Sphere Upgrades Wizard of Oz Experience with New Animatronic Monkeys and Scented Apples
The Sphere in Las Vegas is adding new 4D effects to its Wizard of Oz presentation, including animatronic flying monkeys, pyrotechnics, glitter, and scented apples. The enhanced version has grossed over $450 million since launch. Tickets are on sale into early 2027.
The Sphere’s Wizard of Oz adaptation has become a major revenue driver, surpassing $450 million in grosses within its first year. The venue’s upcoming enhancements build on its existing 4D arsenal—which already includes fire, falling apples, and an in-room tornado—by adding animatronic winged monkeys, extra pyrotechnics, glitter, and scent-releasing apples. Tickets now extend into early 2027, and the company has confirmed The Rocky Horror Picture Show as its next film adaptation, debuting that same year.
Beyond this production, Sphere Entertainment is expanding its footprint with planned venues near Washington, D.C., and in Abu Dhabi, developed with local partners. The Las Vegas location has balanced live concerts—from U2 and the Backstreet Boys—with filmed experiences to keep the space active, suggesting that similar programming may eventually be shared across the new sites.
This upgrade could reinforce the Sphere’s role as a destination for experiential entertainment, drawing repeat visitors who seek novel sensory thrills rather than just film screenings. The emphasis on tactile and olfactory effects may also influence how other venues approach immersive cinema, potentially raising audience expectations for multi-sensory engagement. However, the high ticket prices and limited geographic reach could restrict access, making such experiences a premium, tourism-driven niche rather than a broad cultural shift.