Wicked: Ranking the Best Wizard of Oz Movie and TV Adaptations

As someone who has spent countless hours watching and analyzing various adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale, I must say that my personal favorite is the 1939 classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” Growing up, this film was a staple in my family during the holiday season. The magical journey of Dorothy Gale, with its enchanting characters and breathtaking visual effects, left an indelible mark on my childhood imagination.

The musical “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is now playing in cinemas. This new adaptation of the Broadway musical based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the 1939 MGM film “The Wizard of Oz” has sparked renewed curiosity about the world originally presented in the book series. However, it’s important to note that “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz” aren’t the only adaptations of Baum’s novels that have been made for film and television over the past century. Adaptations of this classic tale have appeared in various forms such as movies, TV shows, stage productions, and even animated versions. These adaptations have also found their way into different cultures worldwide.

Explore an array of captivating adaptations based on the magical world of Oz – dating back as early as 1908 with the now-lost film “The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays,” marking the first live-action take on the series. This rich tapestry caters to fans both young and old, providing a variety of engaging projects that each offer a distinctive perspective on the original tale. As we delve into our ranking of these adaptations, it’s essential to note that this list is far from exhaustive. There exists an abundance of adaptations for dedicated enthusiasts, as well as some that have faded into obscurity. Our goal here is to highlight some of the most frequently encountered and easily accessible adaptations, so if your beloved adaptation isn’t included, please don’t take it personally – it’s not meant as a slight. Now, let us embark on our journey through the list.

9. Oz the Great and Powerful

Back in 2013, I stumbled upon a captivating live-action movie produced by Disney, titled “Oz The Great and Powerful”. This cinematic journey serves as a sort of spiritual prelude to the classic MGM film, “The Wizard of Oz.” Set two decades prior to the original tale, it follows James Franco’s character, Oscar Diggs, a trickster magician who lands in the magical land of Oz. There, he crosses paths with three enchanting witches – Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams) – and is tasked with restoring peace to a troubled Oz.

8. Dorothy and the Witches of Oz

2012 saw the release of the film “Dorothy and the Witches of Oz,” which also debuted as a 2011 television miniseries. This adaptation of the Oz saga is somewhat distinct due to its narrative revolving around Dorothy Gale, an adult children’s author who uncovers that her books are repressed memories from her time in Oz. A visit from the Wicked Witch of the West in Times Square triggers another journey for Dorothy. The production boasted Christopher Lloyd as the Wizard and also featured Sean Astin, Ethan Embry, Mia Sara, among others. Critics and audiences found the miniseries version unimpressive, but the film version received acclaim for its modern spin.

7. Emerald City

Picture a fusion of “Game of Thrones” and “The Wizard of Oz”. In 2017, the TV show “Emerald City” aired on NBC for a single season, revolving around Dorothy Gale (played by Adria Arjona), a nurse from a small Kansas town who finds herself in Oz. Her journey leads her to Emerald City, where she seeks the Wizard (Vincent D’Onofrio), all while trying to find her way back home. However, without Dorothy’s knowledge, she is destined to fulfill a prophecy that will significantly impact everyone. The series presented a grittier interpretation of the original story and incorporated elements from later books in Baum’s series as well. Regrettably, the series didn’t receive favorable reviews from critics or viewers. It debuted with low ratings and the audience response waned throughout the season, ultimately wrapping up as one of NBC’s lowest rated shows of 2017.

6. Tin Man

In 2007, the miniseries titled “Tin Man” made its debut. This SYFY production offered a modern take on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” infusing science fiction and further fantasy into the classic tale. The narrative centered around DG (portrayed by Zooey Deschanel), a small-town waitress who was unexpectedly transported to O.Z., or Outer Zone, during a “travel storm” instigated by a sorceress to eliminate her. Soldiers were the unfortunate recipients of this magical tempest. The series was exceptionally imaginative and in many ways, served as a sequel, with the storyline suggesting that DG was a relative of Dorothy Gale, among other fantastical elements. The series, featuring stars such as Alan Cumming, Neal McDonough, and Richard Dreyfuss, garnered positive reviews from audiences. Although it didn’t receive overwhelming critical acclaim, the series did manage to secure nine nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards in 2008.

