Every Wizard Of Oz Movie, Ranked Worst To Best (Including Wicked)

The highly anticipated Wicked has finally landed in theaters, and it joins the growing list of the many movie adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s celebrated novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Throughout his life, Baum released 13 Oz novels, and since his death in 1919, further stories have been written by his descendants. The release of the first installment of Baum’s Oz series in 1900 marked the beginning of one of the most popular and acclaimed franchises in entertainment history.

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has since extended far beyond the gates of the Emerald City, with a surprising amount of Wizard of Oz movies, cartoons, and television series depicting the adventures of Dorothy Gale and her friends. The 1939 movie starring a young Judy Garland, set the stage for the franchise today; a magical and captivating adventure that enchants viewers in different ways. Every movie based on The Wizard of Oz brings something new to the story, but as seen throughout the years, not every adaptation has fully inspired viewers to go follow the yellow brick road.

11 The Wizard of Oz (1925)

Directed by Larry Semon

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The first full feature-length adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel was the 1925 black-and-white silent film The Wizard of Oz. The movie starred and was directed by Larry Semon, a prominent filmmaker during the silent era of the movie industry. Semon’s wife, Dorothy Dwan, plays the role of Dorothy, who learns on her 18th birthday that she is a lost princess and must claim her rightful place as ruler of Oz. This movie is known for being one of the first to star Oliver Hardy of the comedic duo Laurel & Hardy, where he played the Tin Woodman.

As the first full-length movie of
The Wizard of Oz
, Semon’s 1925 adaptation failed to truly capture the magic of the Emerald City.

However, the 1925 version of The Wizard of Oz proved to be the least memorable adaptation, as it completely changed the original story and removed important characters, such as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, who proved prominent in Dorothy’s journey around the Land of Oz. It was also criticized for its change in characterization and abrupt ending. As the first full-length movie of The Wizard of Oz, Semon’s 1925 adaptation failed to truly capture the magic of the Emerald City.

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10 Oz (1976)

Directed by Chris Löfvén

This Australian movie brought the story of The Wizard of Oz to the world of rock music. In this movie, Dorothy, played by Joy Dunstan, is turned into a 16-year-old groupie traveling with a rock band across Australia. After an accident causes her to hit her head, Dorothy finds herself in an alternate universe where she’s given a pair of red heels by a clothier named Glynn to help her attend the concert of a famous singer in Melbourne.

Oz
was the first rock musical movie to be released in Australia in 1978.

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This movie makes several references to the original story, including changing the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion into a surfer, mechanic, and biker who helps Dorothy on her journey to Melbourne. It also offers an interesting perspective on the highs and lows of fame but isn’t memorable enough to be considered a good retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Oz failed at the box office in its native Australia and has since flown under the radar as one of the more forgettable adaptations of the original story.

9 The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005)

Directed by Kirk R. Thatcher

Premiering on ABC Television as part of The Wonderful World of Disney in 2005, The Muppets’ The Wizard of Oz depicts Dorothy as an adult who dreams of leaving her job at her Aunt Em’s diner in Kansas and becoming a singer. This movie sees the iconic Muppets taking on the roles of the Oz inhabitants, with Kermit as the Scarecrow, the Great Gonzo as the Tin Man, and Fozzie as the Cowardly Lion. The movie also depicts Miss Piggy as all four Witches, switching from Glinda the Good to the Wicked Witch, throughout the story.

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This Muppets film features a star-studded cast, including Ashanti as Dorothy, Queen Latifah as Aunt Em, and includes an interesting cameo from acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino. However, the movie was criticized for its adult characterization of Dorothy. It also lacks the humor and spirit of previous Muppet films. The song “When I’m With You,” composed by Michael Giacchino, received a Primetime Emmy nomination, but it’s not enough to save The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz from being the lowest ranked Muppets movie ever made.

8 Journey Back to Oz (1972)

Directed by Hal Sutherland

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Journey Back to Oz GAnimationFamilyFantasy

Journey Back to Oz is an animated fantasy film that serves as a continuation of the classic story, featuring Dorothy and Toto’s return to the Land of Oz. They discover the Scarecrow as Emerald City’s ruler and team up with familiar allies to thwart the wicked Mombi’s plans. Released in 1972.

Director Hal Sutherland Release Date December 14, 1972 Writers Fred Ladd Cast Liza Minnelli , Paul Lynde , Ethel Merman , Milton Berle , Mickey Rooney , Danny Thomas , Herschel Bernardi , Paul Ford , Margaret Hamilton , Jack E. Leonard , Risë Stevens , Mel Blanc , Dal McKennon , Larry Storch Runtime 88 minutes

Serving as a loose sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Journey Back to Oz sees Dorothy and Toto returning to Oz to deal with Mombi, a cousin of the Wicked Witch of the West, who strives to take over Oz with a troupe of green elephants. She is reunited with her old friends and also meets new ones on her journey to stop Mombi. This Filmation animated movie was originally set to be released in 1962. However, it lingered in development hell for nearly 10 years before finally being released in theaters in 1972.

