Watching The NeverEnding Story (1984) FOR THE FIRST TIME!! || Movie Reaction! 

Hey everyone hope you enjoyed the reaction! Plan on getting A Goofy Movie and Homeward Bound 2 done by tomorrow.

This story is really meta, it has three layers: 1. The story within the book. 2. Bastians reaction to what happenes in the book. 3. Our reaction to Bastian’s experience of reading the book. The novel the film is based on is even more like that. It’s a fantastic read.

At the end of the movie, when the empress was explaining to Atreyu that the child had been with him following his adventures, and that others were following the adventures of the child, she was referring to you, specifically. Bastion followed Atreyu through the book, while You (the audience) followed Bastion through the movie. And to add a layer, we (your audience) followed you through this reaction. If one of us were to react to your reaction, that would add another layer. It becomes fractal. 🤔✌

I bet people recommend this movie just to see Nick cry at Artax

The Falcor Dragon puppet is the largest puppet ever created and is on display in a museum in Germany where the book is originally from. I am glad to see the swamp of sadness scene didn’t wreck you like many other sad scenes in film have.

As a kid, it was always the Artax scene that got to me, but rewatching now, it's absolutely the Rock Biter who has the biggest impact, struggling to comprehend how with all his strength he couldn't save his friends being sucked into the Nothing, and ultimately declaring he's going to just sit and let himself die too. This is some heavy stuff for a supposed kids' movie.

I think that for most of us Neverending story is so good because of nostalgia and the fact that we watched it as kids. We were all part of their adventure when we were 6-10 years old. I am sure it doesn't feel the same for the person watching it for the first time in their 20's :)

In the 80's, fathers were frequently like Bastian's father, the remnants of the "hard-working manly man no emotions allowed" generation who saw anything other than ambition and hard work as frivolous and a complete waste of time. My dad was a Merchant Marine captain, and I was a huge fantasy/scifi nerd as a kid, so we definitely did not get along. Everything I liked, he hated, and tried to limit my exposure to it and force me into sports and hunting and things I had zero interest in, but he thought was 'acceptable' for a boy :/ The 80's were a wild time to be a kid. This was my favorite film growing up, because I basically WAS Bastian, always getting bullied and loving things that no one else did, letting my imagination run wild, and watching this I knew I wasn't the only one.

This movie is magic. And you will probably sing that refrain over and over again.

The reason the empress says that people were with Bastian throughout the story is that YOU as a watcher/reader experienced everything he went through with him as you watched/read.

poor Noah Hathaway... before they even started filming, he was learning to ride a horse when he got thrown off, breaking his back. he was laid up for a couple of months. and then during shooting, in the Swamps of Sadness scene when he gets rescued by Falkor, you see him actually fainting from all the CO2 to make the fog effects. divers had to jump in to save him before he would have drowned! at Comic conventions, Noah still talks about how Wolfgang Peterson tried to kill him each week!

I’m so overjoyed that people are FINALLY noticing and appreciating this absolutely magnificent and underrated movie. I first watched this when I was a toddler and It’s been my favourite movie/story ever since. The scene with Artax traumatised me as a child and it STILL breaks my soul to this day. Falkor is the best part of the whole movie honestly, he reminds me of my childhood dog Woody, those big brown eyes and constant calm, happy energy. This movie moves my soul, I’m so happy it’s finally coming into the spotlight and moving others 💚

This, The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Legend, Clash of the Titans, Willow and Return to Oz, all shaped my my mind growing up and I think really gave me a love for the dark and strange mixed with creative fantasy and interesting music.

The death of Artax is still one of the most traumatic moments of my childhood it still kills me every time I watch it… and I’m still waiting for my luck dragon❤️

“ Artex will be fine…” sir, this is an 80s kids movie. No one is safe.

It's been over 30 years and I'm still not over Artax 😭😭

Steven Spielberg was given the original Auryn prop by director Wolfgang Petersen as a "thank you" gift for his help with the film! It hangs in a glass display in Steven Spielberg's office!

Ngl, this movie scared me as a kid. Now as an adult though, I can really appreciate the practical effects, theres some good nostalgia there. Thanks for checking it out. Cheers

The soundtrack of this movie is a big highlight for me. Gives me nostalgic chills everytime. ✌☺

“I don’t think the book will be too intense for him” ….Me, sitting here knowing what happens in the book AND sequel.

