Beyond the Rainbow: The Wizard of Oz Reimagined at the Sphere

It's Finally Here...

The long-anticipated premiere of The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere arrived on 28 August 2025. And if you’re expecting a simple screening of the classic film, think again. What’s happening inside the towering orb on the Las Vegas Strip is closer to stepping into Oz itself than watching the movie at home or sitting down at a theater. 

A Brief History

The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 movie, based on L. Frank Baum 1900's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The movie starred Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr,  Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin, several little people playing Munchkins.   

The film was praised for its use of Technicolor, as it was one of the few films that used Technicolor at the time. The movie was also praised for its characters, its storytelling, use of fantasy and scenes, the title song; Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and its musical score. 

The Wizard of Oz was nominated for an Oscar in 1940 for the 12th 

The film received a total of six Oscar nominations for the 12th annual Academy Awards in 1940. Those nominations were for:

• Best Picture

• Best Art Direction

• Best Effects, Special Effects

• Best Music, Original Song

• Best Music, Original Score

• Best Adapted Screenplay

Of the six nominations, the film won two awards; Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Somewhere Over the Rainbow.  Judy Garland also won the Academy Juvenile Award for her role.

While the movie achieved critical success, it failed to achieve commercial success. When the movie premiered in 1939, it failed miserably at the box office.  

Right film, Wrong Era

Several factors contributed to the film's failure and worked against MGM’s ambitious production with the first being that the film was made at the end of the Great Depression. Other factors were: 

• Global Turmoil:  The outbreak of World War II closed off overseas markets, cutting off a major revenue stream for MGM.

• Sky-High Costs: At $2.7 million, it was the studio’s most expensive film ever made, with marketing and distribution pushing the investment even higher. Despite its aggressive marking, the film only  made a profit of $233,000, which was less than an 8th of its cost to produce. 

• Tiny Ticket Prices: With movie tickets averaging just .25¢, it was nearly impossible for such a massive budget to be recouped quickly.

• Fierce Competition: 1939 was one of Hollywood’s strongest years, with Gone With the Wind and Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stealing much of the spotlight.

• Studio Pressures: MGM couldn’t afford to keep The Wizard of Oz in theaters long enough to let its earnings grow, as the studio needed to make way for other releases.

All of these challenges meant that what is now hailed as a cultural treasure was at first considered a financial disappointment.

From Financial Failure to Cult Classic and Multi-generational Tradition

The movie rose to be a cult classic and traditional family viewing phenomenal thanks to its television broadcast on CBS in 1956.  According to the U.S. Library of Congress, it is the most seen film in movie history. In 1989, the Library of Congress selected it as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the United States National Film Registry because of its historically and culturally significance.

For years, multi-generations have gathered around the television to watch The Wizard of Oz. For many the annual tradition normally takes place during the holidays, between Halloween and the New Year. 

The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere

The Transcendence 

The Sphere showing of The Wizard of Oz is no ordinary showing of the 1939 masterpiece. The Sphere has taken Dorothy’s yellow brick road and blown it wide open, transforming it into an experience that swallows you whole. The venue’s enormous 16K resolution display stretches across 16,000 square feet of interior screen, while a staggering 167,000 speakers pump Judy Garland’s timeless vocals into every corner with crystalline clarity.

And the technology doesn’t stop at sight and sound. Seats rumble beneath you, fog curls around your ankles, gusts of wind whip past your cheeks, and even scents drift through the air to complete the illusion. When the tornado strikes, audiences don’t just watch Kansas twist into chaos, they feel it.

The Role of AI

To bring Oz to life on such a grand scale, the creative team leaned into AI technology, expanding the original 4:3 film frame into vast panoramic landscapes. Suddenly, what once was confined to a single camera shot now stretches into sweeping fields, towering Emerald City skylines, and depth that feels almost limitless. It’s a bold move, one that has stirred debate among purists but undeniably adds dimension to a story audiences thought they already knew.

What People Are Saying

The reactions so far have been as vivid as the experience itself:

• Some describe it as “a ride more than a movie”, likening it to a theme park attraction, complete with tornado winds and flying monkeys swooping overhead.
  
  

• Others are enchanted by the nostalgia, calling it “like stepping into childhood again, only bigger, louder, and more alive.”
  
  

• A few critics note uneven moments, with one reviewer saying: “When it works, it’s breathtaking. When it doesn’t, it feels experimental.”
  
  

• Social media has exploded with clips, especially from the tornado sequence, with TikTok users praising it for its magical feel.

Box Office Buzz

If there’s any doubt about its success, just follow the money. Since opening, The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere has been raking in an estimated $2 million per day in ticket sales, with industry analysts predicting it could clear $1 billion by the end of its run. Those kinds of numbers put the production in league with Vegas’s biggest blockbusters, cementing the Sphere as not just an architectural marvel but a cultural and financial juggernaut.

The Details

• Dates: August 28, 2025 – March 31, 2026
  
  

• Run Time: 75 minutes
  
  

• Late Seating: Not permitted
  
  

Multiple shows run daily, making it easy to add to any Vegas trip.

The Cost for the Experience

The average ticket cost for The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere ranges from $150 to $200, though prices can vary significantly depending on the dates, showtime, and seat location. Please note that the weekends are pricier. You can find cheaper tickets starting around $130-$140 for less popular times, while prime seats can cost much more, potentially up to $3,700 for the most expensive options.  The Sphere offers VIP packages like the "Bad Witch" and "Good Witch" experiences, which include premium seating and other perks for specific performances. You should check the sites mentioned previously for current ticket options and availability, including any potential last-minute deals or promotions. 

How to Be Part of the Magic

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, while the Venetian Resort offers special packages for luxury stays paired with the show. For reviews, bundles, and booking options, Vegas.com is another go-to resource. 

In Conclusion

What The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere proves is that cinema doesn’t have to be bound by the screen. It can become a living, breathing environment, part ride, part movie, part concert, that challenges how we define storytelling. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Judy Garland’s Dorothy or simply a lover of spectacle, this is one trip down the Yellow Brick Road you won’t soon forget.