The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal
Theatrical release poster by Richard Amsel
Directed by	Jim Henson Frank Oz
Produced by	Jim Henson Gary Kurtz David Lazer
Written by	Jim Henson David Odell
Narrated by	Joseph O'Conor
Starring	Stephen Garlick Lisa Maxwell Billie Whitelaw
Music by	Trevor Jones
Cinematography	Oswald Morris
Editing by	Ralph Kemplen
Studio	ITC Entertainment Henson Associates
Distributed by	Universal Pictures (Theatrical) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Home Media)
Release date(s)	December 17, 1982 (1982-12-17)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$15 million
Box office	$40,577,001

The Dark Crystal is a 1982 British-American fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Although marketed as a family film, it was notably darker than previous material created by them. The animatronics used in the film were considered groundbreaking. The primary concept artist was the fantasy illustrator Brian Froud, famous for his distinctive faerie and dwarf designs. Froud also collaborated with Henson and Oz for their next project, the 1986 film Labyrinth, which was notably more light-hearted than The Dark Crystal. The film stars the voices of Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell and Billie Whitelaw.

The Dark Crystal was produced by Gary Kurtz, whose list of credits includes American Graffiti, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return to Oz, and Slipstream. The screenplay was written by David Odell, who had previously worked with Henson as a staff writer on The Muppet Show. Trevor Jones provided the film's atmospheric music. The film was produced by ITC Entertainment, the British production company responsible for producing The Muppet Show.

Plot

An opening voice over establishes that the story is set on "another world", and that 1,000 years earlier, the Crystal cracked, and two new races appeared: the Skeksis, vulture-like tyrants using the power of the "Dark Crystal" to continually replenish themselves, and hunchbacked natural wizards called Mystics.

Jen, thought to be the last of the elf-like Gelflings, is told by his Mystic master that he must find the crystal shard before the three suns meet to prevent the Skeksis' rule, and that the shard can be found in the home of Aughra. The Skeksis' emperor and Jen's master die simultaneously. A confrontation ensues between a Skeksis called the Chamberlain and another called the General, who both desire to succeed him. The General becomes emperor and the Chamberlain is exiled. The Skeksis also learn of Jen's existence, and send large crab-like creatures called Garthim to track him.

Jen reaches Aughra and is taken to her home, which contains an enormous orrery she uses to predict the motions of the heavens. Jen discovers the crystal shard by playing music on his flute to which it resonates. Jen is told of the upcoming Great Conjunction when the three suns will align, but he learns little of its connection to the shard. The Garthim destroys Aughra's home and Jen flees, but Aughra is taken prisoner. Hearing the calls of the crystal, the Mystics leave their valley to travel to the Castle. Jen meets Kira, another surviving Gelfling who can communicate with animals, and her pet Fizzgig. They discover that they have a telepathic connection which Kira calls "dreamfasting". They stay for a night with the Podlings who raised Kira after the death of her parents. However, the Garthim attacks the village and Kira, Jen, and Fizzgig flee when the Chamberlain prevents one of the Garthim from attacking them. Most of the Podlings are enslaved.

Jen and Kira discover a ruined Gelfling city. Finding a relief, Jen reads the Crystal's prophecy: the shard, a part of the Dark Crystal, must be reinserted to restore the Crystal's integrity. The Chamberlain tells Jen and Kira that he wishes to bring them to the Skeksis to make peace, but they refuse. Riding on Landstriders, the Gelflings arrive at the Castle of the Crystal, where they see the Garthim that attacked Kira's village. Kira and Jen unsuccessfully attempt to free the captured Podlings. Kira, Jen and Fizzgig jump off the cliff and infiltrate the lower parts of the Castle. The Chamberlain confronts them again and tries to convince them to make peace; however, Kira is captured and Jen strikes the Chamberlain on his hand using the crystal shard. The Chamberlain wounds Jen and takes Kira to the Castle. The General restores the Chamberlain to his former position. On the suggestion of another Skeksis, the General decides to regain his youth by draining Kira's life essence,^[1] recalling that its potency allows a Skeksis emperor to maintain his youth for longer periods than that of the Podlings on whom they have been forced to rely since the Gelfling genocide. Kira maintains a telepathic connection with Jen, who tells her to call out to the animals imprisoned in the laboratory. They break free from their cages and Kira's captor falls to his death, upon which one of the Mystics simultaneously vanishes. Kira, Jen, and Aughra flee, but they are separated from Fizzgig during a confrontation with the Garthim.

