# Hoggle

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Fictional character

Hoggle Hoggle in Labyrinth. First appearance Labyrinth (1986) Created by Jim Henson Dennis Lee Designed by Brian Froud Portrayed by Shari Weiser Brian Henson Voiced by Brian Henson In-universe information Species Dwarf Gender Male Occupation Groundskeeper, gatekeeper Affiliation King Jareth Nationality Goblin Kingdom

**Hoggle** is a fictional character in the 1986 fantasy film *[Labyrinth](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_film))*. Voiced by [Brian Henson](/source/Brian_Henson), Hoggle was performed as a radio-controlled [animatronic puppet](/source/Animatronics) with body movements by Shari Weiser. The character was created by director [Jim Henson](/source/Jim_Henson) and writer [Dennis Lee](/source/Dennis_Lee_(author)), and designed by [Brian Froud](/source/Brian_Froud).

A cowardly and irascible [dwarf](/source/Dwarf_(folklore)), Hoggle is a servant of King [Jareth](/source/Jareth) who is befriended by [Sarah Williams](/source/Sarah_Williams_(Labyrinth)). Though tasked with hindering Sarah's progress on her quest through the Labyrinth, Hoggle develops loyalty to her, ultimately helping her to reach Jareth's castle and retrieve her baby brother whom she wished away to the [goblins](/source/Goblin).

The character received a generally positive reception from film critics.

## Development

*Labyrinth* started as a collaboration between director [Jim Henson](/source/Jim_Henson) and conceptual designer [Brian Froud](/source/Brian_Froud) following their previous collaboration, *[The Dark Crystal](/source/The_Dark_Crystal)*.[1] In making *Labyrinth*, Henson wanted to create a film that combined elements of [fairy tales](/source/Fairy_tales) and [classical stories](/source/Classical_mythology) in a script that would appeal to a modern audience.[2][3] Unlike *The Dark Crystal*, which had featured only puppets, Henson and Froud wanted *Labyrinth* to include interactions between puppet creatures and human characters, "almost like a throwback to the original *[Muppet Show](/source/Muppet_Show)*",[1] with a greater focus on characters' personalities and relationships.[4][5] Froud had the initial idea of a journey through a [labyrinth](/source/Labyrinth),[5] and in the film's early discussions the main characters included a king and his jester, Snotweed. Writer [Dennis Lee](/source/Dennis_Lee_(author))'s first treatment of the story changed the [protagonist](/source/Protagonist) to a young teenaged girl and Snotweed became her companion "Hoggle, the warty dwarf",[6] who, as [Sarah](/source/Sarah_(Labyrinth))'s guide through the Labyrinth, is one of the film's most important characters thematically.[7] Froud stated that he designed Hoggle to appear "storybook", in such a way that "he's part goblin, and maybe a dwarf from "[Snow White and the Seven Dwarves](/source/Snow_White)"." The swirls in his costume are a slight reference to the [Mystics](/source/Characters_and_races_of_The_Dark_Crystal#urRu/Mystics) in *The Dark Crystal*. Froud also designed a face hidden on Hoggle's back, inspired by "medieval manuscripts and [gothic architecture](/source/Gothic_architecture) in which there are always faces peering out at you."[8]

As with all of the non-human characters in *Labyrinth*, Hoggle was performed through puppetry and animatronics produced by [Jim Henson's Creature Shop](/source/Jim_Henson's_Creature_Shop).[9] Hoggle required five performers to work in sync: Shari Weiser inside the costume performing the body movement and four puppeteers controlling the animatronic face via radio controls, coordinated by [Brian Henson](/source/Brian_Henson), who controlled Hoggle's jaw movements and provided the character's voice.[10][11] [Mak Wilson](/source/Mak_Wilson), David Greenaway and Robert Tygner each controlled specific parts of Hoggle's nose, eyebrows, eyes and lips.[12] According to biographer Christopher Finch, Hoggle was an evolution of the "humans with [Muppet](/source/Muppet) heads" concept that had begun with Henson's 1969 television special, *[Hey, Cinderella!](/source/Hey%2C_Cinderella!)*, but "went way beyond anything imagined at [that] time".[13] The first fully wireless character that the [Jim Henson Company](/source/Jim_Henson_Company) made,[12] the Hoggle puppet was the also the most technically complex puppet used in film at the time,[11] involving 18 motors to control all the different portions of the face.[9][5] Jim Henson stated that he had originally thought to create another more elaborate head for close-up shots that would be cable-controlled, as most animatronics had been in the past, but found they were able to achieve Hoggle's full face movements with radio control. This "gave us a lot more freedom with the character, because now he can walk about the set while we're shooting," Henson said.[5] A television monitor was incorporated into the inside of the puppet's head that showed Weiser what the camera saw, but trying to perform with this did not work for her;[5] instead the interior mouth pieces were removed so that Weiser, wearing black makeup, could see out through Hoggle's mouth when it opened.[12] As they wanted Hoggle to have "large, masculine, clunky hands", Weiser operated oversized mechanical fingers worn over her own; however, this made it impossible for her to grip anything, so a hand in a fixed position was used whenever Hoggle needed to be holding an object.[5]

