Legend

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Legend

PG

1985

1h 29m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

47 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Darkness (Tim Curry) seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack (Tom Cruise) and his friends do everything possible to save the world and Princess Lili (Mia Sara) from the hands of Darkness. Enter a world of unicorns, magic swamps, dwarfs and rainbows.

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Critics Consensus

Not even Ridley Scott's gorgeously realized set pieces can save Legend from its own tawdry tale -- though it may be serviceable for those simply looking for fantasy eye candy.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Legend is not without whimsical touches, but it surely could have used more humor and invention.

Mar 27, 2019

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

You are caught up in a morality play... the deepest significance of which the makers of this PG movie are apparently betting the adolescents of America will instinctively comprehend.

Mar 27, 2019

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

I don't want to remember any more about Legend than to make sure I include it in my ''worst films of 1986'' list and never rent it when it comes out as a video cassette.

Rated: 0.5/4

Mar 27, 2019

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

Majestic stuff

Apr 13, 2025

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Martin Carr

CBR

Don't let the rotten rating fool you, Legend is a cult classic with more than enough to entertain above and beyond Tim Curry's extreme makeover. This is an arthouse indulgence from Ridley Scott that may feature Tom Cruise, but still manages to impress.

Apr 20, 2024

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Though Legend may never achieve full-on classic motion picture status, the more fleshed-out director's cut proves that Ridley Scott's lovingly-crafted fairytale always deserved better than it got from both film critics and paying audiences alike.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 12, 2023

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Kim P

One of THE WORST movies I've ever seen. Just HORRIBLE, particularly Tom Cruise's so-called "acting". John Wayne played the same character in almost every film but, unlike Cruise< Wayne could act when paired with a good director, Cruise Flopped with Ridley Freakin' Scott! Story sucked as well. Don't waste your time on this smelly pile of dookie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Frans B

Ridley Scott masterpiece. There's a very clear and straightforward narrative, as there should be with fairytales. There's the hero, the princess, his friends and helpers, the bad guy and his henchmen. The cinematography and make up effects are superb, and the world building is breathtaking. Amazing cinematography, very well written and put together. Stellar cast all excels in character. Classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

M P.

How this became a cult classic makes no sense other than the make-up. It’s a terrible movie and no way lives up to classic 80s fantasy like genius Jim Henson Dark Crystal & Labyrinth and the Never Ending Story. Doesn’t even come close.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $12,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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David W

One of my all time favourite films. Looks beautiful, sounds beautiful (the Tangerine Dream version), Mia Sara is astonishingly beautiful and Tim Curry gives a performance for the ages. I've seen this more times than I care to admit over the years and fall in love with it everytime I watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Tom Cruise

Jack

Mia Sara

Princess Lily

Tim Curry

Darkness

David Bennent

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Alice Playten

Blix

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Why Rotten Tomatoes Is So Wrong About Legend (1985)

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Synopsis

Darkness (Tim Curry) seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack (Tom Cruise) and his friends do everything possible to save the world and Princess Lili (Mia Sara) from the hands of Darkness. Enter a world of unicorns, magic swamps, dwarfs and rainbows.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: William Hjortsberg
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Embassy International Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.3M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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