The Muppet Movie (1979)
91%RT Audience Score: 88%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
3 wins & 11 nominations total
The Muppet Movie, the big-screen debut of Jim Henson’s plush creations, is smart, lighthearted, and fun for all ages.
The Muppet Movie is a classic that never gets old. Kermit the Frog riding a bicycle is just one of the many hilarious moments that will make you wonder how they pulled it off. The cameos are a blast, and the balance between positivity and self-deprecating humor is spot on. It’s like a two-ring circus of thrills, laughs, and excitement that will leave you feeling pure and inspired. Plus, who doesn’t love Miss Piggy and Camilla the Chicken? It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to escape reality and enter the world of the Muppets.
Production Company(ies)
X-Filme Creative Pool Westdeutscher Rundfunk ARTE
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
1979
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States, United Kingdom
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 1979 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2005
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Edgar Bergen, Milton Berle, directed by James Frawley, written by Jack Burns, Jerry Juhl, comedy, G rating, box office success, produced by Jim Henson, David Lazer, reviewed by Roger Ebert, Noel Murray, John Skow, Variety Staff, Chris Petit, Vincent Canby, Stephen Farber, Jason Shawhan, Charles Durning as Doc Hopper, Austin Pendleton as Max, Steve Martin as Insolent Waiter, Mel Brooks as Professor Max Krassman, Edgar Bergen as Himself, Milton Berle as Mad Man Mooney
Worldwide gross: $65,810,475
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $286,190,878
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 526
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 31,209,474
US/Canada gross: $65,200,000
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Austin Pendleton – Max
Steve Martin – Insolent Waiter
Mel Brooks – Professor Max Krassman
Edgar Bergen – Himself, Charlie McCarthy (Voice)
Milton Berle – Mad Man Mooney
Director(s)
James Frawley
Writer(s)
Jack Burns, Jerry Juhl
Producer(s)
Jim Henson, David Lazer
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
3 wins & 11 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (52) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (46) | Rotten (6)
Jolson sang, Barrymore spoke, Garbo laughed, and now Kermit the Frog rides a bicycle… If you can figure out how they were able to show Kermit pedaling across the screen, then you are less a romantic than I am: I prefer to believe he did it himself.
June 1, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
With his Muppets, Henson found a balance between fuzzy post-hippie positivism and self-deprecating wit, and he added in the same quality that made many of the era’s cultural phenomena so charming: simple problem-solving.
August 13, 2013 | Rating: 4/5
Noel Murray
The Dissolve
TOP CRITIC
The transition from the yank-’em-off-if-they-bomb lunacy of the TV show to the coherent narration of the film is not a complete success.
May 6, 2008
John Skow
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Jim Henson, Muppet originator, and Frank Oz, creative consultant, have abandoned the successful format of their vidshow, and inserted their creations into a well-crafted combo of musical comedy and fantasy adventure.
May 6, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Slapstick chases and weak movie references look tired, while the attitude towards Miss Piggy and Camilla the Chicken is, well, less than progressive.
February 9, 2006
Chris Petit
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
There’s always room in movies for unbridled amiability when it’s governed by intelligence and wit.
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Suffice it to say that I think this movie is funnier than Manhattan, more romantic than Hurricane, and a more sophisticated speculation on illusion and reality than Last Year at Marienbad.
November 3, 2021
Stephen Farber
New West/California
There are few things as pure and inspirational (in all senses of the word) as The Muppet Movie.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
The Muppet Movie packs all the thrills, laughs and excitement of a… well, two-ring circus.
July 19, 2019
Richard Corliss
Maclean’s Magazine
There’s all of these cameos that are so fun.
May 13, 2019 | Rating: A-
Rachel Wagner
Rachel’s Reviews (YouTube)
Comedy director James Frawley imposes pleasing order on the charming proceedings while Henson and his long-time associate Frank Oz delightfully dominate.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Angie Errigo
Radio Times
The cast are all here, along with the technical wizardry, but the dialogue staggers from one leaden gag to another and there is an unmistakeable note of desperation throughout.
June 1, 2015
Ted Whitehead
The Spectator…
Plot
While living the quiet life in a swamp, Kermit the Frog is approached by a Hollywood agent to audition for the chance of a lifetime. So Kermit takes this chance for his big break as he makes the journey to Hollywood. Along the way, Kermit comes across several quirky new friends including comedic Fozzie Bear, beautiful but feisty Miss Piggy, and the Great Gonzo. But Kermit must also watch out for ruthless Doc Hopper, who plans to use him as his spokesman for his frog legs food chain.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Muppet Movie features a star-studded cast of celebrity cameos, including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, and Bob Hope.
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