I have seen the famous 1939 The Wizard of Oz movie. But was that the first theatrical adaptation of L. Frank Braum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Had you asked me before November 17, 2025, I may have tentatively guessed it was. But I now know better thanks to Sterling Dudley writing for Internet Archive Blogs:

Rightly remembered for its masterful execution and translation of the fairytale Oz to the big screen, MGM’s The Wizard of Oz (1939) remains the primary association with Oz for most audiences. However, despite its iconic status, that version was preceded by multiple filmed adaptations. Between 1908 and 1925, at least six silent adaptations brought Oz to life, some now lost, others surviving in fragments that reveal inventive visual interpretations often drawn from the stage musicals of the era.

Sterling Dudley (“The Wonderful Public Domain of Oz“)

The famous Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland as Dorothy was the seventh (that we know of)Wizard of Oz movie. According to Mr. Dudley, there were six silent adaptations of The Wizard of Oz “between 1908 and 1925.” However, he goes on to note that the first was released in 1910 (see video on Internet Archive), so I am unsure what the 1908 date refers to. The original article is well-worth reading and comes with plenty of links to public domain Wizard of Oz resources.