Is Neverending Story a Horror movie?

[mike_inthescare]

Ok ok... don't jump on me yet.

I loved The Neverending Story when I was younger and I still enjoy watching it.
It is one of the most unique films I have ever seen. I know it is technically classified as a Fantasy movie but... when I was younger that movie scared me!

Even now I would argue that there are horror elements to that film.

• multiple themes of death
• the inevitable end of the world
• a giant scary wolf monster
• themes of abandonment
• suffering

What do you all think? I have a Youtube channel and I do deep dives into scary movies and analyze the scares...I really want to do this movie but am I reaching too far?

Is this just more considered a fantasy movie that scares children much like any fantasy movie could?

Thanks!

[Angra]

It's no more horror than Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Moomins etc.

[Sculpt]

It's been a long long time since I've seen it, and only once. I don't recall it being scary, but I wasn't a kid when I saw it either.

[Bloof]

I watched it with my kids when they were young. The wolf did scare them a bit but that was about it. Definitely a fantasy.

[mike_inthescare]

Thanks for your feedback on this one...I think you guys are right.
Not horror....but still scary for kids.

[Bloof]

Jurassic Park was scary but i dont consider it a horror. I found most of the Sinbad movies and the 1981 Clash of the Titans (anything with effects by Ray Harryhausen really) scary but again more of an adventure/fantasy. Guess it doesnt have to be horror to be scary.

[ImmortalSlasher]

I lean towards thinking Neverending Story is a fantasy / hidden horror movie. I watched it last when I was young and a lot scared me. The early death of the horse and how he died. The big statues that can look into your soul. That might be why I'm scared of big statues to this day. The death of the family and the big character that couldn't save them. The wolf. The end of the world.

Yeah the movie definitely is fantasy themed but is horror underneath. It probably tries to teach young kids about life. I'll watch it again one day with the sequels.

[TaeKwonZombie]

fantasy!

[mike_inthescare]

Yeah!!! This is exactly what I'm talking about. It has hidden horror themes. It's almost like it's is a Kids Horror Movie within the Fantasy genre.

Originally Posted by ImmortalSlasher

I lean towards thinking Neverending Story is a fantasy / hidden horror movie. I watched it last when I was young and a lot scared me. The early death of the horse and how he died. The big statues that can look into your soul. That might be why I'm scared of big statues to this day. The death of the family and the big character that couldn't save them. The wolf. The end of the world.

Yeah the movie definitely is fantasy themed but is horror underneath. It probably tries to teach young kids about life. I'll watch it again one day with the sequels.

[Angra]

Originally Posted by mike_inthescare

Yeah!!! This is exactly what I'm talking about. It has hidden horror themes. It's almost like it's is a Kids Horror Movie within the Fantasy genre.

But so does most fantasy movies. Take The Beastmaster for instance. I imagine that movie must be frightening as hell if you're only 6. Maybe not as frightening as Moomins, but still..