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Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Charles Durning, Dave Goelz, Edgar Bergen ... see more see more... , Lawrence Gabriel , Elliott Gould , Ira Grubman , H.B. Haggerty , Bob Hope , Richard Hunt , Madeline Kahn , Carol Kane , Cloris Leachman , Tommy Madden , Kathryn Mullen , Jerry Nelson , Bobby Payne , Austin Pendleton , Carroll Spinney , Scott Walker , Steve Whitmire , Milton Berle , Mel Brooks , Michael Davis , Dom DeLuise , James Frawley , Steve Martin , Richard Pryor , Telly Savalas , Orson Welles , James Coburn , Bruce Kirby , Paul Williams

Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson, have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood, riding in ... read more read more...or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit, but friends accumulate along the way, and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy, and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films, and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats, from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles, in cameo roles. A great box-office success, this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs, The Rainbow Connection, was nominated for an Oscar. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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80% liked it

57,806 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

40 critics

G, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: James Frawley

Release Date: January 1, 1979

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DVD Release Date: June 5, 2001

Stats: 2,201 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,201)

  • DreamExtractor
    December 23, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The Muppet Movie is a film that really touched my funny bone and my heart seeing as I am a huge Muppet fan. The plot shows how they got together and it really worked for me and was fun ride, other than the boring parts with the evil frog legs tycoon. The cast was funny and did ... read moregood, escpially the Muppet cast, they are always likeable. The comedy was just as perfect as comedy gets, it was seriously a hilarious ride and I loved it. The movie is for true fans of puppets, and if you are you are sure to love the best of them all, the Muppets.
  • CloudStrife84
    December 6, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Waka waka waka! Let the good times roll! Before I die of impatience for the new Muppet movie to arrive to Sweden, I thought I'd go back to the humble beginnings of these wonderfully timeless entertainers. More specifically, 1979.

    Bubbling with life and great musical numbers, th... read moreis tells the backstory of how all the muppets came to befriend each other. Featuring cameo performances from some of the biggest stars of the 70's (Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Mel Brooks and countless others), it has a lot to boast about in the "human half" of the cast.

    Some of the special effects are actually pretty flabbergasting. Like how they made Kermit ride a bike in full visible view. I'm genuinely at a loss for how they did that, even if I have a fair idea. Either way, it's a good example of the dying art that the muppets have come to represent. You don't need a bunch of computer effects to make great entertainment. All you need is a little imagination and a team of passionate, hard-working people to help you realize your dream.

    Jim Henson made a stroke of genius when he created this colorful gang of fun-loving characters. And the fact they're still around, more than 30 years later, goes to show how timeless they truly are.

    So whether you're an old fan or new, I can highly recommend a visit to this first and original muppet movie. Many of its human stars may have faded out of relevance, but it's not really for them that we watch this film in the first place. It's for the green little frog and his wackadoodle friends.
  • phubbs1
    October 10, 2011
    phubbs1
    Classic Muppet movie from my childhood. The story and characters are alittle risky actually, for a family film. Some amazing scenes though, a huge Animal breaking through the roof of a building, Kermits stand of with Doc Hopper, the Muppet bus and the final sequence is very touch... read moreing and superbly done.
    check some awesome cameos and pretty funny dialog make this a retro classic, almost an historic film.

    Henson is one of the greatest visionaries in film/TV, his work is genius and can reach all people from all races and backgrounds, everyone knows the Muppets and it was a joy and honour to grow up with them :)

    Thank you Jim, you are missed.
  • cosmo313
    September 6, 2011
    cosmo313
    I really think that this should be retitled "Breaking the Fourth Wall Jokes and Self Referentialness to the Nth Degree: The Movie". Seriously. That's actually not a problem at all though. This film within a film tells the story of how the Muppets got their start in Hollywood.

    T... read morehe Muppets have always been cool in my book, and I love how humans are just so accepting of them without a second thought. This is just a sweet, funny, and charming movie about following your dreams and not giving up hope.

    This film would be just fine if it only featured the Muppets, but what really makes it even mroe fun and entertaining is the plethora of amazing cameos and some terrific performances (human and otherwise alike). I also noticed that Charles Durning's character here is pretty much a slightly less dark precursor to the one he played in First Blood, and there's nothing wrong with that.

    I loved how this was all done, and, though it did cross my mind, I prefered not to obsess about how they pulled some of this off, and decided to be less callous and instead just think of the characters as really being alive and doing the things they do.

