Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- nostalgic
- earnest
- whimsical
- family movie night
- nostalgic gaming night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a clumsy, commercially driven family road movie overwhelmed by conspicuous Nintendo and Universal Studios promotion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Corey and Jimmy travel from Utah toward California while trying to remain together despite adult intervention.
Nintendo games, Super Mario Bros. 3, Hostess, and Universal Studios are repeatedly foregrounded as plot and promotional elements.
Jimmy's extraordinary video game skill drives the championship opportunity while adults debate his care and custody.
The film uses NES cartridges, arcade-style competition, and late-1980s gaming culture as central dramatic material.
Films like The Wizard, and why
Rain Man
shared family road movie structure, sibling-centered conflict, and emotionally direct adventure tone
Little Miss Sunshine
shared child-focused journey, family separation themes, and accessible road adventure
The Karate Kid
shared youthful outsider protagonists, competition-driven plot, and nostalgic coming-of-age energy
Pixels
shared commercialized pop-culture spectacle, family audience appeal, and video game competition premise
Movie Details
- Director
- Todd Holland
- Release Date
- 1989-12-15
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (362)
Cast
- Luke Edwards
- Vince Trankina
- Wendy Phillips
- Dea McAllister
- Sam McMurray
- Beau Bridges
- Fred Savage
- Christian Slater
- Will Seltzer
- Roy Conrad
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Wizard about?
- Two estranged brothers flee across the American West so a gifted but troubled gamer can compete in a high-stakes Nintendo championship.
- What is The Wizard like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wizard as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Wizard violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Wizard.
- What did critics think of The Wizard?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a clumsy, commercially driven family road movie overwhelmed by conspicuous Nintendo and Universal Studios promotion.
- Which films are like The Wizard?
- Films with a similar feel include Rain Man, Little Miss Sunshine, The Karate Kid, and Pixels.
- How long is The Wizard?
- The Wizard runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wizard?
- In United States, The Wizard is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
