Comparing The Wizard of Oz & Wicked: How a Book Became a Film, a Musical and a Film Again

"The Wizard of Oz" had dominated every medium... sometimes twice! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re heading down the yellow brick road that starts with L. Frank Baum’s books, heads to MGM studios, takes a “Wicked” left turn to Broadway, and circles back around to Hollywood. Our video includes "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked," and more! Which Ozian story is YOUR favorite? It would be Wickedly Wonderful if you shared it with us in the comments!

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#TheWizardOfOz #Wicked #Adaptation #Musical #Fantasy

[olvialee]

I gasped in major shock when they played the trailer during the SuperBowl. Out of all the 67 musicals I’ve seen, Wicked is always my number one favorite. Hearing it become a movie blew my mind away

[trinaq]

The sympathetic back story for the main villain which was popularised in Joker, Cruella and Maleficent arguably orginiated with Wicked.

[justapeacefulmanwhosbornin]

“The Wizard of OZ” motion picture will be turning 85 this year.

[Shay_TheUnpopularOpinion_]

I reluctantly went to see Wicked with my little brother who’s in musical theater. I was blown away with this movie!
I think it’s a movie for everyone to see!! Great movie!!

[paulynsantos]

Just watched Wicked today! And yes!!! WICKED is fire!!! Made with love, respect and a master pieade. Thank you so much for giving it justice.

[olvialee]

Wicked is the first musical I’ve ever seen since I was a kid and years later, I’ve seen it four times. It doesn’t get old for me

[olvialee]

From the moment I heard Cynthia Evrio sing Defying Gravity, it felt like a bird going fast into my heart and going into my inner child in the past

[j.r.taylor]

I was very skeptical of wicked being split into two movies. However I feel like it is a brilliant idea now considering how fast pace the show is it works on stage but as a film you need time to breathe. Also I heard they're adding elements of the book that never made it into the musical. I always loved the book. Although I can understand why people find it less interesting than the play. I know that the book is more political and at times can be a little boring to some readers.

[ScaerieTale]

I remember being a young kid, reading The Wizard of Oz book, and thinking "Wow, that's a funny thing to change from the movie" when I read about Dorothy and the others being required to put on emerald sunglasses. The funny thing is, I can't remember when I learned the book was much older than the movie. I'd even forgotten about reading the book until seeing this video <3

[olvialee]

You have no idea how much I love Wicked! I’m beyond excited for the movie.
I was a kid when I saw the musical and later, I’ve seen it four times. I’m a huge Wicked fan!

[reginamayhugh]

I wish there was a movie form of the Broadway musical of Wicked with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth . I would think everyone would want to see that.

[olvialee]

I may not be a Know It All but The Wizard of Oz does have a evolution throughout the years. Since it’s popularity in the 1930’s, it gained a animated TV series, an unofficial sequel Return to Oz, a series called Tin Man, an animated movie Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return, a broadway musical, 2013’s Oz the Great and Powerful, The Wiz and The Wiz Broadway Musical

[mr.decencykeepinitreal]

I once bought and watched the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ on DVD back in late 2014, and it was great.

[ProfessorTakatoPalm]

I’ve always enjoyed wicked the most. Honestly I’ve listened to the soundtrack so many times that Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth we’re the best. Good luck Wicked 2024, That show left you a high bar to clear.

[v.nikkijohnson]

I'm basically obsessed with 14 inch dolls and would love it if part of the merchandising for this movie included these size dolls of Elphaba and Glenda.

[jamesbaio]

Book- L. Frank Baum; to Movie- Wizard of Oz, to Movie (Return to OZ, Disney Channel), to Book- Wicked (gregory McGuire); to Musical (Wicked); to Movie...(and maybe some steps in between)...don't forget that Wicked was a book to read before it became a book to sing (and it has a sequel)

[kristenrock]

Wicked is my second favorite musical of all time. First being the phantom of the opera. I just turned 14 when I heard ' defying Gravity, ' for the first time... It was like this smooth, yet fiery energy pulsing through my body. This was a year or so after when the show came out, and us theater kids at the time where obsessed! I am also on the spectrum which at the time when I was younger, I wasn't properly diagnosed until I was 28. I was made fun of a lot by those who I thought would understand me, such as theater where I thought at first, I would be welcomed with open arms. I and other kids who had a disability were sadly not. Thankfully now I still do theater, and that has changed greatly for me. But the message of wicked still rings ever true now, even more so now than when I was 14. We not only have to start learning to accept those who seem different then us. But to just from my personal opinion, " to walk up to some one of a different background then yours and get to know them. we are all human when we truly take a step back from our fearing egos, and really see that someone who others are afraid of or doesn't like, really want' a friend, or to be understood for who they really are. Which is one of the messages of Wicked.

[jasonkingsley]

There’s only one comparison between Wicked and the Wizard of Oz and that is, Judy Garland and the Wicked Witch of the West said this quote . There’s no place like home .

[pockylovingranger]

To the question on if them splitting Wicked into two parts is either a way to make sure the films live up to the original broadway version, or to rake in more cash…I say this: WHY NOT BOTH!?

[dantecrossroad]

I finally saw Wicked on stage with a friend a few years back, and I absolutely loved it! Prior to that, I'd only seen bootlegs on YouTube and listened to the music practically nonstop. I relate heavily to Elphaba because, as a Black, autistic/ADHD person, I have known my share of prejudice, and no matter how hard I tried, someone was determined to deem me wicked (pun absolutely intended); and like, Elphaba, I eventually just owned everything about who I am, realizing that someone is going to hate me no matter what, so I might as well just do me! I like to think that Elphaba, with Fiero, eventually found a community where they are safe and loved, for that is precisely what happened for me. I can't wait to see the movie this year!