Nick… she’s talking about you when she said others are sharing the boy’s story O.O

This movie is riddled with allegory, and seeing it as a kid, then as an adult are two very different experiences. As a kid you take things at face value, and you might understand the themes in a rudimentary way, but as an adult...It's a story that grows with its audience. Just as Bastian shared Atreyu's journey, we shared his. "You have to try. You have to care." "It has to hurt if it's to heal." "Confronted by their true selves, most men run away screaming!" "I couldn't hold onto them. The Nothing pulled them right out of my hands. I failed." "People who have no hopes are easy to control." It's scary how relevant these lines and others become when you grow up. And just a bit of fun trivia: The novel this is based on is written by Michael Ende. The author of The Neverending Story's last name literally means End.

My mom made me watch this at 14 when I thought this wouldn’t interest me one bit...once Artax died I completely lost it 😭 And held my breath when Falkor saves Atreyu

The child like empress was speaking about us the watchers, we journeyed with Bastian just as he did with Atrau

Nick:"there is some animal" Me: is he talking about the dragon, the bat, the wolf, the snail, the horse, or the giant turtle? Is that Samuel L Jackson? 🤣

I watched this movie for the first time in 5th grade when my teacher put it on in class. When Artax died, I absolutely lost it. I had a horse at the time named Elmer who was exactly like him, so I was in pure tears and I sobbed for a good 20 minutes. I don’t remember much of this movie, but if I ever watch it again fully, I’ll have to skip that scene. 😥

Loved your reaction and honesty. Wasn’t sure how much you would connect with this movie but can see that the nostalgia also has a big part in why lots of us love this movie.

The book he is reading is his imagination. The Neverending Story is imagination. When you have an imagination stories will never end. Also, you would have had to watch this at a time in your life when writing and imagination was important, probably around 3rd grade. And, then I think you would have liked it more. edit: The story comes from his imagination, that is why he has to give the empress a new name. Because his imagination is what is controlling the story. The Neverending Story and Fantasia is his imagination, Fantasia has no boundaries because your imagination has no boundaries. And, you said it at the end. This movie is intended for children just learning to read and write. And, once he learned it was himself that gave the names in the story of his imagination, and new he was in control, all his wishes could come true in his imagination. And, he was to share his stories to the world, to grow even more people's imaginations to write even more stories. And, it never ends.

I saw you were reacting to this movie and before I clicked, I was like; "Oh no! Nick is gonna cry for this one." Love you, man!

It's so strange how the Swamp of Sadness hits differently when you're older and/or dealing with mental health issues. As a child I was upset because the Artax gave up and died. As an adult, it feels silly to say, but I can definitely recognise moments in my own life where I have almost given in to the 'swamp' like he did, even with people standing there trying to urge me to keep going.

I had heard from one source or another that the Nothing and the Swamp of Sadness are metaphors for depression leading to suicide. I used to cry when Artax gets taken because animal death is sad but now I cry because it's Atreyu doing everything he possibly can to try and convince his friend not to give into overwhelming sadness. No matter what he does he still ends up losing his friend to a force out of his control... Same with the Rock Biter "Good, Strong Hands" scene... He tried so hard to hold on to the people he cared for but no matter how strong he was, it wasn't enough to save them... He believed he was strong but he wasn't strong enough even to save his friends lives so out of despair and maybe some survivors guilt, he decides there's no point in resisting and is just going to let it take him too... It all hits soooo close to home and I lose it every time.

Watching Nick always gives me a smile, such a pure soul!

You can actually ride on Falkor at Bavaria Filmstadt in Munich, Germany!

Who else was scarred for life watching this as a kid

One of my all-time favourite childhood movies. Those scenes with the wolf (Gmork) traumatized many of us as kids.

The discussion with Atreyu and Gamork is my favorite part. Such a fascinating concept.

I'll tell you what though, Gmork absolutely terrified me as a child. I saw those eyes and teeth in my nightmares for weeks after that, and more than once woke up screaming.... Also fun fact; Falkor, Gmork, and Rockbiter are all voiced by the great Alan Oppenheimer, the same VA who played the legendary role of Skeletor from He-Man! He also voiced Cringer/Battle Cat and Man at Arms in that show!

So the thing about The Neverending Story is that the person reading the book reads their thoughts and feelings into the story. That’s why the hero of the story is a boy, someone who experiences death of a loved one, spends a lot of time with his head in the clouds. The adventure is literally Bastian processing his grief for his mother and he does it through reading and imagination. So powerful.

This movie brings back so many memories! I used to watch it with my father when I was little, it was his favorite movie of all time! Seeing your reaction has made me remember those happy moments of my childhood!🥺💖💖

The bookshop owner totally wanted him to take it. He was basically saying "See this shiny red button? It does amazing things. But you can't push it. Now I'm going to leave you alone with it while I go in the other room."

