The Wizard of Oz - Las Vegas Sphere

[BuffaloKyle]

 

[Alpha714]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing

[Rod Hagen]

Watched that the other day.  Looks amazing.  It is very pricey.  Nevertheless, I might see it in the fall, it's been a long time since I visited Vegas.

 

https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-wizard-of-oz-at-sphere-tickets/artist/3552227

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Another downside (besides ticket price):  it's only a 75 minute "experience".  The original movie was over 2 hours.  So, they've cut about about 1/3 of the movie. 😢 

Edited August 1 by Vegas_Millennial

[BSR]

On 7/29/2025 at 11:27 AM, Rod Hagen said:

Watched that the other day.  Looks amazing.  It is very pricey.  Nevertheless, I might see it in the fall, it's been a long time since I visited Vegas.

 

https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-wizard-of-oz-at-sphere-tickets/artist/3552227

 

“very pricey” might be an understatement, from $139 to $349. I know you’re paying for the Sphere experience, but still …

[+ purplekow]

7 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Another downside (besides ticket price):  it's only a 75 minute "experience".  The original movie was over 2 hours.  So, they've cut about about 1/3 of the movie. 😢 

The movie ran that long as that is how long movies ran back in the 30s and 40s.  The new editing is more in keeping with the new mindsets for most films.  There are definitely edits that could be make that would not significantly compromise the story though cutting it to 75 minutes does seem draconian.  

Edited August 1 by purplekow

[Colton]

A bit more info on the WofOz at the Sphere:

"The Wizard of Oz" as you've never seen it before

WWW.CBSNEWS.COM

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This "Wizard of Oz" isn't in Kansas anymore. In fact, it's in Las Vegas, where Sphere is presenting the Judy Garland classic as you've never seen it – a 16K...

 

[maninsoma]

The original film wasn't over 2 hours.  It ran an hour and 42 minutes based on every source I consulted (IMDB, Wikipedia, and my personal copy of the blu-ray).  So, yes, it's still heavily edited for The Sphere experience (about 25 minutes chopped) and I honestly don't know what they cut out.  It's already a film with a good pace (maybe I wouldn't miss a few minutes cut from the witch's castle and a few minutes cut from the farm) so it's appalling to me that they removed 25 minutes.  Beyond that, the clips shown on CBS convinces me I wouldn't want to see this even if the tickets were much less expensive.  It just doesn't look well done to me.  It isn't like I hold this film as sacred even though it's my favorite; I appreciated the 3D version that came out a little over a decade ago.

[+ ApexNomad]

On 7/28/2025 at 4:38 PM, BuffaloKyle said:

 

I have tickets to see this. I’m very excited. Thanks for sharing.

[MikeBiDude]

13 minutes ago, ApexNomad said:

I have tickets to see this. I’m very excited. Thanks for sharing.

I’m planning on booking a trip to Vegas to see it myself. Two of my brothers went to the Grateful Dead experience at the sphere and were blown away by how good it was.

[+ ApexNomad]

54 minutes ago, MikeBiDude said:

I’m planning on booking a trip to Vegas to see it myself. Two of my brothers went to the Grateful Dead experience at the sphere and were blown away by how good it was.

That’s great!

Check this out if this interests you. Vibee. They have VIP packages with the best sections - I have read the middle sections of 200 (205-208) and 300 (205-307) are optimal viewing.  Unless you prefer to be on the floor/ground level (single digit sections). 

https://vibee.com

I’m also planning on seeing the Eagles. Their packages include a stay at the Venetian.

Enjoy.

[BuffaloKyle]

'Groundbreaking': Las Vegas Sphere sells 120,000 tickets for 'Wizard of Oz' screenings

WWW.CNBC.COM

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The company expects ticket sales to hit 200,000 by the time of the first screening.

 

[BuffaloKyle]

On 8/1/2025 at 10:42 PM, maninsoma said:

The original film wasn't over 2 hours.  It ran an hour and 42 minutes based on every source I consulted (IMDB, Wikipedia, and my personal copy of the blu-ray).  So, yes, it's still heavily edited for The Sphere experience (about 25 minutes chopped) and I honestly don't know what they cut out.  It's already a film with a good pace (maybe I wouldn't miss a few minutes cut from the witch's castle and a few minutes cut from the farm) so it's appalling to me that they removed 25 minutes.

I found this video online. The show appears to start right with Over The Rainbow so that's 5 minutes into the movie.

