Overview
A young girl embarks on a fantastical journey to find her way home, discovering friendship and courage along the way.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- uplifting
- dreamy
- family movie night
- holiday viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a technically groundbreaking, visually enchanting, musically memorable family fantasy anchored by Judy Garland's appealing performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dorothy moves from rural Kansas into the magical Land of Oz after the tornado, creating a sharp contrast between ordinary life and fantasy adventure.
The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion seek a brain, heart, and courage while repeatedly demonstrating intelligence, compassion, and bravery.
The Kansas material is visually restrained while Oz unfolds through vivid color, elaborate sets, costumes, and theatrical musical sequences.
Dorothy's quest to return to Kansas gives the fantasy adventure a strong emotional center and frames home as irreplaceable.
Films like The Wizard of Oz, and why
Mary Poppins
shared cinematic fairy tale structure, colorful fantasy world, musical spectacle, and child-centered journey
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
shared family fantasy, memorable songs, whimsical production design, and a young protagonist confronting magical danger
The NeverEnding Story
shared classic fantasy adventure, theatrical visual imagination, eccentric companions, and an uplifting homecoming theme
The Sound of Music
shared musical fantasy, colorful storybook imagery, comic villains, and themes of courage and self-discovery
Movie Details
- Director
- Victor Fleming
- Release Date
- 1939-08-21
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (6304)
Cast
- Judy Garland
- Ray Bolger
- Jack Haley
- Bert Lahr
- Frank Morgan
- Margaret Hamilton
- Billie Burke
- Clara Blandick
- Charley Grapewin
- Pat Walshe
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- 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 Wizard of Oz about?
- A Kansas farm girl and three endearing misfits follow a dazzling road through Oz in search of the courage, compassion, and belonging they already carry within them.
- What is The Wizard of Oz like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wizard of Oz as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Wizard of Oz violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Wizard of Oz as mild.
- What did critics think of The Wizard of Oz?
- Critics broadly regard it as a technically groundbreaking, visually enchanting, musically memorable family fantasy anchored by Judy Garland's appealing performance.
- Which films are like The Wizard of Oz?
- Films with a similar feel include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The NeverEnding Story, and The Sound of Music.
- How long is The Wizard of Oz?
- The Wizard of Oz runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wizard of Oz?
- In United States, The Wizard of Oz streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
