The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter (1990)

0% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(59,797 ratings)

Following the surprisingly successful children's fantasy The Neverending Story (1984), this lesser sequel presents the further adventures of the young boy Bastian in the magical land of Fantasia. Bastian (Jonathan Brandis) returns to this kingdom of the imagination, reached through a magical antique… More Following the surprisingly successful children's fantasy The Neverending Story (1984), this lesser sequel presents the further adventures of the young boy Bastian in the magical land of Fantasia. Bastian (Jonathan Brandis) returns to this kingdom of the imagination, reached through a magical antique book, to escape from his unpleasant life as a social outcast with a distant father. Unfortunately, things aren't so great in Fantasia either, which is under attack by the sorceress Xayide (Clarissa Burt), and Fantasia's young leader soon recruits Bastian to help win the battle for their world. Several memorable creatures return from the first film, including the Rock Biter and the Luck Dragon, and a number of other strange beasts make appearances along the way. However, the plot often relies on stale fairy-tale elements that make the sequel feel substantially less original than the fresh and unexpectedly charming original. However, enough children were entertained by the special effects and the simple story of good-versus-evil for a third installment, The Never Ending Story 3: Escape from Fantasia, to follow three years later. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: George Miller, George Trumbull Miller
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Sep 4, 2001
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the poorest sequels ever.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Not as good as the first of course, but it's a good enough sequel. It furthers the adventures of Bastion and everything. I liked it.
Jason O

I used to like watching the Neverending Story movies when I was a kid, and I still watch them every now and then. "Neverending Story 2" isn't as good as the first one was, but it's not that bad. Bastian returns to try and save Fantasia from an evil sorceress. The… More
I used to like watching the Neverending Story movies when I was a kid, and I still watch them every now and then. "Neverending Story 2" isn't as good as the first one was, but it's not that bad. Bastian returns to try and save Fantasia from an evil sorceress. The sorceress's plan is to make Bastian make wishes until he runs out of memories and forgets where he even came from. "Neverending Story 2" is imaginative and has some cool looking creatures such as the rock creature and Falcor the flying dragon. If you liked the original movie of the series, I would recommend getting this movie. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000.
Megan S

I just re-watched this recently and remembered it being a lot more entertaining when I was younger.
Ginny

For the life of me I really really cant get myself to like this movie as much as other people do. Sebastian irritates me to bits.
Curtis L

horrid.
Lafe F

It just wasn't special and didn't feel like the same vast world the first film took us to. The settings felt all cramped; I don't think they used any exterior locations. Rather than live creatures, it felt like there were a bunch of actors dressed up in costumes to put… More
It just wasn't special and didn't feel like the same vast world the first film took us to. The settings felt all cramped; I don't think they used any exterior locations. Rather than live creatures, it felt like there were a bunch of actors dressed up in costumes to put on a fantasy play. It seemed like this sequel was hastily conceived to make a quick profit. They lost the magic of the first film, sadly.
Jason S

It wasn't as good as the first one and you spend the whole movie thinking that.
Dean M

There's plenty for kids to enjoy as good triumphs over evil with the aid of furry creatures and the odd special effect.
danny d

decent but nowhere near the first
Dannielle A

Not as good as the first, but still good.
Gavin C

The Neverending Story did manage to use the first half of the book from Michael Ende with its creative atmosphere and great characters and was considered to be one of the best fantasy classics in cinema history. This movie told a new tale, but manages to use the plot threads from the… More
The Neverending Story did manage to use the first half of the book from Michael Ende with its creative atmosphere and great characters and was considered to be one of the best fantasy classics in cinema history. This movie told a new tale, but manages to use the plot threads from the second half of the novel with new characters. With that set, time to review The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter. Bastian is transported to Fantasia along with his father and after reuniting with his old friends from the first, he is sent on a mission to avoid the Emptiness controlled by the evil sorceress Xayide. As he makes a wish on a wish machine and loses each of his memory, Bastian must find a way to restore Fantasia back to life. What can I say about this sequel to a great movie? Let's just say the storyline was derivative and the storytelling was kind of weak, but I think that the new actors (except the same actor who played the librarian in the first movie) have greater talent and effort to have the charm of the characters. Jonathan Brandis did very decent as Bastian Bux which makes him one of the most favorable kiddie actors in cinema history. The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter does not have the charm of the first movie, but at least the acting was awfully decent. 6/10
Sunil J

Probably the worst sequel ever made.