The complexity of performing the puppet meant that weeks of rehearsals were needed for Hoggle's scenes.[10][9] Acting alongside Hoggle was also initially a challenge for [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie) and [Jennifer Connelly](/source/Jennifer_Connelly), who portrayed Jareth and Sarah respectively.[14] In his first few scenes with the puppet, Bowie was disorientated as "he kept wanting to look off-stage to where [Hoggle's] voice was coming from ... instead of where Hoggle, the puppet, actually was," Jim Henson recalled, "It took him a while to get used to that aspect".[15] Similarly, Connelly stated during filming, "When we first started I'd be looking in Hoggle's mouth to talk to Shari. Now I just talk to Hoggle."[16]

Brian Henson voiced the character after the initial plan to sync up a voice actor with the puppeteers proved to be too difficult.[11] Although Hoggle had been planned to have a British accent, Brian created a "somewhat-kinda [cockney](/source/Cockney) [New York](/source/New_York_accent) type voice" for the character "that eventually grew on everybody";[12] Jim Henson attempted to record a new voice for Hoggle in [post production](/source/Post_production), but ultimately decided to keep Brian's.[11] As Weiser could only see out of the costume when the puppet's mouth was open, Brian developed Hoggle's speech to include frequent "grunting and moaning and yowling" so as to have him open his mouth often;[12][8] for the same reason, the character is "always grumbling and mumbling to himself" when walking.[17] In the final soundtrack, Brian's voice was run through a [harmonizer](/source/Harmonizer) and lowered in pitch to better fit the character.[5]

Sometime after *Labyrinth* was completed, the Hoggle puppet was lost in a suitcase during transit, eventually resurfacing in 1997 at the [Unclaimed Baggage Center](/source/Unclaimed_Baggage_Center) in Scottsboro, Alabama. The puppet been restored twice, most recently in 2022, and is on display at the Unclaimed Baggage Museum in Scottsboro.[18][19]

## In *Labyrinth*

Main article: [Labyrinth (1986 film)](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_film))

Hoggle is approached by [Sarah](/source/Sarah_Williams_(Labyrinth)) as she begins her quest to reach King [Jareth](/source/Jareth)'s castle at the centre of the Labyrinth and rescue her baby brother. Hoggle shows Sarah the Labyrinth's entrance but warns her that attempting to solve it is futile and that she takes too much for granted.

When Sarah's progress stalls, Hoggle offers to escort her back to the start, but she bribes him with a plastic bracelet to guide her forward instead. Confronted by Jareth, Hoggle falsely claims he is returning Sarah to the beginning; Jareth sees through the lie and threatens to suspend him over the Bog of Eternal Stench if he continues helping her. Admitting he is afraid of Jareth, Hoggle attempts to abandon Sarah, but she stops him by seizing his jewellery collection. Sarah calls Hoggle her friend despite his duplicity, a role he briefly accepts before fleeing at the roar of an unseen beast.

On his way back to assist her, Hoggle is again intercepted by Jareth, who commands him to give Sarah an enchanted peach and warns that if she kisses him, Jareth will turn him into the “Prince of the Land of Stench”. After Hoggle rescues Sarah from the Fireys she kisses him in thanks, sending them both to the Bog; they are saved by [Ludo](/source/Ludo_(Labyrinth)), the beast Sarah earlier freed, and joined by Sir Didymus. Hoggle attempts to dispose of the peach but is stopped by Jareth. Reluctantly, he gives Sarah the peach, which puts her under an amnesiac enchantment, and flees in shame.

As Hoggle laments losing his only friend, Sarah breaks the spell and reunites with Ludo and Sir Didymus. The trio is halted by Humungous, a giant mechanical guardian of the Goblin City, but Hoggle subdues it by dislodging its pilot and halting its advance before it explodes. Forgiving him for the peach, Sarah returns his jewellery, and Hoggle helps her reach the castle to confront Jareth.

After Sarah returns home with her brother, Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus appear in her mirror to assure her that they will be there for Sarah should she need them; she admits that she does and they appear in her bedroom for a raucous celebration.

