The Neverending Story

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.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 41

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 374,192

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Movie Info

Wolfgang Petersen adapted Michael Ende's children's story for this charming fantasy film that spawned several sequels. Bastian (Barret Oliver) is dealing with his mother's recent death. His father (Gerald McRaney) is an imperious sort who continually lambastes Bastian for daydreaming and falling behind in school. On top of his father's badgering, he has to contend with a bunch of school bullies waiting for him in the schoolyard. One day he decides to play hooky and walks into a strange bookstore, where in the attic, he discovers a book called "The Neverending Story". As Bastian reads the book, he's enveloped in the unfolding tale. A sickly child-like empress (Tami Stronach) from a land called Fantasia is concerned about who will take over the land if she dies. She decides it is best for Fantasia if she remains alive, so she dispatches a young warrior named Atreju (Noah Hathaway) to find a cure for the empress's malady. It turns out the land is consumed with a plague called The Nothing, generated by blighted dreams and hopeless fantasies. As Atreju continues onward to search for a cure for The Nothing, he encounters an assortment of strange creatures. Bastian is so consumed with the tale that he finds himself catapulted into the land of Fantasia himself. Atreju realizes that the only way to save the land from its blight is with the help of this strange earth boy, Bastian. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG (violence)
  • Genre:
    Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • Directed By:
    Wolfgang Petersen
  • Written By:
    Herman Weigel, Wolfgang Petersen
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Home Video

Cast

Noah Hathaway
as Atreyu
Barret Oliver
as Bastian
Tami Stronach
as The Childlike Empress
Gerald McRaney
as Bastian's Father
Moses Gunn
as Cairon
Patricia Hayes
as Urgl
Sydney Bromley
as Engywook
Drum Garrett
as First Bully
Darryl Cooksey
as Second Bully
Nicholas Gilbert
as Third Bully
Thomas Hill
as Koreander
Deep Roy
as Teeny Weeny
Tilo Prückner
as Night Hob
Alan Oppenheimer
as Falkor
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Critic Reviews for The Neverending Story

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (8)

View All Critic Reviews (41)

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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