Variety
An astonishingly somber, melancholy and, sadly, unengaging trip back to a favorite land.
Full review
Return to Oz
Disney’s 1985 follow-up to the classic Wizard of Oz sees young Dorothy (this time played by Fairuza Balk) return to the fantastical land after escaping a mental institution. With her wise-cracking chicken by her side, Dorothy runs into new friends as well as a new problem: everyone in Oz has been turned to stone.
Upon witnessing what has become of The Emerald City, Dorothy runs into Tik-Tok, a wind-up metal soldier who agrees to help the young lass restore Oz to its former glory. Running into Jack Pumpkinhead, who mistakes Dorothy for his mother, and Gump, a living Moose head attached to a makeshift flying contraption, the ragtag group journey to the Nome King’s lair while avoiding Queen Mombi and her vicious minions – The Wheelers.
Made 46 years after The Wizard of Oz, the film was mentioned in The Guinness Book of World Records as the sequel that was made the longest period of time after the original.
Less1985Rating: PG113 minsUSA, UK
AdventureKids & FamilyFantasy
- Director:
- Walter Murch (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Walter MurchGill Dennis
- Cast:
- Fairuza BalkNicol WilliamsonJean MarshPiper LaurieMatt Clark
Return to Oz | Reviews
54%35 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® Score
All reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Time Out
Despite the presence of Billina the talking hen, the emphasis on insecurity and peril harks back to the treat-'em-rough days of children's fiction, and the disturbing/comforting ratio tilts conclusively towards the former.
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The New York Times
The work of ingenious technicians who seem either not to know what gave the original film its magic, or not to care.
Full reviewReturn to Oz | Release Details
Return to Oz is available to stream in Australia now on Google Play and Apple TV and Disney+ and Prime Video Store.