Jim Henson’s Cult Classic Fantasy ‘Labyrinth’ Back in Cinemas 2026 for 40th Anniversary

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Some films are made with incredible passion and artistry, intended to be timeless classics. Sadly, these movies sometimes initially fail at the box office and remain overlooked for years. Then, unexpectedly, they find an audience and become cherished favorites – often after the creative visionary behind them has passed away and can’t share in the success. A perfect example is Jim Henson’s musical fantasy, which is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a return to theaters.

Released in 1986, Labyrinth was a deeply personal project for Jim Henson, beginning in 1983 right after he finished The Dark Crystal. He poured his heart and soul into the film, personally designing all the characters and revising the script over 25 times. The result was a vibrant world of incredible creatures, detailed sets, and a story that continues to captivate audiences.

Thanks to support from George Lucas, who produced the film through Lucasfilm as a personal favor, Jim Henson finally got his movie into theaters. It starred David Bowie as the Goblin King Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a young woman who has to overcome the Labyrinth’s challenges to rescue her baby brother from Jareth. After three years of work, the film was released to mixed reviews, but still earned $34 million at the box office on a $25 million budget.

The disappointing performance of the film Labyrinth deeply affected Jim Henson, as shown in the Disney+ documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man. The documentary reveals that Henson felt discouraged after Labyrinth and believed he wouldn’t get funding for another movie, leading him to shelve many ideas. He spent the rest of his career focusing on television, including the series The Storyteller with John Hurt, which uniquely retold classic myths and folktales.

Jim Henson’s final film was Labyrinth, as he sadly passed away in 1990 at the young age of 53. Although Henson himself wasn’t thrilled with how the movie turned out, Labyrinth has become incredibly popular over the years, earning its place as a beloved cult classic and receiving renewed praise from critics. The world of Labyrinth has expanded beyond the original film to include books, games, and both comic book sequels and prequels, and a new movie sequel is currently being developed.

Fathom Entertainment Is Bringing ‘Labyrinth’ to Cinemas Again


Tri-Star Pictures

Fans can soon experience the original, unedited vision of a creative filmmaker on the big screen again. Fathom Entertainment is releasing a newly remastered 4K version of the film in U.S. theaters from January 8th to 11th. This special release also includes bonus footage from a recent celebration in the U.K. called Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball.

According to Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, the unique collaboration between Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and the incredible creations of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop made Labyrinth a truly special and enduring fantasy film, consistently enjoyed by Fathom audiences. Fathom is proud to partner with Sony Pictures to bring this 1986 classic back to cinemas for its 40th anniversary with a special showing, offering a fantastic movie experience for everyone.

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2025-11-15 15:35