Las Vegas Sphere’s AI-Upgraded Wizard of Oz Nears $1 Billion Gross

The Las Vegas Sphere has transformed the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz into a highly profitable, immersive experience, attracting thousands of viewers daily with tickets averaging nearly $200. Sphere CEO James Dolan spent nearly $100 million adapting the film for the venue's massive 160,000-square-foot screen, enhancing it with AI upscaling, multi-sensory 4D effects, and a re-recorded score to maximize the immersive experience. The shortened 70-minute version plays multiple times a day, generating up to $2 million in daily ticket sales and potentially grossing over $1 billion before the run concludes. Analyst Peter Supino of Wolfe Research predicts The Sphere could become the world's most profitable venue, with film revenues surpassing concert income and plans to adapt more major franchises such as Harry Potter and Star Wars. This success may shift The Sphere's focus from concerts to films, providing significant new revenue streams for Hollywood studios and increasing the venue's investability. Dolan envisions The Wizard of Oz running indefinitely at The Sphere and expanding the concept to new locations like Abu Dhabi.