--- title: "Stardust" year: 2007 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/stardust" fi1m_id: "stardust" imdb_id: "tt0486655" tmdb_id: 2270 wikidata_id: "Q244398" fi1m_score: 75 critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 12 published: "2026-10-05T05:23:35.921261+00:00" updated: "2026-10-05T05:23:47.020639+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Stardust (2007) Directed by Matthew Vaughn · 2h 07m · MPA PG-13 · Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Family ## Identity Stardust - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/stardust - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** stardust - **IMDb ID:** tt0486655 - **TMDB ID:** 2270 - **Wikidata ID:** Q244398 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/2270, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q244398 **Fi1m score: 75** · Critics 68 from 12 reviews *In a sentence:* A sweet romance, with Michelle Pfeiffer behaving as though nobody told her it was a family film > Matthew Vaughn’s fairy tale is funny, affectionate and overfilled, with Claire Danes anchoring the romance and Michelle Pfeiffer supplying a welcome threat. The detours take their time, but the company is worth keeping. ## Synopsis A falling star sets a chase in motion in this fantasy adventure adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novel. Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) and Yvaine (Claire Danes) are the pair at the centre of its romance, while the witch Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer) supplies a threat. Around them, the story takes in princes and introduces Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), alongside Septimus (Mark Strong), Primus (Jason Flemyng) and Victoria (Sienna Miller). Courtship unfolds amid magic and danger, with a growing company of characters sharing the adventure. ## Review *Stardust* is an enjoyable fairy tale with a good romance and rather more company than it needs. Matthew Vaughn, adapting Neil Gaiman’s novel with Jane Goldman, lets the adventure be silly without apologising for its sweetness. A falling star sets a chase in motion, and the film finds room for witches, princes and a captain along the way. We recommend it for the cast and the pleasure of a fantasy that allows its characters to be ridiculous. Charlie Cox’s Tristan Thorn and Claire Danes’s Yvaine give the romance enough warmth to survive all that activity. He is an agreeable lead, though he sometimes seems less interesting than the people sharing his scenes. She supplies the sharper presence, keeping the sweetness from becoming bland. We want the film to spend more time with them, which is a useful measure of a screen romance and a warning about how often this one wanders away. Michelle Pfeiffer is the reason those interruptions can be worth having, playing Lamia with enough seriousness for the witch’s threat to register through the comic business. We were unsettled by her. She lets the pleasure of being cruel show without needing the fantasy trappings to do all the frightening. Robert De Niro’s Captain Shakespeare gives the film a different sort of pleasure, with a willingness to look foolish that is difficult to resist. Both performances deserve the space they get, even if some of the other comic business needs trimming. Ben Davis’s colourful cinematography keeps the fantasy inviting, which suits a story this willing to make jokes. Gavin Bocquet’s production design gives the supporting cast plenty of visual competition, sometimes more than the scenes require. We like the abundance, but the spectacle can distract from the central couple, whose scenes need little embellishment. The effects are persuasive enough to support the adventure, including its more extravagant ambitions. Jon Harris’s editing has to accommodate an unruly collection of comic performances, romantic scenes and fantasy spectacle. The individual passages are often lively, but the movement between them does not always let the romance gather strength. Ilan Eshkeri’s score gives the adventure enthusiasm, though we occasionally wished the music would leave a little more room for the actors. At 127 minutes, the film has enough time for its pleasures and enough extra time for some of them to wear thin. The awkwardness comes from a screenplay reluctant to leave an amusing idea alone. A joke can be funny and still arrive at the wrong moment, particularly when a fairy tale is asking us to believe in danger. Too often the comedy lets us relax before a threat has properly taken hold. Even so, the black humour gives the adventure some bite, and its frightening witch belongs in a tradition of fairy tales that do not make childhood entirely comfortable. There is enough affection here to make the untidiness forgivable, provided a busy fairy tale is what the evening calls for. Those who prefer their adventures brisk should take the running time seriously; this one enjoys its detours. Just do not expect the witch to make allowances for younger company. *Fi1m score 75, published 5 October 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews lean towards an enjoyable but uneven fantasy, with praise centred on its charm, playful storytelling and cast. Michelle Pfeiffer draws the most consistent approval, bringing comic resourcefulness and menace to the witch Lamia. Robert De Niro’s playful performance also has admirers, while the supporting cast helps sustain the humour. Critics respond to the film’s imagination and adventurous spirit, even when they find the storytelling untidy. Reservations cluster around an overstuffed plot and an uncertain balance between comedy, romance and enchantment. Some find the humour part of the pleasure; others think it weakens the fantasy or simply falls flat. The spread runs from qualified approval to considerable enthusiasm, with no wholly negative assessment. Den of Geek is the most enthusiastic, praising the humour and family appeal, while Slant Magazine finds the adaptation competent but uninspired, burdened by spectacle and plot holes. ## Straight answers **Is Stardust worth watching?** *Stardust* is worth watching for its warm romance, playful fantasy and cast, and we score it 75 out of 100. Claire Danes keeps the sweetness sharp and Michelle Pfeiffer makes the witch unsettling, though at 127 minutes the crowded adventure takes more detours than we would like. **How long is Stardust, and what is it rated?** *Stardust* runs 2h 07m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is an adventure and fantasy film. **Where can I watch Stardust in the US?** *Stardust* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How does Stardust compare to The Princess Bride?** *Stardust* offers a more rewarding central romance, but we give [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) the edge as an easy recommendation. Both fairy tales let affection matter alongside the jokes; *The Princess Bride* has the swordplay and engaging companions, while *Stardust* suits those happy to indulge a crowded adventure for its lovers and threatening witch. **Is Stardust based on a true story or a book?