9 must-see fantasy films on Netflix (November 2025): Wonka and more

What could be more fantastic than a factory full of chocolate? Well, how about an origin story about a man whose sole obsession is making the kind of candy that makes you fly – literally. That is the central premise of Wonkaa sweet fantasy musical that fills in the gaps in Willy Wonka’s mysterious past.

Timothée Chalamet stars as a twenty-something Wonka who arrives in Paris and wants to make a name for herself in the cutthroat candy industry. Naturally, he encounters many obstacles, with the Chocolate Cartel trying to put their new competitor out of business, run them out of town, and possibly get them out of his mind as well. With the help of an enterprising orphan, Noodle (Calah Lane), and grumpy Oompa Loompa Lofty (Hugh Grant), Wonka wants to make his own kind of chocolate and lay the foundation for a factory that will delight millions of children around the world.

Wonka is almost completely disconnected from reality, which is exactly what you want in a fantasy film. People sing and dance on impulse, and Wonka’s chocolate makes people float through the air in ecstasy. It’s silly and absurd, and that’s what makes it Wonka so fun to watch. Like Willy’s candy, there isn’t much substance to it, but what is there is the kind of sweetness you’ll remember for a long time.