At a Glance
- The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz earned $260 million at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2025, landing it #10 on the domestic box-office list.
- Tickets at the Sphere start around $100, compared to the typical $15 for other 2025 releases.
- The venue seats over 18,000 people, far larger than most theaters.
- Why it matters: The Sphere’s pricing and capacity turned a classic film into a record-setting revenue generator, raising questions about future theatrical releases.
The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz earned $260 million at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2025, landing it #10 on the domestic box-office list. That figure comes from a venue that charges almost ten times what most theaters charge for the same movie and holds far more seats. The release opened in late August and racked up the revenue in just about four months.
The Unlikely Box Office Record
The Sphere’s numbers stand in stark contrast to other high-grossing releases of 2025. How to Train Your Dragon topped the list at $262 million, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned $274 million. Those films are typically sold for about $15 per ticket, depending on location and showtime.
| Rank | Film | Gross | Ticket Price (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | The Fantastic Four: First Steps | $274 million | $15 |
| 9 | How to Train Your Dragon | $262 million | $15 |
| 10 | The Wizard of Oz | $260 million | $100 |
The Sphere’s seating capacity of over 18,000 seats, compared with the average 1,500-seat theater, also plays a role. A higher per-ticket price combined with a larger audience produces a revenue multiplier that few other venues can match.
Why the Sphere Is So Expensive
The venue’s premium pricing is intentional. Tickets for The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere generally start around $100. In contrast, most other theaters price the same film at $15. The difference is not only the price but also the immersive experience offered by the Sphere’s 360-degree screen and sound system, which justifies the higher cost for many patrons.
The venue’s size-over 18,000 seats-means that a single show can bring in as much as $1.8 million in ticket sales if every seat is filled at the $100 price point. That is far beyond the capacity of a typical movie theater.
James Dolan on the Future of Wizard of Oz
With the news of the grosses, Sphere CEO James Dolan announced that an updated version-dubbed Oz 2.0-would arrive later this year. Dolan said:
> “What’s the lifespan of Wizard of Oz? It wouldn’t surprise me if we were showing Wizard of Oz 10 years from now,” Dolan said.
He added that the film would feature all new effects and that there are no plans to stop playing it anytime soon. Dolan also revealed a new project, From the Edge, a documentary about extreme sports athletes, but emphasized that Wizard of Oz would remain in circulation:
> “We plan on basically running Wizard of Oz until we see the demand start to fall off,” Dolan said.
> “That could be a lot longer than a year.”
Dolan noted that a new Sphere opening near Washington, D.C., could extend the venue’s reach beyond Las Vegas.
Backlash and Buzz
When the first images and video of the new version were released, online backlash was swift. Critics complained that the new effects and remastering altered the original film’s look. The situation worsened when it was revealed that AI was used to expand some images for the experience.
Despite the criticism, attendance remained strong. The author of the original article noted that crowds around the Sphere were surprisingly large, with fans attending shows dressed as characters from the movie. The lack of discounted seats-unlike other Las Vegas shows-did not deter ticket buyers.
The Bigger Picture
Rumors about other major franchises-such as Star Wars or Harry Potter-being brought to the Sphere have circulated, but no official plans exist. The Sphere’s success suggests that other studios might consider similar releases in the future.
If the revenue trend continues, The Wizard of Oz could join the likes of Avatar and The Avengers in the billion-dollar club, according to the article’s speculation. The venue’s model demonstrates how a single film, when paired with a high-end, large-capacity venue, can generate blockbuster-level earnings.
Key Takeaways
- The Wizard of Oz earned $260 million at the Las Vegas Sphere, a record for a single film in a single venue.
- The Sphere’s $100 ticket price and 18,000 seat capacity are key factors in the high gross.
- CEO James Dolan plans to keep the film running for years, with an updated version arriving later in 2025.
- Despite backlash over AI-enhanced visuals, ticket sales remain robust.
- The Sphere’s success may influence future theatrical releases of classic films and major franchises.
