The Muppet Movie

1979

The Muppet Movie

Critics Consensus

The Muppet Movie, the big-screen debut of Jim Henson's plush creations, is smart, lighthearted, and fun for all ages.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 50

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 60,042

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The Muppet Movie Photos

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Movie Info

Kermit the Frog is persuaded by agent Dom DeLuise to pursue a career in Hollywood. Along the way, Kermit picks up Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and a motley crew of other Muppets with similar aspirations. Meanwhile, Kermit must elude the grasp of a frog-leg restaurant magnate.
  • Rating:
    G
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family
  • Directed By:
    James Frawley, James Frawle
  • Written By:
    Jack Burns, Jerry Juhl
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Associated Film Distributors

Cast

Austin Pendleton
as Max
Dom DeLuise
as Bernie - the Hollywood Agent
Steve Martin
as Insolent Waiter
Mel Brooks
as Prof. Max Krassman
Edgar Bergen
as Himself
Bob Hope
as Ice Cream Man
Orson Welles
as Lew Lord
Lawrence Gabriel
as Sailor
Richard Pryor
as Balloon Man
Madeline Kahn
as El Sleezo Patron
Ira Grubman
as Bartender
Carol Kane
as Myth
Milton Berle
as Mad Man Mooney
Elliott Gould
as Beauty Contest Compete
Charles Durning
as Doc Hopper
Scott Walker
as Frog Killer
Jim Henson
as Kermit the Frog/Rowlf/Dr. Teeth/Waldorf
Frank Oz
as Miss Piggy/Fozzie Bear/Animal/Sam the Eagle
Jerry Nelson
as Floyd Pepper/Crazy Harry/Robin the Frog/Lew Zealan
Richard Hunt
as Scooter/Statler/Janice/Sweetums/Beaker
Dave Goelz
as The Great Gonzo/Zoot/Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
James Coburn
as El Sleezo Cafe Owner
Cloris Leachman
as Lord's Secretary
Telly Savalas
as El Sleezo Tough
Paul Williams
as El Sleezo Pianist
Steve Whitmire
as Muppet Performers
Kathryn Mullen
as Camilla
Bobby Payne
as Muppet Performers
Eren Ozker
as Muppet Performer
Carolyn Wilcox
as Muppet Performer
Olga Felgemacher
as Muppet Performer
Bruce Schwartz
as Muppet Performer
Michael Davis
as Animal (assistant) / Beaker (assistant) / Big Bird (assistan
Buz Suraci
as Muppet Performer
Tony Basilicato
as Muppet Performer
Adam Hunt
as Muppet Performer
Carroll Spinney
as Big Bird
H.B. Haggerty
as Lumberjack
James Frawley
as Waiter
Bruce Kirby
as Gate Guard
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Critic Reviews for The Muppet Movie

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (44) | 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 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    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 | Full Review…

    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 | Full Review…

    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 | Full Review…

    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 | Full Review…

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • The Muppet Movie packs all the thrills, laughs and excitement of a... well, two-ring circus.

    July 19, 2019 | Full Review…

    Richard Corliss

    Maclean's Magazine
View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for The Muppet Movie

  • Dec 27, 2012
    I love the Muppets, so it's no surprise I love this film. It's everything you expect from the Muppets. A lot of musical numbers, a lot of breaking the fourth wall, a lot of celebrity cameos and just overall lighthearted fun. It's a film that's been made several times and as long as they're smart, funny and clever then I don't really care watching what is, essentially, the same film over and over again. If you know the Muppets, then you know what to expect. It's a lighthearted story about the importance of believing in yourself and having friends who believe in you too. It's corny stuff, but the Muppets always pull this off in a heartwarming fashion. There's really not much else to say, this is an excellent film and great for families.
    Jesse O Super Reviewer
  • Jun 03, 2012
    Jim Henson's Muppets hit the big time in The Muppet Movie. In their first feature film, the Muppets retell the story of how Kermit the Frog set off for Hollywood and found a group of friends who shared his dream of stardom. Like the television show, the film is full of witty, campy humor, and features a number of celebrity cameos from the likes of Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Orson Welles, and many more. Additionally, the musicals are immensely fun and entertaining, delivering such classics as "The Rainbow Connection" and "Can You Picture That." The Muppet Movie is a classic family film that's fun for all ages.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 26, 2012
    Many Muppet movies have come and gone since the 1979 original, but none come close to capturing the magic of the Muppets like The Muppet Movie. Good script, good songs, fun scenes and cameos, and genuinely tender moments performed with such skill and care that we often forget we are watching hand puppets and not real, living creatures. And who can forget Kermit singing The Rainbow Connection on his log (in a first-ever full-body shot made possible by submerging an obviously committed Jim Henson in a waterproof box under water)? That song should have taken the Oscar for best song. All the magic and joy Jim Henson infused into his life's work, the Muppets, is all on screen in this fantastic road movie.
    Mark H Super Reviewer
  • Jan 15, 2012
    The first Muppet movie from the 70s, ive not seen the 70/80s movies and from this i want to, enjoyed seeing all the charactors and in a way a origin story, all the gang get their moments to shine, and a fantastic 70s feel,
    scott g Super Reviewer
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