“The Wizard of Oz” has been reimagined for the Las Vegas Sphere, blending classic Hollywood with cutting-edge technology. The show debuted Aug. 29 after selling more than 120,000 advanced tickets for the duration of its run.
While some fans continue to file into the orb-shaped venue for screenings through March, reactions online are pouring in, and not everyone is enchanted.
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From the moment the show begins, guests are pulled into an immersive environment. Wind and fog effects fill the theater during Dorothy’s trip to Oz — including soap foam launched into the air and high-velocity fans to simulate debris and wind. In another scene, foam apples fall from the ceiling during the orchard sequence.
Even the flying monkeys have been given a Vegas twist with inflatable versions of the creatures soaring above the audience.
AI-powered visuals take center stage
Much of the film was digitally enhanced using generative AI in partnership with Google. According to “CBS Sunday Morning,” the Sphere’s visual effects team used artificial intelligence to widen the original square frames, allowing the footage to stretch across the venue’s 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screen without losing its core aesthetic.
The goal, they said, was to maintain the soul of the original while updating the visuals for a new era.
“More than 90% of the film was touched by AI,” producer Jane Rosenthal confirmed in a previous interview. The team explored several techniques before determining that AI was the most effective solution at scale.
To keep the creative vision intact, Google’s AI engineers worked closely with industry professionals to refine character movements and emotional expressions.
“This was a huge and complex task,” Steven Hickson, director of AI foundation research at Google DeepMind, told The Wall Street Journal. “In some scenes, the Scarecrow’s nose is barely 10 pixels — that creates major technical hurdles.”
Online reactions range from wonder to worry
Many social media users praised the show’s immersive qualities — especially its appeal for children and families.
However, others criticized the AI-heavy approach, with one TikTok user saying the experience felt more like a simulation than a movie. Another attendee described it as something worth seeing only if gifted tickets or if they came at a discount.
One post on X labeled it “a horrendous step in the wrong direction for the cinema,” arguing the human artistry of the original had been replaced by technology.
Some viewers also complained that the experience was constantly interrupted by fellow guests filming on their phones throughout the screening.
The magic still works for some
Despite the criticism, The New York Times noted that younger audience members were enchanted by the show. Multiple TikTok users also shared positive experiences, calling the update a fresh and fun take on the beloved story.
For those curious to see it for themselves, more than 400 screenings are scheduled through March 26.
