If you’ve found your way to this page, we have to assume you’re counting down the days until Wicked: For Good. While we wait for the next act of Wicked to arrive, here are our picks for the best Wizard of Oz movies to revisit (or watch for the first time).
What are the best Wizard of Oz movies?
For nearly a century, the magical world of Oz has captivated audiences of all ages. Over the years, countless adaptations of Frank L. Baum’s first novel in his 14-book Oz series have been brought to life — from musicals to Muppets retellings (which is sadly maybe the worst Muppet movie ever made.) We mourn for the lost potential! But with so many options, it can be tricky to know where to start.
Of course, our number one pick is the most famous Wizard of Oz film adaptation, which was released in 1939. The rest of our list highlights other standouts that you might not have heard of. And of course, one that you certainly have.
Wicked (2024)
A film adaptation of the Broadway musical hit that’s had us belting in our cars since 2005, Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel. This prequel is a retelling of the story of the witches in Oz, and gives us a backstory for the witch everyone loved to hate. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the film brings the musical’s epic first act to life. Fans of the musical were thrilled by powerhouse performances from Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and, of course, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
And if there was ever any doubt about the power of Wicked’s devoted fans or the universal appeal of musicals (when done well, we know there are some rough ones out there), the box office numbers speak for themselves. Wicked grossed over $700 million worldwide.
The Wiz (1978)
Before there was Wicked, there was another musical adaptation that made movie-musical history. This time, a Black cast, including all-time legends like Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson, brought the characters to life, infusing the story with R&B, soul, funk, and gospel. With music by Charlie Smalls and Luther Vandross, the Wiz was directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet. At the heart of the New York City-set story was a theme of liberation — both personal and cultural — that resonated deeply with audiences.
The original Broadway production had already proven that stories centered on Black voices and characters could be not only artistically powerful but commercially successful, and the 1978 film carried that spirit to the big screen. Though the film has some elements that haven’t aged as well as we’d like, it left a lasting mark on musical cinema and representation in Hollywood.
Return to Oz (1985)
The classic film ends with Dorothy safely back home. But did we ever expect her to share her incredible adventures with her family? Of course not. Everyone would have thought she was crazy. And that’s precisely where this unofficial sequel picks up — with a young Dorothy being taken to a sanatorium. Following the success of The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz gives audiences a darker, creepier take on Frank L. Baum’s world. Directed by Walter Murch, this 1985 film follows Dorothy as she escapes from the mental hospital and returns to Oz only to find the Emerald City in ruins and her friends missing. With the help of some new friends, who frankly verge on the eerie at times, Dorothy sets out to set things right.
Unlike the Technicolor whimsy of the original, Return to Oz goes gothic surrealism. While the movie’s initial release received mixed critical reception and underperformed at the box office, it has since gained a devoted cult following. We have to hand it to the film for its set design, creature effects, and the ambition to shake up the story.
The Wizard of Oz (1982)
Though the MGM classic may be the film that’s made its way beyond the screen and into cinematic and pop culture history, the Fumihiko Takayama-directed anime version is actually the one that sticks the most closely to the book. The storytelling beats are closer to the original; we get the separate characters of Glinda (the Good Witch of the South) and the Good Witch of the North — they aren’t conflated into one character. The Wizard also takes on multiple forms, rather than the giant, floating, mechanical, art deco-inspired head.
In terms of what the movie is, it’s exactly what you might think. It’s very 1980s; it’s very much a children’s movie. Watching it can feel like an Ozian fever dream, and that might not always be the vibe you’re after. Still, this one is pure nostalgia, and we have to give it credit for honoring the source material.
Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013)
After the success of the Broadway hit, Hollywood started leaning into the idea of giving iconic villains their own story of redemption — taking back the narrative, if you will. Out of that trend came films like Cruella, Maleficent, and, of course, Oz: The Great and Powerful. However, it doesn’t get talked about much, mainly because it lands somewhere in “kind of mid” territory.
Directed by Sam Raimi, Oz: The Great and Powerful functions as a prequel to the classic story, following Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time magician and conman, as he is swept away to the magical Land of Oz. There, he encounters witches both good and bad, discovers powers he didn’t know he had, and ultimately becomes the Wizard we all remember (though a slightly more complicated version). Despite the movie’s shortcomings, it dazzles visually thanks to Raimi’s direction, Peter Deming’s cinematography, magical CGI landscapes from VFX lead Scott Stokdyk, and powerhouse actors Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz.
How we picked the best Wizard of Oz movies
We narrowed our choices to feature-length films that received strong audience and critical acclaim, offered a fresh or interesting spin on the story, or stayed closest to Frank L. Baum’s original book. While not every film can rival the timeless 1939 classic, each contributes in its own way to the legacy of the wonderful world of Oz.
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