The three suns begin to align as the two Gelflings reconvene in the Crystal chamber. The Skeksis arrive to prepare for the immortality that they will gain from the Conjunction if the Crystal is not restored. Jen is discovered and drops the shard, but Kira throws it back to him and is killed by a Skeksis. Jen inserts the shard into the Crystal, unifying it as the Mystics enter the chamber. The Mystics and Skeksis merge into tall glowing beings, one of whom says "we are again one", speaks to Jen of their history, and revives Kira. The beings then depart.

Cast

• Jim Henson and Kathryn Mullen as Jen

Kiran Shah as the body of Jen

Stephen Garlick as the voice of Jen

• Kathryn Mullen, Rollie Krewson, and Steve Whitmire as Kira

Kiran Shah as the body of Kira

Lisa Maxwell as the voice of Kira

• Frank Oz and David Greenaway as Aughra

Kiran Shah as the body of Aughra

Billie Whitelaw as the voice of Aughra

• Dave Goelz and Rollie Krewson as Fizzgig

Percy Edwards as the voice of Fizzgig

• Frank Oz as SkekSil/The Chamberlain

Barry Dennen as the voice of SkekSil/The Chamberlain

• Dave Goelz and Rollie Krewson as SkekUng/The Garthim Master

Michael Kilgarriff as the voice of SkekUng/The Garthim Master

• Jim Henson as SkekZok/The Ritual Master and SkekSo/The Emperor

Jerry Nelson as SkekZok/The Ritual Master and SkekSo/The Emperor

• Louise Gold as SkekAyuk/The Gourmand

Thick Wilson as the voice of SkekAyuk/The Gourmand

• Brian Muehl as SkekEkt/The Ornamentalist

• Bob Payne as SkekOk/The Scroll Keeper

John Baddeley as the voice of SkekOk/The Scroll Keeper

• Mike Quinn as SkekNa/The Slave Master

David Buck as the voice of SkekNa/The Slave Master

• Tim Rose as SkekShod/The Treasurer

Charles Collingwood as the voice of SkekShod/The Treasurer

• Steve Whitmire as SkekTek/The Scientist

• Brian Muehl as UrSu/The Master and UrZah/The Ritual Guardian

Sean Barrett as the voice of UrSu/The Master and UrZah/The Ritual Guardian

• Tony Philpott as UrTih/The Alchemist

• Joseph O'Conor as the narrator and UngIm

• Dave Goelz, Jim Henson, and Frank Oz as the Podlings

Barry Dennen, Patrick Monckton, and Sue Weatherby as the voices of the Podlings

• Robbie Barnett and Hugh Spight as the Landstriders

Production

The film was shot at Elstree Studios, and exterior scenes were shot in the Scottish Highlands; Gordale Scar, North Yorkshire, England; and Twycross, Leicestershire, England.

The characters in the film are elaborate puppets, and none are based on humans or any other specific Earth creature. Before its release, The Dark Crystal was billed as the first live-action film without any human beings on screen, and "a showcase for cutting-edge animatronics".^[2]

Originally, Jim Henson wanted the Skeksis to speak their own constructed language with the dialogue subtitled in English. This idea was dropped after test screening audiences found the captions too distracting, but the original effect can be observed in selected scenes on the various DVD releases.

The hands and facial features of the groundbreaking animatronic puppets in the film were controlled with relatively primitive rods and cables, although radio control later took over many of the subtler movements.^[3] Human performers inside the puppets supplied basic movement for the larger creatures, which in some cases was dangerous or exhausting; for example, the Garthim costumes were so heavy that the performers had to be hung up on a rack every few minutes to rest while still inside the costumes.^[4]

Release

Box office

The Dark Crystal was released in 858 theaters in North America on December 17, 1982. In its initial weekends, it had a limited appeal with audiences for various reasons including parental concerns about its dark nature, creative connections with Henson's family-friendly Muppet franchise and because it was overshadowed by the film's competition over the Christmas of that year, including Tootsie and the already massively successful E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.^[5] Although it never topped number one, the film managed to present lasting power in its following weeks, even past the new year of 1983. By the end of its box office run, it made $40,577,001 dollars, profiting over its $15 million dollar budget.^[6]

During its international release in 1983, The Dark Crystal was the highest-grossing box office release for the year in both France and Japan.^{[citation needed]} and out-grossed E.T. as the most successful foreign film in Japan until Titanic took over the spot 14 years later. The film has gained a cult following over the years since its release.

