‘The Wizard of Oz’ Is Streaming on HBO Max and in the Top 10 After ‘Wicked: For Good’ Opening Weekend

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A movie initially considered a failure when it came out in 1939 is now a huge success, topping charts worldwide and becoming a popular pick for viewers on HBO Max over 85 years later.

Everyone knows The Wizard of Oz, the classic story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away to the magical Land of Oz. There, she encounters a memorable cast of characters and a frightening Wicked Witch seeking revenge. Judy Garland stars as Dorothy in her most famous role – a performance that continues to captivate audiences of all ages, and is notable as one of the first films to fully utilize color technology.

With a remarkable 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is often called a masterpiece. Though many versions of this story exist, none capture the magic of The Wizard of Oz quite like it does, offering stunning visuals and a captivating story for viewers of all ages.

‘Wicked: For Good’ Features Several Elements of ‘The Wizard of Oz’


MGM

When Gregory Maguire published Wicked in the mid-1990s, it was a surprise success. No one predicted it would become a huge Broadway musical and, now, a two-part movie event expected to earn $1.5 billion or more at the box office. The first Wicked film, released in 2024, told the story of Elphaba’s growing fame. The second film, Wicked: For Good, continues the story and connects with the events of The Wizard of Oz in several ways.

The movie Wicked: For Good shows how the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion came to be Dorothy’s companions before Dorothy herself arrives in Oz and eventually clashes with the Wicked Witch of the West. Familiar scenes from The Wizard of Oz are woven throughout the new film. The filmmakers made a smart choice by not showing Dorothy’s face directly, but the nods to the original 1939 movie have sparked a wave of nostalgia, prompting many viewers to revisit it on streaming platforms.

You know, it’s funny – when The Wizard of Oz first came out, it actually didn’t do that well in theaters! It cost a huge amount of money to make back then – $2.7 million – and only brought in around $3 million during its initial run. People kind of thought it was a flop! But over the years, with re-releases in cinemas and then when it became popular on home video, it’s become incredibly profitable. It’s wild to think something once considered a bit of a dud is now such a classic and a money-maker after 86 years!

The movie Wicked: For Good is already a huge success, earning $226 million worldwide during its opening weekend – nearly covering its $150 million production cost. What’s more, audiences seem to love it even more than the original The Wizard of Oz! It currently has a 97% audience score (‘Popcornmeter’) and a 70% critic score (‘Tomatometer’), compared to The Wizard of Oz‘s 89% and 70% respectively.

Even though watching The Wizard of Oz immediately after Wicked reveals some differences, many fans still enjoy revisiting this iconic and beloved film.

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2025-11-25 17:13