L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its adaptations have won the hearts of countless children, and children at heart, over the years. Even in Baum’s lifetime, the classic story of Dorothy Gale and her adventures in the Land of Oz were adapted into stage shows and films, some of which Baum himself worked on. Many later films and adaptations have come out since then, with some being so popular they’ve created their own franchises.
Viewers have seen Oz brought to life in a variety of forms over the years, from live-action to animated projects, with a few puppets here and there. Some are adaptations of the original book, while others reinvent the story in their own way. Quite a few films try to tell the story of Dorothy returning to Oz after her last adventure, often drawing influence from the various sequel books written over the years. Of course, some films like to see just what Oz was like before Dorothy dropped in.
20 The Wizard of Mars (1965)
The Wizard of Mars is a science-fiction adaptation of the classic story. The film revolves around four astronauts, Dorothy, Steve, Charlie, and “Doc,” who get caught up in a storm in space. Landing on the Red Planet, they must travel a golden road to an ancient city. Inside a hall, they encounter a projection of a head, that reveals the history of the planet. Dorothy even dons a pair of silver shoes.
Oz with a Sci-Fi Spin
John Carradine notably plays the titular “Wizard of Mars.” The film is also notable for its complicated release history. In addition to an edited version of the film meant for television, it was at one point also used as part of a stage show that enacted special effects on viewers. The film was also later released with the title, Horrors of the Red Planet.
19 The Wizard of Oz (1925)
The Wizard of Oz (1925) opens up with an old man reading a story to his granddaughter about the land of Oz. A young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy, learns that she is actually the long-lost princess of Oz. She returns and even meets a prince. However, the original usurpers still have a few tricks up their sleeves. In fact, in this version of the story, even Uncle Henry and the Tin Woodman can’t be trusted. The story ends with a cliffhanger, but the interstitials assure viewers that Dorothy and her prince lived happily ever after.
A Princess of Oz
While the Wizard was already meant to be a fraud, most of the supernatural elements are eliminated completely, effectively treating the story as a political drama. Dorothy’s three companions are notably three farmhands from Kansas, simply disguised as a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion.
The idea of Dorothy being a princess of Oz was likely an attempt to conflate her with Princess Ozma, even naming her the daughter of King Pastoria. Interestingly enough, Dorothy does get made a princess of Oz by the third book, Ozma of Oz. Added to this, Dorothy’s love interest in the story, Prince Kynd, was a character in The Scarecrow of Oz, where he was a posthumous king. Rent on Vudu.
18 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a silent film made ten years after the original book was published. A cyclone sends Dorothy and her animal friends, including Imogene the Cow and Hank the Mule, as well as Toto, to Oz alongside the family’s scarecrow. Soon, she will meet new friends and face off against the evil witch Momba. The story ends with the Wizard declaring the Scarecrow the new king of Oz.
The Story Kind of Ends on a Cliffhanger
The film combines elements from the original book with a 1902 stage adaptation that had been popular at the time. Notably, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, and the Wicked Witch were either reduced to minor characters or cut out entirely in the stage version. While it seems abrupt to end the story with Dorothy still in Oz, the film was allegedly followed by a few sequels that may have incorporated elements from the later books. Unfortunately, the sequel films are considered lost media.
17 Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (2014)
Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is a 3D-animated film adapting Dorothy of Oz by Roger Stanton Baum, the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum. Dorothy has returned to Kansas only to learn her aunt and uncle are about to lose their farm. However, she won’t stay there for long, as her friends in Oz need her. An evil Jester, the brother of the Wicked Witch of the West, wants to take over Oz and is transforming people into puppets. Dorothy will make new allies in an owl, a china doll princess, and a marshmallow soldier.
A Story From Baum’s Great-Grandson
While the film was intended to be the start of a franchise, it did poorly at the box office, with its studio, Summertime Entertainment, going under after its release. The film also became infamous online for its scary imagery, particularly the scenes with the Jester’s puppet victims. That said, the film does have its fans who enjoy it as a standalone story.
16 The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005)
The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz is a television special that sees the Land of Oz populated by colorful Muppets. Dorothy Gale is an aspiring young singer who, after a bad audition, finds herself sent to Oz after a storm. Soon, she teams up with Kermit as the Scarecrow, Fozzie as the Cowardly lion, and a Gonzo made of tin. Hopefully, the great wizard might just make Dorothy’s dreams of stardom come true, but at a price.
