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The Wiz

Play trailer Poster for The Wiz G 1978 2h 14m Kids & Family Musical Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Wiz

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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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Critics Reviews

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Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times Nov 18
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. Go to Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times Nov 18
The film is photographed in such grained and murky colour that it is like visiting Wonderland in the off-season. Go to Full Review New York Mag/Vulture Staff New York Magazine/Vulture Nov 18
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. Go to Full Review Stan Franklin Florida Times-Union Feb 4
Unfortunately the flashy excesses and the decision to have an overage big name in the starring role overwhelm the picture. It's sterile. Go to Full Review Stephen Schiff Boston Phoenix Nov 18
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. Go to Full Review Michael Ward Cleveland Plain Dealer Nov 18
It is a pity that director Sidney Lumet could not get the story moving down that Yellow Brick Road a little faster. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Elisha Aug 31 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. See more Ben W 06/18/2025 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. See more Celeste F 05/24/2025 Such a great movie and so fun to see it in a theater! See more Susan 05/22/2025 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! See more Tina S 05/22/2025 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 See more KahGoLive 05/22/2025 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. See more Read all reviews
The Wiz

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Cast & Crew

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Diana Ross

Dorothy

Michael Jackson

Scarecrow

Richard Pryor

The Wiz

Nipsey Russell

Tinman

Ted Ross

Lion

Movie Clips

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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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The Wiz

The Wiz (1978) The Wiz (1978) The Wiz (1978) The Wiz (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

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