'Oz '' is a prequel to the 1939 classic `` The Wizard of Oz , '' starring Judy Garland . It was released in theaters on March 25, 1938 and became one of the most successful films ever made at that time with over $ 100 million worldwide making it the highest grossing film of all time. The film stars James Franco as a carnival magician swept into the land of Oz by a tornado , a prequel to the 1939 classic `` The Wizard of Oz , '' which starred a teenage Judy Garland . The success of `` Oz '' dwarfs `` Jack The Giant Slayer , '' which brought in $ 10 million .
'Oz '' is a prequel to the 1939 classic `` The Wizard of Oz , '' starring Judy Garland . It was released in theaters on March 25, 1938 and became one of the most successful films ever made at that time with over $ 100 million worldwide making it the highest grossing film of all time. The success of `` Oz '' dwarfs `` Jack The Giant Slayer , '' which brought in $ 10 million .