After Taking Manhattan, Oz Was Just a Matter of Time
Admittedly, the special is seen as one of the Muppets’ weaker efforts. The subplot of Dorothy wanting to be a famous singer made her come off as bratty when compared to her more modest book counterpart, who simply wants to return home. Likewise, the idea of having Miss Piggy play all four witches might have seemed like a clever idea until viewers had to see the beloved Muppet die twice onscreen. Rent on Apple TV
15 The WIzard of Oz (1991)
Golden Films was an animation studio that adapted various children’s stories into short animated films. One of its earliest films, released under its American Film Investment Corporation name, was an animated adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Despite being a relatively short film, it’s relatively faithful to the original book, including elements like the silver shoes and Glinda’s palace.
A Very Straightforward Adaptation
While Golden Films often adapted classic stories multiple times, this was their only adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Though faithful to the book, there is still some influence from the MGM film, with Dorothy both looking and sounding similar to Judy Garland’s performance of the character. Overall, the film could be a good introduction to the original book’s plot.
14 Return to Oz (1964)
Return to Oz, not to be confused with the later Disney film of the same name, is a Rankin-Bass special involving Dorothy having to help her friends back in Oz after the Wicked Witch of the West has come back to life. The Witch’s time is limited, however, unless she can get her hands on Dorothy’s silver slippers.
Oz Just Can’t Continue Without Dorothy
The special uses a similar art style and characterizations from Rankin-Bass’ earlier Tales of the Wizard of Oz series, though it restores some elements that were cut from the original story. Notably, the earlier series portrayed the Wizard as the genuine article and a native Ozite, being an old classmate of the Wicked Witch’s. The special went back to his original humbug personality, though the characters believe otherwise until the very end.
13 Oz (1976)
Oz, also known as 20th Century Oz, is an Australian film parody of The Wizard of Oz, making use of the country’s own nickname. Dorothy is a teenage groupie who rides around with a rock hand. One day, she hits her head in an accident and wakes up to learn she has accidentally killed a local thug. A local shopkeeper rewards her with a pair of red shoes and tells her about the Wizard, a singer who is about to perform his last concert. She takes a journey to meet him, all the while dodging the thug’s brother.
Dorothy Dreams of a Land Down Under
The film references the original story at various points, but it isn’t a direct retelling. For example, Dorothy befriends a dopey surfer, a heartless mechanic, and a cowardly biker on her travels. As a nod to the MGM film, the actor playing the Wizard appears as other characters throughout the film. While there is no magic in the story, the red shoes still save the day. Most of the story is revealed to be a dream, with Dorothy learning the dangers of fame and fortune.
12 Dorothy and the Witches of Oz (2012)
Dorothy and the Witches of Oz, also released as the miniseries, The Witches of Oz, is a sequel revolving around an adult Dorothy. The heroine of Oz is now a popular children’s author living in New York City. However, she has repressed the fact that her adventures in Oz actually happened. Of course, her past returns to haunt her when the Wicked Witch of the West shows up in Time Square. Fortunately, Dorothy’s allies aren’t too far behind, as many of them have been hiding on Earth.
The Witches Are Back
One of the more notable aspects of the film is Mia Sara’s Princess Langwidere, portrayed as a witch whose ability to switch heads allows her to appear as various characters. Christopher Lloyd also notably appears as the Wizard of Oz himself. The film was intended to be the start of a franchise, though ended up being a standalone project.
11 Aysecik ve Sihirli Cüceler Rüyalar Ülkesinde (1971)
Aysecik ve Sihirli Cüceler Rüyalar Ülkesinde, or Little Ayşe and the Magic Dwarfs in the Land of Dreams, is a Turkish adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Aysecik is a young girl who lives with her parents on a farm until a cyclone sends her off to a strange land of witches and magic dwarfs. Protected by the good witch’s kiss and a magic pair of silver shoes, Aysecik makes new friends, faces off against an evil witch, and seeks a powerful wizard for help.
Turkey’s Own Wizard of Oz
Ayşecik’s actress Zeynep Değirmencioğlu was a famous child star in Turkey. At the time, Değirmencioğlu appeared in a variety of films adapting classic children’s stories, including Snow White and Cinderella.
Notably, the Munchkins are given a larger role in the story, magically appearing to Ayşecik when she needs them. They end the film magically appearing at Aysecik’s farm to see her off. Otherwise, the film is considered one of the more faithful adaptations of the original story, notably keeping “Dorothy” and her friends’ journey to see Glinda, renamed Nilüfer.
10 Journey Back to Oz
Journey Back to Oz is a Filmation animated film loosely adapting The Marvelous Land of Oz, with Dorothy taking the place of the book’s original main character, Tip. Another cyclone sends Dorothy back to Oz, where she must save the Scarecrow from the evil witch Mombi, who schemes to take over the Emerald City with her army of green elephants. Luckily, Dorothy’s new friends, Pumpkinhead and Woodenhead, will help her save the day.
