The Neverending Story

1984, Kids & family/Fantasy, 1h 32m

46 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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 critic reviews

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The Neverending Story Videos

The Neverending Story: Trailer 1 photo 1

The Neverending Story: Trailer 1

View all videos (1)

The Neverending Story Photos

(L-R) Tami Stronach as The Childlike Empress and Barret Oliver as Bastian in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 1

A scene from "The Neverending Story." photo 2

Deep Roy as Teeny Weeny in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 3

A scene from "The NeverEnding Story." photo 4

Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 5

Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 6

(L-R) Noah Hathaway as Atreyu and G'mork in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 7

Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 8

(L-R) Sydney Bromley as Engywook and Patricia Hayes as Urgl in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 9

Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 10

A scene from "The NeverEnding Story." photo 11

(Top-Bottom) Noah Hathaway as Atreyu and Falkor in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 12

(L-R) Noah Hathaway as Atreyu and Falkor in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 13

Tami Stronach as The Childlike Empress in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 14

Noah Hathaway as Atreyu in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 15

Moses Gunn as Cairon in "The NeverEnding Story." photo 16

The Neverending Story (1984) photo 17

The Neverending Story (1984) photo 18

The Neverending Story (1984) photo 19

The Neverending Story (1984) photo 20

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Movie Info

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.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Kids & family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language:

English
Director:

Wolfgang Petersen
Producer:

Bernd Eichinger, Dieter Geissler
Writer:

Wolfgang Petersen, Herman Weigel
Release Date (Theaters):

Jul 20, 1984 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Sep 4, 2001
Runtime:

1h 32m
Distributor:

Warner Home Vídeo
Sound Mix:

Surround

Cast & Crew

Barret Oliver
Bastian

Noah Hathaway
Atreyu

Tami Stronach
The Childlike Empress

Moses Gunn
Cairon

Patricia Hayes
Urgl

Sydney Bromley

Sydney Bromley
Engywook

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Neverending Story

New on Netflix in August

New on Netflix in August

Here Be Dragons! Famous TV and Movie Fire-Breathers

Here Be Dragons! Famous TV and Movie Fire-Breathers

New on Netflix in October

New on Netflix in October

Critic Reviews for The Neverending Story

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (8)

Full Review… Ian Nathan Empire Magazine

Full Review… Variety Staff Variety

Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader

Full Review… Verina Glaessner Time Out

Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times

Full Review… Vincent Canby New York Times

Full Review… Carey-Ann Pawsey Orca Sound

Full Review… Andrew Galdi Movie Bitches

Full Review… Avaryl Halley Movie Bitches

Full Review… Tim Brayton Alternate Ending

Full Review… James Croot Stuff.co.nz

Full Review… Sezín Koehler Black Girl Nerds

View All Critic Reviews (46)

Audience Reviews for The Neverending Story

Apr 12, 2017

This is a strong classic film that lives on thanks to an incredibly sharp storyline. The effects have aged but this film is timeless, you forget how much Hollywood spells out everything in the first 20 mins, this film is storytelling and it's refreshing in this day and age. The acting is spot on and that epic film song kicks things off in style. Never grew up with this film and It's a shame but you are never too old to discover a clever film like this. You can see the filmmaking ability of Peterson with this limited budget, this is why the film is so successful in the end. Strong film and a classic with dark undertones. 28/07/2019

Brendan N Super Reviewer
Aug 05, 2014

Nope, I didn't enjoy it. Perhaps in 1984 it was entertaining, but neither the acting nor the special effects were satisfactory. I gave it 2 out of 5 as the story has possibilities.

Red L Super Reviewer
May 14, 2012

The Neverending Story is a magical film with an enchanting and imaginative story. The film follows a young boy named Bastian who begins to read a mysterious book, but soon finds himself becoming an interactive character in the story. The characters are all captivating, and feel real and unique to the world of Fantasia. Additionally, the story has an inspirational message about the power of imagination and the part that fantasy plays in our lives. The Neverending Story holds up as a beloved classic, and endures a fun and enjoyable family film.

Dann M Super Reviewer
Jul 09, 2011

what can i say, Falcor was a pimp.

Nay Nay B Super Reviewer

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