Sophie is an eight-year-old girl who lives in a miserable orphanage in an English village. Intelligent and curious, she is snatched from her bed after spotting a mysterious figure in the night. She relies on her courage and sharp mind to survive her abduction to Giant Country, remaining determined to stop the nightly violence against other humans.

A 24-foot giant who resides in Giant Country and works secretly in the human world. Unlike his peers, he refuses to eat humans, subsisting entirely on the foul-tasting "snozzcumber." He collects dreams in jars to blow into the bedrooms of sleeping children and speaks in a distinctive, jumbled language.

A group of massive, brutish giants who reside in Giant Country. Much larger than the BFG, they spend their nights traveling to different countries to feast on men, women, and children. They act as thuggish bullies, taking pleasure in throwing and kicking their smaller peer.

The reigning monarch of England. Sophie views her as the ultimate authority of goodness and capability. She exhibits a poised, dignified demeanor when confronted with extraordinary circumstances, easily adapting to the sudden appearance of magical creatures.

The largest and most fearsome of the giants in Giant Country. He is a violent bully who deeply fears the human "Jack" from the beanstalk legend and takes immense pleasure in intimidating smaller creatures.

An enormous giant who aggressively patrols Giant Country. Suspicious and gluttonous, he searches for humans to eat but possesses a deep disgust for the local vegetable known as snozzcumbers.

The woman in charge of the orphanage where Sophie lives. She is a vindictive authority figure who punishes the girls for minor infractions by locking them in a dark cellar without food or water.

The royal butler at Buckingham Palace. He is highly resourceful and maintains his composure while organizing highly unusual logistical requests for the monarchy.

The son of the local greengrocer in Sophie's English village. He sleeps peacefully unaware of the magical activity occurring outside his window during the witching hour.

The greengrocer's daughter and Michael's sister. Her bedroom window is visited by a magical creature distributing dreams in the middle of the night.