The Jim Henson Company and Shout! Studios have forged a new worldwide distribution agreement for Jim Henson’s renowned fantasy adventure movies Labyrinth (starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly) and The Dark Crystal (starring Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen and Frank Oz), including streaming, video-on-demand, broadcast, digital download and all packaged media, as well as limited non-theatrical rights. The announcement was made today by Kerry Novick, Vice President of Global Distribution at The Jim Henson Company, and Shout! Studios Executive Vice President, Melissa Boag.
In addition to the cult hit films, this multi-year alliance also provides Shout! Studios with the same global distribution rights for the behind-the-scenes specials Inside the Labyrinth and The World of The Dark Crystal. Shout! Studios plans an extensive rollout of the two movies as well as the specials, beginning with the digital release of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal across all major digital entertainment platforms on February 6.
“Jim Henson was a prolific and deeply creative artist, innovating both filmmaking and puppetry with these iconic fantasy films that have come to define the genre over the decades since their release,” said Novick. “With our new partner Shout! Studios, fans will easily be able to enjoy The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and their respective making-of specials, and new audiences around the world will be introduced to these seminal titles that are such an important part of Jim Henson’s legacy.”
Boag commented, “We are very excited about the new opportunity with The Jim Henson Company. Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal are timeless fantasy movie adventures that captivate audiences around the world. It is truly remarkable to see these two movies and their extraordinary characters enchant a new generation of pop culture fans.”
Labyrinth —
Produced by The Jim Henson Company and Lucasfilm Ltd. with creatures brought to life by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Labyrinth was directed by Jim Henson, who worked closely with acclaimed artist and conceptual designer Brian Froud and executive producer George Lucas to create a mesmerizing fantasy movie adventure.
Labyrinth, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, was originally released in 1986. The film is an unforgettable fantasy adventure that follows Sarah Williams (Connelly) as she makes her way through the labyrinth of the Goblin King Jareth (Bowie) in search of her little brother Toby. A mainstay of the fantasy genre with its spectacular visual effects and ground-breaking animatronics, Labyrinth is of special interest to David Bowie fans worldwide as the film contains original songs written and recorded by Bowie especially for the film.
The Dark Crystal —
From the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this puppetry work of genius recounts the timeless tales of good versus evil, becoming a cult favorite around the world. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the film features innovative animatronics and uniquely memorable characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Since its initial release in 1982, the film has earned a place in cinematic history as a masterpiece of fantasy and continues to reign as one of the must-see classics of its genre.
Travel back in time to the faraway planet of Thra where evil Skeksis are in control and the Gelfling Jen, the last of his kind, is sent on a quest by the peaceful Mystics to find the missing shard that will restore balance and heal the world.