Related This Forgotten Wizard Of Oz Sequel Starred Judy Garland’s Daughter As Dorothy

In an unofficial sequel to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is played by the daughter of the character’s original actress, Judy Garland.

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Journey Back to Oz features Liza Minnelli as Dorothy, who was portrayed by Minnelli’s mother, Judy Garland, in the 1939 film, Mickey Rooney as the Lion, and Margaret Hamilton as Aunt Em. The movie also introduces new characters such as Jack Pumpkinhead and Mombi, who were featured in Baum’s stories. While it wasn’t a financial success in theaters, it was well-received on television; through its strong animation and fitting soundtrack, Journey Back to Oz serves as both a decent sequel and a fitting tribute to the original story.

7 The Wizard of Oz (1982 anime)

Directed by Fumihiko Takayama

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This Japanese anime movie was produced by the Toho production company, which has been creating movies and animations since 1932. It was the first anime adaptation of The Wizard of Oz and depicts Dorothy being swept away to the land of Oz, where she meets multiple characters on her journey toward the Emerald City. An English adaptation was released in 1982, starring Aileen Quinn as Dorothy.

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Through using different designs to cleverly differentiate between the iconic characters, the 1982 anime proves an interesting watch for viewers who enjoyed the books.

This anime movie is notable for its strong faithfulness to the original story and includes new characters and story elements that didn’t appear in other adaptations. This includes a sequence where Dorothy and her friends are attacked by creatures called Kalidahs, which took place in the original book but weren’t featured in other movies. Through using different designs to cleverly differentiate between the iconic characters, the 1982 anime proves an interesting watch for viewers who enjoyed the books.

6 Ayşecik ve Sihirli Cüceler Rüyalar Ülkesinde (1971 Turkish film)

Directed by Tunç Başaran

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Translating to Little Ayşe and the Magic Dwarfs in the Land of Dreams, this Turkish movie released in 1971 depicts a young girl named Ayşecik who is swept away to the Land of Dreams, where she is ordered to kill the Wicked Witch of the West. This movie notably renames all the famous characters, with Glinda being called Nilüfer and the Wizard being referred to as the Keşkin Zeka.

While remaining faithful to the original story, Ayşecik notably expands the role of the Munchkins, as throughout the movie, 7 of them, dressed as soldiers, appear to help Ayşecik throughout her journey. The lead character is also shown to be wearing silver shoes, as depicted in L. Frank Baum’s novel. While the movie does suffer from poor special effects, it’s still enjoyable enough to make it an underrated comedic adaptation.

5 Oz, the Great and Powerful (2013)

Directed by Sam Raimi

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7/10 Oz the Great and Powerful PGAdventureFantasy

Director Sam Raimi Release Date March 8, 2013 Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Roth Films Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers David Lindsay-Abaire , Mitchell Kapner , L. Frank Baum Cast James Franco , Mila Kunis , Rachel Weisz , Michelle Williams , Zach Braff , Bill Cobbs , Joey King , Tony Cox , Stephen R. Hart , Abigail Spencer , Bruce Campbell , Ted Raimi , Tim Holmes , Toni Wynne , Rob Crites , William Dick , Gene Jones , John Lord Booth III , Suzanne Keilly Runtime 130 Minutes Budget $215 Million Main Genre Fantasy Expand

Sam Raimi’s 2013 adventure movie explores how exactly the Wizard himself arrived in Oz. Oz, the Great and Powerful depicts the Wizard as Oscar Diggs, a conman and circus magician, whose hot air balloon is blown into Oz by a tornado. Mistaken as a wizard destined to bring peace to the land, Diggs has no choice but to align with a flying monkey and a china doll to save Oz and become the hero he is believed to be. Like Wicked, this movie offers an idea of what happened in Oz before Dorothy arrived, but from the mysterious Wizard’s point of view.

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Oz, the Great and Powerful has a talented cast consisting of James Franco as Oscar Diggs, Michelle Williams as Glinda, and Mila Kunis as Theodora, later, the Wicked Witch of the West. It has strong visual effects, subtle references to the original story, and a stunning portrayal of the Land of Oz. While not quite on the same level as the original, owing to its lack of a captivating musical soundtrack, Oz, the Great and Powerful provides a believable and exciting origin story for the Wizard with a powerful message that appearances can sometimes be deceiving.

