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The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story
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The NeverEnding Story

The NeverEnding Story

1984
Drama, Family/Kids
1h 42m
A troubled boy dives into a wonderous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book. (imdb)

The NeverEnding Story

1984
Drama, Family/Kids
1h 42m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 52.26% from 5496 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(5538)
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Rated 30 Apr 2018
92
84th
The '80s produced some great fantasy movies for kids, and this is one of the best - visually rich, full of heart, and deeply imaginative. Remember when books were a thing?
Rated 21 Mar 2010
73
62nd
Rewatch: This is the ultimate fantasy movie for children, bookish ones especially. Giving the protagonist the power to influence the quest of a surrogate hero and hinge on leaps of imagination is cleverly involving. Oh, and then there's a freakin' Luck Dragon! Also contains the saddest moment in a kids movie ever. Seeing it again reminded me how crushing that scene was. And who knew Sphinx's breasts were so hypnotically prominent?
Rated 03 Mar 2012
99
98th
Have you ever been Captain Nemo, trapped inside your submarine while the giant squid is attacking you? Weren't you afraid you couldn't escape? That's what I'm talking about. The books you read are safe.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
99
99th
Charming and imaginative. This is a must have for a library of children's movies.
Rated 11 Feb 2008
3
61st
Great fantasy story that may be a bit too dark for children. That scene with the fucking horse made me weep as a child.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to anyone beyond kids and nostalgic adults who enjoyed it as kids, but there's plenty of enjoyable cheese to it. The main theme song is embarrassingly catchy.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
73
60th
Classic children's fairy tale story. Named my dog Falcor.
Rated 15 Aug 2014
75
30th
Fantasy as it should be, heavy and a little scary. The Southern Oracle sequence is like something out of a dream.
Rated 26 Jun 2012
88
98th
I love this movie and while the FX don't hold up that well especially during the flying scene the wonderful characters and unique story more than make up for it. A definite classic, I love this movie.
Rated 17 Mar 2012
90
77th
Is this score nostalgia talking? Probably. Do I care? Hell no!
Rated 27 Jul 2008
85
85th
This movie is really the one that opened my eyes to the fantasy genre. It was just so different, scary, exciting, and mesmerizing.
Rated 18 May 2008
90
86th
A kid's movie that's still a lot of fun even if you're as depraved and psychotic as I am. Also manages to tell millions of kids that Reading Is Good without being corny
Rated 02 Dec 2023
56
19th
I have a vague sweet memory of the book when I read it like 25 years ago; I watched the movie with my daughter. As kid fils go, it was a good respite from Disney/Pixar go-around; that's the positive part. But, everything was so so so, and I must re-emphasize this, so ugly, it was a bit hard to watch. It is one of those things that washes over you, give it a few more months and all I will remember will be... ugly.
Rated 25 Feb 2022
63
40th
This is the most blatant case of false advertising since my suit against the restaurant 'The Frying Dutchman'
Rated 10 May 2021
29
30th
aw, yeah, it did feel kind of long, but that's a bit unkind, isn't it?
Rated 17 Apr 2020
87
76th
As beautifully done classic, Neverending story is a mixture of imagination, morals, and optimism. Surprisingly dark at times for a kid's movie, the characters are memorable and the story is a well-written fantasy adventure that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Rated 13 Mar 2020
75
59th
This should've been something i should've grown up with but alas, here we are
Rated 01 Jul 2018
94
89th
Captivating fantasy is an utter delight, springboarding from STAR WARS and Terry Gilliam but coming into its own in creating a unique world, and filtering it through original (and quite dark) sensibilities. Time may have robbed the still excellent puppetry work of some of its magic, but this is only a minor quibble; unlike many of its imitators it knows exactly when to wrap things up, and in a little over 90 minutes at that!
Rated 26 Dec 2016
54
37th
The creatures are pretty neat, as is the concept. I don't think it's executed at peak efficacy, though, and it wraps up super fast and pretty strangely. Somehow managed to catch the one fantasy flick my mom hadn't already seen, so that part was nice.
