Best ‘Oliver Twist’ Movie Adaptations, Ranked

I absolutely love Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens! It’s a classic for a reason. The story follows young Oliver, an orphan in Victorian England, who tries to escape a terrible life in the workhouse. He ends up in London and gets mixed up with a group of young pickpockets led by this really shady character named Fagin. It’s a gripping story and it really pulls you in!

This story offers a raw and realistic portrayal of life in London at the time, tackling difficult subjects like child labor, abuse within the home, and the stark differences between rich and poor. It’s a powerful narrative that has been brought to the screen many times. For this ranking, we’re focusing on major film adaptations, leaving out older silent films and lesser-known TV movies. Here’s our list of movie versions of Oliver Twist, ranked from best to worst.

‘Twist’ (2021)

Sky Cinema

While not a masterpiece, the 2021 film Twist offers a fresh take on the classic Oliver Twist story and deserves some recognition for that. This Sky Original adaptation reimagines Twist as a talented graffiti artist – played by Riff Law – who gets caught up in the dangerous world of gangs.

Michael Caine is fantastic as Fagin, delivering some of the film’s most memorable lines and remaining captivating even though the other characters aren’t developed very well. While it’s great that Sky attempted a fresh take on the story instead of simply copying what’s been done before, it wasn’t as successful as Disney’s version, Oliver & Company.

‘Oliver Twist’ (1982)

CBS

The 1982 CBS movie adaptation of Oliver Twist stands out as one of the better made-for-TV versions of the classic story. Director Clive Donner created a darker and more realistic feel while still following the original plot. Ben Buckton plays Oliver, and George C. Scott is a particularly frightening Fagin. Tim Curry fans will also appreciate his chilling and intense portrayal of Bill Sikes – it’s a performance you won’t forget.

Despite a limited budget, this adaptation vividly portrays a gritty and realistic London, making it feel more genuine than many other versions. Viewers looking for a darker take on Oliver Twist will enjoy the film’s daring choices and strong acting. However, the commitment to the novel’s authenticity also led to some storytelling issues, creating a somewhat uneven pace. Overall, its faithfulness to the source material, compelling performances, and relative obscurity make it a worthwhile find for fans of the classic story.

‘Oliver Twist’ (2005)

Summit Entertainment

I really enjoyed the 2005 film version of Oliver Twist; it felt much truer to the 2021 adaptation. Critics loved it, praising its beautiful cinematography, and I thought Sir Ben Kingsley was absolutely brilliant as Fagin – he completely disappeared into the role! It’s a shame it didn’t do well in theaters, though. Despite the critical acclaim, it was considered a box office disappointment, which is a bit sad considering it was directed by the incredibly talented, though often debated, Roman Polanski.

The main criticism of the movie is that it doesn’t take many risks – it feels familiar, as audiences have seen similar versions of Oliver Twist before. Some reviewers found this lack of originality made it somewhat uninspired. However, the film does have a few changes; most notably, the character of Mrs. Maylie is absent, which allows for a greater focus on The Artful Dodger and his group of young companions.

‘Oliver & Company’ (1988)

Disney

Disney’s Oliver & Company is a unique and engaging take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Instead of a boy, the story follows Oliver, a kitten living on the streets, who finds a family with a group of dogs led by a man named Fagin. While Fagin is a complex character in the original novel, this movie presents him as more friendly and approachable. The film was moderately successful and is often credited with helping to launch the popular ‘Disney Renaissance’ of the 1990s.

As a Disney animation fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for Oliver & Company. What really stood out to me was the animation – it had a unique style for its time. And the music! “Why Should I Worry?” is a genuinely fantastic song and even got a Golden Globe nomination, which it totally deserved. The voice cast was incredible too – Joey Lawrence, Billy Joel, Cheech Marin, Bette Midler, and Dom DeLuise all brought so much personality to their characters. It’s not necessarily one of Disney’s most famous films, but over the years, Oliver & Company has really built up a dedicated and passionate fanbase, and I’m definitely one of them!

‘Oliver Twist’ (1948)

General Film Distributors

David Lean’s 1948 film adaptation of Oliver Twist vividly portrays the harsh and grim living conditions faced by homeless children in Victorian London. Lean was already familiar with Dickens’ stories, having previously directed a version of Great Expectations a few years earlier.

The film was a success, delivering a captivating and memorable experience that stayed true to the spirit of the original novel. Both Alec Guinness, as Fagin, and Robert Newton, as Bill Sykes, received high praise for their performances. According to the BBC, this adaptation became the standard for all future Dickens films, and it was later ranked 46th on the British Film Institute’s list of the greatest British movies.

‘Oliver!’ (1968)

Columbia Pictures

The 1968 film adaptation of Oliver Twist, directed by Carol Reed, is widely considered a classic musical. It successfully balances staying true to the original story while also feeling new and inventive. This is largely thanks to Reed’s choice to base the movie on Lionel Bart’s popular 1960 stage musical. The film is filled with memorable songs like “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” and “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” and it was a critical success, celebrated for its music, beautiful visuals, and strong performances.

I was completely blown away by Ron Moody as Fagin and Oliver Reed as Bill Sykes – they were incredible! Even the younger actors, Mark Lester as Oliver Twist and Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger, were so talented for their age. The film was a huge success at the Academy Awards, earning 11 nominations and winning six, including the Best Picture and Best Director awards for Reed. They even gave an honorary award to the choreographer, Onna White! It’s amazing to me that even now, Oliver! consistently ranks as one of the greatest British films ever made – it really has stood the test of time.

2026-03-20 19:19