The Last Unicorn

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2:41

The Last Unicorn

G

Released Nov 19, 1982

1h 24m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In this animated musical, the villainous King Haggard (Christopher Lee) plots to destroy all the world's unicorns. When a young unicorn (Mia Farrow) learns that she's in danger and that she may soon be the last of her kind, she leaves the safety of her protected forest and enlists the help of Schmendrick (Alan Arkin), a gentle, albeit clumsy, sorcerer. Together, they embark on a long and dangerous journey with one goal: to defeat Haggard and save the unicorns from extinction.

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Critics Consensus

The Last Unicorn lacks the fluid animation to truly sparkle as an animated epic, but offbeat characters and an affecting story make it one of a kind for the true believers.

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Alex McLevy

AV Club

The Last Unicorn will endure as a film for reasons both intellectual and aesthetic. It's full of rich ideas and revisions of outdated, sexist stereotypes, and thereby feels more modern than many animated classics.

Jun 13, 2019

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The Last Unicorn represents a rare example of an animated kids' pic in which the script and vocal performances outshine the visuals.

Jul 6, 2010

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Some horrific moments (the mark of the best fairytales) and some sublimely witty lines.

Jun 24, 2006

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

The heavy-hoofed red bull and an interlude in which the unicorn is conscripted into a traveling circus alongside a harpy are so visually striking and wordlessly monstrous that they’ll lodge themselves in your gray matter forever.

Jan 22, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Would the act of giving The Last Unicorn a less-than-stellar rating be tantamount to kicking a puppy?

Rated: 2/4

Aug 25, 2024

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

It has a certain magic to it that speaks to young audiences in particular, while never shedding its mature perspective ...

Aug 19, 2024

Full Review

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Spencer P

After The Hobbit, Rankin and Bass teamed up with Topcraft once again to deliver a fantasy book adaptation with wildly dreamy imagery, but lifeless animation (though the talking skeleton is actually impressive), and tons more terrible dialogue.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Donald H

The last unicorn was so beautifully done with so many adult themes mixed in that you don't understand until you are older.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my favorite childhood movies that has forever stuck with me. The story, the characters, the wonderful way they move and the music. There just isn’t another animated movie like it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Blake M

A beautiful and iconic movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

Violet R

Iconic. Original. Beautiful. The music, voice acting, story, script all excellent! Something for everyone. It's funny, gripping, sad, thought provoking, and a wonderful true fairy tale with some scary monsters. Love it! A classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

Elli N

My grandparents had this movie on DVD when i was little. While adding to my DVD catalogue i took it and watched it for the first time in years. When i say this movie brought me to tears, I'm being dead serious. The animation is stunning, the character designs are beautiful, the casting choices fit each character perfectly, and the music performed by America is the icing on the cake. The metaphor's laced throughout The Last Unicorn are so well thought out, and that ending is enough to make a grown man cry. Couldn't recommend enough, but one only half a five star because of the tree scene alone; it was unnecessary and was just plain weird.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

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Jules Bass

Director

Arthur Rankin Jr.

Director

Alan Arkin

Schmendrick

Jeff Bridges

Prince Lir

Mia Farrow

Unicorn

Tammy Grimes

Molly Grue

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The Last Unicorn: Trailer 1

2:41

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Synopsis

In this animated musical, the villainous King Haggard (Christopher Lee) plots to destroy all the world's unicorns. When a young unicorn (Mia Farrow) learns that she's in danger and that she may soon be the last of her kind, she leaves the safety of her protected forest and enlists the help of Schmendrick (Alan Arkin), a gentle, albeit clumsy, sorcerer. Together, they embark on a long and dangerous journey with one goal: to defeat Haggard and save the unicorns from extinction.

Director: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Producer: Jules Bass, Michael Pakleppa, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Screenwriter: Peter S. Beagle
Distributor: Jensen Farley Pictures
Production Co: Rankin/Bass Productions, Incorporated Television Company
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 19, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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