Synopsis
A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
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Cast
- Michael CaineScrooge
- Dave GoelzThe Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens / Robert Marley / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Betina Cratchit / Rat / Zoot (voice)
- Steve WhitmireKermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit / Rizzo the Rat / Beaker / Bean Bunny / Belinda Cratchit / Beetle / Lips / Pig Gentleman (voice)
- Jerry NelsonTiny Tim Cratchit / Jacob Marley / Ghost of Christmas Present / Lew Zealand / Ma Bear / Mouse / Mr. Applegate / Penguin / Pig Gentleman / Pops / Rat (voice)
- Frank OzMiss Piggy as Emily Cratchit / Fozzie Bear as Fozziewig / Sam the Eagle as Headmaster of Junior High Graduates / Animal / George the Janitor / Horse and Carriage Driver / Vegetable Salesman (voice)
- David RudmanRat / Peter Cratchit / Old Joe / Swedish Chef (voice)
- Don AustenGhost of Christmas Present (performer) / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (performer)
- Jessica FoxGhost of Christmas Past (voice)
- Robert TygnerGhost of Christmas Yet to Come (performer) / Ghost of Christmas Past (performer) / Turkey / Additional Muppets (uncredited) (voice)
- Steven MackintoshFred, Scrooge's Nephew
- 100
Total Film
As Scrooge, Michael Caine rises to the challenge and helps find the pathos beneath the puppetry. - 100
The Telegraph
The Muppet Christmas Carol's warmth, wit and obvious affection for Dickens make it one of the greatest Christmas films – and literary adaptations – of all time. - 100
The A.V. Club
The Muppet Christmas Carol may be the most important Dickens adaptation of our time. - 80
Empire
Vastly enjoyable despite the syrupy, soppy song bit in the middle (go make a glass of mulled wine during it). Michael Caine is perfect in the role and there are many genuine belly laughs. - 80
Time Out
The three ghosts of Christmas are wonderful. Elsewhere, Fozzie Bear bears a resemblance to Francis L Sullivan in the David Lean Dickens adaptations, and there's a shop called Micklewhite. As an actor, Kermit can corrugate his forehead vertically. Good fun. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Will kids like the movie? The kids around me in the theater seemed to, although more for the Muppets than for the cautionary tale of Scrooge. - 70
The New York Times
There's no great show of wit or tunefulness here, and the ingenious cross-generational touches are fairly rare. But there is a lively kiddie version of the Dickens tale, one that very young viewers ought to understand. - 63
ReelViews
Although The Muppet Christmas Carol doesn’t really work as an adaptation of the beloved Dickens novel or as a Muppet movie, it nevertheless works on its own terms for a niche audience. It’s the kind of high concept family film that can be carted out every Christmas season and enjoyed in the same way as “Frosty the Snowman”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, or “The Year without a Santa Claus.”