Netflix is opening the gates to Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory in a whole new way.
Wonka’s The Golden Ticket premieres Wednesday, September 23, bringing a reality competition into the colorful world inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the classic 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
The new series puts real contestants inside a massive recreation of Wonka’s world, where getting through the factory gates is only the beginning.
12 Golden Tickets Lead 24 Contestants Into Wonka’s World
The competition begins with 12 Golden Ticket recipients. Each winner gets to choose a partner, creating a field of 24 contestants ready to take on Wonka’s unpredictable factory.
Once inside, the pairs face games, tests and temptations designed to challenge more than their ability to win a competition.
Netflix describes the series as a high-stakes social experiment that tests contestants physically, mentally and morally. The players must adapt to unexpected situations, strategize with their partners and figure out how to survive the chaos inside the factory.
Only one contestant will ultimately claim the show’s life-changing prize.
The Chocolate Factory Gets a Reality TV Makeover
Rather than simply retelling the familiar Wonka story, the Netflix series turns the chocolate factory into a giant competition playground.
The factory features a retrofuturistic dreamscape filled with games, surprises and elaborate sets. Contestants can expect challenges built around the strange and unpredictable spirit associated with Wonka.
One of the most recognizable areas is Wonkavision 2.0, a new take on the television studio from the 1971 movie.
The updated set includes games such as “Wheel of Misfortune,” “Bubble Jeopardy” and “Steal or no Steal.” The games are presented by holographic appearances from TV personalities Howie Mandel, Nick Cannon and Wayne Brady.
Gene Wilder’s Wonka Legacy Returns
For fans of the 1971 film, the new series also includes a notable connection to Gene Wilder.
Netflix is using a recreated version of Wilder’s voice for the project with permission from the Gene Wilder Estate. Wilder’s performance as Willy Wonka remains one of the defining parts of the classic movie, and the new series is designed to acknowledge that legacy while introducing the character’s world to a new generation.
Rusty Goffe, who appeared in the original 1971 movie as an Oompa Loompa, is also returning to the chocolate factory for the new series.
The Oompa-Loompas Get a New Look
The familiar Oompa-Loompas are also part of the new factory.
Netflix has described the 2026 version as an updated take on the factory workforce, while keeping recognizable elements from the original Wonka universe. Goffe’s return gives the production a direct connection to the classic film.
The new series therefore mixes nostalgia with a completely different format. Instead of following Charlie Bucket through a scripted adventure, viewers will watch real contestants compete inside Wonka’s world.
When to Watch Wonka’s The Golden Ticket
Wonka’s The Golden Ticket premieres on Netflix on September 23, 2026. Netflix has scheduled a two-part finale for September 30.
The series is rated TV-PG and is classified by Netflix as competition reality television.
For longtime Wonka fans, the appeal is the combination of a familiar movie world and a completely new setup. For reality TV viewers, the series offers another competition format built around strategy, teamwork and unpredictable challenges.
A New Way to Enter Wonka’s Chocolate Factory
The Golden Ticket has always represented a chance to enter a world that most people could only imagine.
Netflix is now turning that fantasy into a reality competition.
With 12 Golden Tickets, 24 contestants, elaborate factory sets, classic Wonka references and a single winner waiting at the end, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket gives the familiar chocolate factory a new reason to open its doors in 2026.