The Muppets made their debut in 1955 with Sam and Friends, a short-form sketch program that led into The Tonight Show (1954). Their popularity grew quickly, and the Muppets got their own full-length variety show in 1976 with The Muppet Show. Three years later, the group of hilarious puppets debuted their first feature film with The Muppet Movie in 1979.
Since then, they’ve received seven more films, taking them everywhere from Manhattan to deserted islands, and even space. If you’re a fan of the Muppets and are excited about the reboot of The Muppet Show that’s premiering in February 2026, check out the list below to discover every Muppet movie in order, including where they’re all streaming on Disney+, Prime Video, and more! Note: This list only includes theatrical releases, not made-for-TV movies like The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005).
The Muppet Movie (1979)
In The Muppet Movie, audiences get to see the Muppets’ origin story of how they all met. It all began with Kermit in the swamp performing his now-famous song “Rainbow Connection.” After being heard by a talent scout, he sets off to the big city, and along the way, he meets the gang, from Miss Piggy to Gonzo, Rowlf, and more.
The film was a huge hit thanks to the Muppets’ trademark style of mixing wholesome humor and smart spoofs. “Rainbow Connection” even scored an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Think of The Muppet Movie as having the vibes of a DreamWorks film long before DreamWorks was ever a thing. If you’re a fan of family movies like Shrek (2001), but want to see some old-school puppetry before CGI was around, watch The Muppet Movie.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
In 1981, the Muppets joined the caper genre with The Great Muppet Caper. In the movie, luxe fashion designer Lady Holiday has her priceless jewellery collection stolen. Naturally, it’s up to the Muppets (who are now working as investigative reporters) to solve the crime.
For anyone who loves a good lighthearted caper film, like Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), this is a must-watch thanks to its great humor, witty puns, and its various spoofs on the caper genre. Plus, with the Muppets gaining so much fame, the film was able to attract a fantastic cameo cast, including John Cleese and Jack Warden.
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
In The Muppets Take Manhattan, the Muppets head to the Big Apple to debut a Broadway show. But of course, being the Muppets, everything goes wrong, and the gang finds themselves in over their heads. Think of it kinda like a family-friendly version of The Producers (2005), where the Muppets lampoon Broadway and turn New York into their personal playground.
It’s loaded with great jokes and will be especially fun for theater fans and anyone who loves or has lived in NYC. Plus, the movie is loaded with great cameos from people like Joan Rivers, Brooke Shields, and even Liza Minnelli.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
In 1992, the Muppets hijacked Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol, with The Muppet Christmas Carol. In the film, Michael Caine plays Scrooge, and he’s joined by Muppets taking over various other roles, like Kermit playing Bob Cratchit and Statler playing Jacob Marley (and honestly, Statler is the best Marley in the history of cinema.)
The movie wasn’t a huge success upon its theatrical debut, but throughout the years, it’s gained popularity thanks to the home video market and airing on TV during the holiday season. Now, it’s considered by fans to be one of the best Muppet movies. If you love A Christmas Carol (2009), but are looking for a new, humorous take on the old classic, you’ll want to check this one out.
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
The Muppets took on another iconic story in 1996, this time remaking the 1883 classic Treasure Island. For Muppet Treasure Island, legend Tim Curry joined the cast as Long John Silver, alongside other celebs like Billy Connolly and AbFab’s Jennifer Saunders. The trio is hilarious in their roles, and of course, they were joined by the Muppets filling in various other roles. Together, they retell the timeless story of pirates, hunting for treasure, and surviving a mutiny.
Muppet Treasure Island is a lot of fun, has great musical numbers, and wholly benefited from casting someone as funny and witty as Tim Curry, who perfectly plays off the Muppets’ farcical humor. The film is a must-watch for viewers of all ages and remains my favorite Muppet movie to this day. If you love 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean (which itself is inspired by Treasure Island), you’ll love this hilarious take on the swashbuckling genre.
Muppets from Space (1999)
Gonzo’s origin is finally explained in Muppets from Space. In the film, he makes contact with aliens who claim to know which planet he’s from, but of course, the US government and military launch a clandestine program to ensure they have complete control over any kind of alien contact. Gonzo finds himself at the middle of it all, and ample Muppet wackiness is enjoyed by all.
The movie is easily one of the most bonkers Muppets movies (and that’s saying something), as it adds a great sci-fi twist to the Muppets’ trademark campy humor. But Muppets from Space also received mixed reviews, with some claiming the film’s vibe was somewhat off and low-energy. It’s true that it isn’t the strongest Muppet movie and does feel a little sluggish, but for franchise fans, it’s still a fun watch and is perfect for anyone who loves movies like The Iron Giant (1999).
The Muppets (2011)
After taking a hiatus for over a decade, the Muppets hit the big screen again in 2011 with The Muppets. This time around, the Muppets have to save their rundown Muppet Theater after oil tycoons try to buy it and tear it down. To raise enough money to save the theater, the Muppets band together and launch a telethon.
With a big budget and modern stars, The Muppets was a huge hit and perfectly mixed classic Muppet hijinks with a modern story. Plus, it had a fantastic cast, with Amy Adams and Jason Segel leading, and tons of supporting and cameo appearances from Selena Gomez, Emily Blunt, Rashida Jones, and more. If you love 2002’s Scooby-Doo movie, where the gang has to reunite after years apart, you’re going to love The Muppets.
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
In Muppets Most Wanted, Kermit gets mistaken for his doppelganger, the infamous criminal Constantine. With a classic switcheroo, Kermit ends up in a Russian prison, while Constantine impersonates Kermit and takes over the Muppet Show while planning his next crime.
First off, evil Kermit is laugh-out-loud funny, and the entire movie is worth it just for that alone. Plus, Muppets Most Wanted has a great caper vibe, similar to The Great Muppet Caper, and pokes fun at the genre’s many tropes. It also has a lot of Inspector Clouseau spoofs as well, thanks to Ty Burrell’s character, Jean Pierre Napoleon, who “investigates” the case. If you love spoofy movies like The Pink Panther (2006), but want it filled with even more gags, you’ll love Muppets Most Wanted.
