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The NeverEnding Story
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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)
Directed by:
Wolfgang Petersen Wolfgang Petersen
Written by:
Robert Easton Wolfgang Petersen Wolfgang Petersen Michael Ende Herman Weigel
+3 more
Starring:
Gerald McRaney Gerald McRaney Deep Roy Deep Roy Moses Gunn Moses Gunn Barret Oliver Barret Oliver Drum Garrett Darryl Cooksey Nicholas Gilbert Thomas Hill Alan Oppenheimer Alan Oppenheimer Noah Hathaway Tilo Prückner Tami Stronach
More
Franchise:
The NeverEnding Story
Genres:
Drama, Family/Kids, Fantasy, Adventure
Countries:
USA, West Germany
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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The NeverEnding Story

1984
Drama
Family/Kids
1h 42m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 52.27% from 5504 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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beedubBeeDub
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 30 Apr 2018
tonytheponyTonythePony
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 21 Mar 2010
garlonussGarlonuss
Rated 14 Oct 2008
99
99th
Charming and imaginative. This is a must have for a library of children's movies.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
martrynmartryn
Rated 25 Mar 2007
73
60th
Classic children's fairy tale story. Named my dog Falcor.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
ytadelYtadel
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 14 Aug 2007
paxtonPaxton
Rated 03 Mar 2012
95
99th
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 03 Mar 2012
shmendrekShmendrek
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 11 Feb 2008
hotsakehotsake
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 26 Jun 2012
therealj_roTheRealJ-Ro
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 27 Jul 2008
woodoowoodoo
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 15 Aug 2014
stainStain
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 18 May 2008
axleblazeaxleblaze
Rated 17 Mar 2012
90
77th
Is this score nostalgia talking? Probably. Do I care? Hell no!
Rated 17 Mar 2012
shevinwhiteshevinwhite
Rated 13 Jul 2009
0
3rd
Ugh! This movie weirds me out.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
glumpy99glumpy_99
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 01 Jul 2018
sweekodenSweekoden
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 26 Dec 2016
cmonsterCMonster
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 26 Jun 2011
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 08 Nov 2010
51
30th
Bastian's a pussy.
Rated 08 Nov 2010
brellbrell
Rated 10 May 2021
29
30th
aw, yeah, it did feel kind of long, but that's a bit unkind, isn't it?
Rated 10 May 2021
dashDash
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 20 Aug 2013
sheepslashersheepslasher
Rated 27 Jan 2012
3
56th
MOON CHIIIIILLLLLLDDDDDD
Rated 27 Jan 2012
mentaculusMentaculus
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 15 Mar 2010
revan007Revan007
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 17 Apr 2020
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
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 09 Mar 2015
kojilessKojiless
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 14 Aug 2007
big_lemonsBig Lemons
Rated 08 Jul 2007
86
76th
Nostalgic, even if it came out half a decade before I was born!
Rated 08 Jul 2007
ericamblerericambler
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 02 Dec 2015
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 13 Mar 2020
75
59th
This should've been something i should've grown up with but alas, here we are
Rated 13 Mar 2020
hadleyreisHadleyreis
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 25 Feb 2022
dyannethorneDyanneThorne
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 02 Jun 2013
ferchosferchos
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
rottentomatoRottenTomato
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 17 May 2011
sherrerageasherreragea
Rated 09 Nov 2008
70
37th
I read the book as a kid first before watching the movie on VHS at a friend's house. It largely undermined my enjoyement of what's probably one of the best fantasy movies of its time.
Rated 09 Nov 2008
istraIstra
Rated 07 Dec 2008
80
0th
A favorite from my childhood. The importance of imagination and bravery.
Rated 07 Dec 2008
dustyndwDustynDW
Rated 19 Jul 2009
90
77th
Before it is ruined by it's inevitable remake I must bask in the awesomeness that is the original, nostalgia-inducing Neverending Story. I love the fact that this movie is basically about a boy reading a book... It makes reading look epic and is quite possibly the reason I enjoy it so much. The story within the story is also brilliant and emotional. My only gripe would be the effects are quite dated now, but that didn't bother me when I was young!
Rated 19 Jul 2009
flipzoflipzo
Rated 02 Dec 2017
88
79th
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 02 Dec 2017
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 16 Oct 2007
95
89th
A classic from my childhood. If you are a kid who loves to read, this movie is absolutely perfect.