## Characterisation and themes

[BBC Culture](/source/BBC_Culture)'s Luke Buckmaster described Hoggle as "a morally dubious, [Sméagol](/source/Sm%C3%A9agol)-esque character whose motives and allegiances are unclear."[20] A [double agent](/source/Double_agent),[21][22] Hoggle is torn between helping Sarah and obeying Jareth's orders to hinder her progress.[23] "His moral ambiguity and clash of alliances make him a complicated character who drives a central point of the narrative," wrote Courtney Mason of *[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)*.[19] *Fairy Tale Review* identified Hoggle as Sarah's "[white rabbit](/source/White_rabbit)", as he guides her through the maze but betrays her trust.[24] *[The Artifice](/source/The_Artifice_(magazine))* highlighted the face on the back of Hoggle's vest as indicating the character's "two-faced" (deceitful) nature, and noted that it also "invokes the two-faced Roman god of thresholds, [Janus](/source/Janus)"; Hoggle is the gatekeeper who shows Sarah the entrance to the Labyrinth.[25] Several commentators have identified Hoggle as a [Judas](/source/Judas) figure due to his betrayal of Sarah.[26][27][28]

"Cantankerous, selfish, sly, deceitful, childish, and cowardly", Hoggle also shows himself to be "clever, brave, loyal, decent," with a heart of gold, state the film's production notes.[2] Catharine Rambeau of the *[Detroit Free Press](/source/Detroit_Free_Press)* identified him as "a cross between [L. Frank Baum](/source/L._Frank_Baum)'s [Tin Man](/source/Tin_Woodman) and [Cowardly Lion](/source/Cowardly_Lion)".[29] Morally conflicted, he is a [reluctant hero](/source/Reluctant_hero).[30] Brian Henson described Hoggle as "a grumpy old man who regrets everything [he's] ever done in his life"[11] and who tries "as hard as he possibly can to make it appear that he has no heart whatsoever", when in fact he is very sensitive; Hoggle protects his heart because "feeling is so painful and overwhelming for him".[31] Discussing the relationship between Hoggle and Sarah, [A. C. H. Smith](/source/A._C._H._Smith), the author of the *Labyrinth* novelisation, said that Hoggle has been a "rather lonely, disadvantaged, self-pitying little creep" but because Sarah is kind to him and takes him seriously he "becomes a proper person in his own eyes".[32] Serena Toh in *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)* noted the film's major theme of [friendship](/source/Friendship) shown in Hoggle's transformation from a selfish creature to a loyal friend.[33] Noting that Sarah and Hoggle's relationship is forged "through a complicated process of distrust, bonding, betrayal, guilt, and redemption", Bridget McGovern of *[Tor.com](/source/Tor.com)* wrote that *Labyrinth* shows the complexity of friendship and trust as a learning process that includes both risk and reward.[34] Sarah and Hoggle together learn the value of [forgiveness](/source/Forgiveness);[35] *[The Mary Sue](/source/The_Mary_Sue)*'s Sara Godwin identified one of the film's important lessons as giving people a second chance, writing "Sarah was justifiably upset when he betrayed her, but Hoggle came through. He grew as a character, overcame his fear, and stood strong when it really counted."[36]

Hoggle is a [materialistic](/source/Economic_materialism) character, with a love of jewellery.[37] Noting a twist on the German fairy tale "[The Frog Prince](/source/The_Frog_Prince)" in Jareth's threat to Hoggle that he will turn him into a "Prince of the Land of Stench" if Sarah kisses him, scholar Tammy H. Gladwin wrote that *Labyrinth* challenges the "[Prince Charming](/source/Prince_Charming) ideal" by reversing princehood from a desirable fate into one to be loathed; Hoggle learns that he does not need to be brave or handsome to be worthy of Sarah's friendship.[38] Despite Sarah's and the audience's first impression of Hoggle's "crude [masculinity](/source/Masculinity)" when he is introduced urinating into a pond, Gladwin wrote that Hoggle's obsession with pretty jewels subverts norms of stereotypical masculine behaviour.[38]

## Reception

Ahead of *Labyrinth*'s release in the U.S. in June 1986, Hoggle was brought to a New York press conference to promote the film.[39] According to Jim Henson, reporters engaged directly with the puppet: "They weren't looking at my son Brian, who was standing to one side doing Hoggle's voice, or the four puppeteers controlling his facial expressions electronically," Henson said, "They were actually trying to talk to Hoggle. It was fascinating."[40]

