The Muppet Christmas Carol’s Extended Version Is On Disney+, And I’m Still Mad Belle’s Song Was Originally Cut

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It’s the perfect time of year to revisit classic Christmas movies, and my absolute favorite is The Muppet Christmas Carol. You can stream it on Disney+. There’s even an extended version available that includes a beautiful song originally cut from the film, “When Love Is Gone.” I always thought that song shouldn’t have been removed in the first place!

This scene shows Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge looking back at his youth with the Ghost of Christmas Past. We watch young Scrooge fall in love with Belle (played by Meredith Braun), and then see the moment their relationship ends. I’m still upset that the film’s final version cut their breakup song, “When Love Is Gone.”

“When Love Is Gone” Is Necessary For The Plot (And The Finale)

When Disney+ first launched, it surprisingly didn’t include Belle’s song in The Muppet Christmas Carol. As someone who grew up watching the movie on VHS – where the song was included – I was really frustrated! Thankfully, Disney+ added the complete version in 2020, though you had to dig around in the ‘extras’ section to find it.

I was glad Disney+ included the song “When Love Is Gone” for Belle, because the story—and especially the ending—wouldn’t make sense without it. Without the song, her connection with Ebenezer feels incredibly brief and lacks emotional weight. It would be confusing to see Rizzo the Rat crying during that scene if the song wasn’t there to build the moment.

Disney+ offers a streaming library that includes beloved characters like the Muppets and films like The Muppet Christmas Carol. You can start streaming with ads for as little as $11.99 per month. For an ad-free experience, it’s $18.99 monthly, or you can save 16% by paying $189.99 upfront for a full year. Check out the deal here.

Michael Caine delivers a deeply moving performance during the brief song he shares with Belle, beautifully harmonizing before becoming overcome with emotion. This is one of the most impactful scenes in the film, making its removal a surprisingly strange decision.

The final song in The Muppet Christmas Carol, “The Love We Found,” is a repeat of the earlier song “The Love Is Gone.” Without hearing Belle sing her version first, the finale’s melody feels unexpected and doesn’t have the emotional impact it should, especially when paired with its hopeful lyrics.

I was surprised to see some fans focusing on inappropriate questions about The Muppet Christmas Carol when the real issue is the cut of the song “When Love Is Gone.” It only adds a few minutes to the movie, and it’s a really important moment, especially with Michael Caine’s heartfelt performance. Plus, Martina McBride sings a version of it during the credits! It’s a vital part of the story and how it’s presented, so it’s really confusing why it’s been left out of the theatrical release, DVDs, and even the original Disney+ version.

You can watch the complete Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+. Be sure to choose the “full length version” in the special features to see Belle’s full song.

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2025-12-20 23:10