At The Movies

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return Runtime: 86 min Studio: Clarius Entertainment Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 10 Based on: Book An animated sequel to the classic Oz story, Dorothy returns to the Land of Oz to save her friends and the magical kingdom from a new evil force. Ratings: My Rating: 6.3 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 5.1 Rotten Tomatoes: 17 Metacritic: 39 Plot Summary: Dorothy receives a magical gift that transports her back to Oz, where she discovers her old friends are threatened by an evil Jester. She teams up with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion to restore harmony and overcome obstacles, learning lessons about courage, friendship, and selflessness. Critics Review: Critics gave mixed to negative reviews, citing weak story development and underwhelming animation quality. However, the film was praised for its faithfulness to the Oz universe and its attempt to deliver positive moral lessons to children. Christian Perspective: The story reflects Christian values suc...

The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz Runtime: 88 min Studio: Walt Disney Television Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 7 Based on: Book A musical retelling of the classic Oz story featuring the Muppets, following Dorothy as she travels to Oz, makes new friends, and confronts the Wicked Witch with humor, heart, and song. Ratings: My Rating: 7.2 The Dove Foundation: G IMDb: 6.1 Rotten Tomatoes: 71 Metacritic: 65 Plot Summary: Dorothy, accompanied by her dog Toto, is transported to the magical Land of Oz. She meets Kermit as the Scarecrow, Fozzie as the Cowardly Lion, and Miss Piggy as Glinda. Together, they face the Wicked Witch of the West, learn lessons about friendship, courage, and heart, and work to restore peace to Oz. Critics Review: Critics praised the film’s creativity, musical numbers, and family-friendly humor, though some noted it lacked the depth of the original story. The Muppets’ charm and performance quality made it entertaining for both children and adults. Christian Persp...

Journey Back to Oz Runtime: 80 min Studio: Filmation Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 4 Based on: Book (The Marvelous Land of Oz) An animated sequel to the original Oz story, Dorothy returns to the Land of Oz to help her friends confront new challenges and restore peace to the magical kingdom. Ratings: My Rating: 7.0 The Dove Foundation: G IMDb: 6.4 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: Dorothy is transported back to Oz, where she discovers that her friends are facing new threats from evil forces. Alongside the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, she embarks on a journey to restore order and ensure that good triumphs over evil. The story emphasizes courage, friendship, and perseverance. Critics Review: Critics noted the animation quality as charming but occasionally inconsistent. The story is faithful to the Oz universe and praised for its moral lessons and entertainment value for children. Christian Perspective: The story reinforces Christian values such as courage, ...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Runtime: 14 min Studio: Thanhouser Film Corporation Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 1 Based on: Book A silent short film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, following Dorothy as she is transported to the Land of Oz and begins her journey to meet the Wizard, encountering magical friends and obstacles along the way. Ratings: My Rating: 6.5 The Dove Foundation: NR IMDb: 5.8 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: Dorothy is carried by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. In this brief silent adaptation, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, and sets out to find the Wizard to help her return home. Despite its short runtime, the film captures the essence of Baum’s story with visual storytelling and early cinematic techniques. Critics Review: As an early silent film, it is recognized for its historical significance rather than cinematic quality. Critics note the creativity in visual effects for the time and its importan...

Oz the Great and Powerful Runtime: 130 min Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 9 A small-time magician named Oscar Diggs is swept away to the Land of Oz, where he must confront witches, fulfill a prophecy, and discover his own courage and moral character while navigating a magical world of wonder and danger. Ratings: My Rating: 7.6 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 6.7 Rotten Tomatoes: 70 Metacritic: 57 Plot Summary: Oscar Diggs, a con-man magician from Kansas, is transported to Oz after a hot air balloon accident. Mistaken for a powerful wizard, he is thrust into the conflict between the good witches and the evil sorceress Theodora. Through deception, ingenuity, and eventual moral growth, he works to save Oz and discover his true potential. Critics Review: Critics praised the film’s visual effects, set design, and performances, especially James Franco as Oscar. Some felt the story relied on clichés and lacked depth, but the movie’s spectacle and moral ...

Return to Oz Runtime: 96 min Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 6 Based on: Book Dorothy returns to the land of Oz, only to find it in chaos under the rule of Princess Mombi and the Nome King. She reunites with familiar friends and new allies to restore order and rescue the magical land from tyranny. Ratings: My Rating: 7.8 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 6.7 Rotten Tomatoes: 89 Metacritic: 74 Plot Summary: After being returned home from Oz, Dorothy is taken back by mysterious circumstances to a transformed land. She must confront evil forces, including Princess Mombi and the Nome King, while seeking to restore the rightful rulers and the magic of Oz. Along the way, Dorothy learns about courage, loyalty, and the power of friendship. Critics Review: Critics noted the film’s darker tone compared to the 1939 classic, praising its creativity, special effects, and faithfulness to L. Frank Baum’s later novels. Some viewed it as more frightening for younger...

Wizard of Oz Runtime: 102 min Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 3 Based on: Book A Kansas farm girl, Dorothy, is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. With the help of new friends, she seeks to return home while confronting the Wicked Witch of the West and learning lessons about courage, heart, and wisdom. Ratings: My Rating: 8.8 The Dove Foundation: G IMDb: 8.0 Rotten Tomatoes: 98 Metacritic: 92 Plot Summary: Dorothy, along with her dog Toto, is transported to the colorful land of Oz by a tornado. She befriends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, each seeking qualities they believe they lack. Together, they journey to see the Wizard of Oz, facing obstacles, the Wicked Witch, and learning that the qualities they sought were within them all along. Critics Review: Critics widely acclaim the film as a cinematic classic. Its innovative Technicolor, musical score, and storytelling have had lasting influence. While some elements may f...