The Wiz (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 1978, The Wiz is a fantasy, adventure, family and music film directed by Sidney Lumet, running about 134 minutes. “From the book that's an American tradition… from the smash-hit Broadway show… the entertainment of the year!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she embarks on a quest to return home.
Who’s in it. The Wiz stars Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale, Michael Jackson as Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as Tinman and Ted Ross as Lion / Fleetwood Coup de Ville, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, The Wiz has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $21M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Wiz page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Wiz tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Wiz (1978)?
- In US, The Wiz is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Wiz worth watching?
- The Wiz holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, family and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Wiz?
- The Wiz stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross and Theresa Merritt.
- When was The Wiz released?
- The Wiz was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 134 minutes.