Unlike “The Dark Crystal,” it featured actual human performers —led by Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie — while maintaining similar sensibilities. The results were even more dire.

Then ‘Dark Crystal’ doubled, tripled, and quadrupled the challenge by the array of characters that they wanted to put on screen. 1982's 'The Dark Crystal.' Photo: The Jim Henson Company.

While The Dark Crystal struggled to make money and received mixed reviews, there’s little doubt that some children of the ’80s spent a week sleeping with the lights on.

Two of the best Muppet movies that don’t feature the Muppets, The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, are getting new, limited edition 4K Blu-ray Steelbook releases courtesy of Shout! Factory. While ...