In two years, the movie Labyrinth celebrates its 40th Anniversary, almost. In 2026, Labyrinth will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Does that mean everyone should put away the party hats, streamers, noise makers, and the like? No. Some have just decided to start the party a little bit early. Mantic Games and BOOM! Comics is getting ready to honor Henson’s work.
What is Labyrinth?
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Labyrinth is a fantasy film from 1986 with a pedigree that should have spelled success. Jim Henson pulled double duty writing the original story with Fraggle Rock music composer Dennis Lee and A.C.H. Smith and directing the film. The screenplay was written by Monty Python alumni Terry Jones.
George Lucas, best known for his work on the Star Wars trilogy and Indiana Jones, worked as an executive producer. Trevor Jones composed the music, much of which was performed by David Bowie. Bowie also shared a starring role with a young Jennifer Connelly.
Sarah (Connelly) is having difficulty growing up. Protesting every responsibility given by her parents, Sarah makes a desperate plea. Annoyed with Toby, her little brother, and his incessant crying, Sarah wished the Goblin King (Bowie), a character from her favorite story, would take her brother away. When the wish comes true, Sarah must race against the clock to save Toby before he is trapped forever in Jareth the Goblin King’s realm.
The story focuses on the act of growing up. At the start of the story, Sarah believes everything is unfair. Her parents, The Goblin King, and his labyrinth are unfair. More and more, Sarah realizes that to save her brother, she must put aside the childish things. This culminates in her realization that Jareth has tried to manipulate her using her immaturity.
With a budget of $25 million, the film grossed $12.9 million in the US and $34 million overseas. Labyrinth received mixed reactions from critics. Most recognized Henson taking great pains and care in providing a technical masterpiece while viewing the movie’s plot as being weak. Having the movie release during a summer with Top Gun, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Karate Kid II did not help matters.
Labyrinth did not gain any real traction until January ’87 when the film was released on VHS. The movie eventually became the cult classic we know today. In 2016 announcements were made of a possible sequel which Brian Henson states is still in development.
Labyrinth Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Board Game
Two works are currently in development as an early celebration of its 40th anniversary. The first is Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: The Board Game – 40th Anniversary Collection by Mantic Games. Mantic Games first released this board game back in 2016 during the movie’s 30th anniversary.
Players took control of Sarah, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus in an attempt to save Toby from Jareth (controlled by a fifth player). This new version features the same highly detailed figures with some new additions. One figure portrays a scene in the movie where Jareth and Sarah dance while “As the World Falls Down” plays in the background. This pack features three extra games: Labyrinth the Card Game, Labyrinth the Adventure Game, and Ready, Steady, Worm! At the time of this article, the campaign has a little over four days left.
BOOM! Comics Graphic Novel
BOOM! Comics is gearing up for the 40th anniversary with an all-new graphic novel adaptation of Labyrinth. This is not BOOM!’s first time working with a Jim Henson property. The company brought Fraggle Rock from show to page in a few graphic outings. Writer Kyla Vanderklugt in BOOM! Comic’s announcement said, “It was a privilege to adapt the film into graphic novel form, and Giorgio’s art is perfect to bring the story to mesmerizing life. I can’t wait for readers to fall in love with the world and characters all over again, just as I did.”
The adaptation is not so much focused on the movie as it is on the original novel written by Henson and Smith. This decision was made so the artists could emphasize certain parts of Labyrinth’s story that were harder to present in the movie. The first comic in the series is set to be released on September 18th, 2024.
Little Known NES Game
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While on the subject of Labyrinth, on January 7th, 1987 Japan was treated to an NES game called Labyrinth: Maō no Meikyū (Labyrinth: Maze of the Goblin King). This was largely due to the film’s success overseas. The story is the same with a few caveats. Players must guide Sarah through thirteen overhead view maze levels searching for pieces of the key which will free Toby from Jareth’s grasp.
Sarah has thirteen “hours” which doubles as her health. This health slowly depletes as time marches forward and depletes when Sarah is hit by an enemy. Jareth will send fairies, firestarters, goblins, the cleaners, and more after Sarah. Jareth, himself, will even attempt to drain Sarah’s time. When time runs out, Sarah is met with an instant game over. There are no extra lives or continues in this game.
Thankfully, Sarah is not alone on her quest. The Wiseman offers encouragement, extra health, and will strengthen Sarah’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus are also available to help tackle the enemies standing in Sarah’s path. The Old Worm will also sell important items to help upgrade Sarah’s friends.
The stages are masterfully done for the most part. Players will easily find themselves seeing areas visited before not knowing which direction to head. A few maps are extremely frustrating such as a level that changes the control scheme, rendering it difficult for players to move around. The music stands out with nearly perfect chiptune renditions of the movie’s score. This is a game worth checking out if possible.
When Jim Henson saw the reviews for Labyrinth, one can only wonder if he knew his labor of love would be as popular as it is today. Gala balls have been held themed after the movie. Cosplayers have dressed as Sarah, Jareth, and other characters. 40 years is a long time for something to be as popular as this technical masterpiece is today. And that is worth celebrating.
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