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews.^[7] Vincent Canby of The New York Times negatively reviewed the film in the New York Times, describing it as a "watered down J. R. R. Tolkien ... without charm as well as interest."^[8] A more positive assessment was Kevin Thomas' for the Los Angeles Times: "Unlike many screen fantasies, The Dark Crystal casts its spell from its very first frames and proceeds so briskly that it's over before you realize it. You're left with the feeling that you have just awakened from a dream."^[9] The film won a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and earned the grand prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival, and was also nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and a BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects.

Home media release

The Dark Crystal was first released on DVD on October 5, 1999, and has had multiple re-releases since including a Collector's Edition on November 25, 2003, and a 25th Anniversary Edition on August 14, 2007. It was released on Blu-ray on September 29, 2009. Reviews following these releases have been mostly positive, with the film holding a 71% rating at Rotten Tomatoes.^[10]

In other media

• A popular book titled The World of The Dark Crystal, written by concept artist, fantasy illustrator and chief creature designer for the film, Brian Froud, also released at the same time as the film. This book expanded greatly on the world of Thra, its conditions and history, and gives some of the story background.
• A tie-in novelization of the film was written by A. C. H. Smith.
• An illustrated children's storybook version The Tale of the Dark Crystal, written by Donna Bass and illustrated by Bruce McNally.
• A board game called "The Dark Crystal Game" was also released in 1982 (see "List of Milton Bradley Company products").
• A book-and-cassette adaptation was released in 1983 by Disneyland Records as part of its Read-Along Adventures series.
• In 1983, a video game based on the movie was released for the Apple II and Atari 8-bit in the format of a text adventure.
• A couple months after the film's release, in 1983, Marvel Comics printed a comic book adaptation.
• Music duo The Crystal Method used samples from the film in the song "Trip Like I Do", released on their 1997 album Vegas.
• Legends of the Dark Crystal, an original English-language manga written by Barbara Kesel with art by Heidi Arnhold, Jessica Feinberg, and Max Kim, was published by TokyoPop. Its story is set hundreds of years before the events of The Dark Crystal, after the Great Conjunction which saw the splitting of the UrSkeks into the Mystics and the Skeksis, but before the Great Extermination of the Gelflings. The first volume of the series came out November 2007, followed some time later by the second in August 2010. A final installment was originally planned but has since been cancelled.
• Another comic book prequel, The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, is due from Archaia Entertainment as a series of three graphic novels.^[11] A brief preview was made available on Free Comic Book Day in May 2011. The first installment was released January 2012 and subsequently spent two weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list of hardcover graphic books.
• Archaia has also announced plans for a role-playing game based on The Dark Crystal, intending to publish it by August 2012 in time for the Gen Con gaming convention.^[12] Like its Origins Award-winning Mouse Guard game, The Dark Crystal will be designed by Luke Crane and utilize mechanics similar to that of The Burning Wheel.^[13]

Sequel

During the development phase of The Dark Crystal, director Jim Henson and writer David Odell discussed ideas for a possible sequel. Almost 25 years later, Odell and his wife Annette Duffy pieced together what Odell could recall from these discussions to draft a script for The Power of the Dark Crystal.^[14]Genndy Tartakovsky was initially hired in January 2006 to direct and produce the film through The Orphanage animation studios in California.^[15] However, faced with considerable delays, the Jim Henson Company announced a number of significant changes in a May 2010 press release: It was going to partner with Australia-based Omnilab Media to produce the sequel, screenwriter Craig Pearce had reworked Odell and Duffy's script, and directing team Michael and Peter Spierig were replacing Tartakovsky. In addition, the film would be released in stereoscopic 3D.^[16] During a panel held at the Museum of the Moving Image on September 18, 2011 to commemorate the legacy of Jim Henson, his daughter Cheryl revealed that the project is yet again on hold.^[17]

