The Muppet Christmas Carol
Parents say
Based on 17 reviews
Kids say
Based on 22 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the Ghost of Christmas Future is scarier than the others and may frighten more sensitive children. In one version of the future, Tiny Tim is projected to die. Scrooge has to confront his cruel behavior and learns life lessons because of it.
Community Reviews
This is the only way to view Dickens' Christmas Carol (Scrooged notwithstanding)
Report this review
NOT as gentle and fuzzy
Report this review
What's the Story?
Charles Dickens himself, played by the chicken-crazy Great Gonzo (Dave Goelz), narrates this tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's (Michael Caine) spoiled life. Scrooge is hated by all. Even the (puppet) mice in the street know he's no good. Scrooge runs a mortgage company and relishes debtors' misfortune and sneers at his nephew and solicitors. When he is visited by the ghosts of Richard and Jacob Marley and then the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Scrooge has to decide whether to live out the fate he sees or thaw his heart for a better, more loving life.
Is It Any Good?
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL may be your child's first introduction to the classic story, and in that capacity this fuzzy version does its job well. It's gentle and includes classic characters your children will love, as well as a few danceable songs. Unlike the grim live-action films of the tale, there's just enough Muppet madness and kindness here to keep kids feeling safe and entertained. There are some great touches: the businessmen soliciting for charity are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beeker. Robert and Jacob Marley are played by Statler and Waldorf, the two critics from The Muppet Show -- and they continue to heckle, even in death.
But best of all, the Great Gonzo is accompanied by Rizzo the Rat (Steve Whitmire), who has a way of saying what kids are thinking. When the Ghost of Christmas Future shows up in his Grim Reaper garb, for example, Rizzo says, "This is too scary. I don't think I want to see any more." He and Gonzo then disappear until the next scene. This is a good time to either fast-forward through the scary part for particularly sensitive children or to warn and cuddle up with them for the potentially frightening parts. Overall, The Muppet Christmas Carol deserves a place on the shelf with A Charlie Brown Christmas and the animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas as heartwarming, kid-friendly holiday fare.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Scrooge learned his lesson and how he saw the error of his ways. What did he miss out on by only caring about work and money instead of friends or family? How do you show the people in your life that you love them? Are you generous? How?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 11, 1992
- On DVD or streaming: October 8, 2002
- Cast: Dave Goelz, Michael Caine, Steve Whitmire
- Director: Brian Henson
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Book Characters, Holidays, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Music and Sing-Along, Puppets
- Run time: 120 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
A Muppet Family Christmas
A short-and-sweet, tuneful holiday reunion.
-
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Live-action take on classic has some crude, scary moments.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate