By Courtney Potter
As passionate Muppet fans, we’ve been waiting with bated breath for this day to come… and finally, it’s practically time to play the music and light the lights! The original, the one-and-only, the utterly memorable The Muppet Show—all five seasons of hilarity—is coming to Disney+, beginning Friday, February 19!
With such incredible Muppet fun on the horizon, we realized it was the perfect moment to highlight all the other Muppetational merriment viewers can have courtesy of Disney+, including last year’s brand-new series Muppets Now. There’s lots of incredible Muppet content available on the streaming service; in case you haven’t yet done your own deep dive, read on for a look at all the ways you can hang with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Pepe the King Prawn, and so many more…
The Muppet Show (1977–81)
This truly groundbreaking twist on the TV variety show blended original songs, sketch comedy, and all manner of guest stars—running the gamut from Lily Tomlin and Mark Hamill to Elton John and Alice Cooper—into an iconic hit that sent Jim Henson’s creations into the pop-culture stratosphere. Hilariously memorable sketches to watch for: “Pigs in Space,” “An Editorial by Sam the Eagle,” and “Muppet Labs.”
The Muppet Movie (1979)
The film that started it all! The Muppet Movie follows Kermit the Frog (originally voiced by creator and Disney Legend Jim Henson) as he leaves his beloved swamp and makes his way to Hollywood—meeting BFFs Fozzie and Miss Piggy, as well as the colorful Electric Mayhem Band, along the way. Featuring a host of amazing celebrity cameos (including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, and even the legendary Orson Welles in one of this final screen appearances), The Muppet Movie was named to the prestigious National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2009. For more fascinating tidbits about the film, click here.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
In Henson’s film directorial debut, we find Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo—a trio of investigative journalists for the Daily Chronicle—traveling to London to cover a major jewel heist concerning famous fashion designer Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg). But the robbery is not what it seems… turns out Lady Holiday’s own brother Nicky (Charles Grodin) has concocted the plot! And once Miss Piggy is caught up in Nicky’s nefarious scheme, it’s up to Kermit and pals to save the day!
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The first Muppet film to debut after Henson’s untimely passing in 1990, The Muppet Christmas Carol casts all your favorite Muppet friends as characters from Charles Dickens’ legendary yuletide tale. Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge—a wretched old miser who, on Christmas Eve, is taught the error of his ways by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Henson’s son Brian, a longtime Muppet performer, helmed the film (his own directorial debut).
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure comes to colorful life, thanks to the Muppets! After receiving a treasure map from a mysterious sailor, Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop) sets sail on the high seas with pals Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat. Joining the expedition is the Squire Trelawney (Fozzie Bear); the dashing Captain Smollett (Kermit the Frog); and Long John Silver (Tim Curry). Plans go awry when the mutinous Silver and his crew seize the map and take Jim hostage, leaving Smollett and his men to come to the rescue. Also featuring hilarious turns from comedy legends Billy Connelly and Jennifer Saunders.
The Muppets (2011)
Continuing their grand tradition of “meta” filmmaking, the Muppets gang references their multi-year absence from the big screen in this 2011 film—which follows Walter, a mega-Muppet fan from Smalltown, U.S.A; his human brother Gary (Jason Segel, who also co-wrote the screenplay); and Gary’s long-suffering girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) as they head to Hollywood in search of Walter’s longtime heroes. The trio is faced with reuniting the previously separated Muppets in order to save the Muppet Theater from destruction at the hands of dastardly oil tycoon Tex Richman (Chris Cooper).
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
In the ’14 sequel to The Muppets, the whole Muppet crew—fresh from (spoiler alert!) their triumph in Hollywood—jet off on a world tour, performing to enraptured audiences across Europe. But mayhem (as it is wont to do) follows the group, and they ultimately find themselves entangled in an international jewel-heist caper headed by Constantine—”the World’s Number One Criminal” and the splitting image of Kermit—and his slimy sidekick Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais). The film also stars Ty Burrell (Modern Family) and Tina Fey (30 Rock).
The Muppets (ABC) (2015)
Hot on the heels of their latest big-screen efforts, Kermit and the gang returned to television—where they’d started, back in 1976—in 2015, with ABC’s The Muppets. Filmed in documentary style, the series follows Kermit and the gang as they create a late-night talk show: Up Late with Miss Piggy. Although Kermit and Piggy are officially broken up and dating others, Kermit still serves as the show’s executive producer—which, as you might imagine, proves challenging. All 16 episodes are available on Disney+.
Muppet Moments (2015)
Disney Junior debuted a short-form series the same year as the new ABC show, entitled Muppet Moments. Meant for children aged 2 through 7, the episodes feature the Muppets gang having adorable conversations with young kids on a variety of topics—including apologies, food, and manners.
Muppet Babies (2018)
In a lively reimagining of the 1984-1991 animated series of the same name, cute-as-can-be baby versions of Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and Animal—along with a new character named Summer Penguin—use their imaginations to set out on countless adventures, taking them to the farthest corners of the universe… all under the kind, watchful eye of Miss Nanny. Fun fact: The Disney Junior/Disney Channel show’s catchy theme song is performed by Tony® Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton).
Muppets Now (2020)
On July 31, get ready for some all-new Muppet shenanigans with Muppets Now. In the six-episode series, Scooter is faced with a looming deadline for their new show—but he’s got to navigate whatever obstacles, distractions, and complications the rest of the Muppet bunch throw his way. Overflowing with spontaneous lunacy, it’s the kind of heartfelt fun and free-spirited silliness the Muppets are known for. Airing exclusively on Disney+, with new episodes premiering each Friday… We cannot wait!
