Oz the Great and Powerful
Here's what we found in Oz the Great and Powerful. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Oz the Great and Powerful
Oz the Great and Powerful is a fantasy adventure film that explores the origins of the iconic Wizard of Oz, predating L. Frank Baum's classic story. The movie introduces audiences to Oscar Diggs, a charming yet morally conflicted magician from 1905 Kansas, who finds himself dramatically transported to the vibrant and magical Land of Oz after being swept up in a tornado. In this new world, he is mistakenly hailed as a prophesied wizard destined to liberate the land from a powerful Wicked Witch. The film offers a visually stunning journey, contrasting its initial black-and-white Kansas setting with the dazzling, full-color landscape of Oz. Its narrative centers on Oscar's personal growth, depicting his transformation from a self-serving trickster into a benevolent leader who learns the value of goodness over perceived greatness. While designed for a broad audience, the film incorporates elements of fantastical action, mild peril, and intense magical confrontations, creating an adventurous yet sometimes startling experience for viewers. Throughout his adventure, Oscar encounters memorable characters, including three powerful witches—Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda—and unique companions like Finley, a winged monkey, and China Girl, a living porcelain doll. The story navigates themes of deception, betrayal, and redemption, culminating in Oscar's embrace of responsibility and his efforts to protect the people of Oz from the forces of evil, ultimately establishing his legendary persona.
Things to Consider
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft and magic are central to the fantasy world of Oz, with multiple powerful witches (Glinda, Theodora, Evanora) as key characters. Their powers manifest through spells, transformations, and magical combat. The film explores themes of good and evil magic, including a significant transformation scene involving dark magic, making occult elements highly prominent.
Theodora consumes an enchanted apple offered by Evanora, leading to a painful transformation into the hideous green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West, complete with visible burning scars from her tears. Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East, uses dark magic, including magical attacks and controlling flying baboons, and her power is tied to an emerald necklace which Glinda destroys in a magical duel.
Would these 1 concern matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
Recommended for ages 10+ with parental guidance. While rated PG, the film contains several intense and scary sequences, particularly involving the Wicked Witches and flying baboons, which may be too frightening for children under 8. Themes of deception, moral transformation, and magical combat are present, requiring a certain level of maturity for full comprehension and processing.
Good to Know
The film serves as a prequel to the classic "The Wizard of Oz," providing an origin story for the Wizard and the Wicked Witches. While it maintains a fantastical adventure tone, director Sam Raimi, known for horror films, incorporated elements that result in surprisingly intense and scary visuals, particularly for younger audiences. The 3D presentation, where available, further amplifies the "jump scare" moments and the aggressive appearance of creatures like the flying baboons.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families