Hoggle received mostly positive feedback from entertainment critics. Several reviewers referred to the character as "endearing"[41][42] and "lovable".[43] Carole Kass of the *[Richmond Times-Dispatch](/source/Richmond_Times-Dispatch)* wrote, "We can't help but fall for the fey and ugly Hoggle",[44] while Alaina Urquhart-White of *[Bustle](/source/Bustle_(magazine))* described him as "that character that you don't want to love because he's a grump, but you end up rooting for anyway."[45] Pointing to Hoggle as an example of *Labyrinth*'s creatures being grotesque without being unappealing, Tyler Dean of *[Reactor](/source/Reactor_(magazine))* described him as "an ugly little troll who somehow still has all the rugged swagger and cantankerous personality of a late-in-life [Harrison Ford](/source/Harrison_Ford)."[46] According to *[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)*, "Hoggle's uniquely lovable personality has made him a favorite" among viewers.[19] The same website ranked Hoggle among the "10 Most Underrated Jim Henson Creations", arguing that he deserves more recognition as he shows "the potential of every villain who decides to do the right thing."[47]

Some contemporary reviewers took a more mixed or negative view of the character. *[The Post-Standard](/source/The_Post-Standard)*'s Doug Brode argued that Hoggle is nothing more a recycled Grumpy from [Disney](/source/Disney)'s *[Snow White](/source/Snow_White_and_the_Seven_Dwarfs_(1937_film))*,[48] while Allen Malmquist of *[Cinefantastique](/source/Cinefantastique)* found that he "capsulates a mundane reluctant-helper personality" and opined that Ludo and Sir Didymus were more interesting characters,[49] Kevin Lally of the *[Courier News](/source/Courier_News)* praised Hoggle as a "technical marvel" noting his "expressive face" and "natural movements", but felt that the character is "too cranky" to be likeable.[50] Paul Willistein of *[The Morning Call](/source/The_Morning_Call)* complained that much of the film's humour was "gross", citing the scene where Hoggle zaps fairies with a bug sprayer.[51]

Hoggle's design and puppetry has received praise even decades after the film's release. Luke Buckmaster of BBC Culture enthused, "With a huge lumpy nose, spurts of shoulder-length white hair and a crinkled, finely detailed face, Hoggle is an amazing puppet, at once both magical and realistic".[20] Chris Cabin of *[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))* wrote that his face exhibits "an indisputable warmth that comes from studied, unique, and intimate design and physical work",[52] and in the same publication, Logan Kelly called the puppet an "incredible feat of engineering" resulting in "a lifelike character that [CGI](/source/Computer-generated_imagery) has rarely been able to match".[53] Lauding the performances in *Labyrinth*'s finale scene, Karl Puschmann of *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)* remarked, "Hoggle’s sad sack demeanour lifts and he seems to grin — an incredible piece of acting from a person in a puppet suit".[54] Also in *The New Zealand Herald*, Daniel Rutledge wrote that the film's puppet characters, particularly Hoggle and Ludo, are a big part of why *Labyrinth* "is so beloved", arguing that their being "physical beings moving about in a very tactile world makes them incomparably more real and lovable than CGI creations in a CGI world."[55] Rating Hoggle among the "Top 14 Best Jim Henson Creatures of All Time", *[SciFiNow](/source/SciFiNow)* gave the character a "nightmare factor" of 3/5, writing, "His eerily realistic facial expressions are definitely in [uncanny valley](/source/Uncanny_valley) territory."[56]

## Other appearances

Hoggle appears in *Labyrinth'*s [tie-in](/source/Tie-in) adaptations, which include the [novelisation](/source/Novelisation) by [A. C. H. Smith](/source/A._C._H._Smith)[57] and the three-issue [comic book](/source/Comic_book) adaptation published by [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics),[58] which was first released in a single volume as *[Marvel Super Special #40](/source/Marvel_Comics_Super_Special)* in 1986.[59] He also appears in the film's [picture book](/source/Picture_book) adaptation[60] and [photo album](/source/Photo_album).[61]

### Music videos

Hoggle appears in two [music videos](/source/Music_videos) for the David Bowie songs "[Underground](/source/Underground_(David_Bowie_song))" and "[As the World Falls Down](/source/As_the_World_Falls_Down)" from the [*Labyrinth* soundtrack](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_soundtrack)). Produced by [Steve Barron](/source/Steve_Barron) in 1986, both videos were released on the 1993 VHS tape *[Bowie - The Video Collection](/source/Bowie_-_The_Video_Collection)* and the 2002 two-disc DVD set *[Best of Bowie](/source/Best_of_Bowie#DVD)*.[62] The videos feature footage of Bowie (as himself) performing the songs accompanied by Hoggle.

