Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth (1986) is a whimsical yet occasionally dark coming-of-age fantasy: when self-centered sixteen-year-old Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) whimsically wishes her baby brother Toby away, the theatrical Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) answers — spiriting Toby to his castle at the center of a shifting, menacing maze. Given thirteen hours to reach the Goblin City, Sarah must navigate surreal landscapes, outwit traps and riddles, and ally with unforgettable creatures — including the gruff Hoggle, the gentle Ludo, and the brave Sir Didymus — in a race against midnight. Watching Labyrinth, you’ll experience a blend of childlike wonder and eerie, dreamlike menace. Jim Henson’s hands-on creature work and set design create tactile, imaginative worlds full of puppetry and elaborate practical effects; David Bowie’s charismatic, theatrical turn and pop-infused songs add glam and danger; Trevor Jones’s score underpins the film’s suspense and whimsy. The movie alternates playful, musical, and comic moments with genuinely strange, unsettling sequences, so it feels both like a storybook come to life and a cryptic, moody fairy tale. Thematically, Labyrinth is about growing up, taking responsibility, and learning to distinguish fantasy from reality. It’s a visually rich, emotionally resonant adventure that will charm families, fantasy fans, and anyone who appreciates inventive practical effects and a strong central performance by its leads — all while keeping you wonder-struck and a little unnerved as the clock ticks down.

Actors: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud

Director: Jim Henson

Runtime: 101 min

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

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