Labyrinth all the way and here are my reasons: 1. I always felt the ending of the Dark Crystal just left me confused and disappointed. Once Jen and Kira make it to the Skeksis (?) castle, I get bored with the film and stop paying attention. 2. I love the story idea/general premise of DC but I felt it was poorly executed IMO. I just didn't think the film worked on screen in the style that it was made. 3. Labyrinth is a strong, solid movie throughout, always keeping my attention. The style of the film worked for Labyrinth. I know its a very different from the Dark Crystal (lighter, sillier; bildungsroman instead of prophecy story) but I think Labyrinth's story (the bildungsroman) was executed very well. Sarah is an annoying character at first, and she's supposed to be, but she grows and learns to grow up and accept life to do what she needs to do for her brother. 4. Lastly, I felt that the characters of Labyrinth were more well rounded, instead of flat like all of the Dark Crystal's characters. Granted, many of Labyrinth's character are flat as well (Ludo, Sir Didymus specifically), but Sarah, Jareth, and Hoggle are given a lot of growth, depth, and facets to their character.
So there's my speal about why I think Labyrinth is better. I am not blind to Labyrinth's faults, but I still think it is a better film over Dark Crystal any day. I enjoy DC but I cant watch it as often as Labyrinth, nor ever come close to enjoying it as much.
"Silence is so freaking loud"

This message has been deleted.

No contest. Dark crystal's slow pacing puts it under Labyrinth. Plus, DC doesn't have Bowie.

I prefer Labyrinth. Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie bring the movie alive, and by interacting with the puppets, the puppets also come alive.
I had a hard time looking at Dark Crystal, the puppets are beautifully made and with nice costumes, but they are so lifeless, hardly any facial expressions.
And then Labyrinth has the songs, the humor, the sometimes very weird scenery, it's a much more entertaining movie.
The only things I liked about Dark Crystal was the music and the landscape.

They're difficult to compare. The Dark Crystal is a much darker movie, whereas Labyrinth has a lot of humor. I love the music of Labyrinth, and it is a fun movie, but the sets and imagination of DC are amazing! I'm a fan of both really.

Well, while I love both, I can easily watch the Dark Crystal way more often than I can Labyrinth. Plus, the undertones of Labyrinth always bothered me a bit (Jareth/Sara storyline. A 35/40 year old, lusting after a 15/16 year old? Hmmm..).

If I'm in the mood for a good dark story with good puppets then I go for Dark Crystal. If I want something fun and enjoyable to sing along with then I will go for Labyrinth. I also like Labyrinth for the lines from David Bowie. I really can't pick which is better since they are two different type of movies.
Come visit my
blackrosecastle.com
stephentheblackroseenterprises.com

Labyrinth all the way Jen it's kinda annoying (i know sarah too BUT Sarah + Jareth = my dreams as a child and as an adult). Also, David Bowie in Labyrinth= =)~~~~ droll

I think the Dark Crystal is better. The storyline was more engrossing and the characters more memorable.

I think Labyrinth works better as a film, but I like The Dark Crystal's story and production design better. Personally, I feel that the big mistake Henson made with The Dark Crystal was that the antagonists (Skeksis, Garthim, Crystal Bats weren't threatening enough. As is said, a story's protagonist is only as strong as their antagonist. The Skeksis were too effeminate (I know that they and the Mystics were supposed to be sexless), whiny, scared of Kira and whimpering (Chamberlain). For starters, I always thought a scene with Jen and Kira being swarmed by Crystal Bats after they shot that one down on the lake could have been a do-able addition to raise the stakes in the film. Also a second Garthim attack before the one where they get to the castle. I hate to use this overused, often ambiguous term, but the film just needed to be a bit more edgy, even though it was intended for families. This is what SW Ep's 3-6 and E.T. did well. Fortunately, Henson did this better with Labyrinth. No other complaints AT ALL though.
dboh

This message has been deleted.

This message has been deleted.

This. Exactly.
Dark crystal scared me too much when I was young, although I'd like to give it a shot now that I'm older. Plus it was hard to sympathize with puppets alone. Plus you can't beat a soundtrack by David Bowie.

labyrinth was the best the dark crystal terrified me as a child
and i ony recently tried to watch it again. the only thing scary
about labyrinth was david bowie's huge package.
oh yeah, and willow was a good movie that came out
about that time too. also a little bit scary for a kid -
particularly when they all turn into pigs. but another
good one nonetheless.

Labyrinth, easily. I love it so much. TDC still scares me
and lacks David Bowie.
"Rawr, I'm a dinosaur!" No. Rawr, you're an idiot.

Sorry I will be Bias here to The Dark Crystal.. As I grew up with it mostly than Labyrinth.. I mean Labyrinth was good but it did not have that Essence that The Dark Crystal had and the way the world was portrayed with all the characters is just awesome..
I like Labyrinth but To Me I think The Dark Crystal is the better movie
I am the HNIC!

Well I DID see the Labyrinth first, and loved it, but I thought TDC had a more creative and original look to it, while "Labyrinth" kinda reminded me of an upbeat "Alice in Wonderland." That's not to say it's not good, they're both excellent. But if I had to choose, I'd go with "Dark Crystal", mostly because the story's edgier and the message is much stronger.

Dark Crystal. I found Labyrinth to be more amusing but the singing and 80's music grates a bit too much. Dark Crystal is more timeless in that sense

The Dark Crystal all the way. Labyrinth has always annoyed me, even as a kid. The characters, the singing, just grates me although the effects are wonderful.
The Dark Crystal is a thing of beauty.

Dark Crystal.
Labyrinth is definitely a lot of fun (especially if you're a Bowie fan), but it has so many flaws. Dark Crystal is the better film in my opinion, it's more original and artfully done.

I love Labyrinth the most out of the two. I remember The Dark Crystal scaring me when I was a child. haha.

This message has been deleted.

This message has been deleted.

Considering they're different films visually and thematically, I say both. They're different and yet the same. Companion films and yet not. There's enough in them that's the same that they belong together on the movie shelf, but enough that's different that I don't feel I need to pick one over the other as my favorite. And which one I watch is just dependent on my mood at the time.