The Wiz

G

Released Oct 24, 1978

2h 13m

Kids & Family

Musical

Adventure

Fantasy

List

44%

36 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross).

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Critics Consensus

This workmanlike movie musical lacks the electricity of the stage version (and its cinematic inspiration), but it's bolstered by strong performances by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

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John Skow

TIME Magazine

So much wit and talent and energy crowd the screen in this lavishly filmed variant of the Oz story that it is depressing to realize that the production never had a chance.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Director Sidney Lumet has created what amounts to a love letter to the city of New York, which he equates with Oz.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's good that the Scarecrow is the first traveling companion she meets; Michael Jackson fills the role with humor and warmth.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 16, 2018

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…it’s the dirty-glitter staging, not the show that’s the problem, not helped by Lumet shooting all the musical sequences from such an extreme distance that we can rarely see the cast’s faces…

Rated: 3/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Richard Schertzer

ScreenAnarchy

Whether you love or hate this movie, there is no denying how memorable it truly is and how impactful it has been on the culture of Oz enthusiasts and Black cinema, alike.

Jul 31, 2023

Full Review

Ginger Varney

L.A. Weekly

All that money and all that talent, and nobody really knew what to do with it except the art director.

Nov 5, 2021

Full Review

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Kris C

First watched it as a 7 year old and it still holds up. Think this reimagining of the story resonated more because of the big city backdrop and it still holds up. A fantastic film that's visually and musically stunning. Not usually keen on musicals but the music in this left me wanting more. Rewatching it as an adult with my child has been one of the highlights of this year!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

Full Review

Rebekah R

I don't know what people aren't seeing. The Wiz is a work of art, visually captivating, yes the story kind of drags on but I don't trust anyone who tells me the music in this movie isn't phenomenal. I've been watching this since I was little and it moves me to this day. It will forever and always be a masterpiece. I don't care what anyone says.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Ian W

What the hell? Fair play to Michael Jackson for keeping up the energy levels. But this is an extraordinarily bad film. It gets 1/10 because it made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions. (Unintentionally). Utter dross.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/24

Full Review

Cicely E

Greatest of all Time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

Victoria A

Very good movie.would have liked to see Stephanie Mills as the lead. She originally sang the song on Broadway. She is the one who is known for singing the song "Home." They had the original Lion from the Broadway show which was a bow to the Broadway show. This is why I can only give 4.5 stars.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/23

Full Review

David F

The artwork is unstoppable, and the dance is unbelievable. Having grown up in NYC, there is no better fantasy movie. There are some weird moments, but as a whole this is a masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/24/23

Full Review

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Diana Ross

Dorothy

Michael Jackson

Scarecrow

Richard Pryor

The Wiz

Nipsey Russell

Tinman

Ted Ross

Lion

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The Wiz: Official Clip - Home

3:16

The Wiz: Official Clip - Everybody Rejoice

2:47

The Wiz: Official Clip - If You Believe

2:19

The Wiz: Official Clip - No Bad News

3:59

The Wiz: Official Clip - The Crow Anthem

3:49

The Wiz: Official Clip - Scarecrow Joins Dorothy

2:03

The Wiz: Official Clip - I'm a Mean Old Lion

2:49

The Wiz: Official Clip - Ease on Down the Road

2:40

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Synopsis

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross).

Director: Sidney Lumet
Producer: Kenneth Harper
Screenwriter: Joel Schumacher
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Motown Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Surround

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