The Muppets Movies: Release Order

1979 - 20148 Films12h 49m3.8 Average

The Muppets theatrical films span over three decades, with each movie functioning more as a performance or new adventure rather than following strict continuity. Created by Jim Henson, the franchise began with three films about the Muppets pursuing show business success: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, and The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Following Henson's death in 1990, the franchise continued with two adaptations of classic stories before returning to contemporary settings with Muppets from Space. After a twelve-year theatrical absence, The Muppets (2011) successfully revived the franchise under Disney ownership (acquired in 2004), followed a few years later by Muppets Most Wanted.

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The Muppet Movie poster

The Muppet Movie

19791h 35m4.2
Director: James Frawley
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz

The Muppets gather to watch their newly-finished big-budget rich-and-famous feature film: a talent agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there, he meets a bear, a pig, a whatever (his future muppet crew), and some special celebrity guest stars, while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

FamilyComedyAdventureMusic
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The Great Muppet Caper poster

The Great Muppet Caper

19811h 37m4
Director: Jim Henson
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time frame Miss Piggy. It's up to Kermit and Muppets to bring the real culprits to justice.

FamilyComedyCrimeRomanceMystery
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The Muppets Take Manhattan poster

The Muppets Take Manhattan

19841h 34m3.7
Director: Frank Oz
Cast: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt

When the Muppets graduate from Danhurst College, they take their song-filled senior revue to New York City, only to learn that it isn't easy to find a producer who's willing to back a show starring a frog and a pig. Of course, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy won't take no for an answer, launching a search for someone to take them to Broadway.

RomanceComedyFamily
4
The Muppet Christmas Carol poster

The Muppet Christmas Carol

19921h 26m4.4
Director: Brian Henson
Cast: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

MusicComedyFamilyFantasyDrama
5
Muppet Treasure Island poster

Muppet Treasure Island

19961h 39m3.8
Director: Brian Henson
Cast: Tim Curry, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Saunders, Kevin Bishop, Dave Goelz

After telling the story of Flint's last journey to young Jim Hawkins, Billy Bones has a heart attack and dies just as Jim and his friends are attacked by pirates. The gang escapes into the town where they hire out a boat and crew to find the hidden treasure, which was revealed by Bones before he died. On their voyage across the seas, they soon find out that not everyone on board can be trusted.

FamilyComedyAdventure
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Muppets from Space poster

Muppets from Space

19991h 28m3.3
Director: Tim Hill
Cast: Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Bill Barretta, Jerry Nelson, Brian Henson

When Gonzo's breakfast cereal tells him that he's the descendant of aliens from another planet, his attempts at extraterrestrial communication get him kidnapped by a secret government agency, prompting the Muppets to spring into action to rescue their friend.

FamilyComedyScience FictionAdventure
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The Muppets poster

The Muppets

20111h 43m3.8
Director: James Bobin
Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Steve Whitmire

When Kermit the Frog and the Muppets learn that their beloved theater is slated for demolition, a sympathetic human, Gary, and his puppet brother, Walter, swoop in to help the gang put on a show and raise the $10 million they need to save the day.

FamilyComedyMusic
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Muppets Most Wanted poster

Muppets Most Wanted

20141h 47m3.5
Director: James Bobin
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson

While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.

ComedyAdventureCrimeFamily