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The Neverending Story

Play trailer 1:22 Poster for The Neverending Story PG 1984 1h 34m Kids & Family Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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The Neverending Story

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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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Critics Reviews

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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

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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 Lance L @RT21158311 4d Finally saw the whole film the other day (in 2026) for the first time. Yes, it's become a pop culture favorite, especially with the theme song, which I admit I liked when it came out. The film seems long for only 90 minutes and a cheap looking effects even for the time. The bullied kid escapes his problems while missing school. It isn't new in film by now in plot, but the acting is dull as much as the story, with its non-exciting attempts for action and suspense while flashing between the current and story timelines, making it feel the director didn't know how to get from one part to another in keeping a flow of the story within the run time. So disappointed in the movie. There are better films in the fantasy genre that become pop favs like this that are better, such as Flash Gordon, Krull, and The Dark Crystal, that are worth the time instead. See more Nara W @RT82426693 Apr 5 Loved this when it came out, still has a place in my heart. See more Read all reviews
The Neverending Story

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Cast & Crew

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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

The Neverending Story: Trailer 1 The Neverending Story: Trailer 1 1:22 View more videos
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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." 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)