Story
When Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) runs into a Hollywood movie agent (Dom DeLuise) while singing in a swamp, it sparks dreams of becoming a Hollywood star. In search of an audition, Kermit journeys across the country, picking up new Muppet friends along the way.
Meanwhile, dastardly restaurant owner Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) chases Kermit and his friends. He wants to exploit Kermit’s talents for singing, dancing and making jokes, to help his restaurant market its specialty, ‘fried frog legs’.
Themes
Friendship; adventure
Violence
The Muppet Movie has some violence. For example:
- A man is thrown out of a bar through a pair of saloon doors. He isn’t hurt.
- A man threatens Fozzie Bear with a broken bottle in response to a ‘fat’ joke.
- A man dressed as a cowboy heckles Fozzie during his comedy set by shooting a gun towards Fozzie. The gunshot doesn’t hit Fozzie.
- People throw fruit and vegetables at Kermit and Fozzie’s dance routine.
- Miss Piggy knocks out several men using martial arts moves, including punching and kicking.
Sexual references
The Muppet Movie has some sexual references in this movie, including when an attractive woman flirts with Kermit by asking him to buy her a drink.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
The Muppet Movie shows some use of substances in this movie. For example:
- Characters drink beer and wine.
- Characters smoke cigars.
Nudity and sexual activity
The Muppet Movie has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Miss Piggy has visible cleavage.
- Miss Piggy and Kermit kiss during a dream sequence.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in The Muppet Movie: Variety Magazine, a Studebaker car, and Coca-Cola.
Coarse language
The Muppet Movie some mild coarse language in this movie, including ‘pest hole’.
Ideas to discuss with your children
The Muppet Movie is a classic children’s movie, featuring beloved Muppet favourites including Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, the Great Gonzo and Beaker. Released in 1979, the movie is potentially dated by some of it references (for example, to Hare Krishna) and celebrity guests (for example, Richard Pryor and Orson Welles). But it’s still a fun, funny, sing-along journey likely to entertain children.
Although The Muppet Movie isn’t suitable for children under 5 years, it’s likely to appeal to families with children aged 6 years and over. We recommend parental guidance for children aged 5-6 years because of some potentially frightening scenes.
The main message from this movie is that you should not only follow your own dreams, but also help others to follow theirs. Working together helps everyone achieve their goals.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:
- working as part of a team
- being a good friend
- standing up for your beliefs – for example, Kermit stands firm against advertising fried frog legs
- never giving up.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like:
- making jokes about other people – for example, Fozzie Bear starts to make a joke about ‘fat people’ but stops when he’s threatened by a heavy-set sailor
- using guns.