It is such a classic and beautiful film. As much as weird the 80´s have been, they brought some very iconic movies to us. Only born in 87 but i really love this decade, it has so many special moments to music and movies. Also the breakfast club is a great movie, you should also try "the last unicorn" supposed to be a kids movie but well you´ll see. Great reaction, i really enjoy that.

Damn, 80'ies fantasy movies were just the best thing ever. What a time to be a kid. The "others" that were with Bastian is You!

The puppetry and creatures in this movie are so unique, I have to admit it all scared the sh*t out of me as a kid though! Both the books and the movie are about Sebastian, or more to the point the boy's inner world and how Fantasia reflects his subconscious and the people in his world. It's a really cool concept.

Nick.... the Empress is talking about you and us watching Bastian in his story at 30:38... I can't think of many films that speak directly to us the audience like this film, it's such a great moment. Great reaction!

This movie is best viewed first as a child. And then again, as an adult. Because, as a child there are so many elements that will delight and enchant a child on their level. And, as a adult, one will appreciate so many elements and layers that one was simply unable to as a child. I speak from experience.

When the movie ended....... technically it is not the end of the story. This movie is only roughly the first half of the novel. The second movie is a rather loose interpretation of what would come next. For example the power behind the nothing to which the Gmork refers...... yes, you'll see what he meant by that but the second movie does not connect this "power" to the nothing but makes it a completely new threat which was a completely unnecessary move as they just could have left it as it was supposed to be. As a side-note, "The Neverending Story" is a German novel and they did change the dragons' name, possibly because his actual name would be a bit hard to pronounce for English speakers. So originally Falkors' name is actually not Falkor but Fuchur. The "ch" is a sound that does not really exist in English. It sounds a bit like clearing your throat. Now I am looking forward to Homeward Bound 2.

Welcome to my world seriously I think every kid of the '80s and '90s who saw this movie was bawling during the scene in the swamp of sadness

The song by Limahl was probably a bigger hit than the movie. Back in the 80s it was pretty common for theme songs, made for the films, to actually become big hits. This is my #16 all-time favorite movie even though I'm old and decrepit now. I'm still fighting the Nothing. At 30:30 That's you Nick, the one watching the movie. And the rest of us here are following your adventures. 🙂 Every time, I watch this I scream my mom's name when Bastien screams his. But this is the first time I did since my mom died. It really is a neverending story. 💫

after all these years, I STILL cry at that scene in the swamp of sadness. One of my favorite childhood movies.

In case you couldn't understand Bastian when he yelled the empresses' name, her named her Moonchild. That was his mama's name too.

I love when he movie gets super meta, when the Empress is aware The Neverending Story is a story. That we, as either readers of the book or watchers of the movie, are following Bastian on his journey just like he followed Atreyu's.

This movie was basically the first reaction channel. It’s us reacting to someone reading a book and getting absorbed in the story.

I’m sure someone else has already pointed this out, but the name Bastian yells at the end is “Moonchild”. In all the times I watched this as a kid I could never understand what he was saying. Barret Oliver, who plays Bastian, is in another 80’s family movie that I’ve NEVER seen anyone react to, D.A.R.Y.L. with Michael McKean. Maybe you could be the first :)

One part of the story that is never mentioned is that Atreyu's quest is a reflection of Bastian's emotional state when he began reading. His mother just died from an unknown disease so he invents a fantasy tale through the Book where the Surpreme Feminine is dying of an unknown ailment. A Hero is summoned that embodies his idealized self to find a cure. Essentially, he rejects a painful reality and dives into a fantasy that lets him save his mother.

Its a film that has it's most impact when one sees it as a child first. So to see it for the first time as an adult, and over 30 years of its time...we'll one could never really have the deep inspiration, fear, fascination. and impression as a child would have seeing it for the first time. But I'm sure there are some adults out there seeing it for the first time and feeling good and cheerful at the outcome of the film. Its nice to see an adult of today be able to at least appreciate it, if not like it as much as us fans do.