5. The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz

Is there no task too challenging for the Muppets? In 2005, the TV show The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz made its debut, presenting a modern take on L. Frank Baum’s classic novel. However, this time, characters from the Muppet universe took center stage – for instance, Pepe the King Prawn portrayed Toto. The cast included Ashanti as Dorothy, Queen Latifah as Aunt Em, David Alan Grier as Uncle Henry, Jeffrey Tambor as the Wizard, and even Quentin Tarantino lending ideas to Kermit the Frog’s Scarecrow in his confrontations with the Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Piggy). Despite receiving mixed reviews and mediocre ratings, it’s always a good choice to watch The Muppets.

4. Return to Oz

If, hypothetically, we were able to award a four-way tie for the highest rank in this list, we likely would — and “Return to Oz” undeniably stands as one of the best adaptations of “The Wizard of Oz.” Released by Disney in 1985, the dark fantasy film represents an unofficial sequel to the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” drawing primarily from L. Frank Baum’s 1907 novel “Ozma of Oz.” In this story, Dorothy revisits Oz, discovering it under the control of the Nome King and Princess Mombi. It falls upon Dorothy and her new companions (including a talking chicken named Billina) to restore the land. The film features several scenes that could be considered nightmarish — such as a head-swapping incident — and did not fare well at the box office initially, receiving mixed reviews. However, it has since become a cult classic. Additionally, it marked Fairuza Balk’s debut in feature films.

3. The Wiz

First released in cinemas in 1978, “The Wiz” can be considered an adaptation of an adaptation; it’s based on the 1974 Broadway musical that bore the same name. This musical film boasted an African American cast and followed Dorothy, a Harlem teacher who is whisked away to a fantastical urban Oz. Apart from its urban setting, “The Wiz” closely mirrors “The Wizard of Oz,” and it boasts an impressive soundtrack as well. The film’s star-studded cast included Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as Tinman, Ted Ross as Cowardly Lion, Richard Pryor as the Wiz, Lena Horne as Glinda. Though it was a financial flop at the time of its release and received mixed reviews from critics, “The Wiz” has since become a cult classic, and its music remains popular today.

2. Wicked

Indeed, you might be surprised to find that the film version of Wicked has taken the second spot, but this shouldn’t be seen as a measure of its greatness. Similar to The Wiz, Wicked is an adaptation of an adaptation; it was initially a Broadway musical before becoming a movie. Interestingly enough, it isn’t really an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Instead, it’s based on a prequel novel inspired by L. Frank Baum’s original stories, which makes it quite unique in the world of Oz. The film tells the story of Oz before Dorothy Gale, focusing on Elphaba’s journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. At the time this article was written, the movie is still playing in theaters and has been a massive box office hit, receiving praise from both critics and audiences for the performances of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda/Glinda.

1. The Wizard of Oz

Nothing else could claim the number one spot on this list; the 1939 cinematic masterpiece starring Judy Garland remains unrivaled as the best adaptation ever made. Upon its initial release, it was met with near-unanimous critical acclaim and proved to be a massive box office success for its time – even though the studio initially suffered a loss until its re-release in 1949. The special effects used in the film were truly remarkable for that era, although some of the materials employed raised concerns, such as the snow used in the scene where Dorothy dozes off in the poppy field, which was made using gypsum. During the 1930s, National Gypsum had incorporated asbestos into some of their products. Nonetheless, this timeless classic has stood the test of time and serves as a benchmark against which all other adaptations are measured. There’s little room for error when it comes to choosing this movie.

Wicked is in theaters now.

2024-12-05 08:11