One film, from one venue, cracked the prime 10 highest-grossing movies of 2025. That sounds unattainable till you understand that the specific venue charges almost 10 times what different theaters cost for that film and has approach, far more seats.
The film is 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, and the venue is the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. A new report claims that the highly controversial re-release of the movie in the expansive, immersive venue grossed $260 million in 2025, and it did so in principally solely 4 months, having opened in late August. That locations it quantity 10 on an inventory of highest-grossing domestic film releases in 2025.
After all, motion pictures like How to Prepare Your Dragon (quantity 9 at $262 million) or The Improbable 4: First Steps (quantity eight at $274 million) cost roughly $15 relying on the place or while you see them, whereas tickets for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere usually begin round $100, and the venue is considerably larger than most film theaters, seating over 18,000. So it’s not precisely a good comparability, however it’s nonetheless sort of attention-grabbing.
With the news of the grosses, in addition to a brand new Sphere opening up close to Washington D.C., Sphere CEO James Dolan revealed that an Oz 2.0 can be coming later this 12 months, with all new results, and that there are no plans for the movie to cease taking part in anytime quickly. “What’s the lifespan of Wizard of Oz? It wouldn’t shock me if we had been displaying Wizard of Oz 10 years from now,” Dolan mentioned.
When the first pictures and video of this new model of The Wizard of Oz had been launched, the on-line backlash was fast and cruel. Many complained about how the new results and remastering fully modified the look of the authentic movie. Then, once it was revealed that AI was used to assist broaden a few of the pictures for the expertise, it bought even worse. Nonetheless, it certain looks like that fervor hasn’t accomplished something to dial again curiosity from Las Vegas vacationers.
I used to be in Las Vegas a number of weeks in the past, and the crowds in and round the Sphere for The Wizard of Oz had been surprisingly giant. I even noticed followers attending reveals dressed up as the characters from the film. Plus, you’ll be able to’t get discounted seats like different Las Vegas reveals. It’s nonetheless in style and creating wealth. Some huge cash. Actual Hollywood blockbuster cash. And, if it retains going at this fee, it’s going to be part of the likes of Avatar and the Avengers in the billion membership after which some.
As for what motion pictures may subsequent make the bounce to Sphere, nothing is official. Rumors have run rampant about mega franchises like Star Wars or Harry Potter, however none of that is official. Dolan did reveal a film referred to as From the Edge was in the works, made by the workforce behind Free Solo and it “chronicles excessive sports activities athletes.” Nevertheless, whereas that movie can be accomplished later this 12 months, there are no plans to cease displaying The Wizard of Oz anytime quickly. “We plan on principally operating Wizard of Oz till we see the demand begin to fall off,” Dolan mentioned. “That may very well be so much longer than a 12 months.”
Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to anticipate the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and all the things you want to learn about the way forward for Doctor Who.
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