Fathom Entertainment is celebrating 70 years of the Jim Henson Company by bringing its cult 1982 film, The Dark Crystal, back to theaters on October 12-13. This is, undoubtedly, good news. Dark Crystal rules. And yet that we could have good Dark Crystal news in the year 2025 and it not be about the incredible Netflix prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, does make it slightly bittersweet.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance was released on Netflix back in 2019, and we think it was and remains one of the greatest fantasy adventures in history. The show took everything you knew and loved about the original movie and dialed it to 11, giving audiences a sweeping, epic story on the scale of Lord of the Rings. Unfortunately, the year was 2019, and there was more than a little competition for the eyes of that kind of audience. Though the filmmakers planned on multiple seasons, they never happened, and Netflix pulled the plug in 2020.
Why mention this in a news piece about The Dark Crystal returning to theaters? Well, because it offers the tiniest glimmer of hope. Like a single Gelfling with a chance to destroy the Skeksis, this is an opportunity to show the world that Thra is worth revisiting. And, while we are 99.9% sure it would never happen, there is probably a teeny, tiny chance that a strong showing from these screenings could spark something in Netflix to revisit its iconic, underappreciated series.
Okay, we know. We’re being wildly optimistic. Best to focus just on what is happening, and that’s the re-release, which will include a new, exclusive intro from Brian Henson. “The magic of Jim Henson and The Dark Crystal has long been a hit with Fathom Entertainment audiences,” Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer, Fathom Entertainment, said in a press release. “We are honored to bring back this cinematic fantasy masterpiece and honor The Jim Henson Company in this, its 70th year of making fantasy magic for audiences of all ages.” Fantasy magic that also includes an even better Dark Crystal show.
Tickets for The Dark Crystal re-release on October 12-13 are on sale now on Fathom’s website.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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