‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Sphere: A Spectacle?
Seeing The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere is a study in contradictions—an experience that is, without question, very cool, visually ambitious, and technically impressive, yet ultimately frustrating when measured against its price and the standard of entertainment Las Vegas already delivers daily. The Sphere itself is a triumph, a venue so futuristic and overwhelming that it almost feels like the show happening inside it could be beside the point. Unfortunately, when the spectacle fades and the novelty wears thin, the AI-generated film at the center of the experience struggles to justify its place in such an extraordinary space.
[Warning: spoilers from The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere are below!]
Oz before the curtain at The Sphere
The evening begins on a high note. The lobby is fully themed to The Wizard of Oz, and this is where the Sphere arguably does some of its strongest storytelling. From the moment you step inside, the environment signals intention and care. Themed visuals, Oz-inspired design elements, and a sense of playful immersion set the tone immediately. Interactive experiences are scattered throughout the space, inviting guests to engage rather than simply pass through. It’s lively, imaginative, and genuinely fun—exactly what you’d hope for when walking into a venue of this magnitude.
Adding to that atmosphere are the unique merchandise offerings and themed food and beverage options. This isn’t generic souvenir fare or standard concession stand fare with a logo slapped on it. The merch feels curated specifically for the production, tapping into nostalgia while still feeling contemporary. Likewise, the food and drink selections lean into the Oz theme, enhancing the sense that you’re entering a cohesive, thoughtfully designed world. These details matter, and they go a long way toward building excitement before the show even begins.
The problem? You barely get time to enjoy any of it. Because of the number of shows running through the Sphere, time in the lobby is tightly controlled. Just as you start settling into the environment—just as the interactive elements and themed spaces begin to feel immersive—you’re guided toward your seat or (port-show) out the door. It’s a logistical reality, sure, but it undercuts one of the production’s strongest assets. In a venue built around immersion, rushing people through an effectively designed lobby feels like a missed opportunity and a creative compromise.
Spectacle vs. Substance at this The Wizard of Oz experience
Once inside the theater, the Sphere delivers on its promise of visual grandeur. The scale of the interior screen is awe-inspiring, and the opening moments of The Wizard of Oz inspire genuine amazement. There’s a sense of possibility here—a feeling that you might be about to witness a bold reinvention of a classic story using technology unlike anything else in the world. Certain sequences lean into that potential beautifully, particularly transitions between worlds and wide, sweeping landscapes that benefit from the Sphere’s unmatched scale.
But as the film progresses, the limitations of the AI-generated approach become increasingly difficult to ignore. While the visuals are crisp and expansive, they lack emotional weight. There’s an unmistakable artificiality to the characters and their interactions—a hollowness that technology alone can’t fill. The story beats land more softly than they should, and the warmth, charm, and human eccentricity that make The Wizard of Oz timeless feel diluted. Instead of deepening the narrative, the technology often feels like it’s standing in for genuine creative insight.
This shortcoming becomes especially glaring when you consider the cost of admission. Las Vegas is a city bursting with extraordinary entertainment—shows driven by live performers, jaw-dropping physical feats, and meticulously crafted storytelling. You can see productions that are more emotionally engaging, more inventive, and more satisfying for half the price. In that context, paying a premium for a technologically advanced film that feels more like a proof of concept than a fully realized artistic statement is hard to justify.
That’s not to say the experience is devoid of highlights. There are moments of genuine wonder—instances where the scale, sound, and imagery align perfectly and remind you why the Sphere exists at all. Audience reactions reflect that awe. These flashes of brilliance hint at what this venue could become with bolder creative risks and more human-driven storytelling.
This sphere experience in Las Vegas is a vision of the future
By the end of the night, the dominant feeling isn’t disappointment—it’s comparison. Comparison to the live shows across the Strip that deliver more impact for less money. Comparison to experiences that blend spectacle with soul. The Sphere itself is absolutely worth seeing; it’s a landmark, and its future is thrilling. But The Wizard of Oz, in its current AI-driven form, doesn’t fully rise to meet the venue’s potential or its price tag.
It’s impressive. It’s inventive. It’s also not enough. In a city where audiences are spoiled for choice, cool technology alone doesn’t cut it. The Sphere has built the stage for the future of entertainment. Now it needs shows bold—and human—enough to earn it.
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