The Wiz

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The Wiz

G

Released Oct 24, 1978

2h 13m

Kids & Family

Musical

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

43 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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Eric Mink

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Diana Ross eases out of Harlem to the land of Oz in a funky, fancy version of L. Frank Baum's children's classic. Gone, though, are the charm and the lump-in-the-throat sentiment of the Judy Garland film version.

Jul 8, 2025

Full Review

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

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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

Joe Botten

Loud and Clear Reviews

There’s tremendous power in experiencing a film that unapologetically celebrates Black culture, music, and spirit.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 10, 2025

Full Review

George Anderson

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

So much talent and money went into this half-hearted fantasy that it becomes depressing rather than joyful.

Rated: C+

Jul 8, 2025

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Basically a schmaltzy tutorial on self-confidence and “I can do anything!” bromides, the film somewhat overrides this flaw with perfect casting in the supporting ranks and some eye-popping set-pieces.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 28, 2025

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Elisha

All time classic movie with all the greatest entertainers from Nipsey Russell to Michael Jackson! The stardom, artistry and genius of this movie is unmatched.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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Ben W

It’s a fun movie. Saw it once when I was a kid. The music is not my favorite and many scenes are way too drawn out. But worth a revisit.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/18/25

Full Review

Celeste F

Such a great movie and so fun to see it in a theater!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

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

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Diana Ross

Dorothy

Michael Jackson

Scarecrow

Richard Pryor

The Wiz

Nipsey Russell

Tinman

Ted Ross

Lion

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: 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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