Rated 16 Oct 2007
sopachuco13sopachuco13
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 28 Apr 2021
jibraboobajibrabooba
Rated 09 Oct 2009
85
66th
best theme tune ever, according to sidcuppians
Rated 09 Oct 2009
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
76th
Yeah, it's old, the dragon has ugly scales, but it is a really good movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rrevellrrevell
Rated 15 May 2008
83
42nd
I liked this as a kid, but I don't think I like it now. I'm basing my rating on the kid part of me. The horse drowning was pretty sad.
Rated 15 May 2008
evranaevrana
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 02 Dec 2023
stuie299stuie299
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 04 Nov 2023
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
51
22nd
I like fantasies well enough, is it too much to ask to make a fantasy less unrealistic?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pigletPiglet
Rated 09 Jun 2009
70
59th
Isn't neverending though ;-)
Rated 09 Jun 2009
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
63rd
One of the better kids fantasy movies from the 80s. There's cool creatures and good sets/locations. Terrible sequels, though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
videoetronVideoetron
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 26 Feb 2021
heandhishairheandhishair
Rated 14 Aug 2007
52
34th
Overrated. Not as good as you think it is from your childhood.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tangvampireTangVampire
Rated 22 Aug 2008
70
3rd
This movie scared the living crap out of me when I was little. XD
Rated 22 Aug 2008
kellakella
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
60th
A classic as far as I'm concerned, if a bit ridiculous.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 20 Apr 2010
70
26th
The film's biggest failure is that it emphatically fails to live to the expectation and wonder implied by the title and premise. The quest goes by quickly, the reading boy's influence is minimal and there's little sense of adventure. As a simple kid's film it's not bad though, with pretty good character and set design, despite the occasional bad blue screen, and an interesting premise.
Rated 20 Apr 2010
dwyerdwyer
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 20 Sep 2016
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 16 Jan 2007
70
37th
Neverending Story is hugely fantastical and original, but it's quite weird and pretty boring. Meh!
Rated 16 Jan 2007
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
69
73rd
Fairly sloppy film but its imagination is there and makes it fairly decent childrens fantasy.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
ewp805ewp805
Rated 07 Jan 2014
70
45th
Very imaginative kids' flick from the 80's. Kinda gay, watch the Dark Crystal instead.
Rated 07 Jan 2014
dizzle_iiDizzle
Rated 04 Apr 2010
70
56th
Had the chance to revisit this one for the first time in years, and surprisingly, it still holds up. After all, fantasy this good never gets old, even if it is indeed quite childish.
Rated 04 Apr 2010
lauftLäuft.
Rated 25 Jan 2013
73
48th
Big part of my childhood. ;)
Rated 25 Jan 2013
teeceeteecee
Rated 17 Sep 2008
20
15th
For ambitiøs til pengene
Rated 17 Sep 2008
erikstronkserikstronks
Rated 17 Oct 2008
85
79th
absoluut klassiek. heerlijke film.
Rated 17 Oct 2008
flowerpower4578flowerpower4578
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 19 Feb 2024
the2ndactThe2ndAct
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
55th
Nostalgia pick all the way. Gotta love the NES
Rated 14 Aug 2007
argion21Argion21
Rated 30 Dec 2020
64
29th
The special effects are incredibly well done. The Script remains the biggest flaw though.
Rated 30 Dec 2020
helenaliebehelenaliebe
Rated 14 Dec 2010
95
84th
Love the book, love the movie. Period.
Rated 14 Dec 2010
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
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 04 Dec 2014
zordonzordon
Rated 02 Jun 2010
82
52nd
metafiction for ten-year-olds... awesome
Rated 02 Jun 2010
wicheWiche
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 01 Mar 2015
edkrakedkrak
Rated 15 Mar 2009
70
64th
x0
Rated 15 Mar 2009
waldheriWaldheri
Rated 20 Oct 2008
20
5th
No, I didn't like it. It's very cheesy. It's empty. It's dull. The soundtrack redeems it only a little bit.
