The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(11,001 ratings)

L. Frank Baum's enduring fantasy story gets a new and very funny spin in this made-for-TV comedy. Dorothy (Ashanti) is a young woman who works in a diner in Kansas owned by her Aunt Em (Queen Latifah) and dreams of one day making it big as a singer. When a tornado makes its way through the trailer… More L. Frank Baum's enduring fantasy story gets a new and very funny spin in this made-for-TV comedy. Dorothy (Ashanti) is a young woman who works in a diner in Kansas owned by her Aunt Em (Queen Latifah) and dreams of one day making it big as a singer. When a tornado makes its way through the trailer park Dorothy and Em call home, the young woman is spirited off to a magical land known as Oz, where she accidentally kills the most wicked witch in the land. Dorothy, however, isn't so sure she wants to stay, and sets off to find a wizard who might be able to help her. As Dorothy searches for the wizard's castle, she makes some friends along the way -- a scarecrow (Kermit the Frog, voiced by Steve Whitmire), a cowardly lion (Fozzie Bear, voiced by Eric Jacobson), a combination robot and computer made of tin (The Great Gonzo, voiced by Dave Goelz) -- but she also has to fend off The Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Piggy, voiced by Eric Jacobson), whose sister fell victim to Dorothy upon her arrival in the strange new land. Featuring most of the best-known Muppet Show characters, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz also features guest appearances by Jeffrey Tambor, David Alan Grier, and Quentin Tarantino. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Kirk R. Thatcher
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Apr 27, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Aug 9, 2005

Critic Reviews

Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Raucous Muppet spoof of a classic. Tweens and up.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...strictly for kids...
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a real turkey.
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
Does little to innovate on this well-worn (and, some would argue, worn out) tale.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
It's not on a par with the Muppet movie madness of old, but it's darn close.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
A disastrous failure.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
We're a long way from the creative energy, heart, and charm of Henson's Muppet movies, even though I'm not ready for the Henson Company to stop trying.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
When you dig down and actually find (and watch) the new Muppet material, some of the magic is still there.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
Something's gone horribly wrong at Muppet Central, and it's high time somebody fix it.
Joshua Tyler, CinemaBlend.com
Feels exactly like the made for television movie that it is.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

A disapointment, really wanted to like this but its so flat and a huge anti climax :( Dont get me wrong there are all the usual Muppets and afew nice touches but this really could of been done better. The tunes are uninspired and the look is poor and obviously done on weak looking… More
A disapointment, really wanted to like this but its so flat and a huge anti climax :( Dont get me wrong there are all the usual Muppets and afew nice touches but this really could of been done better. The tunes are uninspired and the look is poor and obviously done on weak looking sets with some poor bluescreen but the costumes are good and the feel is pure Muppets, I just feel they could of gone to town abit more with locations and human casting.
Brad W

They ruined the movie and the Muppets.
Michael E

the muppets take there ride on the ride with this wizard of oz remake and the result is a wonderful, funny, entertaining, and fun for the whole family film
Anthony L

It has some good gags and some funny in jokes in it. Loved the bit with Quentin Tarantino and the 'Are you related to Frank Oz'? bits but hated Ashanti being in it. It?s the Muppets and I love them but it?s not the same as it was.
Megan S

Ashanti is a pretty terrible actress. But I find it hard to really dislike anything that involves muppets. Though i still don't get why Toto turned into a Latino King Prawn.
Jose Z

It was funny, I liked the adaptation from the original movie with the most popular characters of the muppets. The special appearance by Quentin Tarantino making a mock of himself and his movies was excellent. The fx and the music are fairly good.
Sophie B

this was pretty rubbish quite boring actually!!!
Bradley W

They ruined the movie and the Muppets.
Sarah P

This movie actually had some really great lines that didn't even seem child-appropriate which was funny. It wasn't something I'd watch again...it lost me toward the end...but overall, it was okay.
Sunil J

I may be in my 20s but I love a good kid's movie once in a while. This is not one of them. Ashanti is yet another singer that wants to do more but like a great many of them she fails miserably. Her songs are fine; it's mostly everything else in this movie that bothers me.… More
I may be in my 20s but I love a good kid's movie once in a while. This is not one of them. Ashanti is yet another singer that wants to do more but like a great many of them she fails miserably. Her songs are fine; it's mostly everything else in this movie that bothers me. The script is bland with nothing of interest for the older viewers but some mild innuendos and celebrity references. As much as I disliked it, however, I did think that it was nice that they had a few extra tidbits from the book. Oh, and I'm all for making Dorothy stronger than the original movie but why a wannabe star? Miss Piggy is amusing but not enough to block out the blah performances of the usually wonderful Muppet cast. Oh, and I love Aunt Em and Uncle Henry but their blah reactions to finding Dorothy alive made me laugh out loud. Bottom Line: An okay rental but nothing to add to your Muppet collection.