Labyrinth (1986 film)

Lore & Background

Labyrinth began as a collaboration between Jim Henson and Brian Froud following their previous film The Dark Crystal. Terry Jones of Monty Python wrote the first draft in early 1984, drawing on Froud's sketches. The screenplay underwent several revisions by Laura Phillips, George Lucas, Dennis Lee, and Elaine May, though Jones received sole screenwriting credit. The film was shot from April to September 1985 on location in Upper Nyack, Piermont, and Haverstraw, New York, and at Elstree Studios and West Wycombe Park in the United Kingdom. The fantastical creatures were designed by Froud and created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

The film's plot was influenced by The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and the works of Maurice Sendak. Sendak's lawyers advised Henson to stop production due to similarities to Sendak's Outside Over There, but the legal complaint was settled, and an end credit acknowledges Henson's debt to Sendak's works. The character of Jareth was influenced by diverse literary sources, according to Froud.

Reader's Guide

Labyrinth underperformed at the United States box office, grossing $12.9 million during its US theatrical run, but was a success in the United Kingdom and overseas, grossing over $34 million worldwide. It first met a mixed critical response, which contributed to a difficult period of Henson's career, according to his son Brian Henson. Over the years, the film has been re-evaluated by many critics. It became a success on home video and television broadcasts, gaining a large cult following. The film has been adapted into books, video games, board games, and comics, including a four-volume comic sequel Return to Labyrinth (2006–2010) and a comic prequel Labyrinth: Coronation (2018–2019). In January 2016, a sequel was announced, but by 2024 its future was still uncertain.

Did You Know?

• The film's budget was $25 million, as reported by The New York Times.
• Juggler Michael Moschen performed Jareth's crystal-ball manipulation, known as contact juggling, blind behind David Bowie's back.
• Maurice Sendak's lawyers advised Jim Henson to stop production due to plot similarities to Sendak's Outside Over There, but the matter was settled.