The Wiz (1978)

The Wiz is special because it doesn’t merely retell Oz—it reimagines it as a bursting, streetwise dreamscape, turning New York into a mythic playground of color, rhythm, and invention. Sidney Lumet directs with surprising sincerity for a fantasy musical, letting the spectacle land while keeping the emotional throughline simple and inviting: a shy woman learning to trust herself. The sets, costumes, and effects have that lavish, handcrafted 1970s grandeur, and the music carries you on sheer momentum, with Diana Ross anchoring the wonder and an all-star ensemble (including a magnetic Michael Jackson) making each stop along the road feel like its own mini-event. It won’t be for everyone if you want a sleek, modern musical or a strictly traditional Oz, but if you’re open to something bold, joyous, and unapologetically theatrical, it’s a one-of-a-kind trip worth taking.

The Wiz is clearly aiming to be a bold, Black, urban reimagining of Oz with big Broadway-style numbers and a dreamlike, stylized New York atmosphere. The problem is that the film often feels oddly stiff and slow for something that should crackle with musical energy, with direction and pacing that can make scenes drag and the world feel more bleak than magical. Diana Ross and the script’s take on Dorothy won’t work for everyone, and if you’re coming for the stage show’s electricity or a classic movie-musical snap, you may find it strangely muted. That said, the production design has striking moments, and Michael Jackson brings real charm—so it’s worth a look if you’re curious about the concept and can forgive a lot of downtime between the high points.