‘The Wiz’ (1978) Gets A Re-Release From The Criterion Collection

Movies
Written By Tiara Grace Starks

The Criterion Collection is one of the most revered home-video distribution companies with a focus on licensing, restoring and distributing "important classic and contemporary films".

THE WIZ IS GETTING A HOME VIDEO RE-RELEASE

The movie stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson (in his feature film debut), Lena Horne, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, and Richard Pryor.

Image Source: The Criterion Collection | New cover by Komi Olafimihan

The Sidney Lumet-directed movie musical is easing its way back down the road to re-release thanks to The Criterion Collection!

The Wiz is adapted from the 1974 Broadway musical and reimagines the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with an all Black cast and a funky soundtrack in this New York-set adaptation where Dorothy Gale is a Harlem schoolteacher who is magically transported to a land that closely resembles New York City but elicits imagery more akin to a in a dream-like fantasy world with munchkins from Munckinland roaming about, flying monkeys, a yellow brick road, and, who can forget the man-eating trash cans.

Diana Ross portrays Dorothy Gale, Jackson (in his feature film debut) portrays Scarecrow, Horne portrays Glinda the Good Witch, Russell portrays Tin Man, Ted Ross portrays the Cowardly Lion, King portrays Eveline the Evil Wicked Witch of the West, Merritt portrays Dorothy’s Aunt Em, Carpenter portrays Miss One, the Good Witch of the North and Pryor stars as The Wiz himself. The film is directed from a script by Joel Schumacher, shot by Oswald Morris, edited by Dede Allen, music directed by Charlie Smalls and Luther Vandross with music supervision by Quincy Jones. Motown Productions produced the feature with Universal Pictures releasing it theatrically. Filming took place in Queens, New York City, from July to Dec. 1977.

While the eccentric production design and unique take on the original story can be attributed to its longstanding social and cultural relevance, historically, The Wiz was deemed both a critical and commercial failure after being released on Oct. 24, 1978. It has since gained a cult following and is currently looked at as a cult classic and set forth a continued legacy that includes the NBC 2015 live television adaptation The Wiz Live!. The film’s original soundtrack was added to the 1978-1979 Billboard’s Top LPs & Tape list at #40 and Billboard’s Top Soul Albums list at #33 and is certified Gold in the U.S. by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Through the Criterion Collection, the 4K digital restoration of the film, which has been approved by producer Rob Cohen includes:

  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features

  • New audio commentary featuring scholars Michael B. Gillespie and Alfred L. Martin

  • Dolby Atmos soundtrack

  • Archival interviews with director Sidney Lumet and actor Diana Ross

  • Trailer

  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

  • PLUS: An essay by critic Aisha Harris

The 4K+Blu-ray (2 Discs) is retailing for $39.96 (SRP: $49.95 and the Blu‑ray (1 Disc) is set at $31.96 (SRP: $39.95) Both copies will be available on Jun. 10, 2025.

If you want a quick glance into the land of Oz, check out the trailer on Rotten Tomatoes’ Classic Trailer official YouTube channel:

If you want to purchase either of the copies, head over to The Criterion Collection’s website here.

Are you excited to see The Wiz on home video? What’s your favorite moment from the movie if you’ve already seen it? Happy Reading! 💫

Tiara Grace Starks