Nearly 20 years a film had its debut at Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with a record-breaking standing ovation. Now, the film is having a resurgence, as it is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Pan’s Labyrinth is a 2006 dark fantasy film written, directed and co-produced by Guillermo del Toro, who has most recently directed Frankenstein (2025). Del Toro stated that he considers the story to be a parable, influenced by fairy tales. The picture addresses and continues themes related to his film The Devil’s Backbone (2001), to which Pan’s Labyrinth is a spiritual successor, according to del Toro in his director’s commentary.

Pan’s Labyrinth premiered on 27 May 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 22-minute-long standing ovation (the longest in the festival’s history). The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, with praise towards its visual and makeup effects, direction, screenplay, cinematography, musical score, set design, and cast performances. It won numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards and the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form.

Pan’s Labyrinth has since been considered to be Del Toro’s magnum opus, one of the best fantasy films ever made, as well as one of the greatest films of the 2000s, the 21st century and of all time. A sequel, titled 3993, was conceived by del Toro but ultimately cancelled, and a novelisation by del Toro and Cornelia Funke was published in 2019.

The film’s synopsis reads: “The story takes place in Francoist Spain in the summer of 1944. The narrative intertwines this real world with a mythical world centred on an overgrown, abandoned labyrinth and a mysterious faun with whom the protagonist, Ofelia, interacts. Ofelia’s stepfather, Captain Vidal, hunts down the Spanish Maquis who resist the Francoist regime, while Ofelia’s pregnant mother grows increasingly ill. Ofelia meets several strange and magical creatures who become central to her story, leading her through the trials of the old labyrinth garden.”

Chris McPherson of Collider stated that Pan’s Labyrinth is a “masterpiece” and the “best film of all time”, ahead of its re-release into theatres, on which Del Toro commented.

He said: “Pan’s Labyrinth turns 20 years old, and in Cineverse we have found the perfect partner to make it live again on the big screen and in new and improved home presentations. Cineverse is committed and bold, and their track record for reaching a maximum audience is magnificent. Together we will reconnect the generations that have shared the film through the years and long to experience it theatrically again.”

Pan’s Labyrinth is available to stream on Amazon Prime.