Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Neverending Story

Play trailer 1:22 Poster for The Neverending Story PG 1984 1h 34m Kids & Family Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
84% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
On his way to school, Bastian 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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Neverending Story

The Neverending Story

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Ed Potton The Times (UK) 08/02/2024
4/5
The effects look cardboardy by today’s standards but the puppets and animatronics are great, especially Falkor, the dog-like “luck dragon”. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 08/01/2024
4/5
There’s no doubt of the rousing urgency and terrific design of this likable movie. Go to Full Review Ian Nathan Empire Magazine 11/26/2012
2/5
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. Go to Full Review Charles Mudede The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 05/10/2024
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. Go to Full Review Carey-Ann Pawsey Orca Sound 09/25/2022
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Andrew Galdi Movie Bitches 08/04/2022
This movie is dark! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Casey Jan 25 Classic. The Big Screen really brought it back to life. See more Sheena P 03/12/2023 Very entertaining movie... Enjoyed the classic very much. See more Gregory 08/21/2022 Such nostalgia! This movie is still perfect! See more Richard L 08/20/2022 Great acting. Dated animations. Impressive plot and plot twists. See more Oz S @Ozsoffy Feb 2 The story is imaginative, emotional, and timeless. It understands childhood fears and hopes in a way that feels honest, not cheesy. The practical effects are fantastic for their time and still have real charm today. Creatures, sets, and costumes feel physical and alive, which gives the world real weight. The ending is especially strong. It is satisfying, meaningful, and perfectly fits the themes of imagination, loss, and rebirth. Few fantasy films stick the landing this well. This is one of those films that shaped a generation and still earns its reputation. See more Claudio Leon H @Donleon Dec 31 As a 9 Year old child i got blown away by this Movie christmas day. Since then i am somehow obsessed with it! The Soundtrack is one of a kind and suits the movie perfectly! As an Adult I still Love it with every piece of my heart! See more Read all reviews
The Neverending Story

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Wolfgang Petersen

Director

Barret Oliver

Bastian

Noah Hathaway

Atreyu

Tami Stronach

The Childlike Empress

Moses Gunn

Cairon

Patricia Hayes

Urgl

More Like This

View All
The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter 14% 40% The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter Watchlist TRAILER for The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter The Witches 94% 70% The Witches Watchlist Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 80% 82% Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Watchlist TRAILER for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Jumanji 55% 63% Jumanji Watchlist TRAILER for Jumanji Hook 37% 76% Hook Watchlist TRAILER for Hook Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
New on Netflix in August Here Be Dragons! Famous TV and Movie Fire-Breathers New on Netflix in October
View All

The Neverending Story

The Neverending Story: Trailer 1 The Neverending Story: Trailer 1 1:22 View more videos
View All

The Neverending Story

The Neverending Story (1984) A scene from "The Neverending Story." (L-R) Sydney Bromley as Engywook and Patricia Hayes as Urgl in "The NeverEnding Story." Deep Roy as Teeny Weeny in "The NeverEnding Story." A scene from "The NeverEnding Story." Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." (L-R) Noah Hathaway as Atreyu and G'mork in "The NeverEnding Story." Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." (Top-Bottom) Noah Hathaway as Atreyu and Falkor in "The NeverEnding Story." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On his way to school, Bastian 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)
Most Popular at Home Now