The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
83%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 1 nomination
It may not be the finest version of Charles Dickens’ tale to grace the screen, but The Muppet Christmas Carol is funny and heartwarming, and serves as a good introduction to the story for young viewers
The Muppet Christmas Carol is the perfect holiday movie to watch with your family. Michael Caine is a delight as Scrooge, and the Muppets add their own brand of humor to the classic story. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers? The songs may be a bit cheesy, but they’re still catchy enough to sing along to. And let’s not forget about Kermit’s nephew Robin stealing the show as Tiny Tim. Overall, this movie is a must-watch every Christmas season.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros.,
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
E Stage, Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
1992
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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:1h 25m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 1992 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2012
Genre(s)
Holiday/Fantasy
Keyword(s)
starring Michael Caine, directed by Brian Henson, written by Jerry Juhl, holiday, fantasy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Caroline Westbrook, Peter Rainer, Philip Kemp, Kevin Maher, Peter Bradshaw, Charlotte Runcie, Jim Rohner, Eddie Harrison, Mike Massie, Ian Thomas Malone, David Parkinson, G, Buena Vista Pictures, Dolby, Surround, Stereo, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker, Robin the Frog, Statler, Floyd Pepper, Swedish Chef, Animal, Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, spirits, redemption, Christmas, Michael Caine’s performance, Paul Williams songs, Miles Goodman score, funny, heartwarming, children’s movie, introduction to the story, Muppetized, unwatered-down, poignancy, moral tale, comedy, tragedy, inventive humor, catchy songs, funny humor, scary moments, alternative for kids, old and young
Worldwide gross: $32,574,382
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $69,726,297
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,193
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 7,603,740
US/Canada gross: $27,381,507
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $58,610,815
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,003
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,010,109
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $10,724,266
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 935
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $12,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $25,686,307
Production budget ranking: 1,234
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $13,832,076
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $30,207,914
ROI to date (est.): 76%
ROI ranking: 1,027
Dave Goelz – The Great Gonzo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot (voice)
Steve Whitmire – Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker (voice)
Jerry Nelson – Robin the Frog, Statler, Floyd Pepper (voice)
David Rudman – Swedish Chef (voice)
Frank Oz – Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle, Animal (voice)
Director(s)
Brian Henson
Writer(s)
Jerry Juhl
Producer(s)
Brian Henson, Martin G. Baker
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (13)
Vastly enjoyable despite the syrupy, soppy song bit in the middle (go make a glass of mulled wine during it). Michael Caine is perfect in the role and there are many genuine belly laughs.
November 19, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Caroline Westbrook
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The Muppets are at their best when they’re anarchic, without all this soggy whimsy.
November 19, 2019
Peter Rainer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The sets are detailed and charming, there are the usual lively, instantly forgettable songs, and several favourites (the Swedish Chef, Rowlf) show up in cheerful cameos.
December 20, 2017
Philip Kemp
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
The nervy bookkeeping rats in Scrooge’s office are a joy, but Statler and Waldorf (Jerry Nelson and Goelz) as the chain-swinging ghosts Jacob and Robert Marley are, as ever, peerless.
December 1, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
There may be some people who can watch Kermit the Frog’s nephew Robin give his heart-wrenching performance as Tiny Tim in The Muppet Christmas Carol without choking up. I am not among them.
November 29, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Although the Muppets pile on the wit and child-friendly slapstick, they never dumb down, and never compromise their story’s literary origins.
December 26, 2013 | Rating: 5/5
Charlotte Runcie
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
…the greatness of Michael Caine, who is still my favorite on-screen depiction of the iconic miser (sorry, Alastair Sim) thanks in part to his decision to play the part completely straight though acting across from puppets…
April 14, 2021
Jim Rohner
Battleship Pretension
…should be piped, free of charge, into every home, orifice and vein to aid our muted internal festivities….
March 15, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Eddie Harrison
film-authority.com
A charming feature filled with colorful caricatures, important lessons, and inventive humor.
September 16, 2020 | Rating: 8/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
The Muppet Christmas Carol is the definitive holiday classic, a triumph of comedy and tragedy with something to offer audiences of all ages. Simply perfect.
December 14, 2019
Ian Thomas Malone
Ian Thomas Malone
Although the story has been Muppetised (with Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the owner of a rubber-chicken factory), no attempt has been made to water down the story, and the poignancy of the moral tale is as affecting as ever.
November 19, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times
The Paul Williams songs and Miles Goodman score are just lovely.
May 2, 2019 | Rating: A
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net…
Plot
In The Muppet Christmas Carol, the Muppets perform a comedic and heartwarming rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Michael Caine as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three spirits to learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for The Muppet Christmas Carol.
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