The Muppet Show’s Success Proves Disney’s Missed Opportunity

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Okay, so Disney+ finally did it – they brought back the Muppets! And honestly, it’s a bit shocking it took this long. This new special is a really fun half-hour sketch show, and it’s packed with big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Maya Rudolph, and Seth Rogen. But the real stars, of course, are Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy – the whole gang is back, and it’s a joy to see them. It really highlights how much we’ve been missing these guys!

For decades, The Muppet Show has been a beloved part of pop culture, and 2026 will be its 50th anniversary. While the Muppets aren’t as prominent as they once were, a new special shows they still have plenty of charm. However, despite the special’s success, it highlights a recurring problem with Disney’s approach: a failure to fully embrace the playful, chaotic spirit that Jim Henson originally created.

2026’s The Muppet Show Is a Hit

This special delivers everything Jim Henson’s beloved puppets’ fans could hope for. It’s structured like a classic episode of the original show – a lively, half-hour mix of songs, skits, jokes, and a look behind the scenes at how the show was made. The story loosely follows Kermit and Scooter as they try to finalize the lineup of performers, leading to a heartwarming musical finale with the whole cast singing Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

The recent debut of The Muppet Show has been a hit with both critics and audiences. Critics gave it a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it a smart and heartfelt return to a beloved childhood favorite. Viewers agreed, awarding the show a remarkable 99% approval rating, showing widespread enthusiasm.

I’m absolutely thrilled with the newest Muppet production! It’s not just getting amazing reviews, but people are watching it too! I checked FlixPatrol, and it debuted at number four on Disney+ – that’s incredible! It’s right behind big titles like TRON: Ares and The Devil Wears Prada. Even better, it’s the number one most-streamed movie in places like Australia! It’s so wonderful to see the Muppets doing so well.

It’s wonderful to see The Muppet Show back and as funny as ever! The Muppets have always been popular with audiences, and this new show proves they still have what it takes. This success makes you wonder why we don’t see the Muppets on screen more often.

Disney Needs to Make More Muppets Projects

It’s obvious Disney hasn’t made the most of the Muppets over the past ten years. The Muppets have a long and successful history, including many seasons of their famous variety show and numerous movies. The brand has generated over $7 billion in revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and licensing. Considering this success, it’s surprising Disney isn’t utilizing the franchise more effectively.

As a critic, I’ve been watching Disney’s handling of the Muppets with a bit of frustration. It felt like they were finally getting back on track after the first film, but that momentum quickly fizzled. While Muppets Most Wanted had its moments, it didn’t quite recapture the magic. Then came a TV experiment that unfortunately didn’t land, and since then, Disney hasn’t really known what to do with these beloved characters – it’s been quiet on the Muppet front for far too long, honestly.

The recent popularity of The Muppet Show demonstrates that Disney is missing out on a valuable opportunity. People are craving classic, wholesome entertainment, and many Muppet fans would be thrilled to see them return to making movies. A great idea would be to revive their tradition of playfully spoofing famous stories, like their take on A Christmas Carol.

Disney+ could bring back The Muppet Show as a regular series. The recent TV special feels like a test run – if it’s popular enough, it could lead to a full season. The end of the special almost feels like the Muppets are directly asking viewers to watch and help bring the show back after many years.

Disney needs to find better ways to showcase the Muppets in the future. This beloved franchise is too popular to fade away just because it hasn’t been used recently. Reviving The Muppet Show would be a great way to keep Kermit and his friends entertaining audiences for years to come.

The Muppet Show is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-02-08 06:08