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The Last Unicorn

The Last Unicorn is a 1982 animated fantasy film directed and produced by Arthur Rankin Jr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Last Unicorn is a 1982 animated fantasy film directed and produced by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. It is based on Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel of the same name and follows a unicorn who believes she may be the last of her kind and sets out to find what happened to the others. The film features voice acting by Mia Farrow as the unicorn.

Plot

The story follows a unicorn who leaves her forest after learning that the others of her kind may have been driven away by the Red Bull. She travels with allies such as Schmendrick and Molly Grue in search of the missing unicorns. Along the way, she faces One Battle After Another.

Production

The film was directed and produced by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass from a screenplay by Peter S. Beagle, adapted from his own novel. It was made by Rankin/Bass Productions for ITC Entertainment and animated by Topcraft.

Cast and characters

The English-language voice cast includes Mia Farrow as the unicorn, Alan Arkin as Schmendrick, Jeff Bridges as Prince Lir, Tammy Grimes as Molly Grue, and Christopher Lee as King Haggard.

Reception and legacy

The film has long been regarded as a notable animated fantasy title and later developed a cult following. Reviews and listings commonly describe it as a family or fantasy adventure.

Key facts

  • The Last Unicorn is an animated fantasy film adaptation of Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel.
  • The story centres on a unicorn who believes she may be the last of her kind and searches for the others.
  • The film was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions and animated by Topcraft.
  • It features a voice cast including Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, and Christopher Lee.
  • The film has developed a cult following and is often described as a family fantasy adventure.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Last Unicorn?
It is a 1982 animated fantasy film about a unicorn who believes she may be the last of her kind and searches for the others.
Is The Last Unicorn based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel of the same name.
Who directed The Last Unicorn?
Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass directed the film.
Who voices the main unicorn?
Mia Farrow provides the voice of the unicorn.
What genre is The Last Unicorn?
It is generally classified as an animated fantasy film, and is also described as family-oriented.
What studio made The Last Unicorn?
It was produced by Rankin/Bass Productions for ITC Entertainment.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Unicorn_(film)
    Supports: Release year, directors, production company, and basis in Peter S. Beagle’s novel
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084237/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and principal characters
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/last_unicorn
    Supports: Genre classification, synopsis, and release date
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-last-unicorn/umc.cmc.5s07gee7x4ebj73eiq395n5zm
    Supports: Runtime, voice cast, and director credits
  5. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/19/movies/last-unicorn-an-animated-fable.html
    Supports: Contemporary review context and film credits