Rated 02 Dec 2015
88
93rd
The anti-Princess Bride. A weird, dark, mesmerizing, uncomfortably intimate celebration of imagination. Gets to the heart of why we tell stories and how they nourish our minds and souls.
Rated 09 Mar 2015
75
65th
This one has gotten so much shit over the years, and I've never really seen it in its entirety, so I assumed it would be terrible. Actually good! Although a lot of the sequences with Bastian talking to himself mid-reading are painful to sit through.
Rated 20 Aug 2013
80
80th
The good, suspenseful story integrated fantasy and real life almost seamlessly. The creatures were cool looking and the special effects weren't bad for its time. However, the villains were poorly realized.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
90
94th
While it in no way catches the depth and width of the book, this is still a faithful and imaginative adaptation, bringing Fantasia and it's denizens to life. Also, if you didn't cry the first time you watched the horse die, then you have no soul. Just saying.
Rated 27 Jan 2012
3
56th
MOON CHIIIIILLLLLLDDDDDD
Rated 26 Jun 2011
45
21st
This was probably the first movie where I read the book and then saw the movie and was like, "Oh....that wasn't as good as the book. I wonder how they could have gone wrong?" Maybe this made me judge it a bit harshly, but alas, I can't help it.
Rated 08 Nov 2010
51
30th
Bastian's a pussy.
Rated 15 Mar 2010
59
33rd
I never saw this as a kid, so it doesn't work on a nostalgic level, or in being creepy - except if you count the eerie too-mature acting style of the children, which weirded me out. It felt too ham-fisted and forced in all but one respect: the awesome practical special effects. The lack of CGI made me giddy.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
0
3rd
Ugh! This movie weirds me out.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
2nd
This movie is generally rated high by people in my generation because of the nostalgia and emotional connection. I have my particular emotional connection: the movie is "based" on my favorite book of all time, and it does a TERRIBLE job at it. I really recommend people to pick up the book and enjoy it...I truly envy those who are about to read it for the first time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
58
61st
Lots of points for nostalgia, and even more for the book...which is nothing like the movie. I tried watching this again a few weeks ago...and almost made it to the part where the guy eats some rocks. If I had a time machine, I would go back and prevent Limahl's parents from ever meeting, so he would never be born and write this movie's accursed theme song... And then maybe I could finally get some sleep.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
86
76th
Nostalgic, even if it came out half a decade before I was born!
Rated 02 Aug 2024
60
19th
As an adult the plot is kinda thin and there are moments are pretty cringe and make you uncomfortable. But, BOY does it make up for it with all the mind blowing effects, unforgettable heart-wrenching scenes, and music that never leaves your brain.
Rated 29 Jul 2024
65
16th
The movie is not as good now that I'm an adult, but it still retains some of it's charm.
Rated 26 Jul 2024
55
31st
I would normally give a plot this thin a lower score, but the practical effects give it a boost. FAALLKOR!!
Rated 21 Jul 2024
60
66th
(Spoilers) I wasn't totally into it at first, the fantasy characters aren't really my style (a bit too toony for me), didn't care for the bickering couple, and I felt sad about some plot points at first... but the ending fixed a lot of that, and the message about how you *can* dream your own world and your own story is so awesome! The solution to bullying of "well, get stronger and then bully them back" is, um, not good conflict resolution, but I guess this was the 80s. I want to cuddle Falkor.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
Good at what it is meaning to do, and we really need much more of these kinds of movies for that specific mood where this is exactly what you want to watch.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
60
30th
Well I fell asleep watching it, but I was pretty sick at the time. I’d say this moving is a great kids movie for its time. Much better than the crap they’re making today. The cross over between reality and fantasy really brought into perspective how everything is what we make of it and life is but a dream of course.
