12 Days of Christmas Movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol

by Aprille Hanson
It’s the most wonderful time of the year where we all gather as families (though, unless they’re already in your bubble we don’t recommend that this year), decorate the house and tree with Christmas lights and ornaments and sit down in front of our television screens with a nice hot cup of cocoa to watch some of our many favorite Christmas movies. This year The Word is celebrating 12 Days of Christmas Movies with our favorites to watch around the happiest time of the year. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do and if you haven’t seen them be sure to seek them out. 

Photo: Walt Disney Picture/Buena Vista Pictures

​Whenever I hear someone talk about Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, I can’t help but think of the Muppets. Almost every December, I make it a point to watch the 1992 “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” directed by Brian Henson, and it’s a joy no matter how many times I see it. It stays pretty true to the original dark tale of Mr. Scrooge being visited by three ghosts that ultimately show him the meaning of Christmas and even more, the need to turn his life around. But add in The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens narrating and Rizzo the Rat accompanying him, along with Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit and almost all of the rest of the characters played by Muppets, there are elements of levity and heart weaved in. It’s still a dark story of course – it’s pretty heartbreaking to see a tiny toad Muppet coughing, with the family knowing that little Tiny Tim Cratchit isn’t long for the world. But what really makes this movie a classic is the performance by Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. I read once that he went into the role with the same type of mentality as if he were on Broadway or perhaps a more serious adaptation, despite conversing and acting alongside the Muppets. That alone I think has made it so beloved – in the hands of a lesser actor, it wouldn’t have stood the test of time. 

"A Muppet Christmas Carol" is streaming on Disney+ and can also be rented on Amazon Prime Video for $2.99.