Often overlooked compared to its genre contemporaries like Labyrinth, this is a wonderful inventive piece of filmmaking that deserves a better reputation. Obviously, inviting comparisons to one of Hollywood’s original and brightest darlings is a tall ask. And Return to Oz does itself no favours: instead of the technicolour oomph of the original film, this has a more gritty realism that could almost feel like a betrayal of expectations from an ‘Oz’ film. But it acts as a vital counterweight to the fantasy elements. In Return, the world of Oz feels more grounded and dangerous, not entirely dreamlike and safe. This means the antagonists here are extra terrifying, especially to younger eyes ‐ the Wheelers and Mombi and two of most terrifying villains ever put into a kid’s movie. But it also means that the moments of whimsy, the visual style such as character design of Jack Pumpkinhead and Tik-Tok, feel even more grounded and real and special.

Watched this with my kids and they loved it.