There’s a Faraway Land
The film is also notable for its cast, with Judy Garland’s own daughter, Liza Minnelli, serving as the voice of Dorothy. Mickey Rooney, Garland’s co-star from the Andy Hardy films, also serves as the voice of the Scarecrow. Probably the most famous cast choice in the film, however, was that Margaret Hamilton, MGM’s original Wicked Witch of the West, played against type as Dorothy’s beloved Aunt Em.
9 The Wizard of Oz (1982)
The Wizard of Oz is an anime film based on the classic story from Toho and Topcraft, which served as something of a precursor to Studio Ghibli. As in the original story, young Dorothy Gale is swept away to the fairy land of Oz, where she befriends all sorts of characters. Surprisingly enough, the film was released in English a few years before its official Japanese release.
The WIzard of Oz Goes Anime
The films employ all sorts of art styles for the characters. The Cowardly Lion looks like something straight out of the original book’s illustrations, while the Scarecrow bears an uncanny resemblance to Anpanman. Glinda the Good Witch also notably resembles Princess Ozma, complete with her signature tiara. The film’s blonde Dorothy Gale somewhat brings to mind Alice of Alice in Wonderland fame.
Being animated proved to be in the story’s favor, as the film includes elements often cut out of the story, such as the kalidahs, monsters that attack Dorothy and her friends on their journey. Despite this, some elements are taken from the MGM film, such as making the magic slippers red.
Interestingly, the 1980s also saw an anime series based on the original Oz books, adapting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma or Oz, and The Emerald City of Oz.
8 Dorothy in the Land of Oz (1980)
Dorothy in the Land of Oz, also known as Thanksgiving in the Land of Oz, is a Thanksgiving special centered around the Oz characters. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are about to lose their farm when a balloon ships their niece back to the land of Oz. While there, she encounters an evil toymaker set on taking over with an army of toy soldiers. Fortunately, Dorothy has new allies: Jack Pumpkinhead, Tik-Tok, the Hungry Tiger, and Queen Ozma.
Thanksgiving Comes to Oz
The special is popular among fans of the original books for its happy ending, which sees Ozma summoning Dorothy’s family to Oz to stay, adapting a storyline from The Emerald City of Oz. This special is also notable for featuring the first appearances of Ozma, Tik-Tok, and the Hungry Tiger in animation.
7 Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz (2011)
Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz adds the famous cat and mouse duo to the classic story. Officially based off of the MGM film, Tom and Jerry are reimagined as Dorothy’s pets who tag along when the cyclone sends them to Oz. That said, Dorothy and Toto are already off to see the Wizard by the time Tom and Jerry learn what’s going on. They will team up with Dorothy and her new friends to fight the Wicked Witch of the West.
A Famous Duo Inside a Famous Story
The film expects the viewers to already be familiar with the original story, as most of it happens offscreen. That said, Tom and Jerry’s involvement is used to explain certain elements, like why there was a bucket or water in the Wicked Witch of the West’s castle. However, many of the classic scenes from the MGM film, from Dorothy singing “Over the Rainbow” to her defeating the Wicked Witch, are all brought to new life in animation. Rent on Apple TV
6 Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz (2016)
Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is a follow-up film to Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz, loosely adapting The Emerald City of Oz. Nobody back in Kansas believes Dorothy’s stories about Oz and the farm is in danger. Fortunately, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion show up in Kansas, revealing Oz is in anger from the evil Nome King. Dorothy, and well as Tom and Jerry, must go back to Oz to save the day.
A Cut Song Is Brought Back To Life
Unlike the previous film, Dorothy and her friends get more to do in the story as it offers a new adventure. Fans of the MGM film may enjoy seeing the classic cast meet other characters from the original books, with Jerry particularly getting to meet the Queen of the Field Mice. The film also famously features an adaptation of “The Jitterbug,” a song cut from the original film. The two films are also suspected to have been the inspiration for the animated series, Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz. Rent on Apple TV.
5 Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Oz the Great and Powerful gives a backstory to The Wizard of Oz‘s title character. Oscar Diggs is a con-artist magician living in America until a cyclone sends him and his balloon to the magical land of Oz. While there, he is mistaken for a great wizard prophesied to become the next king and slay an evil witch, the daughter of the dead king. However, the princess is none other than Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, but the real villain might be closer than Oscar thinks.
The Man Who Would Be The Wizard
Disney has had many Oz-themed projects over the years, to the point where an adaptation of the original story was nearly considered as a follow-up to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is seen as Disney’s second big theatrical Oz project, after Return to Oz.
While the film evokes elements from the MGM film, legally, Oz the Great and Powerful is based on the original books, with Glinda being somewhat conflated with Princess Ozma. Infamously, while the Wicked Witch of the West is portrayed as green as in the famous film, she couldn’t be the same shade. Stream on DIRECTV.
