The Wizard of Oz at Sphere in Las Vegas is adding a new collection of enhanced 4D effects to its already massive reimagining of the 1939 classic, including animatronic flying monkeys that soar over the audience, additional pyrotechnics, falling scented apples, new aromas, and something called “Glinda Glitter.” According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the new and expanded effects will further blur the line between the movie and the physical space inside the Sphere, turning some of The Wizard of Oz‘s most memorable moments into even bigger sensory experiences.
The Sphere’s version of The Wizard of Oz has already become a major success, grossing more than $400 million since launching last year. Tickets are currently on sale into early 2027, and the experience combines the classic film with the venue’s enormous immersive screen and a variety of environmental effects.
The enhanced experience will reportedly include:
Those additions build on the effects already incorporated into The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, which connect the action happening on the screen with the physical environment surrounding the audience. Existing effects include fire, falling apples, and even a tornado that forms inside the venue.
“At Sphere, we’re constantly exploring new ways to push the boundaries of immersive storytelling and create new experiences for our audiences,” Sphere president and COO Jennifer Koester said. “The upcoming enhancements to The Wizard of Oz at Sphere take some of the most memorable moments from the experience to the next level to immerse and transport audiences deeper into the world of Oz.”
The addition of animatronic flying monkeys sounds especially crazy. The Winged Monkeys are already among the most memorable and unsettling elements of the original Wizard of Oz, and having physical versions of them flying above the audience should make Dorothy’s trip to Oz even more intense… and fun.
The success of The Wizard of Oz at Sphere has helped establish classic movie adaptations as a major part of the Sphere’s future. The venue’s next film project will be the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is scheduled to debut at the Sphere in 2027.
It’s fascinating to see how far the concept is being pushed. Watching The Wizard of Oz on a giant screen is one thing, but adding fire, tornadoes, falling apples, scents, glitter, fireworks, and flying animatronic monkeys turns the movie into something closer to a theme park attraction. The Sphere is an incredible venue that I have visited six times in the last year, but I haven’t managed to catch a screening of The Wizard of Oz yet. Maybe someday… especially now that they’re enhancing the experience even more.
Would you like to experience The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere with all of these new 4D effects? Or do the flying monkeys soaring over the audience sound like a little too much? Let us know in the comments below.