Netflix's The Twits Arrives October 17: A Wild New Roald Dahl Ride

Mark your calendars! Netflix is bringing Roald Dahl's infamous Mr. and Mrs. Twit to animated life this October, but get ready for a version that's definitely not your childhood storybook.

TL;DR

• Release Date: Netflix's animated The Twits streams globally on October 17, 2025.
• New Story, New Setting: The film reimagines the classic tale with an American setting, new orphan protagonists, and an expanded plot focused on an evil amusement park and political ambition.
• Star-Studded Voices: Johnny Vegas and Margo Martindale lead the cast as the Twits, joined by Emilia Clarke, Natalie Portman, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and more.

Get Ready for Gross Fun: Netflix's Animated 'The Twits' is Coming

Prepare for a seriously messy, laughably mean, and unexpectedly modern take on one of Roald Dahl's most beloved (and gruesome) stories! Netflix is dropping its brand-new animated feature, The Twits, worldwide on October 17, 2025. If you thought you knew Mr. and Mrs. Twit, think again, because director Phil Johnston and his team have cooked up something quite different from the classic book.

This isn't just a straight adaptation; it's a "reimagining" that takes the core concept of the nastiest couple imaginable and plants them squarely in a new American landscape. Forget the English countryside; we're heading to the fictional, rather unappealingly named town of Triperot. Here, the Twits don't just torture each other and captive animals; they own and operate "Twitlandia," a disgustingly dangerous amusement park made of toilets and old mattresses, powered by the magical tears of captured Muggle-Wumps.

The Star-Studded Voice Cast Bringing Nasty to Life

Bringing these delightfully deplorable characters to the screen is an impressive lineup of voice talent. Stepping into the grubby shoes of the titular villains are:

• Mr. Twit: The hilarious British comedian Johnny Vegas (keeping his Lancashire accent!)
• Mrs. Twit: The incredible Margo Martindale (sporting a Texan twang for the role)

But they're not alone in this wild adventure. You'll also hear:

• Pippa (and the Narrator): Emilia Clarke
• Mary Muggle Wump: Natalie Portman
• Beesha (Orphan Heroine): Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
• Bubsy (Orphan Hero): Ryan Lopez
• Marty Muggle-Wump: Timothy Simons
• Beverly Onion: Nicole Byer
• Mayor Wayne John John-John: Jason Mantzoukas
• Sweet Toed Toad: Alan Tudyk
• Horvis Dungle: Mark Proksch
• Dee Dumdie-Dungle: Rebecca Wisocky
• Gorb Klurb: Charlie Berens

Director Phil Johnston even lends his voice to a character named Mr. Napkin, adding another layer of fun to the production.

More Than Just Wormy Spaghetti: The Expanded Plot and Its Themes

While the film will certainly feature some of the Twits' iconic pranks—yes, prepare for wormy spaghetti and the dreaded shrinks!—it goes much further. When Twitlandia gets shut down for health and safety violations (understandably!), Mr. and Mrs. Twit decide to get into politics, aiming to take over the city. They even flood Triperot with rancid hotdog meat at one point!

Their reign of terror sets two brave orphans, Beesha and Bubsy, on a mission. Teaming up with the Muggle-Wumps (who are now magical turquoise creatures, not just monkeys), they must outsmart the Twits to save their town. This expanded plot allows the film to explore themes of cruelty versus empathy, shining a spotlight on "anti-hate, pro-empathy" messages that are quite a departure from Dahl's typically darker, more vengeful original.

The movie doesn't shy away from modern commentary either, with some critics noting its "age-inappropriate satirising of the current state of politics" as the Twits "pledge to make Triperot great again." Expect some "butt jokes" and even an "exploding butt," which some reviewers found a bit much for a Dahl adaptation.

"Because there wasn't a lot of story in the book, it would allow me to take these two incredible, horrible characters and use them as a jumping-off point for a whole other experience, a whole other world."

— Phil Johnston, Director and Co-Writer

Behind the Scenes: Why the Big Changes from Roald Dahl's Original?

The big question on every Dahl fan's mind is: why all the changes? Director Phil Johnston, known for his work on beloved animated films like Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia, explains his vision. He was drawn to The Twits precisely because its short, simple story allowed him to "put his own stamp on it" and "take these two incredible, horrible characters and use them as a jumping-off point for a whole other experience."

Johnston's goal was to create a film that was "strange and gross, but also have some higher ambitions," emphasizing messages of empathy and kindness. He even justified the controversial American setting by pointing to a line in Dahl's book where the Twits "go and buy guns," jokingly suggesting it was already destined for an American context. However, he confirmed that he removed guns from the film, as "that level of violence was not something I was interested in."

Originally conceived as a limited series, the film's expanded lore, including potential backstories for the Twits (like Mr. Twit being maltreated in a circus, and Mrs. Twit's thwarted opera dreams, which were ultimately cut from the final film), makes more sense given its episodic roots. The movie also features original songs by David Byrne, though reviews suggest they might not be super catchy.

What Critics Are Saying: A Mixed (and Messy) Bag of Opinions

Early reviews for Netflix's The Twits have been, shall we say, spirited. While some acknowledge the film's unique, timely political allegory, many have expressed disappointment with its departure from Roald Dahl's distinctive tone. Some critics found it "grueling," "vile and revolting in all the wrong ways," and felt it "mangles and sentimentalises Dahl's black comedy."

The "Americanization" of the story has been a particular point of contention among fans and critics alike, with many missing the original's "bumbling Britishness." Reviewers describe the animation's look as "green and brown, visibly moldy," even "awfully sub-par" compared to other major studios, though some appreciated the deliberate "griminess" and "tactile" quality inspired by films like Delicatessen.

Despite the strong opinions, the film's commitment to being "weird and gross" and taking chances, rather than just trying to be liked, has been noted. It certainly promises to be a conversation starter!

Ready to Dive into Twitlandia?

Whether you're a die-hard Dahl purist or open to a fresh, wild interpretation, Netflix's The Twits is gearing up to be one of the most talked-about animated releases of the year. Get ready to experience a whole new level of nastiness, mixed with unexpected empathy, when it drops this October!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Twits on Netflix When does The Twits animated movie release on Netflix? The film will be available to stream globally on Netflix starting October 17, 2025. Who are the main voice actors in Netflix's The Twits? Johnny Vegas voices Mr. Twit and Margo Martindale voices Mrs. Twit. Other key cast members include Emilia Clarke, Natalie Portman, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Ryan Lopez. Is Netflix's The Twits suitable for all ages? While it's an animated children's film, reviews indicate it features "lowbrow" and "sordid" humor, including many "butt jokes" and a generally "gross" aesthetic, which might not appeal to every parent or child. It also delves into more complex political themes. How long is The Twits movie? The animated film has a running time of 98 minutes. Sources

• GYCO
• The Guardian
• Variety
• The Telegraph
• Vanity Fair
• The Wrap
• Polygon
• LADbible
• The Hollywood Reporter