The Dark Crystal

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The Dark Crystal

PG

Released Dec 17, 1982

1h 35m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Jen (Stephen Garlick), raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He sets out to try to find a shard of the dark crystal, a powerful gem that once provided balance to the universe. After the crystal was broken, the evil Skeksis used sinister means to gain control. Jen believes that he can repair the dark crystal and bring peace back to the world, if he can only find the remaining shard.

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Critics Consensus

The Dark Crystal's narrative never quite lives up to the movie's visual splendor, but it remains an admirably inventive and uniquely intense entry in the Jim Henson canon.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

As narrative, the incidents in The Dark Crystal are unremarkable; as the excuse for special effects, fanciful decor and eccentric characters, they do nicely enough.

May 2, 2019

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jim Henson and Frank Oz... designed and directed this 1983 film, in which no human actors appear (except as crude long-shot doubles for the animated figures); it's a cute gimmick, but the puppets are so stiff and inexpressive that the film drops dead.

May 2, 2019

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

The Dark Crystal has an ethereal alien quality to its startling visions, far removed from the Earth-bound contours of traditional fairy tales.

Rated: 4/5

May 2, 2019

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An epic tale in the tradition of The Lord of the Rings.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 17, 2024

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Dark and visionary, this compelling fantasy film uses amazing puppetry to tell its story.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 10, 2024

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Phil Edwards

Starburst

The Dark Crystal is such a dud... it's dull.

Jul 29, 2022

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Stephen G

As every, corporate America ruins everything. Greedy billionaires steal everything

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

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Is W.

As a Henson cult classic, this is not a movie for everyone to “get.” There are no dancing chickens or ukulele-playing frogs here. This film is appropriate for children, but it is not a children’s film. It’s in the same vein as Henson’s Labyrinth but even more divisive. The Dark Crystal is a weird little fantasy rabbit hole better suited for your geeky friend’s Halloween party than for your geeky kid’s 11th birthday party (unless they have really cool geeky friends too). While some may find the movie boring or confusing, others such as myself are completely charmed by the quaint yet intricate sets and skillful puppetry. In a world inundated with CGI and played-out, moderate political messages, The Dark Crystal is a sip of fresh gelfling essence.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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Garrett B

The stellar sets and well crafted puppetry help this feature from its uncanny setting

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Dallas H

I like this dark fantasy tale from Jim Henson even if it is nightmare fuel for kids. The technical production of the movie is an amazing feat! However, whenever I re-watch this film as an adult, the opening monologue is forever ruined for me because it was heavily sampled in the techno song "Trip Like I Do" by The Crystal Method.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

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josh d

Maybe a little weird. But another solid 80s fantasy movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

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Kal S

An impressive failure of a film. In trying to understand its enduring popularity I considered each of its qualities… Characters? Wooden. Puppetry? Wooden. (Well, the villains were impressive, especially those giant dung beetles, but the main characters were expressionless—far from Henson's best work.) Plot? Clichéd. And wooden. Oh, and if you're tempted to show your younger kids, be warned that the life-force-sucking scenes are the stuff of nightmares. (7/9/2019)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

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The Dark Crystal: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Jen (Stephen Garlick), raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He sets out to try to find a shard of the dark crystal, a powerful gem that once provided balance to the universe. After the crystal was broken, the evil Skeksis used sinister means to gain control. Jen believes that he can repair the dark crystal and bring peace back to the world, if he can only find the remaining shard.

Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Producer: Gary Kurtz, Jim Henson
Screenwriter: David Odell, Jim Henson
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Jim Henson Productions, Incorporated Television Company
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1982, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 4, 2022
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 9, 2011
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround

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