Absolutely love this movie! There are some scary scenes with Muppet monsters, otherwise, it's a delightful, fun, fantasy movie.
Labyrinth
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Surreal coming-of-age fantasy -- with Muppets.
Themes in this movie include: family relationships, growing up
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Labyrinth was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
Parents need to know that this film, while lighthearted, deals with the theme of separation of siblings, the threat that the youngest child could be turned into a goblin, and some mostly childish dangers (like being covered in a bad smell that lasts forever). Also, some of the creatures may disturb younger kids.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about other far-out fantasy tales, such as Alice in Wonderland.
- What do fantasy stories offer us? Is it possible to become too wrapped up in fantasy?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Labyrinth
What’s the Story?
Sarah (Jennifer Connelly, A Beautiful Mind) is a modern teenager steeped in medieval fantasy lore, who doesn't like babysitting her tiny stepbrother Toby. One day she wishes that goblins would take him away. Jareth (David Bowie), the Goblin King, hears this and does exactly that, kidnapping the tyke into his otherworldly realm. Sarah immediately regrets her wish, but Jareth says she can regain Toby only by finding his castle, perched in the center of an immense labyrinth. While exploring the labyrinth, Sarah meets an assortment of puzzles, perils, and semi-comical creatures. Some monsters, like an apelike giant called Ludo, are friendly, while others are under Jareth's control, ordered to thwart Sarah.
Is It Any Good?
Sound like a funky version of Alice in Wonderland? It is. And that's where its fun lies. Labyrinth bursts with imagination and playful weirdness in a way that's both delightful and a little too far-out. LABYRINTH showcases the artistry of Jim Henson, and features some of his most complex Muppets. Beyond Muppets, director Henson turns a simple collection of human hands into a lively and expressive wall of faces when Sarah stumbles across their lair.
This is puppetry at its finest, and the filmmakers ensure that none of the monsters are too monstrous, but always impressive. One massive, sword-wielding creature turns out to be just a robot with a silly little goblin perched in its cockpit helmet. The plot isn't quite up to the visuals. It meanders as much as Sarah does, and leads up to a final face-off with the Goblin King that's a confused fizzle.
Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures, Director: Jim Henson
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/27/1986, DVD release: 2/3/2004
MPAA Rating: PG
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/27/1986, DVD release: 2/3/2004
MPAA Rating: PG
Our Members Say
See all 14 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Excellent movie!!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Good movie
One of my favorite movies of all time. A must see
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
Good movie...
This used to be one of my favorite movies when I was a kid! I was 3 when I first saw it...Sometimes little kids get scarred of weird looking puppets - but that's because most little kids think movies are real. I watched a lot of movies that would be considdered 'scarry' for little kids, because my dad would always watch the making of the movies first, so I would see it wasn't real... Now for tweens, teens, etc - it is so on - not scarry, & really, there's only one violent scene..But its puppets-so umm..Kind of not the same...It's a pretty good movie :) Sarah does complain a lot, & that's not really a good role model - but the rest of the movie is fine...The goblins are all puppets, & don't look very real at all, so...There's also some pretty cool songs {yea I still like 'em-lol}
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
Good movie...
This used to be one of my favorite movies when I was a kid! I was 3 when I first saw it...Sometimes little kids get scarred of weird looking puppets - but that's because most little kids think movies are real. I watched a lot of movies that would be considdered 'scarry' for little kids, because my dad would always watch the making of the movies first, so I would see it wasn't real... Now for tweens, teens, etc - it is so on - not scarry, & really, there's only one violent scene..But its puppets-so umm..Kind of not the same...It's a pretty good movie :) Sarah does complain a lot, & that's not really a good role model - but the rest of the movie is fine...The goblins are all puppets, & don't look very real at all, so...There's also some pretty cool songs {yea I still like 'em-lol}
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I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
We like it...Sensitive-child families may have second thoughts...
This is a movie that my sister and I grew up on. I still love watching it, but can see the negatives now that I'm older and have my own kids. Sarah's character is always complaining...seriously, it seems constant the whole first half of the movie. Not good for kids that emulate what they see. At the beginning of the movie, Sarah's brother is taken and in a darkened room, goblins tease and frighten the girl. During all that, the music is a little creepy and there is a thunderstorm. My 6 year old daughter, who isn't scared of movies...even the first 2 Harry Potter movies...is terrified by that part!! It's the only movie she actually has a fear of a scene. My 4 year old son is completely fine with it all, though. If you don't care for gassy humor, you'll have to forward through the Bog of Eternal Stench. We think it's completely hilarious, but I'm sure many families will be offended! There are a few parts, beginning/middle/end, where someone bribes or tries to bribe another to get them to do what they want. The Goblin King even says to Sarah in the end, "Love me, fear me...and I will be your slave." What!? No, I didn't get it as a kid, but really don't like it now. My kids don't get it, so I'm ok. Some sensitive kids might get upset with this furry, skinny goblin group that take their body parts off, play games with them, do weird dances with them, etc. Then, they run after Sarah to try and take her head off. My kids think the guys are funny, but sensitive kids may really be scared!! Sarah also gets drugged by a peach and some kids might wonder what exactly is going on. It all sounds bad, but because I grew up with it and my kids have a strong sense of reality and fiction, I'm ok with them watching it. You know what your children can handle. I suggest you watch it first and decide for yourself.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
kids laugh at the stinky parts
I thought it was an adventure and less scary than scooby doo cartoons
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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
kids
its too creepy for children
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
It's fine
I have only seen part of it, and that was when the infant gets stolen and the goblins make a mouth of their hands, and the boulder comes. The I Will Sing Of The Mercies Of The Lord song reminds me of the film.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Fine for kids, just not that good
The puppetry is fun to watch, but seems funny rather than scary compared to today's effects. Jennifer Connelly is not very good (whiny loud/whiny quiet are her two modes) and it's more of a musical than I was expecting. The plot moves slowly and doesn't resolve that well. My son, aged 9, found it suspenseful, but couldn't even give it 1 thumbs up.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Scary goblins!
I think the movie may be appropriate for kids, but the goblins are really scary. They made my brother cry and gave me nightmares.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I luv this movie
i saw this movie for the first time when i was five and loved it from the first moment in the beggining credits with the owl and the really great music the only bad things in it are the goblins, and thats only because really little kids get scared of it. I recommend it for 4 and up... a definite family film!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Wonderful
This movie was absolutely wonderful. I laughed, I 'aw'ed and i absolutely adored the characters. Jim Henson is a complete genius and a friend to children of all ages!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
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