### Spin-off comics

#### *Return to Labyrinth*

Main article: [Return to Labyrinth](/source/Return_to_Labyrinth)

Hoggle appears in *[Return to Labyrinth](/source/Return_to_Labyrinth)*, a four-volume [original English-language manga](/source/Original_English-language_manga) sequel to the film created by [Jake T. Forbes](/source/Jake_T._Forbes) and published by [Tokyopop](/source/Tokyopop) between 2006 and 2010. In the manga, Jareth has delivered on his threat to turn Hoggle into the Prince of the Land of Stench. Hoggle lives in a small cottage in the Bog, has a small throne and several goblin underlings.[63]

#### Archaia Entertainment comics

[Archaia](/source/Archaia) released a short story titled *Hoggle and the Worm* for [Free Comic Book Day](/source/Free_Comic_Book_Day) on May 5, 2012.[64] Hoggle also features in the 2018 short story *En Guard*, which provides a backstory for how he became the caretaker of the Labyrinth.[65] He has a minor appearance in *[Labyrinth: Coronation](/source/Labyrinth%3A_Coronation)*, a 12-issue comic series written by [Simon Spurrier](/source/Simon_Spurrier) and published by Archaia between 2018 and 2019.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cine_Jul86_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cine_Jul86_1-1) [Jones, Alan](/source/Alan_Jones_(film_critic)) (July 1986). Clarke, Frederick S. (ed.). ["Labyrinth"](https://archive.org/stream/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2016%20No%203%20%28July%201986%29#page/n5/mode/2up). *[Cinefantastique](/source/Cinefantastique)*. Vol. 16, no. 3. pp. 7, 57.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Magid_5-6) Magid, Ron (August 1986). ["Goblin World Created for Labyrinth"](https://theasc.com/articles/jim-henson-labyrinth-making-of). *[American Cinematographer](/source/American_Cinematographer)*. Vol. 67, no. 8. pp. 71–74, 76–81. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [196314081](https://www.proquest.com/docview/196314081).

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Audio_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Audio_8-1) [Brian Froud](/source/Brian_Froud) (2007). "Audio Commentary by Conceptual Designer Brian Froud". *[Labyrinth (Anniversary Edition)](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_film))* (DVD). [Sony Pictures Home Entertainment](/source/Sony_Pictures_Home_Entertainment).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Inside_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Inside_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Inside_9-2) [Des Saunders](/source/Desmond_Saunders) (director), [Jim Henson](/source/Jim_Henson) (writer) (1986). *Inside the Labyrinth* (Televised documentary). Los Angeles: [Jim Henson Television](/source/Jim_Henson_Television).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bacon_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bacon_10-1) [Bacon (1997)](#CITEREFBacon1997), p. 33

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Finch (1993)](#CITEREFFinch1993), p. 187

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Ruof, William (3 November 2014). ["The world of cult films: 'Labyrinth'"](https://www.statepress.com/article/2014/11/the-world-of-cult-films-labyrinth). *[The State Press](/source/The_State_Press)*. Arizona State University. Retrieved 26 November 2025.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mason_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mason_19-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Mason_19-2) Mason, Courtney (18 December 2021). ["Labyrinth's Lost Puppet: Bizarre Story Of What Happened To Hoggle"](https://screenrant.com/labyrinth-movie-hoggle-puppet-missing-flight-what-happened/). *[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)*. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Buckmaster_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Buckmaster_20-1) Buckmaster, Luke (28 June 2016). ["Why Labyrinth is so memorable"](https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160621-why-labyrinth-is-so-memorable). *[BBC Culture](/source/BBC_Culture)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210126100657/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160621-why-labyrinth-is-so-memorable) from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Nankervis, Troy (25 November 2016). ["We've ranked Labyrinth's BEST creatures in time for its 30th UK anniversary (and Christmas too)"](https://metro.co.uk/2016/11/25/weve-ranked-labyrinths-best-creatures-in-time-for-its-30th-uk-anniversary-and-christmas-too-6282999/). *[Metro](/source/Metro_(British_newspaper))*. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Javid, Ruwa (1 May 2025). ["The secret dark side of Labyrinth you probably missed as a kid"](https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/the-secret-dark-side-labyrinth-probably-missed-kid). *[Soap Central](/source/Soap_Central)*. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Bentley, Rick (10 July 1986). ["'Labyrinth' Fascinating Fantasy"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57310996/labyrinth-fascinating-fantasy/). *[The Town Talk](/source/The_Town_Talk)*. Alexandra, Louisiana. p. C-11. Retrieved 14 August 2020 – via [Newspaper.com](/source/Newspaper.com).{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Smith, Trisha; Riccio, Jon (20 March 2015). ["Fairy-Tale Files: The Labyrinth Edition"](https://www.fairytalereview.com/fairy-tale-file-the-labyrinth-edition/). *Fairy Tale Review*. [Wayne State University Press](/source/Wayne_State_University_Press). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160305130910/http://fairytalereview.com/fairy-tale-file-the-labyrinth-edition/) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Monique (2 May 2014). ["Labyrinth (1986): Power, Sex, and Coming of Age"](http://the-artifice.com/labyrinth-1986-power-sex-coming-of-age). *[The Artifice](/source/The_Artifice_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161129014149/http://the-artifice.com/labyrinth-1986-power-sex-coming-of-age) from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [White (1993)](#CITEREFWhite1993), p. 126

