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The Wiz

Play trailer Poster for The Wiz G Released Oct 24, 1978 2h 13m Kids & Family Musical Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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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Critics Reviews

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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 Ben Sherlock Screen Rant The Wiz's retelling of The Wizard of Oz is certainly ambitious, but the game performances of its star-studded cast are let down by lifeless direction. Rated: 6/10 May 18, 2025 Full Review KT Mahe For Your Reference Podcast The reimagining of The Wiz positions itself as a classic in its own right. Emotion holds through memorable set pieces and legendary performances. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 27, 2024 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Celeste F Such a great movie and so fun to see it in a theater! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/24/25 Full Review Susan The music was great. The staging was imaginative and captivating. It was a fun movie. The only drawbacks were discourteous persons in the theatre's audience who brought in shopping bags full of crackly cellophane snack bags, causing inexcusable disturbance and distraction.--People: Re-bag your 'loud' snacks and assembly-line bags into 'quiet' zip-lock plastic baggies BEFORE you enter a movie theatre! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Tina S I didn’t get to see it because the Brandywine Regal Cinemas elevator was out of order…. They had no notice of that anywhere. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review KahGoLive Loved it and I’m 22 lol been watching since I was a little kid excited to see on big screen for first time . I hope y’all come back to movies so I can watch it again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Somer Jordan I treated myself to see The Wiz in theaters! I was in tears for most of the movie. I miss this kind of art. And for me it felt like home. What a way to remember such great talent before my time. What a treasure it is to still be able to witness. believeinyourself thewiz regalmovietheatres universalpictures universalpictures plymouthmeeting corndognuggets ketchuppackets encouraged whenithinkofhome Dorothy oz clickyourheelsthreetimes Socials: IG - @adv.withsomer TT - @adv.withsj YT - @adv.withsomer Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Sean Lamar This movie is a classic! So glad there was a re-release in theatres! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Wiz

The Wiz: Official Clip - Home The Wiz: Official Clip - Home 3:16 The Wiz: Official Clip - Everybody Rejoice The Wiz: Official Clip - Everybody Rejoice 2:47 The Wiz: Official Clip - If You Believe The Wiz: Official Clip - If You Believe 2:19 The Wiz: Official Clip - No Bad News The Wiz: Official Clip - No Bad News 3:59 The Wiz: Official Clip - The Crow Anthem The Wiz: Official Clip - The Crow Anthem 3:49 The Wiz: Official Clip - Scarecrow Joins Dorothy The Wiz: Official Clip - Scarecrow Joins Dorothy 2:03 The Wiz: Official Clip - I'm a Mean Old Lion The Wiz: Official Clip - I'm a Mean Old Lion 2:49 The Wiz: Official Clip - Ease on Down the Road The Wiz: Official Clip - Ease on Down the Road 2:40 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
Rob Cohen
Screenwriter
Joel Schumacher
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Motown Productions, Universal Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Musical, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 24, 1978, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
May 18, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
May 8, 2015
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Surround
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