The Wizard (1989): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Wizard is a 1989 adventure drama directed by Todd Holland, starring Luke Edwards, Fred Savage and Christian Slater. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $14.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 23 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Todd Holland
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Wizard About?
The premise of The Wizard without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film explores the rise and fall of Bernie Madoff, a financier whose reputation masked a massive Ponzi scheme. As his fraudulent activity is exposed, the devastating consequences ripple through the lives of countless investors, wiping out savings and shattering trust. It’s a stark portrayal of ambition, deception, and the destructive power of unchecked greed.
The Wizard Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hitchhiking
- nintendo
- arcade game
- violence
- california
- travel
- chase
- vandalizing a car
- stealing money
- road movie
- journey
- 20th century
+38 more Show fewer
- playing a video game
- road trip comedy
- other sport
- championship
- girl
- search
- kiss
- car smashing
- arcade
- on the road
- gambling
- cult film
- power glove
- truck
- pizza
- nevada
- nintendo entertainment system
- contest
- casino
- truck driver
- boy girl kiss
- child
- two word title
- reference to pee wee herman
- reference to zsa zsa gabor
- teen adventure
- road trip adventure
- overalls
- teenage girl
- brother brother relationship
- stepfather
- lunchbox
- ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
- obsession
- teenage boy
- pursuit
- master of ceremonies
- brother kidnaps his brother
The Wizard Cast
Luke Edwards leads the cast, with Fred Savage and Christian Slater. Directed by Todd Holland; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Todd Holland
Also Starring in The Wizard
· 6 moreMore from Todd Holland
More films directed by Todd Holland, best-rated first: Firehouse Dog, Monster High, Wax On, Fuck Off and The Time Tunnel.
The Wizard Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Wizard 23 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 23 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB
The Wizard Plot Summary
What happens in The Wizard from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Jimmy Woods, portrayed by Luke Edwards, is a young boy grappling with an undefined yet profound mental disorder that has taken root since the tragic drowning of his twin sister, Jennifer, in the Green River two years ago. Struggling to cope with his immense grief, Jimmy rarely engages with others; instead, he isolates himself, spending countless hours constructing elaborate structures from blocks or boxes. His fixation on heading to “California” emerges as a prominent theme, becoming nearly his only verbal expression since the heartbreaking incident. The weight of the trauma, coupled with Jimmy’s psychological struggles, has torn his family apart. He resides with his mother, Christine Bateman, and his stepfather while his brothers, Corey, played by Fred Savage, and Nick, played by Christian Slater, live with their father, Sam.
Full summary
The whole story of The Wizard, scene by scene
The Wizard Box Office
The Wizard grossed $14.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$14.3M
- US & Canada
- $14.3M
The Wizard Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip The Wizard (1989) Opening Scene
How Well Do You Know The Wizard?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the young boy in 'The Wizard' who has a mental disorder?
Cars in The Wizard
52 cars on screen, including the 1988 Chevrolet S-10 and the 1989 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan.
-
1988 Chevrolet S-10 Main role -
1989 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan Main role -
Autocar A-10264 Important role -
1989 Ford Taurus Important role
The Wizard Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “VideoKid - L'Enfant Genial” and “El campeón del videojuego”.
- Also known as
-
- VideoKid - L'Enfant Genial
- El campeón del videojuego
- Il piccolo grande mago dei videogames
- Joy Stick Heroes
- Videokid
- O Gênio do Videogame
- Волшебник
- A varázsló
- Gameboy
- 小鬼跷家
- El genio
- 전자 오락의 마법사
+2 more Show fewer
- Čaroděj
- พ่อมดเซียนเกม
Seen The Wizard?
Movies Like The Wizard
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Wizard of Speed and Time, The Wizard of Loneliness and The Wizard and the Sheriff.
-
The Wizard of Speed and Time 1988 -
The Wizard of Loneliness 1988 -
The Wizard and the Sheriff 1983 -
The Wizard of Oz 1939 -
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie 2009 -
The Wizard of the Emerald City 1997 -
Magicians 2000 -
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion 2001 -
A Wizard's Tale 2018 -
The Wiz 1978 -
Hitch 2005 -
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom 1985
The Wizard FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Wizard, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Wizard?
The Wizard runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Wizard released?
The Wizard was released on December 15, 1989.
Who directed The Wizard?
The Wizard was directed by Todd Holland.
More films by Todd Holland Who is in the cast of The Wizard?
The Wizard stars Luke Edwards, Fred Savage and Christian Slater, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Wizard make at the box office?
The Wizard grossed $14.3 million worldwide.
How is The Wizard rated?
The Wizard has 23 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Does The Wizard have a post-credit scene?
No. The Wizard has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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