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Gire, Dann (27 June 1986). ["'Labyrinth:' a-mazing dead-end tale"](https://access-newspaperarchive-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/us/illinois/arlington-heights/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago/1986/06-27/page-45). *[Daily Herald](/source/Daily_Herald_(Arlington_Heights%2C_Illinois))*. Arlington Heights, Illinois. p. 45. Retrieved 8 May 2026 – via [NewspaperArchive](/source/NewspaperArchive). {{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: Wikipedia Library link in |url= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#param_has_twl_url))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["20 Treacherous Movie Judases"](https://www.gamesradar.com/20-treacherous-movie-judases/). *[Total Film](/source/Total_Film)*. [GamesRadar+](/source/GamesRadar%2B). 2 April 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211118005401/https://www.gamesradar.com/20-treacherous-movie-judases/) from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Rambeau, Catharine (27 June 1986). "'Labyrinth' twists into a fantasy too scary for youngest". *[Detroit Free Press](/source/Detroit_Free_Press)*. p. 8C.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** [Wright (2025)](#CITEREFWright2025), p. 89

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** [Brian Henson](/source/Brian_Henson) (2007). "Through the Labyrinth: The Quest for Goblin City". *[Labyrinth](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_film)) (Anniversary Edition)* (DVD). [Sony Pictures Home Entertainment](/source/Sony_Pictures_Home_Entertainment).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Downie, Sam (2011). *Labyrinth - the 25th Anniversary interview with ACH Smith* (Podcast).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Toh, Serena (14 December 1986). ["Journey into a maze of bizarre creatures"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19861214-1.2.55.4.1?ST). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. Singapore. p. 3. Retrieved 24 October 2021 – via NewspaperSG.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** McGovern, Bridget (8 January 2014). ["Suburban Fantasy, Gender Politics, Plus a Goblin Prom: Why Labyrinth is a Classic"](https://www.tor.com/2014/01/08/labyrinth-movie-classic-david-bowie/). *Tor.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191208231939/https://www.tor.com/2014/01/08/labyrinth-movie-classic-david-bowie/) from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Karnick, Sam (January 1987). ["Return of the Fairy Tale"](https://chroniclesmagazine.org/vital-signs/return-of-the-fairy-tale/). *[Chronicles](/source/Chronicles_(magazine))*. Retrieved 25 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Godwin, Sara (27 August 2014). ["7 Important Life Lessons Learned from Labyrinth"](https://www.themarysue.com/7-life-lessons-labyrinth/). *[The Mary Sue](/source/The_Mary_Sue)*. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** [Carroll (2009)](#CITEREFCarroll2009), pp. 106–107

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gladwin_38-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gladwin_38-1) [Gladwin (2012)](#CITEREFGladwin2012), pp. 79–83