 

[BSR]

On 8/1/2025 at 11:42 PM, maninsoma said:

The original film wasn't over 2 hours.  It ran an hour and 42 minutes based on every source I consulted (IMDB, Wikipedia, and my personal copy of the blu-ray).  So, yes, it's still heavily edited for The Sphere experience (about 25 minutes chopped) and I honestly don't know what they cut out.  It's already a film with a good pace (maybe I wouldn't miss a few minutes cut from the witch's castle and a few minutes cut from the farm) so it's appalling to me that they removed 25 minutes.  Beyond that, the clips shown on CBS convinces me I wouldn't want to see this even if the tickets were much less expensive.  It just doesn't look well done to me.  It isn't like I hold this film as sacred even though it's my favorite; I appreciated the 3D version that came out a little over a decade ago.

I’ll be curious to see the first reviews because the chop sounds too extreme.  Nip & tuck is one thing; 25 minutes is more like a gaping flesh wound.  I agree — even if tickets were slashed 50%, I still wouldn’t bother with the Sphere version.  This inspires me to re-read the novel, which I devoured as a wee lad.  The movie’s great, but the book is amazing.

[MikeBiDude]

I just booked two premium tix for a 1PM Saturday afternoon show in October. I used the official Sphere website. Some 3rd party websites were asking much more for the same premium tix I got from Sphere box office, albeit that via Ticketmaster.

[jeezifonly]

This is definitely going to thrill people. 

But, 

 

[+ ApexNomad]

I saw The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere and absolutely loved it. It was a truly immersive, one-of-a-kind experience. The color. The sound. The crispness. A lot has been said about the number of cuts made to the film, and while that’s true, I didn’t think it affected the story at all. In fact, there were plenty of nice surprises (without giving anything away). The tornado sequence, especially, is jaw-dropping. 

This feels like the start of a new wave of cinematic storytelling. I can imagine so many modern films that have already pioneered themselves in the special effects space (Avatar, The Matrix, etc.) working brilliantly in this format.

[BSR]

1 hour ago, ApexNomad said:

I saw The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere and absolutely loved it. It was a truly immersive, one-of-a-kind experience. The color. The sound. The crispness. A lot has been said about the number of cuts made to the film, and while that’s true, I didn’t think it affected the story at all. In fact, there were plenty of nice surprises (without giving anything away). The tornado sequence, especially, is jaw-dropping. 

This feels like the start of a new wave of cinematic storytelling. I can imagine so many modern films that have already pioneered themselves in the special effects space (Avatar, The Matrix, etc.) working brilliantly in this format.

If you don’t mind my asking, what price level did you opt for?  Because there is a big range, and I’m wondering if cheap seats are to be avoided or if it’s worth an extra $X for the next tier, in other words, some insider info.  Now that you’ve piqued my curiosity, I’m seriously considering going but want to be strategic about ticket price/location because it ain’t cheap.  Thanks in advance!

[+ ApexNomad]

2 hours ago, BSR said:

If you don’t mind my asking, what price level did you opt for?  Because there is a big range, and I’m wondering if cheap seats are to be avoided or if it’s worth an extra $X for the next tier, in other words, some insider info.  Now that you’ve piqued my curiosity, I’m seriously considering going but want to be strategic about ticket price/location because it ain’t cheap.  Thanks in advance!

I went with the Glinda the Good Witch package, which was $300. I almost booked through Vibee since I was staying at the Venetian, but their premium option would have put me in section 206 (Wicked Witch package), the closest centered tier. Having never been, I was worried about neck-craning that close, but honestly, it would have been fine. 

The best way I can describe the layout is like a Broadway theater:

Sections 204–208 = orchestra

Sections 305–307 = front mezzanine

Sections 405–407 = balcony

I was in section 306, and for me it was perfect. Being further back and in the center gave me a better view of the whole production without needing to rely on peripheral vision or turning my head too much. The far sides are closed off (smart move), since I don’t think those would have had the same effect.

Premium packages, besides location, come with early access and food/beverage credit. There’s also a separate lounge for the VIP packages. There’s a merch store too. Drinks are served in souvenir cups.

Truthfully, with the sections they make available, I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. It’s immersive no matter where you sit. I’m older and had worried about twisting and turning, but section 306 worked out great. 

[MikeBiDude]

I booked section 306 for my October tix, right in the center, also “Glinda the Good Witch” experience. $299/each with some Ticketmaster fees.

Seating chart:

 

[+ ApexNomad]

1 minute ago, MikeBiDude said:

I booked section 306 for my October tix, right in the center, also “Glinda the Good Witch” experience. $299/each with some Ticketmaster fees.

Seating chart:

 

You’re going to have an amazing time!! I loved where I sat. I really do think it was the perfect spot. I hope you enjoy.