    I hadn't seen this in years, and it isn't quite as brilliant as I once thought, but it is still a consistently witty, hilarious, and entertaining piece of entertainment. The biggest disappointent I have is that this sort of thing isn't really done any more. Here's to hoping the new upcoming film rectifies this.
  • skeletonking101
    February 7, 2011
    skeletonking101
    Everyone grew up with the muppets and this movie is one of those nostalgic films that is exemplified when it comes to the muppets, Fantastic songs, great plot, and great acting, This is by far Jim Hensons Best film
  • coollala0910
    January 18, 2011
    coollala0910
    We all love a good origin movie, right? What about an origin movie depicting how the Muppets got to their place? All right, count me in! "The Muppet Movie" is a prequel to the "The Muppet Show" and by George does it deliver tons of fun! Great writing, great music, great story, TH... read moreIS MOVIE IS JUST GREAT!! Fun for all!

    And now a classic dialogue scene by the ever-hilarious Waldorf and Statler:

    Statler: "I'm Statler."
    Waldorf: "I'm Waldorf. We're here to heckle "The Muppet Movie"."
    Gate Guard: "Gentlemen, that's straight ahead. Private screening room."
    Statler: "Private screening?"
    Waldorf: "Yeah, they're afraid to show it in public."
  • ajv2688
    January 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    The first and the best Muppet movie ever! If you like the Muppets you can't miss it. I've seen this movie a million times, I love it, it's hilarious. Of course, the jokes are dated now, but if you know your 70s culture, you'll find it fantastic.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 21, 2010
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    B
  • SirPant
    September 22, 2009
    SirPant
    Watch a Muppet film and instantly feel on top of the world! This is a bit of magic from my childhood that I never tire of watching. I love the Muppets!
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 23, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    classic in every way

View All The Muppet Movie Reviews

Critic Reviews

John Skow
May 6, 2008
John Skow, TIME Magazine

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. Full Review

Variety Staff
May 6, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

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 fa... Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

There's always room in movies for unbridled amiability when it's governed by intelligence and wit. Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet
November 25, 2011
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

This isn't about one sock puppet's search to be all that he can be. It's about a community combining their talents to bring joy to the world. Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 21, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

The most condensed and purified expression of the starry-eyed optimistic humanism that defined all of Henson's best work. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 15, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

First Muppet movie is a classic. Full Review

Josh Larsen
January 16, 2009
Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm

The Muppets were formally inventive long before Charlie Kaufman came on the scene. Full Review

Richard Luck
May 6, 2008
Richard Luck, Film4

One of the funniest family films of the 1970s. Full Review

May 6, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Cute without being insipid, funny without being childish, The Muppet Movie contains enough magic to please all ages. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
April 14, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Not only was The Muppet Movie a great children's movie in 1979, one that viewers of all ages could enjoy, but it's still a great children's movie today. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Fozzie Bear: There was this sailor who was so fat!
    • Sailor: How fat was he?
    • Fozzie Bear: Uh, he was so fat that everybody liked him and there was nothing funny about him at all.
    • Great Gonzo: There's not a word yet, for old friends who've just met. Part heaven, part space, or have I found my place? You can just visit, but I plan to stay. I'm going to go back there some day.
    • Kermit the Frog: [navigating in the Studebaker] Bear left.
    • Fozzie Bear: Right, frog.
    • Fozzie Bear: Ahh, a bear in his natural habitat - a Studebaker.
    • Fozzie Bear: There was this sailor who was SO fat...
    • Sailor: HOW fat was he? *breaks bottle*
    • Fozzie Bear: Uh, he was so fat that everybody liked him and there was nothing funny about him at all!
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The Muppet Movie Trivia

  • Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, James Coburn, Dom Deluise, Elliot Gould, Bob Hope, Carol Kane, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, and Orson Wells. All of these celebrities appeared in which movie?  Answer »
  • The cast includes... Bob Hope Steve Martin Milton Berle Telly Savalas Richard Pryor Elliott Gould Madeline Kahn Orson Welles Cloris Leachman Mel Brooks Name that movie!  Answer »
  • Which actor appear in all these movies? The muppet movie Three amigo! Little Shop of Horror Father of the Bride Bringing Down the House  Answer »
  • In what movie did Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear go on a road trip to Hollywood to become movies stars?  Answer »
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