SummaryOn another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and so restore order to his world.
Directed By:Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Written By:David Odell, Jim Henson
The Dark Crystal
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
31% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
88
The Dark Crystal leaves no doubt that Jim Henson and his colleagues have reached a point where they can create and sustain a powerfully enchanting form of cinematic fantasy. [21 Dec 1982, p.C1]
83
The story is a standard fairy-tale concoction, but the New Agey philosophy about healing and heroism makes for a classic Henson story, all heart and rapturous wonder at the world's incredible possibilities.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
70% Positive
47 Ratings
47 Ratings
24% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
6% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Feb 27, 2026
10
A fantasy adventure that both had me, as a kid, enthralled and terrified all at the same time! I loved this movie! Had the lunchbox and the poster. I really was that kid growing up and this movie along with the rise of the 80s Sword and Sorcery genre are fully to blame!
Mar 28, 2022
10
Jim Henson had brought us the immortal Muppets and films like Labryrinth, but The Dark Crystal is a wonderful film, that was part of my childhood, as well as my brother's. A lot of effort clearly went into this, and it really does show, with the rich details of the characters. It tells the story of Jen, a Geffling who must return the Crystal shard to the dark Crystal, before the conjunction of the three suns, or the skeksies will rule forever. The film is recognised as fantastic by people, because of its clear symbolism and themes such as the personifications of good (the mysties) and the evil (the skeksies). The film is directed by the immensely talented duo Jim Henson and Frank Oz. The film looks dazzling,with fabulous visuals and very well staged sequences, and Jen and Kira are very engaging as title characters. The mysties are very mysterious, and the Skeksies are very, very scary. There is a well-above average script, and a sweeping music score that is phenomenal. The characters are well voiced by some Muppet regulars such as Oz himself, and they are tone-perfect. The story may be a little simplistic and some elements a little too frightening for youngsters, but visually and audibly, it is an absolute treat, and should be recognised as a truly wonderful film. 10/10 Bethany Cox.
80
The Dark Crystal, besides being a dazzling technological and artistic achievement by a band of talented artists and performers, presents a dark side of Muppet creators Jim Henson and Frank Oz that could teach a lesson in morality to youngsters at the same time it is entertaining their parents.
75
Once again employing his famous muppets, Jim Henson creates a brilliantly detailed universe with this intriguing fairy-tale adventure.
70
Design and artistry here is the primary draw of The Dark Crystal, not necessarily the writing or the performances or the direction (Henson and Frank Oz shared the directing responsibilities for this one), although the are no glaring missteps in any of those areas.
50
The Dark Crystal sees through a dark crystal: There is much to marvel at, but there is much that is obscure, and much that may not be there at all. [17 Dec 1982]
50
The Dark Crystal aims, I think, to be a sort of Muppet Paradise Lost but winds up as watered down J.R.R. Tolkien.
Aug 31, 2019
9
Visually stunning! If you enjoyed Avatar, Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars you'll like this as well. I don't normally write reviews, but this series was so nostalgic yet brand new that it deserves a comment.
May 12, 2024
8
an incredibly strange but interesting movie with a good setting and story and amazing puppet work
Nov 28, 2020
5
It's an odd yet beautiful looking movie that features the kind of work you honestly wouldn't really expect to see in movies nowadays. The one big takeaway is that it's boring. So little happen and often times too far and in between that it makes for a very slow movie that can be a bit tough to stay interested in.
Sep 2, 2019
3
There are parts in this not appropriate for kids even 12 years old. Such as the puppet in the cage mask being tortured having their eyes gouged out. I understand these are puppets and Jim Hensen would be proud to know this team did an excellent job making you believe they were made you to believe they were people. Not having known the story before hand I was thinking this was appropriate PG. this is not rated properly. Disappointed.
Jan 4, 2020
0
Happy I didn't see this movie when it originally opened, might have been on Crack today.
Production Company:
- Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
- Henson Associates (HA)
- Henson Organisation
- The Jim Henson Company
Release Date:Dec 17, 1982
Duration:1 h 33 m
Rating:PG
Tagline:When evil screams throughout the world, when all three suns converge, when all that's fair and fine seems lost... a hero will emerge!
Website:
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Video Software Dealers Association
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
