10 Surprisingly Dark Children's Movies From The 80s

Released in 1986, Labyrinth – directed by Jim Henson, and produced by George Lucas – is an exceptionally dark film with several sinister undertones, as well as narrative implications. In the film, a young girl is forced to rescue her infant brother from The Goblin King – David Bowie – after inadvertently willing him to be kidnapped, transporting her to an otherworldly maze of seamlessly infinite proportions.

Despite the whimsical tone and musical numbers, Labyrinth was a commercial failure upon release, but has since become something of a cult classic, only continuing to appreciate in value.

With that being said, the film has received numerous criticisms relating to its depictions of violence and sexuality; one reviewer suggesting that “the sight of a baby in peril is one of sleaziest gimmicks a film can employ to gain our attention, but Henson does it”.

Whether or not you personally agree, Labyrinth is surprisingly darker than most would expect, the suggestive relationship between The Goblin King and the protagonist coming across as particularly unsettling, especially when you consider the fact that the character is meant to be around fifteen years old. Yeah, that’s a bit off.