The Neverending Story

PG

Now Playing

1 hr. 34 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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List

83%

46 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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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

Koi P

Wonderful movie that is a fun and enjoyable watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Adam M

This movie doesn't age well. The effects are "average" for the time, but the acting is very poor. The story itself is nothing special. The best part of the movie is the theme song, and only for nostalgia purposes.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

Full Review

Luke R

Such a great adventure movie!!! Should've watch this in my childhood! Medieval Fantasy is one of the best climates of all! I love it when books turn out to be real and magical! The Wolf is such a terrifying secondary antagonist!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

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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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

Variety Staff

Variety

A marvelously realized flight of pure fantasy.

Nov 26, 2012

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

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

Nov 26, 2012

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

Avaryl Halley

Movie Bitches

This scarred me for life, and I loved it

Aug 4, 2022

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Mark Damon , John W. Hyde
Screenwriter: Wolfgang Petersen , Herman Weigel
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family , Fantasy , Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 20, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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