4 The Wiz Live! (2015)
The Wiz Live! was a live television event presenting the classic Broadway show, adapting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with an all-black cast and using soul-inspired music. Despite this, the original Broadway show is generally considered one of the most faithful adaptations of the book ever made. The live presentation is mostly close to the original play, but adds a subplot of Dorothy dealing with her parent’s death, before realizing her home is in Kansas with Aunt Em. In another twist to the story, the wizard’s true identity is revealed to be a woman, played by Queen Latifah.
So You Wanted To Meet the Wizard
Stephanie Mills, who originated Dorothy in the stage version of The Wiz, appeared in the presentation as Dorothy’s Aunt Em, allowing her to sing the opening song, “The Feeling We Once Had.” One of the special’s most famous moments was its rendition of “He’s The Wizard,” particularly Amber Riley as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. Dorothy’s subplot also lead to some interesting scenes, like a siren-like kalidah trying to steal the silver shoes by posing as her mother. Buy on Vudu.
3 The Wiz (1978)
The Wiz is a film adaptation of the famous Broadway show. In this version, Dorothy is a Harlem kindergarten teacher whose shyness keeps her closed off from the rest of the world. One Thanksgiving night, a snowstorm sent by Glinda the Good Witch of the South brings Dorothy to the mysterious land of Oz, where she will make a journey of self-discovery.
Ease on Down the Road
One of the most famous aspects of The Wiz was that Oz was portrayed as something of a dystopian-fantasy version of New York City, complete with a magic apple flying over the Emerald City and subway monsters inspired by the kalidahs. This has brought about mixed feelings from audiences over the years, either feeling the idea was clever or portrayed Oz as too dark and scary.
Diana Ross’ casting also proved controversial, especially as the film originally intended to cast fan-favorite Stephanie Mills, who played the character on stage, in the role. Dorothy being portrayed as an adult with arrested development also proved awkward for some, though others do see her as sympathetic. Stream on Prime Video.
2 Return to Oz (1985)
Return to Oz
- Release Date
- June 21, 1985
- Director
- Walter Murch
- Runtime
- 1hr 53min
Return to Oz is a Disney live-action film seeing the aftermath of Dorothy Gale’s return to Kansas. Dorothy’s stories about Oz are written off as dreams, and she is sent to an asylum for treatment. After a mysterious girl helps her escape, Dorothy finds herself back in Oz. Unfortunately, it is no longer the colorful fairyland it once was. Princess Mombi and the Nome King have taken it over, turning many of Dorothy’s friends to stone. Fortunately, Dorothy will make new allies, like Jack Pumpkinhead, Tik-Tok, and even Ozma, the long-lost princess of Oz.
Even The Ruby Slippers Returned
The plot is mostly seen as an adaptation of the third book, Ozma of Oz, though with some elements of The Marvelous Land of Oz. Disney also famously paid to use the ruby slippers from the MGM film in this version of the story, effectively taking the place of the magic belt from Ozma of Oz.
Over the years, the film has become infamous for some of its darker elements, but this has not stopped it from becoming a cult classic and being seen as the definitive Oz sequel film. One famous sequence from the film is the coronation scene, which has cameos from all sorts of characters from the Oz books. The film’s art style has also been praised for bringing the original books’ illustrations to life. Stream on Disney+.
1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz
- Release Date
- August 15, 1939
- Director
- Victor Fleming , Mervyn LeRoy , Richard Thorpe , King Vidor
- Cast
- Judy Garland , Frank Morgan , Ray Bolger , Bert Lahr , Jack Haley , Billie Burke
- Runtime
- 101
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale starts off the story wanting to protect her dog Toto from Miss Gulch, a cruel neighbor, all the while wishing to run away somewhere over the rainbow. Her wish is granted by a cyclone that sends her to the colorful land of Oz. Unfortunately, she’s made an enemy of the Wicked Witch of the West, who wants to reclaim her sister’s ruby slippers.
Off to See the Wizard
The Wizard of Oz might not have been the first adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but it is undeniably the most famous version ever made. It’s even considered one of the most famous and influential films ever made. Over the years, the film has also inspired a slew of spin-offs, including The Wizard of Oz on Ice, The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True, and even a few animated series. Marvel and DC even came together to produce a comic book adaptation in 1975.
The film is known for making various changes to the original story, particularly implying that Dorothy’s adventures in Oz were just a dream. That said, the film is surprisingly faithful compared to some earlier adaptations. After all, some versions even cut out the Wicked Witch of the West, whom the 1939 film is credited with popularizing as a villain. Stream on Max.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
