comedy
- Country of production: United Kingdom, United States
- Original language: English
- Release date: October 17, 2025
- Director / Creator: Phil Johnston
- Lead cast: Margo Martindale, Johnny Vegas, Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke
- Produced by: Netflix Animation, The Roald Dahl Story Company
WhatThe Twits is about
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world. They own and operate the most disgusting, most dangerous, most idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia. When their park is shut down for numerous violations, the Twits declare war on the city of Triperot, leading to a series of chaotic events. Two orphans, Beesha and Bubsy, along with a family of magical animals, must outwit the Twits to save their city. The film expands upon Dahl’s original story, introducing new characters and subplots, including political satire and citywide chaos. While these additions aim to modernize the tale, they have been met with mixed reactions. Some critics feel the film veers too far from the original’s essence, while others appreciate the fresh take.
The Twits cast: the main characters
The film features a star-studded voice cast bringing Dahl’s characters to life. Margo Martindale voices Mrs. Credenza S. Twit, and Johnny Vegas voices Mr. James T. Twit. Natalie Portman lends her voice to Mary Muggle-Wump, and Emilia Clarke voices Pippa, the narrator and moral anchor. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan voices Beesha, a new character created for the film. Other notable cast members include Ryan Lopez as Bubsy, Jason Mantzoukas as Mayor Wayne John John-John, Alan Tudyk as Sweet Toed Toad, and Nicole Byer as Beverly Onion. The film also features original songs composed by David Byrne, with Hayley Williams contributing to the end credits song.
Is The Twits based on a true story?
The Twits is a fictional story created by Roald Dahl in 1980. The 2025 animated film is a loose adaptation of Dahl’s original book, with significant changes to the plot and characters. While the film introduces new elements and characters not present in the original book, it remains rooted in Dahl’s imaginative world. The film’s creators have taken creative liberties to modernize the story and appeal to contemporary audiences.
What reviews say about The Twits
While the film has received a range of reactions from critics, many praise its creativity, bold humor, and unique animation. Some reviewers highlight the film’s darkly comic energy and the way it expands Roald Dahl’s original story with new characters and imaginative sequences. Audience reactions have been largely enthusiastic. User reviews on Rotten Tomatoes celebrate the film’s vibrant animation, quirky characters, and original songs by David Byrne and Hayley Williams. The film’s popularity is clear: it currently ranks third in Netflix’s global Top 10, showing that viewers are responding positively even if some critics remain divided. The combination of star-studded voices, inventive storytelling, and memorable musical numbers has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.
Where was The Twits filmed?
The Twits was produced by Netflix Animation in collaboration with The Roald Dahl Story Company. The film’s production involved teams from both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Release date
The Twits is available on Netflix starting October 17, 2025. Watch on Netflix
