The Neverending Story

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1:22

The Neverending Story

PG

Released Jul 20, 1984

1h 34m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

On his way to school, Bastian (Barret Oliver) ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading it in the school attic. The novel is about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by "The Nothing," a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive.

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Critics Consensus

A magical journey about the power of a young boy's imagination to save a dying fantasy land, The NeverEnding Story remains a much-loved kids adventure.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

The effects look cardboardy by today’s standards but the puppets and animatronics are great, especially Falkor, the dog-like “luck dragon”.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2024

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

There’s no doubt of the rousing urgency and terrific design of this likable movie.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

This was sweet and charming at the time but now it just lacks either the comedy or sophistication of kids' fantasy film that we've all become accustomed to.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 26, 2012

Full Review

Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Though not as wonderfully bizarre as Jim Henson's Labyrinth, it does have an existential monster called the Nothing—it's something like a black hole that sucks the life out of a fantastic world.

May 10, 2024

Full Review

Carey-Ann Pawsey

Orca Sound

If you are looking for a family film that will not be offensive to any member of the family then Wolfgang Petersen’s (Troy, The Perfect Storm) “The Neverending Story” is a safe pick.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 25, 2022

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Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

This movie is dark!

Aug 4, 2022

Full Review

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Sheena P

Very entertaining movie... Enjoyed the classic very much.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

Gregory

Such nostalgia! This movie is still perfect!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/22

Full Review

Richard L

Great acting. Dated animations. Impressive plot and plot twists.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/21/22

Full Review

Michael P

Horse died 🐴🐎 that sucks! Bad movie!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

Full Review

Juls c

Such an amazing movie for its time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

Full Review

Isaac O

While the special effects are a bit dated, they only add to the charm of this classic fantasy epic! Iconic characters, iconic places, iconic dialogue... what's there not to love about The Neverending Story? Also we can all agree that Gmork gave us nightmares as kids.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

Full Review

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Wolfgang Petersen

Director

Barret Oliver

Bastian

Noah Hathaway

Atreyu

Tami Stronach

The Childlike Empress

Moses Gunn

Cairon

Patricia Hayes

Urgl

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The Neverending Story: Trailer 1

1:22

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Synopsis

On his way to school, Bastian (Barret Oliver) ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading it in the school attic. The novel is about Fantasia, a fantasy land threatened by "The Nothing," a darkness that destroys everything it touches. The kingdom needs the help of a human child to survive. When Bastian reads a description of himself in the book, he begins to wonder if Fantasia is real and needs him to survive.

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Producer: Bernd Eichinger, Dieter Geissler
Screenwriter: Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 20, 1984, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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