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Plate, Andrea Darvi (22 June 1986). "CHILDREN OF MUPPETS CREATOR HENSON DISPLAY TALENT WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED". *[The Chicago Tribune](/source/The_Chicago_Tribune)*. p. 8. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [290932619](https://www.proquest.com/docview/290932619)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** Mann, Roderick (14 June 1986). "DELIVERING `LETTER TO BREZHNEV' ON A POSTAGE-STAMP-SIZE BUDGET". *[The Los Angeles Times](/source/The_Los_Angeles_Times)* (Home ed.). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [292372767](https://www.proquest.com/docview/292372767)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** Noyes, Francie (2 July 1986). ["Francie Noyes on movies: Singles, goblins, gymnasts"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57307589/arizona-republic/). City Life. *[The Arizona Republic](/source/The_Arizona_Republic)*. Vol. 3, no. 40. pp. 24, 31. Retrieved 14 August 2020 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** Chandran, Kannan (12 December 1986). ["Labyrinth takes wrong turn"](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19861212-1.2.83.8.1?ST). *[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)*. Singapore. p. 3. Retrieved 24 October 2021 – via NewspaperSG.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** Saunders, Dudley (28 June 1986). "Movie Review: 'Labyrinth'". *[The Courier-Journal](/source/The_Courier-Journal)*. p. B6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Kass, Carole (28 June 1986). "MAGICAL MYSTERY OF ' LABYRINTH' ENTERTAINS". *[Richmond Times-Dispatch](/source/Richmond_Times-Dispatch)*. Richmond, Virginia. p. B-7. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [420143011](https://www.proquest.com/docview/420143011)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** Urquhart-White, Alaina (9 March 2016). ["Why I'll Watch 'Labyrinth' Over & Over Again"](https://www.bustle.com/articles/144600-why-ill-watch-labyrinth-starring-david-bowie-over-over-again). *[Bustle](/source/Bustle_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210609045256/https://www.bustle.com/articles/144600-why-ill-watch-labyrinth-starring-david-bowie-over-over-again) from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Dean, Tyler (15 April 2026). ["Labyrinth: Muppets, Bowie, and the Pain of Impending Adulthood"](https://web.archive.org/web/20260416040905/https://reactormag.com/labyrinth-muppets-bowie-and-the-pain-of-impending-adulthood/). *[Reactor](/source/Reactor_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](https://reactormag.com/labyrinth-muppets-bowie-and-the-pain-of-impending-adulthood/) on 16 April 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Schmidt, Sara (16 July 2019). ["10 Most Underrated Jim Henson Creations"](https://screenrant.com/underrated-jim-henson-creations/). *[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190717155631/https://screenrant.com/underrated-jim-henson-creations/) from the original on 17 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** Brode, Doug (27 June 1986). ["'Labyrinth' lacks Dazzle, Conviction"](https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/syracuse/syracuse-post-standard/1986/06-27/page-52/). *[The Post-Standard](/source/The_Post-Standard)*. Syracuse, New York. p. D8. Retrieved 8 November 2022 – via [NewspaperArchive](/source/NewspaperArchive).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** Malmquist, Allen (January 1987). Clarke, Frederick S. (ed.). ["Henson's fantasy sapped by its lack of theme or emotion"](https://archive.org/stream/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2017%20No%201%20%28Jan%201987%29#page/n42/mode/2up). *[Cinefantastique](/source/Cinefantastique)*. Vol. 17, no. 1. pp. 42, 59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** Lally, Kevin (27 June 1986). "'Labyrinth' suffers from blandness". *[Courier News](/source/Courier_News)*. p. B5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** Willistein, Paul (28 June 1986). [""Labyrinth": Lovable puppets in tangled script"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57307273/). *[The Morning Call](/source/The_Morning_Call)*. [Allentown, Pennsylvania](/source/Allentown%2C_Pennsylvania). p. A54. Retrieved 14 August 2020 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [392134456](https://www.proquest.com/docview/392134456)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-52)** Cabin, Chris (27 June 2016). ["'Labyrinth' 30 Years Later: Returning to Jim Henson & David Bowie's Fantasy World"](https://collider.com/labyrinth-30-year-anniversary-david-bowie-jim-henson/). *[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190610010231/http://collider.com/labyrinth-30-year-anniversary-david-bowie-jim-henson/) from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-53)** Kelly, Logan (6 July 2025). ["39 Years Later, This Fantasy Cult Classic Is Still a Production Masterpiece That Hollywood Can Learn From"](https://collider.com/labyrinth-movie-production-values/). *[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251025192221/https://collider.com/labyrinth-movie-production-values/) from the original on 25 October 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-54)** Puschmann, Karl (29 May 2020). "Is it a kind of magic?". *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Auckland, New Zealand. p. A40. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [2407338462](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2407338462)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-55)** Rutledge, Daniel (6 January 2016). "Fantastical tale never fails to amaze". *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Auckland, New Zealand. p. A12. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [1753231993](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1753231993)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** Chandler, Abigail (11 December 2020). ["Top 14 best Jim Henson creatures of all time"](https://www.scifinow.co.uk/stuff/top-14-best-jim-henson-creatures-of-all-time/). *[SciFiNow](/source/SciFiNow)*. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Novel_57-0)** [Smith (1986)](#CITEREFSmith1986)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-58)** [*Labyrinth (Marvel, 1986 Series)*](http://www.comics.org/series/3192/) at the Grand Comics Database

1. **[^](#cite_ref-59)** [*Marvel Super Special #40*](http://www.comics.org/issue/41949/) at the Grand Comics Database

1. **[^](#cite_ref-60)** [Gikow & McNally (1986)](#CITEREFGikowMcNally1986)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** [Grand & Brown (1986)](#CITEREFGrandBrown1986)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** [Pegg (2016)](#CITEREFPegg2016), pp. 27, 294

