Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- theatrical
- soulful
- family movie night
- musical movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the supporting cast and musical numbers strong but considered the screenplay, Diana Ross's performance, and overblown presentation major weaknesses.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dorothy begins as a Harlem kindergarten teacher and the Oz world is shaped through African American performance, music, and visual language.
The Yellow Brick Road, Emerald City, and witch's lair are presented through elaborate choreography, sets, and Motown-inflected songs.
Dorothy's movement from an unfulfilled, protected life in Harlem through Oz centers on developing courage and independence.
The film connects Harlem and New York imagery with a stylized Oz populated by performers, dancers, and towering city-like spaces.
Films like The Wiz, and why
The Wizard of Oz
fantasy musical spectacle, iconic journey structure, and elaborate production design
Black Panther
Afro-diasporic musical fantasy, vibrant theatricality, and culturally specific reinterpretation of a familiar story
Labyrinth
stylized family musical fantasy with colorful worlds, memorable songs, and an outsider seeking belonging
Movie Details
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Release Date
- 1978-10-24
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (334)
Cast
- Diana Ross
- Michael Jackson
- Nipsey Russell
- Ted Ross
- Mabel King
- Theresa Merritt
- Thelma Carpenter
- Lena Horne
- Richard Pryor
- Stanley Greene
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Wiz about?
- A Harlem schoolteacher finds courage, friendship, and a path home in a lavish Black musical reimagining of Oz.
- What is The Wiz like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wiz as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Wiz violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Wiz as mild.
- What did critics think of The Wiz?
- Critics generally found the supporting cast and musical numbers strong but considered the screenplay, Diana Ross's performance, and overblown presentation major weaknesses.
- Which films are like The Wiz?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wizard of Oz, Black Panther, and Labyrinth.
- How long is The Wiz?
- The Wiz runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wiz?
- In United States, The Wiz is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
