Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz the Great and Powerful

movie

PG, 2013

WISE
62%

WISE Score

56

Avg. Tomatometer

Disney's CGI-heavy Oz prequel looks pretty but lacks the magic—a con-man becomes a wizard in a movie that's more spectacle than soul.

IMDb6.3
RT Critics56%
MC44
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Oz the Great and Powerful looks gorgeous but feels hollow. It's a prequel nobody really asked for, and the middling reviews (56% across the board) tell you what you need to know—it's fine, not great.

James Franco's con-man-to-hero arc has some merit, and there are decent themes about integrity and courage without superpowers. But the movie leans too hard on CGI spectacle and not enough on story. Kids who loved The Wizard of Oz might enjoy seeing how the wizard got there, but this won't become anyone's favorite.

The witch stuff is legitimately scary for younger kids—that transformation scene is nightmare fuel for sensitive 7-year-olds. Common Sense Media's age 10+ recommendation feels right.

Bottom line: It's a serviceable family movie night option if it's already on Disney Plus and you've exhausted better choices. But if you're curating a must-watch list? This one's skippable. Not bad enough to avoid, not good enough to seek out.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13 who are into fantasy adventures and can handle some scary witch imagery. Younger kids (7-8) might enjoy it with parental presence during creepy scenes. Teens and adults will likely find it visually interesting but narratively forgettable—not a movie with staying power beyond middle-grade appeal.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

Disney prequel with themes of redemption and becoming a better person. Oscar starts as a selfish con-artist but grows into a hero. Some scary witch imagery and mild peril, but ultimately models courage and self-improvement. Pacing is uneven with some slow stretches that may bore younger viewers.

Imaginative
72

Visually ambitious prequel to The Wizard of Oz with creative world-building in the Land of Oz. Features fantastical creatures, magical elements, and colorful production design. However, critics noted it felt derivative and relied heavily on CGI spectacle rather than truly original storytelling. The 'how he became the wizard' premise has inherent imaginative appeal.

Safe
70

PG rating appropriate for its Common Sense Media age 10+ recommendation. Contains scary witch sequences, some intense magical battles, and mild peril that could frighten younger children. The Wicked Witch transformation scene is notably creepy. No inappropriate content, but the witch imagery and flying monkeys are genuinely unsettling for sensitive kids—not surprising, but also not trivial.

Enriching
58

Offers themes about integrity, heroism without magic powers, and redemption. However, the mixed critical reception (56% RT, 44 Metacritic, 2.6/5 Letterboxd) suggests the execution is mediocre. The story provides some discussion points about deception vs. honesty, but doesn't deliver particularly deep or memorable lessons. More spectacle than substance.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Visually stunning production design brings the Land of Oz to colorful life with creative world-building
  • Explores themes of redemption and becoming heroic without actual powers—it's about character, not magic
  • James Franco plays a charming scoundrel who grows into something better, modeling personal growth
  • Perfect for kids who loved The Wizard of Oz and want more of that universe (though it won't replace the original)
  • Available on Disney Plus for easy family movie night access
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What to Watch For

  • The Wicked Witch transformation scene is genuinely creepy—younger or sensitive kids may find it scary
  • Flying monkeys and witch battles have some intense moments that earned that age 10+ recommendation
  • Pacing drags in spots; younger kids may lose interest during slower stretches
  • The critical consensus is 'meh'—this isn't a modern classic, just a decent-enough popcorn movie

Conversation Starters

  • "Oscar was a con-artist at the beginning. What made him change? Can people really become better?"
  • "He didn't have real magic powers, but everyone thought he did. When is it okay to let people believe something that's not quite true?"
  • "Which witch did you think was the good one at first? How did the movie trick us?"
  • "If you could visit the Land of Oz, what part would you want to see first?"
Stills
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