Rated 17 Feb 2024
75
47th
Helluva children's film. First movie I watched with my lover and we actually watched the whole thing. Pretty wild. Children's movies used to have actual substance wow
Rated 09 Feb 2024
80
90th
Childhood favourite. We were shown this as a class in school in grade 1. We all cried our eyes out when the horse died. When Bastian gets his revenge on the bullies riding Falco...it's just cathartic magic. You know the "Das Boot" guy directed this? Wild.
Rated 04 Nov 2023
90
90th
Yes, I know this movie is flawed, but I just don't care. At some point I just had to stop judging it critically. I was completely engaged. The production design and score are so delightfully magical. I had a big stupid grin on my face from the moment Bastion first started reading the book all the way to the end of the movie. Again I know the movie isn't perfect, but I never thought it was possible for a film to get by this much on the sheer charming nature of it all.
Rated 29 Jul 2023
36
19th
Awesome puppets and visuals-- lackluster script.
Rated 11 Apr 2023
50
23rd
Weird. A weird movie. I kinda wish the black dog had a bigger part? I dunno... Just weird...
Rated 22 Nov 2021
70
19th
Visuals are good, the cast is decent. I think younger me would have been underwhelmed also.
Rated 02 Sep 2021
82
61st
I got to chat about this film on the "Ink to Film" podcast and compare it to Michael Ende's original novel! Episode is available wherever you find podcasts and on YouTube.
Rated 04 Jul 2021
69
28th
THE NEVERENDING STORY NA NAA NAAA NA NA NAA NA NA NAA. What more can be said.
Rated 28 Apr 2021
80
62nd
The NeverEnding Story was a staple of my childhood. I remember first watching the movie at Catholic school as a treat before winter break. This may be one of the first sci-fi stories that I was aware of that had a black character. This story spoke to me especially because I didn't really fit in at my school and I loved to read. Going back to this movie almost forty years later is cool. I can see some of the cracks but it's still a great story with tons of character and adventure.
Rated 26 Feb 2021
74
86th
I never saw it as a kid, but then it means I speak without nostalgia bias when I say it makes for a nice kid movie. I score higher for kid's movies. Some of the real world scene seemed excessive even if they were meant to show you the kid was liking the read, but that is probably due to the acting. The puppets are alright, the fantasy mysterious and unique enough.
Rated 30 Dec 2020
64
29th
The special effects are incredibly well done. The Script remains the biggest flaw though.
Rated 29 Oct 2020
97
83rd
An enduring classic with wonderful music and deep childhood memories for anyone who grew up in the 80s
Rated 07 Aug 2020
69
24th
Opinión personal: 7 Actores: 6,5 Planos: 7 Guión: 7 BSO/FX: 7 Total: 69
Rated 16 Mar 2020
45
22nd
Terrible adaptation of a book that was never meant to be adapted.
Rated 14 Mar 2020
34
11th
Seen: 2+. I know I saw this multiple times as a kid, but I really don't remember much, except for the ending. Looking back on it, I think it was very underwhelming, and probably holds up even worse compared to modern children's movies.
Rated 09 Mar 2020
60
69th
☆ I actually rewatched this recently and it's so random lol. But obviously I love it, to me it sits in the same vibe as princess bride and the labyrinth except it isn't as nostalgic for me. So cute though! ☆
Rated 31 Jan 2020
90
45th
Stunning movie. A cinematic masterpiece, with a truly dreamlike world full of heart and imagination. There isn't much like it in the history of cinema! This is a movie everyone should see at least once. And its special effects hold up extremely well even today. Movie fans still freaking love Wizard of Oz, whose visuals ARE extremely dated and acting is wooden and stilted, so why not accept The NeverEnding Story into your heart too? This movie is a one-of-a-kind classic!
Rated 01 Jun 2019
60
43rd
Genial enough fantasy with GREAT Fantastic Creatures. The only thing I didn't particularly like was the complete inability of the Leading Brat to speak a line in anything other than a mumble or shout. Especially the latter, and especially at the end. You don't make a scene more exciting by shouting your fool head off for five minutes straight. I wanted to shout right back at the screen, 'FOR GODS SAKE, STOP SHOUTING ALREADY!!!!"
