The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: book vs. movie

The film and TV versions

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)

  FilmMostly faithful

  Judy Garland stars as Dorothy, with Ray Bolger, Jack Haley and Bert Lahr as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, in the famous film that changes from black-and-white Kansas to color Oz. Songs include “Over the Rainbow.”

  For families: A wonderful first film for most 6–9s at about an hour and 40 minutes. The green-faced Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys frighten some young children, so it helps to watch together the first time.

• The Wiz (1978)

  MusicalRated GLoosely based

  A film of the Broadway musical, set in a fantasy New York City, with Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Lena Horne as Glinda and Richard Pryor as the Wiz. The songs include “Ease on Down the Road.”

  For families: Rated G, with great music and dancing. Some scenes are spooky, such as moving subway pillars and the harsh witch Evillene, and at over two hours it may feel long to younger children.

• Wicked (2024)

  MusicalRated PGLoosely based

  Jon M. Chu’s film of the hit Broadway musical tells the story of Oz from the side of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), and her friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande). It continues in Wicked: For Good (2025), also rated PG.

  For families: Rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. It runs about two hours and 40 minutes and deals with bullying and unfairness, so it suits 8–9 year olds who love musicals more than younger ones.

• Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

  FilmRated PGLoosely based

  A Disney prequel by Sam Raimi with James Franco as a traveling magician who is blown to Oz and becomes the Wizard. Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams play the witches.

  For families: Rated PG. It has jump scares, flying baboons and a frightening witch, which can be too much for 6–7 year olds. It is a new story, not the book.

• The Wiz Live! (2015)

  MusicalLoosely based

  A live television production of The Wiz on NBC, with Shanice Williams as Dorothy, Queen Latifah as the Wiz and Mary J. Blige as the Wicked Witch Evillene. It is bright, joyful and closer to the stage show than the 1978 film.

  For families: A cheerful family watch with lots of singing and dancing and only mild scary moments. It runs long with breaks, so it is easy to watch in parts.

• Tin Man (2007)

  TV seriesLoosely based

  A dark science-fiction miniseries with Zooey Deschanel as DG, a young woman pulled into a strange land called the O.Z. It reimagines the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as very different characters.

  For families: Too dark and violent for 6–9s, with menacing villains and frightening scenes. Better for teens who know the original.

How the movies differ from the book

Silver shoes become ruby slippers

In the book, Dorothy’s magic shoes are silver. The 1939 film made them ruby red to show off its new Technicolor, and the ruby slippers became one of the most famous props in movie history.

A real place or a dream?

In the book, Oz is a real place that Dorothy truly visits. The 1939 film suggests it may all have been a dream, and many of the Oz characters are played by the same actors as people Dorothy knows in Kansas.

Two good witches become one

In the book, the good Witch of the North greets Dorothy and the good Witch Glinda lives in the South. The 1939 film combines them into Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

Many adventures are left out

The film skips several of the book’s adventures, such as the Kalidahs (beasts with bear bodies and tiger heads), the Queen of the Field Mice, the fighting trees and the delicate China Country, where everyone is made of china.

Green glasses in the Emerald City

In the book, everyone in the Emerald City must wear green spectacles that are locked on. In the 1939 film, the city is simply green, with no glasses at all.

Is The Wizard of Oz (1939) OK for kids?

Yes, it is a classic family film and a great first movie for most children. The Wicked Witch and the flying monkeys scare some young children, so it is best watched together the first time.

Is The Wizard of Oz movie the same as the book?

It follows the main story, but it changes Dorothy’s silver shoes to ruby slippers, combines two good witches into one, cuts many adventures and hints that Oz was a dream.

What is the best Wizard of Oz movie?

The 1939 film with Judy Garland is the most famous and best loved. For a musical with a different flavor, The Wiz (1978) and Wicked (2024) are also very popular.

Is Wicked OK for kids?

Wicked (2024) is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. It is long and serious in places, so it suits children around 8 and up, especially those who love musicals.