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The Dark Crystal

Play trailer 1:19 Poster for The Dark Crystal PG 1982 1h 35m Kids & Family Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Jen, raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He sets out to try to find a shard of the dark crystal, a powerful gem that once provided balance to the universe. After the crystal was broken, the evil Skeksis used sinister means to gain control. Jen believes that he can repair the dark crystal and bring peace back to the world, if he can only find the remaining shard.
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The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal

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Critics Consensus

The Dark Crystal's narrative never quite lives up to the movie's visual splendor, but it remains an admirably inventive and uniquely intense entry in the Jim Henson canon.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Corliss TIME Magazine May 2, 2019
As narrative, the incidents in The Dark Crystal are unremarkable; as the excuse for special effects, fanciful decor and eccentric characters, they do nicely enough. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader May 2, 2019
Jim Henson and Frank Oz... designed and directed this 1983 film, in which no human actors appear (except as crude long-shot doubles for the animated figures); it's a cute gimmick, but the puppets are so stiff and inexpressive that the film drops dead. Go to Full Review Ian Nathan Empire Magazine May 2, 2019
4/5
The Dark Crystal has an ethereal alien quality to its startling visions, far removed from the Earth-bound contours of traditional fairy tales. Go to Full Review Katie Hogan FILMHOUNDS Magazine Jun 23, 2026
4/5
From the world-building to the design and the characters that inhabit this world in an age of wonder, it’s fantasy at its most whimsical, enchanting and dark. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 17, 2024
3/4
An epic tale in the tradition of The Lord of the Rings. Go to Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies Feb 10, 2024
3.5/4
Dark and visionary, this compelling fantasy film uses amazing puppetry to tell its story. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Paul T Apr 12, 2026 One of the great fantasy movies of all time🔥 See more Ethan Dec 2, 2025 Seeing this film on the big screen made me appreciate just how much care, thought, and love Jim Henson poured into this film. See more Athena Fields Nov 27, 2025 My all time favorite from my childhood! See more Google Nov 24, 2025 Always neat to see a movie not seen in over 40 years. It is dated compared to what we see today but it was not bad by any means See more Meghan Nov 12, 2025 Forever a favorite—the lengths Jim and his team went to create this world are a gift to this planet See more James H Oct 15, 2025 I always wanted to see it, but never got to. It is very metaphysical! See more Read all reviews
The Dark Crystal

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Cast & Crew

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Jim Henson

Director

Frank Oz

Director

John Baddeley

Historian

Stephen Garlick

Jen

David Buck

Slave Master

Barry Dennen

Chamberlain

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The Dark Crystal

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The Dark Crystal

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jen, raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He sets out to try to find a shard of the dark crystal, a powerful gem that once provided balance to the universe. After the crystal was broken, the evil Skeksis used sinister means to gain control. Jen believes that he can repair the dark crystal and bring peace back to the world, if he can only find the remaining shard.
Director
Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Producer
Gary Kurtz, Jim Henson
Screenwriter
David Odell, Jim Henson
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Jim Henson Productions, Incorporated Television Company
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 17, 1982, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 12, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 9, 2011
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
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