Based on Michael Ende’s beloved novel, this enchanting children’s classic is the epic adventure of a boy struggling with bullying at school who discovers a book that conceals an entire universe within its pages. In the land of Fantasia, there’s an Ivory Tower, a Swamp of Sadness, a brave hero named Atreyu, a flying dragon with the face of a dog, a turtle whose name inspired a Spanish indie rock band, and a deeply sorrowful Empress. Watched today, it triggers waves of nostalgia in viewers across the globe, not only for those revisiting childhood memories but for its craftsmanship and zeitgeist. Before the advent of CGI, imagined worlds were handcrafted and physically built using puppets, dry ice, blue screens, hydraulic platforms, and cranes. Beware the theme tune, co-written by Giorgio Moroder—you’re sure to be humming it for days.