One of the most beloved movies of the 1980s, The Neverending Story loosely adapted Michael Ende’s 1979 novel into a fantasy that millennials still quote to this day. The appeal of the film largely stemmed from its variety of colorful characters, many of whom were creatures of darkness, luck and wonder. They took both animal and human form, and always managed to wow fans.
Even the less impressive creatures of The Neverending Story had viewers’ complete attention as they took basic animals like snails, bats and horses, and gave them fun, new twists. Still, the best creatures of the movie were the ones audiences likely hadn’t encountered elsewhere at all.
Artax
Technically, Artax might only be a horse, but he’s a loyal companion of Atreyu until he succumbs to the Swamp of Sadness. He swiftly keeps the young hero away from both the clutches of Gmork as well as The Nothing, remaining Atreyu’s faithful steed for much of his adventure.
The loss of Artax is considered by many to be the saddest moment of the film. It’s such a harrowing moment, particularly while Atreyu is pleading for the horse to “fight against the sadness” as he sinks into the swamp, only to return at the end.
Whooshwoozool (Nighthob)
The Nighthob is the angry old neighbor of the group who pretty much yells at the Rockbiter to get off his lawn. He’s been sent by his people to seek out the assistance of the Childlike Empress in order to stop The Nothing, as have many other delegates from the area.
A Nighthob is a hairy goblin of sorts, with a fuzzy head and a large nose and large ears. In the novel, the Nighthobs are a race of humanoid creatures who are nocturnal and live in the Southern areas of the land. Perhaps he’s cranky in the film because he’s been traveling when he should be resting, and he’s tired, like his bat companion.
Sleepy Bat
Instead of the typical noble steed, the Nighthob rides an animal that is as nocturnal as he is: the sleepy bat, or as he puts it, “my stupid bat.” The bat is adorable though, and some fans like it even better than its rider, even if it does tend to fall asleep mid-flight.
There’s actually another cool character with bat wings in the book: Smerg, a dragon with the tail of a scorpion and the legs of a grasshopper. He’s a creature out of Bastian’s imagination and not the actual story. The novel also features Vermin, a bat-winged rat.
Morla, The Ancient One
Atreyu is frustrated with the giant turtle Morla, who resides in the Swamps of Sadness. The ancient being is not only allergic to Atreyu, but also completely indifferent to the Nothing. In the book, Morla does inform him that the Empress needs a new name, sending him off to the Southern Oracle, but in the film Morla is of no help at all.
It’s hard to like the giant reptile after Artax perishes just to travel and get zero information from it, but it’s also kind of funny, and it’s so massive that it’s impossible for it not to be a little impressive.
Pyornkrachzark (Rockbiter)
In some ways, he could be considered the most annoying character of the story: he’s loud and clueless, and when he eats it pretty much causes a rockslide. But Pyornkrachzark, the Rockbiter, is a kind and caring creature unlike most others. He has a troubled conscience in the film for not being enough to stop the Nothing and save his friends on his own, which makes viewers’ hearts ache for the stone creature.
Sequels that depicted Pyornkrachzark with his family portrayed them as more annoying, his son in particular, but the original character will always be beloved to many fans.
Racing Snail
Snails are usually pretty cute in fantasy films; look no further than the blue-coiffed one in Labyrinth. The racing snail in The Neverending Story doesn’t have a big role, but he’s incredibly cute and more like a horse than a snail. When the snail’s rider informs the Rockbiter that it’s a racing snail, the giant is unimpressed until he sees the sweet snail hit the road, and fast.
The snail is ridden by Gluckuk, a small man who was renamed Teeny Weeny in the film. Deep Roy portrays this conscientious character rather well in his stylish outfit and top hat.
Southern Oracle
Uyulala, or the Southern Oracle, is a much-needed female presence in the film that is protected by three magical gates. In the book, she must sing to keep herself alive. She is all-knowing, but it takes a heavy price to get a glimpse of her wisdom, as many heroes have previously discovered.
Unlike many of the other characters, the Southern Oracle is depicted onscreen being destroyed by the Nothing, which is tough to watch. Many cite Gmork as the scariest creature of the film, but this scene, along with Atreyu’s passing through the First Gate, is another memorable one that caused terror in many hearts.
Grograman
One of the coolest characters in The Neverending Story didn’t make it to the big screen. Grograman, also known as The Many Colored Death, is a giant, color-changing lion who guards Goab, the Desert of Colors. He turns to obsidian at nighttime and is supposed to be the first creature that Bastian meets in Fantasia (known in the book as Fantastica). Fans do get to meet him in the animated show.
Not only is Grograman a cool creature alone, but he’s also a friend to Bastian, and gives the boy his sword, Sikander. It’s a big deal since he doesn’t like anyone else in Fantastica.
Citizens Of Fantasia
The motley citizens of Fantasia are a wonder to behold. It’s really too bad that they are only o screen for a few moments because there’s a little bit of everything to enjoy: birdheads, gnomics, two-hea ded people. They gather at the steps of the Ivory Tower, awaiting her leadership against the Nothing.
Given that in the text, citizens are compelled to actually jump into the Nothing when it approaches, it’s even more of a horrifying situation they’re trying to escape. In the second film, we get to see more of them, but their costumes and makeup just weren’t as magical as they were in the original.
Falkor
Everyone’s favorite luckdragon produces blue fire in the book, where he appears to be more of a lion-like dog. He also has incredible talents, like sleeping while flying and constantly absorbing heat and air, which means he never has to eat. Entering water is dangerous for book-Falkor, too. Both versions of Falkor are life-saving friends who give good counsel and help Bastian and Atreyu, which is why he’s so beloved.
Movie-Falkor is adorable, funny and the pet that every 1980s kid wanted, aside from a mogwai. He’s still so popular today that there’s plenty of Falkor merchandise, including plush animals of the friendly beast.