1. **[^](#cite_ref-63)** [Jake T. Forbes](/source/Jake_T._Forbes) ([w](/source/Script_(comics))), Chris Lie, [Kouyu Shurei](/source/Kouyu_Shurei) ([a](/source/Artist)). *[Return to Labyrinth](https://archive.org/details/manga_Return_To_Labyrinth_Complete)*, vol. 1–4 (2006–2010). Los Angeles, United States: [Tokyopop](/source/Tokyopop).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** Connelly, Brendon. ["For David Bowie's Birthday: A Preview Of Archaia's Next Labyrinth Comic, And Talk Of Another"](https://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/08/for-david-bowies-birthday-preview-of-archaias-next-labyrinth-comic-news-of/). Bleeding Cool. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120118150833/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/08/for-david-bowies-birthday-preview-of-archaias-next-labyrinth-comic-news-of/) from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-65)** Prange, Melissa (3 December 2018). ["Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Under the Spell #1 Review"](https://www.roguesportal.com/jim-hensons-labyrinth-under-the-spell-1-review/). *Rogues Portal*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181207050405/http://www.roguesportal.com/jim-hensons-labyrinth-under-the-spell-1-review/) from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2019.

**Bibliography**
- *Websites and news articles are listed in the [References](#References) section only.*

- Bacon, Matt (1997). *No Strings Attached: The Inside Story of Jim Henson's Creature Shop*. New York: Macmillan. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-02-862008-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-02-862008-4).

- Block, Paula M.; Erdmann, Terry J. (2016). *Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History*. London, United Kingdom: Titan Books Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78565-435-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78565-435-0).

- Carroll, Shiloh (2009). ["The Heart of the Labyrinth: Reading Jim Henson's Labyrinth as a Modern Dream Vision"](https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol28/iss1/7/). *[Mythlore](/source/Mythlore)*. **28** (1). [Mythopoeic Society](/source/Mythopoeic_Society): 103–112.

- Finch, Christopher (1993). *Jim Henson: The Works: The Art, the Magic, the Imagination*. Random House Publishing Group. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-679-41203-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-679-41203-8).

- Gikow, Louise; McNally, Bruce (1986). [*Labyrinth: The Storybook Based on the Movie*](https://archive.org/details/Labyrinth_The_Storybook_Based_On_The_Movie). New York: Henry Holt & Co. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-03-007324-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-03-007324-3).

- Gladwin, Tammy H. (2012). "Jim Henson and Hayao Miyazaki: Reimagining the Female Quest". *Beyond Postmodernism: Reconsidering the Fairy Tale in the 21st Century* (M.A.). California, U.S.: [National University](/source/National_University_(California)). pp. 77–96. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-303-37594-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-303-37594-1). [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [1434158981](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1434158981).

- Grand, Rebecca; Brown, John (1986). [*Labyrinth: The Photo Album*](https://archive.org/details/labyrinthphotoal00gran). New York: Henry Holt & Co. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-03-007323-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-03-007323-6).

- [Pegg, Nicholas](/source/Nicholas_Pegg) (2016). *The Complete David Bowie* (7th ed.). London, United Kingdom: Titan Books Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-78565-365-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-78565-365-0).

- [Smith, A.C.H.](/source/A.C.H._Smith) (1986). [*Labyrinth: A Novel Based on the Jim Henson Film*](https://archive.org/details/labyrinthnovel00smit). New York: Henry Holt and Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-03-007322-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-03-007322-9).

- White, Donna R. (1993). "Labyrinth: Jim Henson's 'Game' of Children's Literature and Film". In Rollin, Lucy (ed.). [*The Antic Art: Enhancing Children's Literary Experiences Through Film and Video*](https://books.google.com/books?id=d89lAAAAMAAJ). Highsmith Press. pp. 117–129. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-917846-27-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-917846-27-4).

- Wright, Andrea (2025). "Mainstream ambition to cult classic: Labyrinth". [*The Fairy Tales of Jim Henson*](https://muse.jhu.edu/book/138794). [Manchester University Press](/source/Manchester_University_Press). pp. 82–110. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-5261-6612-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5261-6612-8).

## External links

- [Hoggle](https://comicvine.gamespot.com/hoggle/4005-65189/) at [Comic Vine](/source/Comic_Vine)

v t e Labyrinth Characters Sarah Williams Jareth Hoggle Ludo Music "Magic Dance" "As the World Falls Down" "Underground" Other media Labyrinth: The Computer Game Return to Labyrinth Labyrinth: Coronation Related Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball Category

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Film)
- [Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Comics)
- [Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Fantasy)
- [1980s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:1980s)
- [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States)
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---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hoggle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoggle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoggle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.