Rated 20 Oct 2008
murravenerMurravener
Rated 02 Mar 2007
60
6th
An okay film, but it feels as though it would have to strike your niche in order to truly grab the viewers interest, and this genre certainly isn't mine.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
60th
Another one of the classic 80's movies from my childhood, but looking back, it definitely pales in comparison to the other movies in its genre at the time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 20 Mar 2007
72
45th
This was a great movie when I was younger but is surely not as good now as it was back then.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
shephardShephard
Rated 26 Oct 2007
60
53rd
Entertaining and engaging.
Rated 26 Oct 2007
pigwicklePigwickle
Rated 15 Jun 2014
100
97th
Best memory of my childhood. I love this movie!!! I will watch it over and over again.
Rated 15 Jun 2014
cstewart64CStewart64
Rated 28 Apr 2016
17
94th
W4E2P2S2V2M2A0R3.
Rated 28 Apr 2016
batface89batface89
Rated 28 Jul 2008
68
15th
Fun fantasy film with some crazy characters.
Rated 28 Jul 2008
calabriaCalabria
Rated 10 Mar 2012
77
43rd
nostalgia > my better judgment score
Rated 10 Mar 2012
evan777evan777
Rated 13 Oct 2009
100
97th
This is my childhood.
Rated 13 Oct 2009
bellamyrbellamyr
Rated 11 Jan 2008
88
86th
A film I felt with every cell of my being that I should hate but I loved it. Even maybe especially the Limahl soundtrack. Very good story for this type of film and quite strangely enchanting.
Rated 11 Jan 2008
gargom04Gargom04
Rated 07 Aug 2020
69
25th
Opinión personal: 7 Actores: 6,5 Planos: 7 Guión: 7 BSO/FX: 7 Total: 69
Rated 07 Aug 2020
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 12 Nov 2016
74
43rd
B
Rated 12 Nov 2016
criticsmithCriticSmith
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 08 Aug 2018
sw0sw0
Rated 13 Dec 2006
82
65th
Falkour!
Rated 13 Dec 2006
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
A classic from my childhood that isn't quite as terrific as it is in my memory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
prenzlauPrenzlau
Rated 06 Nov 2010
55
11th
Watchable
Rated 06 Nov 2010
thereminjamThereminJam
Rated 17 Oct 2011
40
14th
I remember watching this as a kid and loving it. Looking back on it, it's terrible.
Rated 17 Oct 2011
brrrpbrrrp
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
talonmalontalonmalon
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 31 Dec 2012
jay_macJay Mac
Rated 06 Dec 2007
80
24th
Absalute classic, if your a young adult and fancy a walk down memory lane this is the film to watch... if your a child, this could really open your eyes to fantasy
Rated 06 Dec 2007
hankhank
Rated 20 Jul 2008
85
83rd
Awesome movie. One of my old favorites. ARRRRTEXXX!!!
Rated 20 Jul 2008
davidjohnsonDavidJohnson
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 10 Jan 2012
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 15 Jun 2012
95
88th
Fantastic, even now
Rated 15 Jun 2012
ndkchkNdkchk
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
35th
Frighteningly bad special effects, mostly bad dialogue, and bad acting. It was entertaining, but little else--and it gets some points for nostalgia.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
xlucidxxlucidx
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
65th
Fantasy at its finest.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tentatherapytentaTherapy
Rated 16 Mar 2020
45
22nd
Terrible adaptation of a book that was never meant to be adapted.
Rated 16 Mar 2020
sanjasanja
Rated 17 Feb 2008
85
95th
I loved it when I was a kid.
Rated 17 Feb 2008
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 11 Feb 2009
60
65th
Friggan wolf in the cave scared the crap out of me as a child, and the pony damn. May scar your kids.
Rated 11 Feb 2009
fuckchopsfuckchops
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 23 Mar 2011
servantdagonServantDagon
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
75th
Fantastic adaptation of the first half of a great book. The sets look amazing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 14 Aug 2007
14
4th
I remember being completely traumatised by a horse drowning in a marsh. And this being the LONGEST FILM EVER when I was a kid. Pretty dull
Rated 14 Aug 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 11 Mar 2016
85
86th
rvw i noticed more wonder/skill, metaphors, and it affecting real life etc more this time
Rated 11 Mar 2016
ladymcdeathladymcdeath
Rated 05 Jun 2010
29
15th
ARTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!
Rated 05 Jun 2010

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