Notes

References

Books

• Bacon, M. (October 16, 1997). No Strings Attached: The Inside Story of Jim Henson's Creature Shop. New York City, NY: Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-02-862008-4. 
• Bass, D. (October 1, 1982). The Tale of The Dark Crystal. B. McNally, illus. New York City, NY: Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 978-0-03-062414-8. 
• Conley, T. & Cain, S. (June 30, 2006). "The Dark Crystal". Encyclopedia of Fictional and Fantastic Languages. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. pp. 37–38. ISBN 978-0-313-33188-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=cQhke8K9G60C&pg=PA37. 
• Dobrin, S. I. (April 30, 2004). "'It's Not Easy Being Green': Jim Henson, the Muppets, and Ecological Literacy". In Dobrin, S. I.; Kidd, K. B. Wild Things: Children's Culture and Ecocriticism. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press. pp. 244–247. ISBN 978-0-8143-3028-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=zWO3VdPs8wIC&pg=PA244. 
• Finch, C. (July 28, 1983). The Making of The Dark Crystal: Creating a Unique Film. B. Froud, illus. New York City, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN 978-0-03-063332-4. 
• Finch, C. (October 12, 1993). Jim Henson: The Works—The Art, the Magic, the Imagination. New York City, NY: Random House. ISBN 978-0-679-41203-8. 
• Grant, J. (March 15, 1999). "The Dark Crystal". In Clute, J.; Grant, J. The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (Rev. ed.). New York City, NY: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 249. ISBN 978-0-312-19869-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=mfjAjibERF0C&pg=PA249. 
• Llewellyn, J. J. (October 20, 1982). Brown, R. ed. The World of The Dark Crystal. B. Froud, illus. New York City, NY: Alfred A. Knopf / Henson Associates. ISBN 978-0-394-71280-2. 
• Parish, J. R. (April 1, 2006). Jim Henson: Puppeteer and Filmmaker. New York City, NY: Ferguson Publishing. pp. 74–76. ISBN 978-0-8160-5834-1. 
• Rickitt, R. (October 1, 2000). Special Effects: The History and Technique. New York City, NY: Billboard Books. ISBN 978-0-8230-7733-5. 
• Smith, A. C. H. & Odell, D. (October 1, 1982). The Dark Crystal: A Spellbinding Novel of Fantasy and Adventure. New York City, NY: Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 978-0-03-062436-0. 
• Von Gunden, K. (January 7, 1989). "The Dark Crystal: Other Worlds, Other Times". Flights of Fancy: The Great Fantasy Films. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 30–44. ISBN 978-0-7864-1214-3. http://books.google.com/books?id=E5oTurPZbdUC&pg=PA30. 
• Willis, D. C. (September 12, 1984). Horror and Science Fiction Films III. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. pp. 57–59. ISBN 978-0-8108-1723-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=HqzC5HaCupYC&pg=PA57. 

Comics

• Holguin, B. & Froud, B. (w), Sheikman, A., John, L. & Froud, B. (a), Henson, L. (ed). The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, Volume 1 (January 3, 2012), Hollywood, CA: Archaia Entertainment, ISBN 978-1-936393-00-8
• Kesel, B. R. (w), Arnhold, H. & Kim, M. (a), Beedle, T. (ed). Legends of the Dark Crystal, Volume 1: The Garthim Wars (November 13, 2007), Los Angeles, CA: Tokyopop, ISBN 978-1-59816-701-6
• Kesel, B. R. (w), Arnhold, H. & Feinberg, J. (a), Beedle, T. (ed). Legends of the Dark Crystal, Volume 2: Trial by Fire (August 3, 2010), Los Angeles, CA: Tokyopop, ISBN 978-1-59816-702-3
• Kraft, D. A. (w), Blevins, B. (p), Colletta, V. (i), Oliff, S. (col), Chiang, J. (let), Jones, L. (ed). "The Dark Crystal: The official comics adaptation of the Jim Henson epic fantasy adventure film" Marvel Super Special 24 (February 1983), New York City, NY: Marvel Comics.

Film

• Gillis, M. (dir. & prod.) (August 9, 2007). Reflections of "The Dark Crystal" (DVD documentary). Culver City, CA: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1089749/. 
• Goldsmith, A. (prod.); Solomon, A. (ed.) (January 9, 1983). The World of "The Dark Crystal" (Television documentary). New York City, NY: PBS / Jim Henson Television. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355032/. 
• Henson, J. & Oz, F. (dir.); Henson, J., Kurtz, G. & Lazer, D. (prod.); Henson, J. & Odell, D. (writ.) (December 17, 1982). The Dark Crystal (Motion picture). New York City, NY: Jim Henson Productions. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083791/. 

