Immersive “Wizard of Oz” Debuts at Sphere in Las Vegas Amid Rave and Mixed Reactions

Las Vegas, August 30, 2025 - The Sphere entertainment venue unveiled its groundbreaking, AI-enhanced version of the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz yesterday, marking a major moment in immersive live-entertainment experiences.

Sphere transformed Dorothy’s journey into a fully sensory adventure by projecting the film across its 160,000-square-foot 16K wraparound screen, enveloping audiences above and around them. Attendees felt the iconic Kansas tornado through 750-horsepower wind machines and environmental effects, experienced scented poppy-field scenes with custom aromas, and heard Judy Garland’s songs remastered for the venue’s 167,000 speakers. The 75-minute presentation trims nearly a half-hour from the original but heightens impact through haptic seats and drone-operated flying monkeys, delivering what Sphere CEO James Dolan called “our most compelling example of experiential storytelling”.

The premiere attracted Hollywood figures and fans alike. Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, joined the opening-night crowd, celebrating how the Sphere’s technology re-introduces Oz to new generations while honoring its legacy. At the same time, reaction among film purists has been mixed; critics have questioned AI-driven alterations of character appearances and the ethical implications of remastering a beloved cinematic work. Variety’s Peter Debruge observed that some augmented visuals “drain Dorothy and friends of their humanity,” even as they impress with scale and spectacle.

Beyond creative reactions, financial markets took note. Sphere Entertainment Co. stock surged 6.8% to $45.35 following the debut, making it the top-performing music-and-live-entertainment stock of the week, driven by robust ticket sales and anticipation of future residencies at the venue.

As of today, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere continues its daily run with multiple showtimes, having already sold over 120,000 tickets through March 2026. The production is positioned to set a precedent for how classic films might be reimagined for immersive, next-generation venues.