It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

Critics Consensus

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90%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 10

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,572
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Movie Info

What would life amongst the Muppets have been without their unofficial leader Kermit the Frog? That's the question posed by this made-for-TV confection, which not only spoofs the Yuletide classic It's a Wonderful Life, but also takes satirical aim at such pop cultural phenomena as Moulin Rouge and Fear Factor. The plot is set in motion when typically evil banker Rachel Bitterman (Joan Cusack) forecloses on the Muppets' famous variety theater, with the intention of building a gaudy nightclub. But Bitterman's machinations take a back seat when apprentice guardian angel, Daniel (David Arquette), shows Kermit (voiced by Steve Whitmire) what conditions would have been had Kermit never existed. Without going into full detail, suffice to say that a Kermit-less world would have found Miss Piggy (voiced by Frank Oz) running a fraudulent psychic hot line, Fozzie Bear as a homeless derelict, and Sam the Eagle as a caged dancer at a rave. Decked out with cameo appearances by everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to the cast of the TV series Scrubs, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie debuted over NBC on November 29, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

David Arquette
as Daniel
Joan Cusack
as Bitterman
Whoopi Goldberg
as Boss
William H. Macy
as Glenn
Kelly Ripa
as Herself
Steve Whitmire
as Rizzo
Carson Daly
as Himself - Cameo Appearance
Jon Stewart
as Himself (scenes deleted)
Molly Shannon
as Herself - Cameo Appearance
Frank Oz
as Sam the Eagle
Matthew Lillard
as Luke Frommage
Rachel Hunter
Joe Rogan
as Himself - Cameo Appearance
Zach Braff
as Dr. John J.D. Dorian
Bill Barretta
as Swedish Chef
Sarah Chalke
as Dr. Elliot Reed
John C. McGinley
as Dr. Perry Cox
Donald Faison
as Dr. Chris Turk
Dave Goelz
as Waldorf
Mel Brooks
as Joe Snow
Conan Graham
as Executive Assistant
Robin Mossley
as Uncle Nicky Nut-What
Dan Payne
as Handsome Executive
Eric Jacobson
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Critic Reviews for It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

All Critics (10)

View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

  • Feb 02, 2013
    better than the other christmas muppet affair as it doesnt degenerate into blandness after the first 10-15 minutes of runtime. in this instance the U.S. presence of big names does add to it & is wholly more compelling than micheal caine uttering "humbug" rather languidly when thinking about where else he had to be on every day of shooting. very much enjoyed kermits rant when david arquette attempts to defrost him & all the actors at least seemed interested in being in it
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Nov 27, 2011
    It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is the Muppet take on the Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life. However, it's a halfhearted effort at best and is more of a spoof than an homage. All the comedy is sloppy, obvious, and overly cartoonish, with none of the craft that the Jim Henson Muppets had. David Arquette and Whoopi Goldberg give weak, bland performances that do nothing for the story. The only thing working for the film is Joan Cusack, whose cartoonishness is at least fun to watch. It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is little more than a second rate parody film, and slowly deteriorates into a series of loose comedy sketches. Still, it's the Muppets and one can't help but be drawn in by their charm.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 24, 2008
    The muppets' Christmas show is under threat as an evil woman wants to convert the theatre into a night club. Lots of funny moments and special guests including David Arquette and Whoopi Goldberg. I love Fozzie bear, his heart is in the right place.
    Candy R Super Reviewer
  • Oct 28, 2008
    You've got the guest cameos, Kermit and the gang trying to save the Muppet Theatre from financial ruin again, and the basic plot from It's a Wonderful Life, everything you'd expect from a Muppet movie. Some fun moments. The celebrities in the lead roles are going over the top in their performances though. And this string of Muppet movies taking the plots of A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, and The Wizard of Oz don't seem as strong as when the writers come up with original stories.
    Byron B Super Reviewer
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