4 The Wiz (1978)

Directed by Sidney Lumet

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The Wiz GMusicFantasyAdventure

Director Sidney Lumet Release Date October 24, 1978 Studio(s) Universal Pictures , Motown Productions Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Joel Schumacher Cast Diana Ross , Michael Jackson , Nipsey Russell , Ted Ross , Theresa Merritt , Lena Horne , Richard Pryor , Mabel King , Thelma Carpenter , Stanley Greene , Quincy Jones , Iman , Clyde J. Barrett , Harry Madsen , Mabel Robinson Runtime 134 Minutes Budget $24 Million Main Genre Music Expand

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Directed by Sidney Lumet, The Wiz is adapted from the 1975 Broadway musical and offers a modern take on L. Frank Baum’s acclaimed novel. In this movie, Dorothy is depicted as an elementary school teacher taken during a snowstorm into the mysterious land of Oz. In one of several changes from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz famously portrays the land of Oz as a dystopian city, with characters, such as the Scarecrow, made out of garbage and creatures inspired by humanoids.

Upon its initial release, The Wiz received some criticism for its depiction of Oz as a bleak and dystopian city, as opposed to the bright and colorful world in previous movies, which made it somewhat frightening for younger viewers. However, it has since become a cult classic, thanks to its powerful soundtrack and the energetic performances of Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. The Wiz received 4 Oscar nominations in 1979 because of its outstanding technical achievements. A live television adaptation, The Wiz, Live!, was released in 2015, further showing its lasting impact on viewers.

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3 Return to Oz (1985)

Directed by Walter Murch

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Return to Oz PGAdventureFantasyFamily

Director Walter Murch Release Date June 21, 1985 Writers Walter Murch , Gill Dennis Cast Fairuza Balk , Nicol Williamson , Jean Marsh , Piper Laurie , Tim Rose , Brian Henson Runtime 109 Minutes Main Genre Fantasy Expand

Disney’s Return to Oz serves as a sequel to The Wizard of Oz but offers a darker and more sinister take on the story. Dorothy finds herself back in the land of Oz, only to find the yellow brick road is crumbling and the Emerald City has been taken over by the Nome King and Princess Mombi. Disney bought the rights to the Oz series in 1954, but issues in production meant that Return to Oz would not be released until 1985.

Return to Oz
is notorious for embracing the darker aspects of Baum’s stories

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Return to Oz is notorious for embracing the darker aspects of Baum’s stories. It includes scenes that could be disturbing for younger audiences, including moments where Dorothy is sent to a mental institution and is almost forced to undergo electroshock therapy. However, the movie is one of the most faithful to Baum’s novels. Jean Marsh’s performance as Mombi is also terrific, making her character one of the best witches of 1980s movies. It is now considered a cult classic and a favorite of those who have read the books.

2 Wicked (2024)

Directed by John M. Chu

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9/10 14 8.2/10 Wicked PGAdventureFantasyMusical

Director Jon M. Chu Release Date November 22, 2024 Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum Cast Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd Runtime 160 Minutes Main Genre Musical Expand
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One of the most anticipated adaptations in the franchise’s history, Wicked explores the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she came to be known as the sinister villain of Oz. Adapted from the Broadway musical, Elphaba Thropp enrolls at Shiz University, where she meets a fellow student, the popular Galinda. Although the two initially cannot stand each other, slowly, they develop an unlikely friendship that changes both of their lives forever. The cast of Wicked is led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who offer viewers a spellbinding view of Oz before the arrival of Dorothy.

Related Wicked’s Timeline & When It Takes Place Compared To The Wizard Of Oz Explained

Wicked isn’t exactly a conventional prequel, which makes it difficult for fans to place the story within the original Wizard of Oz timeline.

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Wicked offers a thrilling and exciting exploration of the lives of Elphaba and Galinda before they become known as the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good, respectively. Through Wicked‘s captivating soundtrack and sympathic portrayal of a young woman who faces judgment because of her appearance, this movie proves to be one of the best adaptations inspired by Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Even if it’s only an adaptation of half of the musical, the performances, songs, and more make Wicked a magical experience for anyone.

1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Directed by Victor Fleming

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10/10 9.7/10 The Wizard of Oz PGMusicalFantasyFamilyAdventure

Director Victor Fleming Release Date August 25, 1939 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Florence Ryerson , Noel Langley , Edgar Allan Woolf Cast Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger Runtime 102 minutes Budget $2.8 million Expand

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Arguably, the most famous Oz adaptation ever made, 1939’s The Wizard of Oz masterfully turns a black-and-white world of sorrow into a dazzling colorful land of magic and adventure. The Wizard of Oz’s cast includes Judy Garland as Dorothy, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch, and Billie Burke as Glinda. The movie remained strongly faithful to Baum’s novel and enhanced the story by including the catchy assortment of The Wizard of Oz songs.

The Wizard of Oz is arguably most famous for its use of Technicolor, likable characters, and for Judy Garland’s breathtaking performance of “Over the Rainbow”, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song’s inspiring message of finding hope in unlikely places has ranked it first on the AFI’s 100 Greatest Movie Songs. The movie’s powerful music and enchanting cast make the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz the best adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel.

Source: AFI

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