Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory1971Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
1971
Poor Charlie Bucket finds one of five golden tickets for a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. One by one, the other winners' vices land them in sticky trouble.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A morality tale: greedy, spoiled, and gluttonous children reap what they sow, and Charlie wins by an act of honesty.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The boat-tunnel ride frightens many little ones, and the children's mishaps (sucked up a pipe, shrunk, swelled) seem dangerous; spoiled behavior and indulgent parents are clearly punished. Charlie and Grandpa Joe break the rules with the Fizzy Lifting Drinks, and Charlie makes it right by returning the Gobstopper, which is a good talk; mild words.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did each child get into trouble?
- Why did Charlie give back the Everlasting Gobstopper?
- Was Wonka kind or cruel?
- What did the Oompa-Loompas' songs teach?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: kids in seeming danger (fan blades, explosions, falls); a frightening boat ride; mild language ("hell," "shut up"); a cigar and joking references to liquor.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 4K Blu-ray (Iconic Moments)
4K · January 2, 2024
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.