The Neverending Story

PG

Released Jul 20, 1984

1h 34m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

TRAILER

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List

84%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

81%

Audience Score

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Shane C

My favorite movie of all time. Best story, best characters, great effects, and great music. "They look like big strong hands. Don't they?"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

Full Review

Sam M

One of the best films of all time and it stands up well today. The film is the perfect balance of light fantasy and some dark (really dark) aspects. At the core of this story is a personal need for hope and satisfaction. The fantasy is enthralling, the visual are neat, and there is a true sense of adventure, even if the road is sometimes a painful one for our main protagonist.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

r96 s

A fantasy flick of real quality! I got to watch this at the cinema thanks to its release as part of its 40th anniversary, the second movie I've seen re-released on the big screen after 'Trainspotting' back in May. That Danny Boyle flick from 1996 is great, as is this Wolfgang Petersen feature from 1984. I wasn't sure what to expect, I only knew of its genre and that famous theme song. One of the first things to note about 'The NeverEnding Story' is how well it has aged, it looks awesome. The practical effects still look top quality and are super effective, I watched 'Big Trouble in Little China' yesterday and that has aged rather poorly in the effects department - and was released two years after this! I really loved seeing the world come to life. The effects are a big reason for that, though this shows the importance of getting strong voice actors. Alan Oppenheimer is fantastic in the roles of Falkor, Gmork and Rockbiter, credit to Robert Easton as Morla too. As for the 'normal' actors, Sydney Bromley, Moses Gunn and Tilo Prückner are excellent in their respective roles. Younger actors Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway and Tami Stronach all do good work. I could've done without, and this my only thing close to a criticism (which it even isn't), the constant leaps back to the reader (Oliver's Bastian), it's not bad but sometimes doesn't feel necessary; less is more, sorta thing. A brilliant film, one with an edge to it as well... 🕊️🐎

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

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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