This is a very, very, VERY good movie. Jennier Connelly wasn't a great actor, but, then again, she was only a teenager at the time. It's really David Bowie as Jared (a.k.a. the Goblin King) who steals the show. The songs are a little silly, but, the puppetry is fun to watch. It's like a demented version of Alice in Wonderland. The Fire Gang could be scary for some kids though, so watch out for that.
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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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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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?
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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 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Great Movie!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Excellent movie!!
Absolutely love this movie! There are some scary scenes with Muppet monsters, otherwise, it's a delightful, fun, fantasy 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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Ratings at a Glance
| 40% | of parents say it's too violent |
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