** *Stardust* is adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novel, not based on a true story, with Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman adapting it for the screen. Knowing the book is not necessary to enjoy the romance and comic adventure; we recommend the film for its characters and cast rather than its fidelity to the source. **What should I watch after Stardust?** After *Stardust*, try [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) (1987, Fi1m 86): Another fairy tale that lets the romance matter as much as the jokes. Then [*A Matter of Life and Death*](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death) (1946, Fi1m 92): For lovers whose difficulties require a larger canvas than the usual courtship; and [*Howl's Moving Castle*](https://film.one/film/howls-moving-castle) (2004, Fi1m 81): A romance surrounded by magic, with room for fear and tenderness. ### Reviews we read (12) - **Radio Times**, Brian Pendreigh (4/5): Pendreigh gives the adaptation a positive review, comparing its appeal to classic fantasy adventures. He praises its imagination, scale, humour and cross-generational appeal. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-dzwlej/stardust/) - **The AV Club**, Tasha Robinson (B): Robinson finds the film an overextended but enjoyable fantasy that settles for expansive joy rather than dramatic tautness. She particularly praises Robert De Niro’s playful performance and the terrific effects. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/stardust-1798202940) - **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (3/4): Ebert regards the film as an entertaining fantasy adventure. He praises its charm and playful storytelling. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/stardust-2007) - **Empire**, Dan Jolin (70/100, inferred): Jolin finds Stardust patchy but great fun, with a sweet, silly fairy-tale romance. He praises its black humour, especially the cartoon-comical deaths of the princes. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/stardust-review/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Sura Wood (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the fantasy adventure diverting and pleasurable, though its humor sometimes weakens its enchantment. Michelle Pfeiffer’s resourceful, genuinely frightening performance is singled out for praise, while the comedy is criticized for falling flat. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/stardust-158418/) - **Screen Daily**, Mike Goodridge (60/100, inferred): Goodridge describes the film as entertaining, ribald and clever, but hints that it may fall short. He singles out its ambitious high-concept adventure premise as a strength. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/stardust/4033843.article) - **The Guardian**, Rob Mackie (60/100, inferred): Mackie finds the film colourful and lively, though it does not entirely hang together. He especially praises Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance and the cast’s comic leeway. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/22/dvdreviews.family) - **Time Out**, Wally Hammond (3/5): The review finds the film has plenty of seductive qualities. It praises the adaptation’s roistering glee. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/stardust-1) - **Total Film**, Total Film (3/5): The review calls the film uneven but entertaining, with its uncertain tone and overstuffed storytelling holding it back. It praises Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance as the witch Lamia as a particular reason to watch. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/stardust-review/) - **Slant Magazine**, Ed Gonzalez (2/4): Gonzalez finds the adaptation competent but uninspired, weighed down by spectacle and plot holes. He praises Michelle Pfeiffer’s memorable performance and the climax’s inventive, morbid swordfight. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/stardust/) - **Den of Geek**, Carl England (5/5): The critic calls the film brilliant, funny, and spectacular, and says it suits the whole family. He particularly praises Robert De Niro’s performance and the film’s supporting cast. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/eiff-stardust-review-2/) - **Eye for Film**, Stephen Carty (70/100, inferred): Carty finds the fantasy charming and inventive, though uneven and short of its full potential. He praises the cast, especially Claire Danes and the wealth of seasoned supporting performers. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/stardust-film-review-by-stephen-carty) ## Details - **Director:** Matthew Vaughn - **Director:** Matthew Vaughn - **Screenplay:** Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman - **Novel:** Neil Gaiman - **Cinematography:** Ben Davis - **Editor:** Jon Harris - **Music:** Ilan Eshkeri - **Production design:** Gavin Bocquet - **Costume design:** Sammy Sheldon - **Producer:** Matthew Vaughn, Michael Dreyer, Chantal Feghali - **Cast:** Charlie Cox as Tristan Thorn; Claire Danes as Yvaine; Michelle Pfeiffer as Lamia; Mark Strong as Septimus; Jason Flemyng as Primus; Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare; Sienna Miller as Victoria; Sarah Alexander as Empusa - **Runtime:** 2h 07m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 10 August 2007 - **Genres:** Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Family - **Budget:** $70 million - **Box office:** $138 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfYBKDyF-Dk ## Where to watch in the US - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $6.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $6.99, hd *Checked 2026-10-05.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - BAFTA Film Awards 2008: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film (nominated) - GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release 2008: GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release (won) - Hugo Awards 2008: Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form (won) - Saturn Awards 2007: Best Costume (nominated) ## If you liked this - *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86: Another fairy tale that lets the romance matter as much as the jokes — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) - *A Matter of Life and Death* (1946), Fi1m 92: For lovers whose difficulties require a larger canvas than the usual courtship — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/a-matter-of-life-and-death.md) - *Howl's Moving Castle* (2004), Fi1m 81: A romance surrounded by magic, with room for fear and tenderness — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/howls-moving-castle.md) - *Donkey Skin* (1970): A colourful French fairy tale with songs, peculiar courtship and disconcerting family arrangements - *Time Bandits* (1981), Fi1m 80: For travelling companions whose bad behaviour is half the pleasure — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/stardust