Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

70% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(79,941 ratings)

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children's musical. As in The Muppet Christmas Carol, the film stays loyal to the original storyline but casts the well-known puppets in many of the… More Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children's musical. As in The Muppet Christmas Carol, the film stays loyal to the original storyline but casts the well-known puppets in many of the supporting roles. Young Jim Hawkins remains human, as does Long John Silver, played by an amusingly exaggerated Tim Curry. However, Captain Smollet is played by the evergreen Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat serve as roving narrators; and numerous other Muppets assume smaller roles. The familiar adventure plot is enlivened by the Muppets' good-natured, winking sense of humor, and a number of anarchic musical numbers are reminiscent of the original Muppet Show. Long-time followers of the Muppets may find the film less fresh than Jim Henson's original creations, but the combination of old-fashioned storytelling, intriguing design, and clever humor will undoubtedly amuse younger audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Brian Henson
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Feb 16, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2002

Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Geena Davis and Renny Harlin couldn't cut it with Cutthroat Island. Steven Spielberg nearly got the hook for Hook. But leave it to Miss Piggy and Kermit to discover uncharted gold in the shipwrecked-pirate genre.
Sarah Wenk, Common Sense Media
The Muppets hit the high seas. Hilarious!
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...has little to offer all but the most die-hard Muppet fan.
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
Sheer fun, especially when Miss Piggy makes her inevitable appearance.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The humor is up to Muppet par, with physical comedy, puns, running jokes, and layered gags...Muppet Treasure Island is grand family entertainment. [new DVD review]
Gregory Weinkauf, ÜberCiné
There's a gaping hole with Jim gone, however his son directs with great energy, and it's almost impossible not to like Tim Curry and a bunch of Muppets on a reasonably literary pirate ship.
Fred Topel, About.com
Disappointing Muppet movie. Too much Treasure Island, not enough Muppets.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Lively, enjoyable Muppet madness
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Pirates and the Muppets turn out to be a natural fit, even without the late Jim Henson.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A fabulous Muppet spoof of pirate movies, it's fun for all ages. This is an hilarious musical comedy. And it stars Tim Curry as Long John Silver! Finally we get to see him play a singing pirate. I love this movie, and I highly recommend it.
Michael E

Great songs, great acting, a great performance by Tim Curry, and great comedy
Thomas B

I don't really remember it all that well but it was a little obivous, a little overdone and the absence of a strong lead actor is obivous. Tim Curry is always good though.
Jennifer D

Effin Tim Curry. Greatest underrated actor ever. LOVE every minute with him.
Wahida K

Cute Pirate Movie.
Anthony L

I was so glad when this came out as I thought the Muppets had gone for good. I liked it but I wanted the Muppets to do their own thing like in the originals and not re-tell an old classic stories!
Phil H

This story was perfect for Muppet conversion. The whole thing is so right, Curry is great as usual, the songs are good and the look is just right for the Muppet world, a close one next to Christmas carol for effects and looks.
Candy R

I love the muppets. They are off on another adventure in their re-make of Treasure Island. Guest stars Tim Curry and Billy Connolly.
Aaron N

Zoot: Hey man, I can't figure out what side we're on. Are we with the pirates or the frog captain? Floyd: Oh, hey, man. Just play the gig. Never get involved in politics. Animal: Politics! Politics! Of course a movie works, when the theme is shifted to Muppet territory.… More
Zoot: Hey man, I can't figure out what side we're on. Are we with the pirates or the frog captain? Floyd: Oh, hey, man. Just play the gig. Never get involved in politics. Animal: Politics! Politics! Of course a movie works, when the theme is shifted to Muppet territory. It's a lot of goofy fun, with the spirit of the classic novel to back it. It always proves to be fun when humans have to interact with Muppets. And what better choice than Tim Curry as Long John Silver. Rizzo: He died? And this is supposed to be a kids' movie. The movie does a good enough job following the original story, with some obvious changes reflecting the Muppet setting. There are a few songs that are all very good. It even works well as a pirate movie in general. Obvious special effects aside, hearing Hans Zimmer's score as Muppets set sail is strangely effective. A lot of good fun. Jim Hawkins: Kill Captain Smollett, and you'll have to kill me. Gonzo: Kill Jim, and you'll have to kill me. Squire Trelawney: Kill Gonzo, and you'll have to kill me. Rizzo: Kill Squire Trelawney and Mr. Bimbo, and you'll have to... negotiate strenuously.
Curtis L

Best movie ever.
Drew S

Guilty pleasure. I love this movie to death. Leave me alone.
Sophie B

i like this the people in it are really funny thy lok well weird!!!
Jason S

Eh. Could have been a lot better.
Morgan S

me and haley know all the songs! haha thats kinda sad
Lanning :

I own every muppet movie. I have watched this one . . . a lot. My screen name on some sites is muppeteer_wannabe. I still will stop to watch the PBS series if I'm channel surfing and it's on, even though I probably should have outgrown it. Hey, I think all the Spanish I… More
I own every muppet movie. I have watched this one . . . a lot. My screen name on some sites is muppeteer_wannabe. I still will stop to watch the PBS series if I'm channel surfing and it's on, even though I probably should have outgrown it. Hey, I think all the Spanish I know I learned on SESAME STREET. Elmo and Cookie Monster rule. I don't even like cookies. When people refer to them as "monsters," I am personally offended. Although not every muppet movie is equally good, they should not be missed.
Mike N

It is official: I'm starting a new project in Seattle this coming Monday. So long, Denver. You were good to me, baby.
Matthew Y

Like A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island is a solid entry in the Muppets film cannon with memorable tunes and a surprisingly faithful and entertaining take on a classic literary tale. The Gonzo/Rizzo chemistry was in full swing upon this films release and we were not yet subject to… More
Like A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island is a solid entry in the Muppets film cannon with memorable tunes and a surprisingly faithful and entertaining take on a classic literary tale. The Gonzo/Rizzo chemistry was in full swing upon this films release and we were not yet subject to generation 2 Muppets. Tim Currey gives a fantastically over the top performance as Long John Silver and his scenes with young Jim are surprisingly heartfelt and honest.
Bradley J

Though the worst of the Muppet features, Muppet Treasure Island is still delightful fun for the whole family. Overall Rating:73
Yinalí R

Love this movieee!
Andrew F

Not great, not bad. The songs were okay... I actually laughed at the ending.