The Wizard of Oz (1939): cast, story & where to watch

1939 · Film · ★ 7.6

The Wizard of Oz poster

Released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz is a fantasy, adventure and family film directed by Victor Fleming, running about 102 minutes. “We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West is the only thing that could stop them.

Who’s in it. The Wizard of Oz stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Ray Bolger as Hunk / Scarecrow, Jack Haley as Hickory / Tin Man and Bert Lahr as Zeke / Cowardly Lion, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, The Wizard of Oz has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $33.8M at the box office.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max and 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 Wizard of Oz page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Wizard of Oz 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 Wizard of Oz (1939)?
In US, The Wizard of Oz is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel and HBO Max, and 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 Wizard of Oz worth watching?
The Wizard of Oz holds an audience score of 7.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, adventure and family. Most viewers rate it highly.
Who stars in The Wizard of Oz?
The Wizard of Oz stars Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr and Margaret Hamilton.
When was The Wizard of Oz released?
The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 102 minutes.