Internet

• "The Dark Crystal". Henson Productions: Fantasy & Sci Fi. Hollywood, CA: The Jim Henson Company. http://www.henson.com/fantasy_scifi.php. 
• "Genndy Tartakovsky to direct Power of the Dark Crystal" (PDF). Henson Media Relations: Press Releases. Hollywood, CA: The Jim Henson Company. February 1, 2006. http://www.henson.com/press_releases/2006-02-01.pdf. 
• "Omnilab Media and The Jim Henson Company join forces to launch the Australian feature production of the highly anticipated Power of the Dark Crystal" (PDF). Henson Media Relations: Press Releases. Hollywood, CA: The Jim Henson Company. May 4, 2010. http://henson.com/press_releases/2010-05-04.pdf. 
• "Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal". Archaia Titles. Hollywood, CA: Archaia Entertainment. http://www.archaia.com/archaia-titles/jim-hensons-the-dark-crystal-creation-myths/. 
• Carroll, L. (October 4, 2006). "Dark Crystal Sequel Gives Jim Henson's Puppet Epic a Second Chance". MTV Movie News. New York City, NY: MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542247/puppet-epic-dark-crystal-gets-second-chance.jhtml. 
• Hill, J. (October 12, 2011). "Jim Henson's Family and Fans Aim to Honor and Extend His Creative Legacy – Part 2". HuffPost Entertainment. New York City, NY: The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hill/the-lost-amazings_b_1006072.html. 
• "Dark Crystal RPG from Archaia Entertainment". Madison, WI: ICv2. August 24, 2011. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/20905.html. 
• User: J. Richardson (August 5, 2011). "Thread: The Dark Crystal RPG". RPGnet tabletop roleplaying forum. Berkeley, CA: Skotos Tech. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?586998. 
• Rosenberg, A. (August 5, 2009). "Fraggle Rock and Dark Crystal Sequel Updates from Brian Henson". MTV Movies Blog. New York City, NY: MTV Networks. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/08/05/fraggle-rock-and-dark-crystal-sequel-updates-from-brian-henson/. 
• Schieb, R. (May 2010). "Review: The Dark Crystal". Moria: The Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review. Christchurch, NZ. http://moria.co.nz/fantasy/dark-crystal-1982.htm. 
• Warmoth, B. (March 1, 2010). "Jim Henson Company Confirms Dark Crystal and Labyrinth Comics Following Fraggle Rock". MTV Splash Page. New York City, NY: MTV Networks. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/01/jim-henson-company-confirms-dark-crystal-and-labyrinth-comics-following-fraggle-rock/. 

Periodicals

• Canby, V. (December 17, 1982). Rosenthal, A. M. ed. "Review: Henson's Crystal". The New York Times (New York City, NY: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger): C10. ISSN 0362-4331. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F02E6D71038F934A25751C1A964948260. 
• Conway, L. (April–May 1983). Clarke, F. S. ed. "The confessions of a creature craftsman: Puppetmaker Lyle Conway provides an inside view of the fun, hard work and magic of filming The Dark Crystal". Cinefantastique (Oak Park, IL) 13:4 (47): 42–44. ISSN 0145-6032. 
• Harris, J. P. (April–May 1983). Clarke, F. S. ed. "Of precocious pigs, singing cabbages, and a little green frog named Kermit: The story of Jim Henson & The Muppets". Cinefantastique (Oak Park, IL) 13:4 (47): 24–31. ISSN 0145-6032. http://users.bestweb.net/~foosie/henson.htm. 
• Hutchison, D. (January 1983). Zimmerman, H. ed. "Producing the World of The Dark Crystal: A new direction for the man behind Star Wars and Empire". Starlog (New York City, NY: O'Quinn Studios) (66): 16–20. ISSN 0191-4626. 
• Jones, A.; Van Hise, J. (April–May 1983). Clarke, F. S. ed. "The Dark Crystal: The behind-the-scenes-story of one of the most complex and imaginative fantasy films of all time". Cinefantastique (Oak Park, IL) 13:4 (47): 32–41, 45–55. ISSN 0145-6032. 
• Malnquist, A. (April–May 1983). Clarke, F. S. ed. "Reviews: Henson gave life to a world, but gave its inhabitants no life". Cinefantastique (Oak Park, IL) 13:4 (47): 59. ISSN 0145-6032. 
• Morris, O. (December 1982). Patterson, R. ed. "Photographing The Dark Crystal". American Cinematographer (Hollywood, CA: American Society of Cinematographers) 64 (12): 1290–1291, 1312–1316. ISSN 0002-7928. 
• Samuelson, D. W.; Tasker, A. (December 1982). Patterson, R. ed. "Creating a World for The Dark Crystal". American Cinematographer (Hollywood, CA: American Society of Cinematographers) 64 (12): 1283–1289, 1316–1324. ISSN 0002-7928. 
• Thomas, K. (December 17, 1982). Chandler, O. ed. "Dark Crystal: A Jen-uine Triumph?". Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA: Tom Johnson): K10. ISSN 0458-3035. 
• Wright, A. (November 2005). Conrich, I.; Hammerton, J. eds. "Selling the Fantastic: The marketing and merchandising of the British fairytale film in the 1980s". Journal of British Cinema and Television (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK: Edinburgh University Press) 2 (2): 256–274. doi:10.3366/JBCTV.2005.2.2.256. ISSN 1743-4521. 
• Zimmerman, H. (January 1983). Zimmerman, H. ed. "Creating the World of The Dark Crystal: An interview with British fantasy artist and film designer Brian Froud". Starlog (New York City, NY: O'Quinn Studios) (66): 34–37, 64–65. ISSN 0191-4626. 

