The Wizard of Oz: A Ranking of Movies Based on L. Frank Baum's Oz Books

After reading Lewis Carroll's Alice books, I became so impressed with children's literature that I read Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Now, I think I'm done reading kiddie junk. Seriously, though, Baum's first entry in the Oz series isn't entirely without merit, and it was certainly an easy read. There were even a few good puns and a surprising number of decapitations. The real pleasure, however, was in reviewing the film adaptations, which to a large extent becomes more of a comparison study with the adaptation that dominates the land of Oz and obviously tops this ranking.

(P.S. Note that I've intentionally skipped what seemed to be some of the more childish motion-picture tales of Oz. I can only tolerate so much, after all. Also, it should be noted that the first Oz film--really, a multi-media presentation--is lost, "The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays of Oz" (1908), Baum's first but not last foray into adapting his own stories.)

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My average rating of ranked movies: 5.2 stars.

10 titles

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

PG | 102 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

8.1

The obvious choice to top this ranking, MGM's Technicolor musical may be the most popular and beloved film of all time. With a wonderful ensemble cast led by Judy Garland, fantastic use of color, cinematic reflexivity, camp, entertaining musical numbers, memorable lines and improving upon Baum's text in every significant regard, it deserves to be, too.

My Full Review

2. The Wizard of Oz (1933)

9 min | Animation, Short, Comedy

5.8

The actual first Technicolor film treatment of Baum's book, this cartoon's release was reportedly hindered by contractual disputes, but it's an interesting, if odd, take on the text. Plus, it's short.

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3. Return to Oz (1985)

PG | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

6.7

Disney's sequel to the MGM masterpiece is a surprisingly shocking departure, including a Halloween theme. Its shared fondness with Baum for the removal of heads is a highlight.

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4. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

PG | 130 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

6.3

This Disney prequel is more in line with the studio's usual propensity for self-promotion and effects-laded fluff. The movie effectively continues the 1939 film's reflexivity of the Wizard creating films-within-the-film, though.

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5. The Wiz (1978)

G | 134 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

5.4

An all-black cast variation on Baum's tale, although "The Wiz," too, owes its plot structure to the 1939 film. Unfortunately, the musical numbers tend to be tiresome with the exception of "Ease on Down the Road," and its translation of a story focused on white characters from Kansas to an African-American urban dreamscape is only partially effective.

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6. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)

Not Rated | 13 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Short

5.7

The earliest film on this list is largely a filmed play in the dated tableau style, but it's somewhat cute and short, which puts it above the rest of the silent Oz films.

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7. The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914)

81 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

5.4

The first of three Oz films that Baum produced himself. They were amateurish even by 1914 standards, although, I suppose, they're not without some charm.

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8. The Magic Cloak (1914)

38 min | Short, Adventure, Family

5.2

These Baum films are much of the same. This one may be shorter because of lost footage.

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9. The New Wizard of Oz (1914)

59 min | Family, Fantasy, Adventure

5.3

Again, more of the same, and if you can tolerate seeing all three of Baum's Oz trilogy, you might dare to watch the final film on this list.

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10. The Wizard of Oz (1925)

TV-G | 95 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy

4.9

Some have proposed this to be the worst film of the silent era. They may be right.

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