As a kid, watching The Wizard of Oz on TV was always a big deal at our house. It was the one night we got to stay up late. I’d cuddle up close to my mom so I could turn my head away as soon as the Wicked Witch appeared. Every single time, she terrified me! And whenever Dorothy was worried she’d never make it home, I’d snuggle in a bit closer to my mom, needing that comfort of knowing I was safe at home. The idea that “there’s no place like home” is one of the lasting lessons from the movie.
When The Wizard of Oz celebrated its 80th anniversary in August, it made me think—after all these years, what can the movie still teach us today? So, I gathered my kids, popped in an old DVD, and settled in to see what timeless lessons this childhood favorite still had to offer.
Watching it now, the movie brought a whole new perspective. I’ve listed a few useful lessons, though not groundbreaking, that come with a little humor.
Life Lessons from The Wizard of Oz
1. Face Your Fears
The plot is straightforward—Dorothy just wants to go home and must visit the Wizard to do so. Despite being just 16 and far from home in a strange land, she bravely sets off on her journey. She faces her fears head-on, all while wearing a fabulous pair of shoes. Word of advice though: if you find yourself in an alternate universe, maybe don’t always trust the sparkly pink witch in a bubble.
2. Lend a Helping Hand
Along her journey, Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion. She stops each time to help them. They each want something to make themselves better—a brain, a heart, and courage. Dorothy invites them to join her and seek help from the Wizard as well. She could have gone on her way, but instead, she gave them hope and made three new friends along the way.
3. Support Your Friends, and They’ll Support You
Dorothy and her friends—the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—stick together as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City. They face various obstacles like apple-throwing trees, the Wicked Witch, and a field of poppies. When one stumbles, the others help. They work together as a team, showing that friends supporting each other can overcome anything—even beating a wicked witch.
4. Stand Up for Yourself and Others
When Dorothy and her friends finally confront the Wicked Witch, things get tense. The Witch tries to set the Scarecrow on fire, so Dorothy throws water to put out the flames but ends up melting the Witch. Dorothy feels bad and apologizes, but honestly, considering the Witch’s actions, it was a justified self-defense move. And note: If water is your weakness, maybe don’t keep buckets of it around.
5. You Don’t Need Validation from Others
Throughout the movie, Dorothy and her friends realize they didn’t actually need the Wizard. The Scarecrow showed he could think things through, the Tin Man clearly had a lot of emotional depth, and the Cowardly Lion demonstrated courage despite his fears. They had what they were looking for all along. And Dorothy? She could’ve gone home the whole time by clicking her heels, proving maybe Glinda wasn’t the best guide after all.
Despite not being earth-shattering, these lessons are surprisingly relevant from a modern perspective, especially given the movie’s release at the end of the Great Depression. The Wizard of Oz remains a beloved film filled with messages of love, friendship, and the reassuring idea that you can always find your way home.
So, what are your fondest memories of The Wizard of Oz? What life lessons from the movie resonate most with you?