Rated 11 Mar 2019
50
19th
False Advertising! The movie ends after less than 2 hrs! Also this movie can go fuck itself after the 'Artax in the swamp' scene and the deep childhood trauma that resulted from watching that when I was a youngster. ;-)
Rated 22 Sep 2018
56
58th
It has lots of interesting ideas and as a result, gets too cluttered for it's own good. I appreciate that this has a foot in the dark fantasy genre, even if it doesn't completely pull it off. It's a solid children's fantasy but nothing more.
Rated 08 Aug 2018
65
39th
I love it more for nostalgic reasons, however the plot is compelling. That mirror scene always leaves me wondering. This movie really showed me just how cool reading could be.
Rated 06 Feb 2018
74
31st
One of the first films to invest a lot of work and money into animatronics in favor of immersion. These innovative installments of special effects changed an industry that was afraid of bringing more of the fantasy genre into the big screen without using animation, and preceded a vast set of films that were predecessors of modern pieces. While it changes a lot of stuff from the original source, it still brings originality to the table and ties up everything at the end with an amazing climax.
Rated 08 Jan 2018
87
70th
The story behind the stellar special effects distract a little from the fact that this heroes journey is a little unfocused. Particularity at the beginning. However the spooky atmosphere and music create a very mature family experience. Albeit sometimes a scary one.
Rated 02 Dec 2017
88
78th
I don't know what to say about this. This is my childhood, my dream and my nightmare. This movie is a masterpiece for a peculiar public, an average fantasy movie based on a tale for the others. For me, this is a clear masterpiece.
Rated 12 Nov 2016
74
43rd
B
Rated 20 Sep 2016
72
41st
The film is saved not only by its cool premise, but by a strange connection between three characters who share almost no screen time. It's difficult to figure out how this is accomplished, although I suspect sympathy for Bastian plays the biggest part. We sympathize with him, and he sympathizes with the characters in the book he reads. This works somehow, and it's probably why so many people are in love with this movie. I'm not in love with it, but I could definitely love someone who is.
Rated 28 Apr 2016
17
94th
W4E2P2S2V2M2A0R3.
Rated 11 Mar 2016
85
87th
rvw i noticed more wonder/skill, metaphors, and it affecting real life etc more this time
Rated 29 Mar 2015
64
54th
3.19/5
Rated 21 Mar 2015
60
8th
This was a movie I had good memories of, but upon a re-watch found it rather lacking. The story just kind of jumped all over the place and it never really seemed to produce a coherent narrative. While there are parts that are interesting, they just don't flow together all that well. Definitely not a movie that lived up the nostalgia for me.
Rated 01 Mar 2015
70
58th
It's imaginative and pretty well done, but this is nothing more than imaginative, a journey through imaginaton. Storywise quite empty.
Rated 23 Feb 2015
40
13th
Couldn't finish. Too boring.
Rated 04 Dec 2014
79
54th
If this was a really long movie, I'd have a pretty funny quip to write here, but it wasn't so I'll just say that this story was pretty good, just not neverending. Based off the book written by Michael Ende, this German tale come to life under Wolfgang Petersen's direction. I would have never said just by looking at this movie that it's a Wolfgang Peterson film, it's just so funny looking and has a lot of puppets...
Rated 07 Nov 2014
50
24th
I wish I would have seen this as a kid. So much potential, but it's super dated.
Rated 15 Jun 2014
100
97th
Best memory of my childhood. I love this movie!!! I will watch it over and over again.
Rated 07 Mar 2014
70
74th
A product of its time to say the very least. As imaginative and heartfelt as storytelling gets, though a bit too much cheese to be as good as Labyrinth or the Dark Crystal. The cast is oddly tremendous.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
90
81st
Watched this hundreds of times as a kid and was crazy about the story. Read the book several times as well! For me this is a childhood classic. Love the characters and the 80's synth music. Would still watch it today.
