The Wiz

The wiz! The stars! The music! Wow!

1978 • 134 min • Fantasy · Family · Adventure

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Synopsis

Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she embarks on a quest to return home.

Our family guide

Best from age 6

Movie Knight Score

316 reviews

100 Reviewers · 1 · 51%
62 Audience · 315 · 49%

Dorothy, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept from New York City to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a quest to find her way home, meeting new friends and facing challenges along the way.

Violence & peril: 2/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Some characters may be visually intense
Brief moments of peril and chasing

What it models well

Friendship and loyalty
Finding courage within
The power of community
Appreciating home

Talk about it after

What makes a true home?
How can we help friends in need?
Facing fears and discovering strengths
Understanding different kinds of leadership

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Wiz. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Sidney Lumet • Crew: Joel Schumacher

Trailers & clips

Diana Ross Sings "Home"

You Can't Win - Full Clip

"Ease On Down the Road" Performed by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson

The Wiz 1978 TV trailer

The Wiz Official Trailer #1 - Michael Jackson Movie (1978) HD

Reviewer notes

Recommended
Whilst I think this really does work on stage, I really didn't much rate this African-American take on the timeless "Wizard of Oz" tale. It seems much more intent on making a political statement than it does on entertaining anyone, and given I'm not from the community it was made by and for, I felt a bit like I was not really invited to the party. The story itself sees a slightly older "Dorothy" (Diana Ross) chasi...
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community