There are actually many Christmas movies that are considered to be the most popular, such as It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), A Miracle on 34th Street (1994), Home Alone (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), and so many more.
Not everyone likes the same film, of course. Perhaps you’d rather slip in Die Hard (1988) than It’s a Wonderful Life, or maybe you don’t think the Bruce Willis actioner is in any way a Christmas movie. Or maybe you love them both! Either way, there’s one film most people usually agree on.
We’d find it hard to believe if you know anyone who doesn’t love The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). It remains one of the most beloved Christmas classics of all time, and is also everyone’s favorite Muppets movie (of which there are many). But what’s so great about this merry musical and festive flick?
Well, for starters, it’s adapted, of course, from Charles Dickens’ iconic 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. A tale about hardship at the most important time of year, told from the point of view of a merry-less miser known as Ebenezer Scrooge, Dickens’ classic is as relevant today as it was back then.
While there have been numerous big-screen iterations of the novel, there might be none that are as quite as merry as The Muppet Christmas Carol. Sure, it’s hardly the most faithful adaptation (that honor goes to 2009’s Robert Zemeckis/Jim Carrey retelling), but it’s easily the most festive.
Michael Caine’s Ebenezer Scrooge has been watered down for younger audiences, but he’s no less a miserable old bah-humbug for it. And as for the rest of the cast, well, we think Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, and Fozzy Bear and the like speak for themselves!
There are some fantastic tunes in this version too - after all, it is a musical. The set pieces are also wonderful, and we can only hope that LEGO one day recognizes the film’s potential and releases The Muppet Christmas Carol LEGO set (come to think of it, why hasn’t this happened yet?).
But despite being a more family-friendly affair than the pages from which this musical adaptation is born, there’s still something ever so slightly nightmarish about the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. And this is, of course, a good thing, seeing as it’s what A Christmas Carol is all about.
On December 11, Disney+ will release an extended cut of the film, with the song “When Love Is Gone” restored. The song was missing from the theatrical cut in 1994, however, it later found its way onto VHS and Blu-ray years later.
As per Disney+, here’s the official synopsis for The Muppets Christmas Carol:
Tis the season for love, laughter and one of the most cherished stories of all time. Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Michael Caine gives a performances that’s anything but “bah, humbug” as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge.
One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes – and his heart – to the true meaning of Christmas.
The Muppets Christmas Carol stars Kermit the Frog/Bob Cratchit (Steve Whitmire), Miss Piggy/Emily Cratchit (Frank Oz), The Great Gonzo/Charles Dickens/Narrator (Dave Goelz), Fozzie Bear/Fozziewig (Frank Oz), and Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine).
The Muppets Christmas Carol Extended Cut will be released on Disney+ on December 11.
