10 Movies & Shows Like The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Description: The Dark Crystal shares with The Wizard of Oz a hero's journey through a fully realized fantasy world populated by unique creatures. Both films feature young protagonists on quests to restore balance to their worlds. The elaborate puppet work in The Dark Crystal creates a similarly immersive fantasy experience as Oz's combination of live-action and special effects.

Fact: It was the first live-action film without any human actors. The Skeksis voices were created by slowing down recordings of animal sounds. The film initially underperformed but gained a cult following and inspired a Netflix prequel series.

Description: Like The Wizard of Oz, The NeverEnding Story is a fantastical adventure that transports a young protagonist into a magical world filled with strange creatures and epic quests. Both films explore themes of courage, friendship, and self-discovery, with the main characters learning valuable life lessons along their journeys. The visual aesthetics of both films are vibrant and imaginative, creating immersive worlds that captivate audiences.

Fact: The film is based on a German novel by Michael Ende, who initially disliked the movie adaptation. The iconic theme song was performed by Limahl, former lead singer of Kajagoogoo. The film's special effects were groundbreaking for their time, particularly the animatronic creatures.

Description: As a direct sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz maintains the same magical world but presents a darker, more psychological interpretation of Oz. Both films feature Dorothy as the protagonist navigating strange lands with unusual companions. The themes of home, courage, and self-reliance continue from the original film.

Fact: The film was considered too scary for children by many critics upon release. Fairuza Balk made her acting debut as Dorothy at age

Description: Labyrinth shares with The Wizard of Oz a young female protagonist who embarks on a surreal journey through a magical realm to solve a personal dilemma. Both films feature a mix of live-action and puppetry/fantastical creatures, creating a unique visual style. The themes of growing up, facing challenges, and the power of imagination are central to both stories.

Fact: David Bowie personally performed all his songs live on set during filming. Jim Henson considered several actors for the Goblin King role before choosing Bowie, including Michael Jackson and Sting. The film initially underperformed at the box office but became a cult classic through home video releases.

Description: Willow follows The Wizard of Oz's template of an unlikely hero embarking on a magical quest, encountering both allies and adversaries along the way. Both films blend adventure with humor and feature transformative character arcs. The fantasy worlds in both films are richly detailed with their own cultures and rules of magic.

Fact: George Lucas conceived the story as a way to do a fantasy film on a smaller scale than Star Wars. Warwick Davis was only 17 when cast in the lead role. The film pioneered several visual effects techniques later used in Jurassic Park.

Description: The Witches shares with The Wizard of Oz a child protagonist facing magical adversaries in a story that blends wonder with moments of terror. Both films feature transformative experiences (literally, in The Witches' case) and the theme of ordinary children confronting extraordinary circumstances. The visual style of both films creates a heightened reality that straddles fantasy and horror.

Fact: Roald Dahl disliked the film's ending, which was changed from his original story. Anjelica Huston's elaborate witch makeup took 4-6 hours to apply each day. The film was shot in both Norway and England to achieve its distinctive look.

Description: Coraline mirrors The Wizard of Oz in its story of a young girl transported to a fantastical alternate world that initially seems better than her own, but hides dark secrets. Both films use vibrant color palettes to distinguish between the real and fantasy worlds. The themes of appreciating what you have and the dangers of wish fulfillment are central to both stories.

Fact: It was the first stop-motion film to be shot in 3D. Director Henry Selick used 150 different versions of Coraline's face to create her expressions. The film took nearly four years to complete due to the painstaking stop-motion process.

Description: Like The Wizard of Oz, this film features children transported from the real world to a magical land where they must complete an important quest. Both stories use fantasy as allegory, with themes of good versus evil and personal growth. The transition from mundane reality to colorful fantasy mirrors Oz's famous shift from sepia to Technicolor.

Fact: Tilda Swinton's White Witch costume weighed over 60 pounds. The film used over 60 different sets, one of the largest for any New Zealand production. Aslan's mane contained over 1,000 individually placed hairs for realism.

Description: Pan's Labyrinth shares with The Wizard of Oz a young female protagonist escaping from harsh reality into a dark fantasy world. Both films use fantasy elements to comment on real-world struggles, though Pan's Labyrinth is considerably more mature in its themes. The visual contrast between the drab real world and colorful fantasy realm echoes the Technicolor transition in The Wizard of Oz.

Fact: Guillermo del Toro based the Pale Man's design on Francisco Goya's painting 'Saturn Devouring His Son.' The faun's makeup took 5 hours to apply each day. The film won three Academy Awards for its technical achievements.

Description: Stardust resembles The Wizard of Oz in its story of an ordinary person venturing into a magical realm on a quest, encountering strange characters along the way. Both films balance adventure with romance and humor, creating a fairy tale atmosphere. The theme of discovering one's true self and potential is central to both narratives.

Fact: The film is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, who makes a cameo as a market trader. Robert De Niro's flamboyant pirate captain was largely improvised. The wall separating the magical and human worlds was inspired by Hadrian's Wall in England.