What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedRoald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes
Roald Dahl · Book · 2002
If you loved Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, start with Tales of the Unexpected (Roald Dahl, 1979) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes across media.
You loved Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes for the sharp wit and subversive delight found in twisting familiar tales into something delightfully unexpected.
Films on the same thread
The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner · Film · 1987
Explores: True Love, Good vs Evil, Revenge.
Just as Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes plays with traditional fairy tale tropes, this film offers a cracked, self-aware narrative that mocks classic conventions while delivering a truly memorable story.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical
Matthew Warchus · Film · 2022
Explores: Underdog Story, Empowerment, Good vs Evil.
Fans of the spirited subversion in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes will appreciate this adaptation, which captures the same defiant energy and triumph of the underdog against cruel, powerful adults.
Roald Dahl's The Witches
Film · 2020
Explores: Witchcraft, Grandmother-Grandson Bond, Transformation.
Sharing the dark, whimsical edge of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, this story balances sinister, diabolical threats with a comedic tone to create a uniquely twisted and imaginative viewing experience.
The Swan
Wes Anderson · Film · 2023
Explores: Childhood Cruelty, Power Dynamics, Social Inequality.
This short film echoes the darker, more cynical undercurrents found in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, focusing on how power dynamics and cruelty can shape a story in unsettling ways.
Series on the same thread
Tales of the Unexpected
Roald Dahl · Series · 1979
Shares a thread with Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes: Irony.
If the ironic, twist-filled endings of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes kept you entertained, this anthology series offers that exact same blend of dark comedy and surprising, sharp-witted narrative turns.
Horrible Histories
Terry Deary · Series · 2009
Shares a thread with Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes: Dark Humor.
This show mirrors the irreverent, anarchic spirit of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes by taking well-known historical subjects and saturating them with a biting, gross-out sense of satirical humor.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
Much like the storytelling style in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, this podcast leans into the appeal of the unexpected, delivering bite-sized mysteries that captivate the mind with curious twists.
Nani Ki Kahaniya
Podcast
Explores: Moral lessons, Values, Childhood education.
Building on the foundation of classic fairy tales found in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes, these stories offer a similar focus on imaginative narratives designed to engage and educate young listeners.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What kind of stories are included in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes?
Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes contains six well-known fairy tales retold in verse. These stories replace the traditional happily-ever-after endings with humorous and unexpected conclusions, offering a satirical take on the classic narratives that readers have known for generations.
Is Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes written in prose or poetry?
The stories within Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes are written in verse. This poetic format allows the author to deliver his humorous retellings of six classic fairy tales with a rhythmic style that emphasizes the surprise endings found throughout the collection.
Does Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes follow the original fairy tale endings?
No, Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes does not follow the traditional endings of the original fairy tales. Each of the six stories in the book features a surprise ending, subverting the expectations of a happily-ever-after conclusion in favor of a humorous twist.
How many fairy tales are featured in Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes?
Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes features exactly six well-known fairy tales. Each story is presented as a humorous retelling in verse, ensuring that every entry in the collection provides a unique and unexpected narrative departure from the traditional versions of these classic stories.