The Wiz

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The Wiz

G

1978

2h 14m

Kids & Family

Musical

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

117 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy 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, a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

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Critics Consensus

The Wiz is a workmanlike movie musical that lacks the electricity of the stage version and its cinematic inspiration, despite some committed performances from its all-star cast.

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Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

Nov 18, 2025

The frustration of an earnest, unstinting, aspiring undertaking like "The Wiz" is that its best moments are so fresh and kinetic you sense all the more sharply where it sags and stumbles.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Nov 18, 2025

The film is photographed in such grained and murky colour that it is like visiting Wonderland in the off-season.

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New York Mag/Vulture Staff

New York Magazine/Vulture

Nov 18, 2025

Tony Walton's huge sets serve mainly as static backdrops, and director Sidney Lumet can't seem to find a place to put the camera.

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Stan Franklin

Florida Times-Union

Feb 4, 2026

Unfortunately the flashy excesses and the decision to have an overage big name in the starring role overwhelm the picture. It's sterile.

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Stephen Schiff

Boston Phoenix

Nov 18, 2025

Sidney Lumet has concocted a film that jerks along from one grandiose set-piece to another, skipping the intimate, in-between moments that might have lent it all some rhythm, unity or momentum.

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Michael Ward

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Nov 18, 2025

It is a pity that director Sidney Lumet could not get the story moving down that Yellow Brick Road a little faster.

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Elisha

Aug 31, 2025

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.

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Ben W

Jun 18, 2025

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.

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Celeste F

May 24, 2025

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

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Susan

May 22, 2025

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!

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Tina S

May 22, 2025

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

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KahGoLive

May 22, 2025

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.

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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

Now Playing

The Wiz: Official Clip - Everybody Rejoice

2:47

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The Wiz: Official Clip - If You Believe

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The Wiz: Official Clip - No Bad News

3:59

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The Wiz: Official Clip - The Crow Anthem

3:49

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The Wiz: Official Clip - Scarecrow Joins Dorothy

2:03

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

2:49

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The Wiz: Official Clip - Ease on Down the Road

2:40

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Synopsis

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy 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, a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

Director: Sidney Lumet
Producer: Rob Cohen
Screenwriter: Joel Schumacher
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Motown Productions, Universal Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1978, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 18, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Surround

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