This is the only movie I can't help but hate because the book genuinely changed my life and oddly, the movie does not follow the story at all. But at this point hating on this movie has become a meme and I do enjoy reactions on it lol. To elaborate if you're curious: The Author of "Unendliche Geschichte" is called Michael Ende, his books are not only stunning but also very touching. This story in particular is fundamentally about grief and all the lies we tell ourselves to avoid it. The book is written in two colors to show what is happening in the real world and what is in "Fantasia", but the more you read it the deeper Bastian gets sucked into the story and eventually it's all written in the second color. It's a story where he reinvents not only Fantasia but himself, he becomes a legend telling stories and gives purpose to people. But he forgets himself and he forgets who he is and what he wants and becomes a conqueror who fosters greed in his heart. Evnetually Bastian completely forgets who he is and becomes a simple person in the story, someone who needs to rediscover what it means to be alive. And then it all comes up, how terribly depressed his father is. How alone Bastian is and how neither of them ever dealth with the passing of his mother. In the end, Bastian returns to the normal world with the water from the fountain of life, a symbol that he intents to no longer tell lies because he knows who he is. He wants to remind his father what it means to be himself, to be alive, to find joy in the things and people around. It's honestly and without joke the most moving book I ever read. The movies... don't use any of that. The movies use the name of an author beloved by all the German people and Michael Ende himself really disliked this adaptation. He wrote other very famous stories like "Momo" which is also very touching.

This movie is a timeless classic. I always loved how it broke the 4th wall. Falkor, the Empress and Atreyu are my favorite characters.

It's been a long time since I last saw this, so watching it again through your eyes was enchanting. A great reaction, thanks Nick! For another amazing 80s movie with some similar elements, you might want to add Flight of the Navigator to your polls?

The actor playing the little man with the racing snail is named Deep Roy. He also played all of the Oompa Loompas in the 2005 Tim Burton version of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

I should mention, even if the first one isn’t a big hit for you, I would fully recommend the sequel! To avoid spoiling too much, Bastian is MUCH more involved with the story in the sequel, and we get to see more of his relationship with his father.

This movie is so long but so worth it. Great film, one of the most iconic. Usually don't enjoy this kind of style when it comes to affects but the storytelling and the characters kind of make up for it.

One of my favorite childhood movies!

Great reaction. This is literally my birth movie. It was released in West Germany (where most of it was shot) two months before I was born, and reached the US a month and a half after I was born. The many times I've seen it over the years makes it more than a movie to me.

If you're an 80's baby Artax dying was the most traumatizing moment of your childhood. Along with parts of Return to OZ probably too

This movie made me believe other things are out there!

I always thought it was strange that Morla sounds like it’s taken from the root word “mourir” in French (and maybe another Latin language) and it means “to die”. And Morla is in the Swamp of Sadness where Artax dies.

You would like “The Dark Crystal” more because it has better plot focus and the sets are so amazing

Goddamn I love this movie. Still today, it has the same emotional impact as it did when I first saw it.

Honestly, it is really hard to appreciate the impact of this movie when you watch it as an adult. As a kid, THIS WAS EPIC!!!

I watched this as a child and obviously Artax's death got me, but as an adult there is so much more to this movie than I realized. First of all, the layers of the movie was something I obviously didn't catch as a child but immediately caught when Nick was watching this. Second, this may be my own interpretation or imagination, but for me the nothingness was the manifestation of hopelessness and grief. The reason that Bastion was chosen is because his mom died and he was giving into that grief and hopelessness by not living his life (as his dad pointed out in the beginning). As Atreyu was fighting the nothing ness Bastian was fighting it as well. In the end with Bastian giving the Empress his mother's name it was like him finally stepping past that grief and feeling hope again (thinking of his mom without feeling hopeless) and having that hope is what defeated the nothingness. After that he was free to explore the world through his imagination with hope and a renewed zest for life. Also, the fact he gave Atreyu back Artax was great, but I think it is telling he didn't wish his mom back to life. If he could have limitless wishes and bring Artax back, why not his mom? I think it is because he finally accepted her death. Anyway, that was a very deep look at the movie. I don't know if it goes that deep but that was my interpretation of it.

This movie's a great showcase for Alan Oppenheimer, who plays the voice of Falkor, The Rock Biter, and Gmork (or however you say the wolf's name). He's best known as the voice of Skeletor from the original HE-MAN cartoon in the 80s (and recently, at the age of 95, plays Moss Man in the recent MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVELATIONS cartoon on Netflix)

Great movie. Fyi the author of the book that this movie is based on did not like the movie although it was very successful. The movie is only half the books. Another great adventure movie is Flight of the navigator 1986.

Your reactions are brilliant as always! This movie IS my childhood, I don't know how many times we were made to watch it at school LOL... My dog looks like Falkor when she is lying down 🥰

I think this is one of those movies that you have to watch as a kid to enjoy it as an adult. As for me, I’ve seen this movie a lot as a kid and it always confused me. Watching it as an adult, I understand it now and I get a feel of nostalgia when I watch it. I can’t say that for the sequels because I’ve never seen them that I can remember.

