40 Years Later, Cult Classic Fantasy Movie That All 1980s Kids Love Is Officially Streaming For Free

Published Oct 28, 2026, 11:50 AM EDT

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The 80s were a remarkable time for movies across multiple genres, and some of the best are still considered among the greatest films of all time. Aliens, for example, was released in 1986, and many fans would argue that later films in the franchise have yet to reach the same heights. Raiders of the Lost Ark also premiered in 1981, introducing audiences to one of the most beloved characters in the adventure genre in Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones.

The 80s were also an experimental time for movies, making projects from the era feel like time capsules. That approach also extends to kids' movies, often with fascinating results. The Neverending Story, for example, is surprisingly grim, far darker than most kids' films today. It also includes one particular scene with a horse that remains a tearjerker no matter your age.

Some 80s kids' movies also include scarier scenes and disturbing imagery. Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal is a great example of the latter. The movie tells a surprisingly bleak story for its high-fantasy setting, and it also has some frightening creature designs. The Skeksis, in particular, are vulture-like monsters that try to extend their lives by draining the life essence from other creatures, with one particularly horrifying scene showing that process in action.

Jim Henson Productions also created another beloved movie of the decade. Labyrinth was released in 1986, starring Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and David Bowie as the Goblin King. It's notably less scary and more lighthearted than The Dark Crystal. It also still holds up remarkably well and is now available on several streaming services, including Hulu and Peacock, and can be watched for free with ads on several platforms, including Tubi, PlutoTV, and YouTube.

Labyrinth Remains A 1980s Fantasy Gem

Labyrinth is a 1980s fantasy gem and a beloved movie from the decade that has aged remarkably well thanks to its puppetry and practical effects. The movie opens with protagonist Sarah babysitting her brother, Toby, and wishing that the Goblin King would take him away. However, she gets the shock of her life when her wish comes true.

The Goblin King holds Toby in his castle, with a mysterious labyrinth separating Sarah from her brother. She enters the maze and quickly discovers it's a place where nothing is as it seems, and she cannot take anything for granted.

Sarah encounters all manner of strange creatures. She also makes friends, including Hoggle and Ludo, a giant creature with a heart of gold. The labyrinth is whimsical, but it's not without its dangers. Labyrinth also features several brilliant songs by David Bowie, including Magic Dance and Underground.

Young audiences may find some moments in Labyrinth scary, but far less than in The Dark Crystal and similar 80s kids' movies. The puppetry gives Labyrinth a timeless aesthetic, and the movie remains an entertaining fantasy adventure with charming characters.

Labyrinth Was Jim Henson's Final Movie

Jim Henson directed numerous movies and TV shows, but Labyrinth was his final movie, released in 1986. We've already mentioned The Dark Crystal, which premiered in 1982. It's scarier and darker than Labyrinth, but remains an exceptional fantasy tale, even if it's arguably less suitable for kids. It made such an impression that a prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, was released in 2019.

The Dark Crystal also feels quite different from Labyrinth because it has no human characters. Jen, the main protagonist, is a Gelfling and believes he is the last of his kind. While Labyrinth is absolutely a fantasy movie, it starts in the real world, making Sarah's adventure feel almost dreamlike.

Henson also directed The Great Muppet Caper in 1981, and was the executive producer on The Muppets Take Manhattan in 1984.

Is Labyrinth Still Getting A Sequel?

With The Dark Crystal getting a series on Netflix, it makes sense that a new Labyrinth project is in production. A Labyrinth 2 is reportedly in the works and is confirmed as a sequel to the 1986 movie, not a prequel. Fans of the 80s movie will no doubt be excited to enter its fantasy world again decades later, but there's a catch.

Updates about the production have been remarkably scarce since January 2025. We don't know whether it will continue Sarah's story, whether Connolly will reprise her role, or if the movie will focus on somebody entirely different.

Despite the lack of recent updates, we do know that Robert Eggers is writing and directing Labyrinth 2. His previous movies include 2015's The Witch, a critically acclaimed dark fantasy horror movie with its fair share of disturbing imagery. Labyrinth 2 has reportedly been loosely in development since 2014, though several directors have joined and left the project. As it stands, we can assume a Labyrinth sequel is still in the works, but it's too early to say more.