The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

78% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(34,221 ratings)

The Great Muppet Caper is the second Muppet film and it is considerably more complex than its predecessor, The Muppet Movie, which was essentially just a road movie. As the film begins, Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear are reporters who have failed to bag a story of a London jewel heist, which… More The Great Muppet Caper is the second Muppet film and it is considerably more complex than its predecessor, The Muppet Movie, which was essentially just a road movie. As the film begins, Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear are reporters who have failed to bag a story of a London jewel heist, which happened under their watch. The real criminals managed to escape and frame Miss Piggy as the thief. Kermit, Fozzie and the Great Gonzo set out on a mission to solve the mystery and track down the criminals who stole the Baseball Diamond. There are fewer star cameos and songs in The Great Muppet Caper than in The Muppet Movie, although appearances from John Cleese and Charles Grodin are particularly memorable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Jim Henson
Genres: Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jul 10, 2001
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
During their late-70s heyday the Muppets won huge TV audiences with their corny puns and showbiz in-jokes, but stretched to feature length the formula loses some of its snap.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
We don't care about some dumb diamond the size of a baseball, and as Muppet fans we're probably also indifferent to Henson's ambition to satirize old movie genres.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie contains several more cheery, Disneyesque songs than are necessary, but they are made tolerable by the presence of Kermit and Miss Piggy.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Perhaps the shallowest of the three classic Muppet films... But even an imperfect Henson movie is bound to have quite a lot of charm.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Muppets in London on a retro musical robbery-romp.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
That first film with the muppet crew had to be a success; this time it was more difficult. Nonetheless, the caper plot that Henson and company worked out manages to hold adult interest for quite a while.
Tom Milne, Time Out
The songs are routine, but the inconsequential plot leaves plenty of time for engaging asides.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...just as silly and uneven as its predecessor.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
A brisk and consistently funny family entertainment. [new DVD review]
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
[The Muppets have] never been this crazed since...
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
still the second-best Muppet movie you'll find
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
My least favorite Muppet movie. But it's still the Muppets, so it's worth a viewing.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Too much Miss Piggy. I always hated Miss Piggy. Kermit was too good for her.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Lacks the warm wit of the original movie, but hey, the old-school Muppets were a funny bunch of freaks!

Read all 14 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

Bently L

Of all the Muppet movies I've seen, I enjoyed this the least. I couldn't follow the plot at some points and the story just didn't intrest me. The Muppets solving a mystery just isn't my type. But there is still funny quotes and the movie has its moments. That is… More
Of all the Muppet movies I've seen, I enjoyed this the least. I couldn't follow the plot at some points and the story just didn't intrest me. The Muppets solving a mystery just isn't my type. But there is still funny quotes and the movie has its moments. That is why I am giving this a 60%. Funny dialogue scene: (A truck driver is pushed out of his truck and is thrown next to a trach can. A person comes out of the garbage can next to him.) Truck Driver: "What are you doing here?" Oscar the Grouch: "A very brief cameo." Truck Driver: "Me too."
AJ V

A good story, but not as funny as the first movie. I liked this movie when I was a kid, but now that I see it again, it's not as good as I remembered. Anyway, it's enjoyable and kids will like it.
Jennifer D

I'm sorry, but how does anyone NOT love the Muppets. Especially with Charles Grodin.
Anthony L

The Muppets come to London! Whoo Hoo, this might be my favourite of the Muppet films but only by a tiny bit. I love the Muppets!
Ken S

This Muppet film never really did it for me. It's certainly not the worst in the series, but it seems to lack the "magic" of the first two. That being said the bicycle sequence and the dancing are both amazing pieces of puppetry.
danny d

fantastic, possibly the best of the muppet films
Lafe F

Aw, probably the only Muppet Movie I didn't like. It was all British, and the Muppets are an American creation, so I wasn't too interested. They also felt out of character, solving mysteries instead of their show business. I couldn't get into it after the awesomeness of… More
Aw, probably the only Muppet Movie I didn't like. It was all British, and the Muppets are an American creation, so I wasn't too interested. They also felt out of character, solving mysteries instead of their show business. I couldn't get into it after the awesomeness of the first Muppet Movie.
jay n

the muppets AND diana rigg who could ask for more!
Megan S

I had the book when I was kid and it was one of my favorites.
Jason S

I do love them muppets. This one has the usual plethora of guest stars and such. Music is good too.
Jeremy S

Muppets all the way.
Dann M

The Great Muppet Caper finds the Muppets at their best. They have the uncanny ability to break the fourth wall and turn it into comic gold. Caper does this exceedingly well, all while delivering a solid, entertaining adventure. As per a Muppet movie, there are some great cameos… More
The Great Muppet Caper finds the Muppets at their best. They have the uncanny ability to break the fourth wall and turn it into comic gold. Caper does this exceedingly well, all while delivering a solid, entertaining adventure. As per a Muppet movie, there are some great cameos (including a brilliant one by Peter Falk) and several fun musical numbers. Most of the comedy holds up, and can be enjoyed by both children and adults of all ages.
Matthew Y

The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie were tough acts to follow but The Great Muppet Caper was a fairly decent film in its own right. The first scripted film where the Muppets are essentially cast as characters, rather than be the focus of the film. Plenty of jokes that still… More
The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie were tough acts to follow but The Great Muppet Caper was a fairly decent film in its own right. The first scripted film where the Muppets are essentially cast as characters, rather than be the focus of the film. Plenty of jokes that still resonate today and the John Cleese cameo is just classic!
Bradley J

Though it loses some steam in the middle, The Great Muppet Caper redeems itself with awesome songs, and a finale that is some of the funniest moments in a Muppet movie. Overall Rating:80
Yinalí R

All muppet movies are awesome.
Sarah P

Very funny - a classic Muppet movie!
Marion R

I wish I would have liked it more. I love the muppets and I just really didn't find this film as funny as The Muppet Movie, which I loved.
Barry L

Meep...Beaker is still the greatest.
Sean S

The second of the Henson Muppet movies and almost as funny as the first.
nathometer

I don't know why I like these Muppet movies but I do.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Charles Grodin as Nicky Holiday

            Diana Rigg as Lady Holiday

            John Cleese as Neville

            Robert Morley as Gentleman

            Peter Ustinov as Trucker

            Jack Warden as Editor

            Susan Backlinie as Charlie's Water Ballet Performer

            Robert Barnett as Muppet Performer

            Erica Creer as Marla

            Peter Falk as Tramp

            Della Finch as Darla

            Tommy Godfrey as Bus Conductor

            Dave Goelz as Beauregard

            Louise Gold as Muppet Performer

            Trevor Howard
            
            Richard Hunt as Beaker

            Valli Kemp as 2nd Model

            Lynn Latham as Charlie's Water Ballet Performer

            Cynthia Leake as Charlie's Water Ballet Performer

            Chai Lee as Model

            Kathryn Mullen as Muppet Performer

            Christine Nelson as Girl in Park

            Jerry Nelson as Camilla

            Bobby Payne as Muppet Performer

            Mike Quinn as Muppet Performer

            Michael Robbins as Guard

            Joan Sanderson as Dorcas

            Carroll Spinney as Oscar the Grouch

            Steve Whitmire as Rizzo the Rat

            Brian Henson as Muppet Performer

            Jim Henson as Dr. Teeth

            Denise McKenna as Charlie's Water Ballet Performer

            Frank Oz as Animal

            Kate Howard as Carla

            Peggy Aitchison as Prison Guard

            Peter Hughes as Maitre d'
See full cast