Every Muppets Movie: RANKED!

Every Muppets Movie Ranked

Welcome to MsMojo, and today, we’re taking a look at Every Muppet Movie Ranked!

For this list, we’re ranking each of the Muppet movies from worst to best. Just know that we’re only considering the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational theatrical releases and not straight-to-video ones like “Muppet Classic Theater” or “Kermit’s Swamp Years”. Now, it’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to rank the Muppets on MsMojo tonight!

#8: “Muppets From Space” (1999)

On its own, “Muppets From Space” isn’t really a terrible movie. As a “Muppets” movie, however, it fails miserably. Sure, there’s plenty of humor to be had between Rizzo and Pepe’s banter and Gonzo’s odd antics, but it’s missing one crucial element to the Muppets DNA - the music. Every single song in this movie is a licensed song that was being beaten to death in the 90’s well before the film’s release. “Celebration”, “Brickhouse”, “Flash Light” - it was all the soul and funk songs that one would expect, and licensed music simply does not make the Muppets. Eventually, we only paid attention when Bobo was onscreen. (His scenes were the best!)

#7: “Muppets Most Wanted” (2014)

Just when it seemed like the Muppets were making a comeback in the 2010’s, their revival came crashing down when “Most Wanted” released. While the humor was spot-on and the inclusion of Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, and Tina Fey made for an entertaining cast, it’s the story and music that fall flat on their face. The story comes off a bit haphazard at times, and the pacing fluctuates between moving too quickly and too slowly. As for the songs, they often serve more as quick distractions rather than add any real substance to the plot or characters. Considering the movie that came before it, “Muppets Most Wanted” simply couldn’t carry the torch.

#6: “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981)

Indeed, following your predecessors can be a difficult task, and it was a challenge that “The Great Muppet Caper” was unfairly demanded to achieve. Unfortunately, the songs simply weren’t memorable enough to call it one of the best Muppet outings, though they did have some excellent performances and set pieces. Humor and writing on the other hand, was solid! Between visual gags, witty dialogue, and the frequent breaking of the fourth wall, you can’t not crack a smile at least a few times while watching this! “The Great Muppet Caper” is really a decent showing so long as you don’t expect too much from it.

#5: “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996)

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who grew up in the 90’s and DIDN’T see this underrated gem! Sure, it’s another adaptation with some Muppets-style meta casting, but it’s how the film carries itself that makes it so memorable. From start to finish, “Muppet Treasure Island” successfully replicates the same feeling of adventure as its source material with its own sea shanties and colorful characters like Blind Pew. Speaking of characters, Tim Curry almost steals the entire show as Long John Silver, and you can see he had fun with the role. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Muppets classic without some heart in the story. (Seriously, did anyone else tear up at the end?)

#4: “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1985)

Kermit and the gang have graduated college and are ready to make it big on Broadway! Only problem is no one seems to want to buy their production. Yes, it’s a somewhat depressing plot for something as cheery as the Muppets, and yet it works surprisingly well. The hardships every character faces feel real, but not enough to get the audience in a mopey mood. “Muppets Take Manhattan” balances it out by giving us some catchy tunes, heartfelt messages, and some of the sweetest moments between Kermit and Miss Piggy. It may not be the best movie in the franchise, but for what it is, it’s pretty good!

#3: “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)

You’d have to be a whole different kind of Scrooge to hate on this movie! Much like the “Treasure Island” retelling, the Muppets once again go through a meta casting to perform Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”. While each of Jim Henson’s characters serve as excellent supporting characters, the real star is none other than Michael Caine as Scrooge himself. Caine puts on a spectacular performance as one of the grouchiest and cruelest depictions of Scrooge in film, and it’s a great contrast to the otherwise joyous songs that will remain wedged inside your skull long after the movie’s over. Really, just try forgetting about “Scrooge”, “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas”, or “Marley and Marley”. You CAN’T!

#2: “The Muppets” (2011)

At this point in Muppets history, we hadn’t seen our favorite felt-made friends since “Muppets From Space”. It was almost as if they were fading into obscurity. This 2011 long-awaited sequel acknowledges this at the start of the movie, and what follows is a chase to reclaim the fame. “The Muppets” was an achievement in resurrecting an old IP and showing how even the oldest properties could bounce back as if they never left. Clever writing, hilarious gags, and handfuls of references all make up this classic. Adding to the marvel on display is, of course, the music. With songs like “Man Or Muppet”, “Pictures In My Head”, and “Life’s a Happy Song”, “The Muppets” is almost the perfect feelgood movie.

#1: “The Muppet Movie” (1979)

If someone were to ask where to start watching anything Muppets-related, this is absolutely the first thing they should watch, and it’s not just because it’s the “origin” of how they all came together. “The Muppet Movie” tells you exactly what Kermit and friends are about: delightful and sometimes emotional songs, witty humor that can range between self-deprecating and overtly meta, subtly ridiculous plots and motives, and a message about following your dreams. And this goes without mentioning what may be the best compilation of songs the Muppets have ever had. Once you hear “Rainbow Connection” or “Movin’ Right Along” for the first time, you will never forget them.