External links

• The Dark Crystal Wiki, an external wiki
• The Dark Crystal on Muppet Wiki, an external wiki
• The Dark Crystal at AllRovi
• The Dark Crystal at Box Office Mojo
• The Dark Crystal at the Internet Movie Database
• The Dark Crystal at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Dark Crystal at TV Tropes

v t e The Dark Crystal Films The Dark Crystal Other Media The World of the Dark Crystal The Dark Crystal (video game) Legends of the Dark Crystal Characters and Races Skeksis The Jim Henson Company

v t e The Jim Henson Company People Jim Henson · Brian Henson · Jane Henson · Lisa Henson Major works The Muppets † Sesame Street (Muppet characters only) Fraggle Rock Television series Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series (1987) The Storyteller (1988–91) The Jim Henson Hour (1989) The Ghost of Faffner Hall (1989) Mother Goose Stories (1990) Dinosaurs (1991–94) Dog City (1992–93) CityKids (1993–94) Secret Life of Toys (1994) Animal Show (1994–97) Big Bag (1996–98) Aliens in the Family (1996) The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996–97) Brats of the Lost Nebula (1998–99) Construction Site (1999) Farscape (1999–2003) Mopatop's Shop (1999–2003) Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola (2001) The Hoobs (2000–02) Animal Jam (2003) Pajanimals (2008–present) Sid the Science Kid (2008–present) Dinosaur Train (2009–present) Me and My Monsters (2010–11) Television specials The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970) Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) Monster Maker (1989) The Song of the Cloud Forest (1989) Movies The Dark Crystal Labyrinth The Witches Buddy MirrorMask Miniseries Gulliver's Travels Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story Henson Alternative Puppet Up! (2006–present) Late Night Buffet with Augie and Del (2006) Tinseltown (2007) Alt/Reality (2008) Late Night Liars (2010) Simian Undercover Detective Squad (2011) Divisions Jim Henson's Creature Shop Jim Henson Foundation Henson Recording Studios Jim Henson Pictures Jim Henson Records Jim Henson Television Related Jim Henson Company Lot List of films † Sold to The Walt Disney Company in 2004

v t e Films directed by Jim Henson 1960s Hey, Cinderella! (1969) 1970s The Frog Prince (1971) The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972) Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) 1980s The Great Muppet Caper (1981) The Dark Crystal (1982) The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986) Labyrinth (1986) 1990s Muppet*Vision 3D (1991)

v t e Films directed by Frank Oz 1980s The Dark Crystal (1982) The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) 1990s What About Bob? (1991) HouseSitter (1992) The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) In & Out (1997) Bowfinger (1999) 2000s The Score (2001) The Stepford Wives (2004) Death at a Funeral (2007)

v t e Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film (1973–1990) The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1974/75) The Holes (1976) Oh, God! (1977) Heaven Can Wait (1978) The Muppet Movie (1979) Somewhere in Time (1980) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) The Dark Crystal (1982) Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) Ghostbusters (1984) Ladyhawke (1985) The Boy Who Could Fly (1986) The Princess Bride (1987) Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) Ghost (1989/90) Complete list (1973–1990) (1991–2010) (2011–present)