Rated 07 Jan 2014
70
45th
Very imaginative kids' flick from the 80's. Kinda gay, watch the Dark Crystal instead.
Rated 22 Oct 2013
77
55th
77.000
Rated 15 Sep 2013
55
18th
Although there is a risk of pleonasm, i would say that this movie is stuffed with lengthy parts...
Rated 23 Feb 2013
1
6th
How did Wolfgang Petersen go from Das Boot to The NeverEnding Story? This quintessential 80s fantasy flick has been utterly destroyed by time. The terrible puppetry, the rigid green screens, the stilted child actors, that god fucking awful soundtrack. And it's all piled on an obvious and shallow "moral" about the beauty of a child's imagination. Oh well, I guess they all can't be Labyrinth.
Rated 25 Jan 2013
73
48th
Big part of my childhood. ;)
Rated 31 Dec 2012
77
50th
This movie is a classic. It's incredibly unique with phenomenal sets and character designs. The story is very interesting and has more to offer than most children films. It expects a lot from its viewers and gives them just as much in return.
Rated 05 Dec 2012
75
52nd
Loved this as a kid but I probably wouldn't now.
Rated 21 Oct 2012
50
21st
The narrative is quite bad, things just seem to happen along the way, serving no purpose. The acting is also pretty bad, but it has some kin of charm. I liked the idea of the earthling entering the world of Fantasia because he was emotionally engaged with the characters. The film has an amazing look. It's sad that visual effects such as in this film has been replaced by heartless CGI. All in all its an OK film. Not good, but not bad either.
Rated 15 Jun 2012
95
88th
Fantastic, even now
Rated 24 May 2012
75
84th
Severe for a children's show. Scared the shit out of me as a child.
Rated 20 May 2012
50
43rd
Plays like a 'Werthers Echte' commercial, and manages to tick out a box on page 32030 of the 'Terrible movie ideas' booklet that says: The child goes to the window, torn open by a maelstrom of emotions, the death of fantasy and plain bad weather, coming from North East, probably due to two weather fronts clashing in a temperate climate, somewhere over the whatnot and the anyhow. The child stands, defiant in the face of this malign display of nature and exclaims: MOOOONCHIIIIIILLLLLD!!!
Rated 18 Apr 2012
55
12th
That fucking wolf still gives me nightmares.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
77
43rd
nostalgia > my better judgment score
Rated 22 Feb 2012
38
8th
why this ending, why?
Rated 30 Jan 2012
65
51st
6+ recommended
Rated 10 Jan 2012
44
19th
I think the character designs were alright, better then something like Return Of The Jedi, but the story and dialogue are really weak. Falkor sounds like a pedophile half the time, and the ending was just stupid.
Rated 18 Dec 2011
70
57th
Excellent movie when I was a kid - still enjoyable to watch as an adult.
Rated 17 Oct 2011
40
14th
I remember watching this as a kid and loving it. Looking back on it, it's terrible.
Rated 27 Jul 2011
15
3rd
impossible to defend adaptation, even from a childhood-nostalgic perspective. the epitome of everything wrong with 80s films, ludicrous in the least redeeming way. good (horrific) animatronics, though.
Rated 29 Jun 2011
97
98th
Calasico total..
Rated 17 May 2011
85
65th
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.
Rated 23 Mar 2011
65
48th
Nostalgia points. Soundtrack points. Probably hard to get if you weren't an eighties child. That's your problem...or is it mine and is this a terrible film!? Nostalgia neuralgia.
Rated 19 Jan 2011
78
42nd
"The Neverending Story" is a great 80's underrated classic. The story is really creative, the set and character designs are awesome, and it's very intense. Some scenes might be scary for young kids, but I watched this as a kid. Your kids can take it.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
80
66th
79.625
Rated 14 Dec 2010
95
84th
Love the book, love the movie. Period.
Rated 06 Nov 2010
55
11th
Watchable

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