I was obsessed with the never ending stories movies as a child and would watch them over and over constantly

I’m so glad you’re watching this! This is a part of my childhood and I love this movie so much

Actor Nathaniel Hathaway eventually grew up to become a tattoo artist. The actress who played the Childlike Empress grew up to become a choreographer for the Broadway musical 'Cats' and is now a professional ballet dancer

At 90 minutes, I always thought "Neverending" was false advertising.

I'd love to see you react to the Dark Crystal Netflix show - similar fantasy vibe but the story and characters is totally ingrossing.

The little man in the top hat was played by Deep Roy from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This movie is 95% the creature design and whatnot, 5% music, 0% story. It's worth a watch but it's muuuuuuch better as a kid when you don't care about the story at all.

Sooo many nightmares as a child but still one of my favorites 80s fantasy films were in different league

Omg I have been waiting for this. Your heart is so big I needed you to see this to validate my childhood. Maybe not that but u have such a pure childlike personality I just know you would like this.

"these look like strong hands... dont they?"

There is no bad guy scarier than the nothing. The abstract concept of emptiness made manifest. The more you think about it, the more horrifying it becomes.

That music that plays when Falkor rescues Atreyu from the Swamps still gets to me even today.

Accidental perfect ad placement: 'Then my first wish is...... KFC.' 😆

This movie was so well made. The set designs, musical score, casting and overall story are so good. It's also very original as far as fantasy films go. I've heard some people claiming that the only reason people like it is because of nostalgia but I don't think that's true whatsoever. Sure, a lot of people have nostalgia for it, as well as tons of other movies they saw as a child, but this film has always been held in high regard, and for many reasons. Also, a lot of people who watch it for the first time when they're adults instantly fall in love with it. It has a strong narrative, great characters and an intriguing world. It also shies away from common fantasy tropes like the medieval setting, wizards, elves, fire breathing dragons and all the other things that are extremely plaid out.

Love watching your reactions the last couple of months, especially while I was recovering from covid. You're always so positive and upbeat, even if a movie is sad. Keep it up man 😎👍

Not gonna lie, my husband's cat (who is completely black, tiny, fluffy, and cute) likes to hide in dark places and glare like Gmork, so all you see are two glowing yellowish-green eyes staring out at you. It's freaky as hell. Also, The scenery for this movie is really amazing. Sure, some of it hasn't held up well with age, but it's still pretty impressive. I don't know if I'd want a remake or not. Part of me wants to know what they could do with it now, and the other part of me that grew up with this movie wants them to leave it alone.

This movie is liquid magic, I swear!

To me. What makes this movie really great, is it teaches kids to enjoy aspects of a fantasy novel and all the mysteries that are in it. While also understanding the challenges that a particular character in the book is going through, like in the movie. But knowing the kid reading the book's mom died creates a whole new important meaning to the message of this 1984 childrens narrative fantasy film. I love it because to me, it's more like a well balanced and original concept that will be intruduced in many other later 20th century films that we see today (Maybe not.) To put it in simple terms, this is a master piece.

Movie and book are awesome masterpieces.

This will always be one of my favorite childhood movies. I watched it so many times and then got to introduce it to my kids who loved it too!

Bastian was the human boy they were talking about and WE (the viewers) are the ones that were following Bastian. So she was talking about YOU as well. That’s part of what makes it so magical. The fact that everyone is part of the NeverEnding Story! 🤗 ❤️ Maybe someday you can watch it again and appreciate it a bit more.

That scene with the horse always gets me... It totally came out of left field for me when I was little 😭😭😭😭

I loved the story & the characters. How can you not like any part of it?

The genius of this is that it is me watching you watching this watching bastion and knowing that others will do the the same. It “never ends”

Sometimes imagination is something that you can't put to logic or coherent storytelling. This is a story that is told though a child's eyes. You need a child's eye to believe in it's magic. A lot of people lose that sense of wonderment, they become grounded, just like Bastian's dad told him to become. An adult can still have a child's eye for this sort of wonder and adventure and it's not done by turning your brain off, but by opening it up to broader fantasifull possibilities. It is generally easier to appreciate movies like this if you experience them as a child where your brain isn't callus to the imagination of doing impossible ideas. You can cry along with a story like Bastion did, but a child with the strength of imagination can take a story and imagine the outcome in spectacular multiple ways that are truly neverending.

This movie and The Labyrinth are childhood favourites that I still enjoy.