The Hustle Daily Show People are paying boatloads to watch The Wizard of Oz
8 snips
Sep 30, 2025 An immersive adaptation of The Wizard of Oz is dazzling audiences in Las Vegas, complete with wind effects and falling snow. The $100 million production faces controversy over AI alterations to classic performances, yet is projected to earn hundreds of millions. Ticket prices start at $114, offering fans a unique experience through augmented visuals and sensory effects. The discussion also covers other immersive venues and how superfans are driving demand for premium experiences, making these adaptations highly lucrative.
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Immersive Residencies Can Be Extremely Profitable
- The Sphere turned The Wizard of Oz into a high-margin residency by adapting the film for its massive dome.
- Analysts project the venue could generate over $500M profit in 2026, showing big upside for immersive IP revivals.
Premium Price Tags Outvalue Streaming
- Sphere tickets start at $114 for The Wizard of Oz despite the film being widely available for free streaming.
- The experience commands a premium because the show is reworked and paired with multi-sensory effects you can't get at home.
Format Forces Film Reengineering
- The Sphere wraps viewers in a near‑360° IMAX-like screen that requires bespoke adaptation of films.
- That format forces studios to re-edit and technologically alter movies so imagery fits the spherical field of view.
