Netflix has bought the entire catalog of Roald Dahl, including classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda, in its latest content deal as the streaming service faces stiff competition from Disney+ and HBO Max.
The company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, which will give it full access to Dahl's works as well as animated and live action films.
The deal expands Netflix's existing licensing agreement with The Roald Dahl Story Co (RDSC) struck in 2018 to create animated series based on the author's books.
The original agreement was reported to be among the biggest ever for kids programming at that time, worth between $500 million to $1 billion, according the Hollywood Reporter.
Under the existing deal, the total production budget is $1bn and includes the Jojo Rabbit director, Taika Waititi, who will be creating a TV series based on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an adaptation of Matilda the Musical.
Netflix has plans in place for 19 TV shows, films, stage shows and live experiences all surrounding around Dahls work.
The deal expands Netflix's existing licensing agreement struck in 2018 with The Roald Dahl Story Co (RDSC) to create animated series based on the author's books, including an adaptation of Matilda the Musical
Under the existing deal, the total production budget is $1bn and includes the Jojo Rabbit director, Taika Waititi, who will be creating a TV series based on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Netflix announced the deal Wednesday on Twitter saying: 'Excited to announce that the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) and Netflix are joining forces to bring some of the world's most loved stories to current and future fans in creative new ways.'
'We are now about to visit the most marvelous places and see the most wonderful things,' Netflix added, referencing a quote from James and the Giant Peach which was also written by Dahl in 1961.
The British author, who died in 1990 at age 74, remains popular with young readers around the world and several of his books such as The BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox and most recently The Witches have been turned into movies and stage shows.
Dahl's books have been translated into 63 languages and have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide.
'As we bring these timeless tales to more audiences in new formats, we're committed to maintaining their unique spirit and their universal themes of surprise and kindness, while also sprinkling some fresh magic into the mix,' Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Luke Kelly, Dahl's grandson and MD of the Roald Dahl Story Co, wrote in a blog post.
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