The Neverending Story (1984)

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (6) | DVD (9)

A marvelously realized flight of pure fantasy.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Despite the sophistication of the source material, the film isn't particularly successful.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

A fairytale of the very best kind.

January 26, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

The world of this movie looks like a very particular place, and the art direction involved a lot of imagination.

October 23, 2004 Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

The Neverending Story may have cost a mint to produce, but the result is bargain-basement.

August 30, 2004 Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

The NeverEnding Story remains a testament to the power of imagination and the type of inventive cinema that was possible in a pre-digital era.

April 2, 2013 Full Review

Thomas Caldwell

Cinema Autopsy

All in all, The Neverending Story is a silly fantasy movie that often shows its age, but as a kids' movie it still has enough exciting action and you-can-do-it attitude to earn itself a place in a family's DVD collection.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

Alistair Dickinson

PopMatters

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.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Only a certified grump could dislike this engaging fantasy that wends its way into the imagination and is a delight on most levels.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

TV Guide's Movie Guide

As a testament to the power of books, the often gloomy The Neverending Story comes off as a Reading Rainbow episode covering existentialism.

July 24, 2011 Full Review

Mark Pfeiffer

Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

It's very hard not to give in to The Neverending Story's heart-in-the-right-place charms amidst an increasingly anti-literate society. [Blu-ray]

May 28, 2010 Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

...has enough charm, delight, and wonder going for it to entertain most youngsters, and that's all that matters.

March 3, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Magical storytelling targeted at children still fascinates.

March 14, 2009

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Even better if you never see the sequels.

November 9, 2005

Kevin A. Ranson

MovieCrypt.com

An enjoyable departure from both Das Boot and Kajagoogoo.

October 1, 2004

Gregory Weinkauf

New Times

An above-average children's flick with interesting characters and an imaginative premise.

August 19, 2004 Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

The 'NeverEnding' part of the title is certainly accurate.

September 11, 2003 | Comments (17)

Widgett Walls

Needcoffee.com

Nowhere near as good as the book, but not bad for the kids.

July 30, 2003 | Comment (1)

Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

Classic fantasy, full of wonderful creatures and characters.

July 14, 2003

Fred Topel

About.com

A shining moment in Science-Fiction Fantasy. Does it get any better?

July 11, 2003

Clint Morris

Moviehole

• 1. Engywook: To the winch, wench.
  – Submitted by ethan t (11 months ago)
• 1. Falkor: Never give up and good luck will find you.
  – Submitted by ethan t (11 months ago)
• 1. Falkor: Never give up and good luck will find you.
  – Submitted by Dann M (13 months ago)
• 1. Falkor: I like children.
  2. Atreyu: [nervously] For breakfast?
  3. Falkor: [laughs] Never!
  – Submitted by Adrian G (20 months ago)
• 1. Koreander: The video arcade is down the street. Here we just sell small rectangular objects. They're called books. They require a little effort on your part, and make no bee-bee-bee-bee-beeps. On your way please.
  – Submitted by Adrian G (20 months ago)