It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(4,245 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Kirk R. Thatcher
Genres: Television, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 29, 2002 Wide

Critic Reviews

Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
A medley of familiar Christmas classics...with a distinct Muppet spin.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
The Muppets are back in fine form!
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
There's a brilliant moment that finds Scooter in S&M gear, gyrating in a cage in a leather bar as Kermit ponders a world where he's never been born.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...will never make it onto the list of classic holiday flicks, but it's agreeable enough to warrant a mild recommendation...
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
[It's] a movie which at best provokes a few random chuckles and at worst makes me weep for the future of the Muppet gang.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
The most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational Christmas movie I've seen in years.
Ryan Cracknell, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A medley of familiar Christmas classics...with a distinct Muppet spin.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Not as good as the old Christmas episode but it's ok.
Candy R

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 like David Arquette and Whoopi Goldberg. I love Fozzie bear, his heart is in the right place.
Curtis L

How did the muppets get roped into such garbage? They should have just re-run the original christmas movie that was awesome.
Dann M

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… More
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.
Byron B

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… More
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.
Matthew Y

One would think that after Jim Henson's death that the Muppets would have faded into obscurity. Amazingly enough his children were able to carry the franchise through a few decent literary adaptation film in the 90's before the inevitable happened. The poor responses from… More
One would think that after Jim Henson's death that the Muppets would have faded into obscurity. Amazingly enough his children were able to carry the franchise through a few decent literary adaptation film in the 90's before the inevitable happened. The poor responses from Muppets Tonight and Muppets From Space caused Kermit and company to struggle in the new millennium and all they were able to do was create a few forgettable made-for-TV or straight-to-DVD films like this version of It's a Wonderful Life. This is defiantly the Muppets at their least magical.