Year: 2011
Runtime: 98 mins
Language: English
Director: James Bobin
Budget: $45M
A passionate Muppet fan named Walter discovers that oil tycoon Tex Richman plans to tear down the historic Muppet Theater. Teaming up with Gary and Mary, he helps to organize a massive telethon to raise $10 million and prevent the demolition. The effort reunites the Muppets, who are now pursuing various careers – Fozzie is in a tribute band, Miss Piggy is in fashion, Animal is in rehab, and Gonzo has become a plumbing mogul. Kermit leads the charge to save their beloved theater and bring the Muppets back together.
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Set twelve years after The Muppets From Space, the story begins with Walter, a humble, dwarfish yellow-skinned humanoid puppet, who lives a simple life with his older brother Gary (Jason Segel) in the quaint town of Smalltown. Despite Walter being somewhat of a social misfit, their bond flourishes through their shared passion for the Muppets, which began during their childhood as they watched The Muppet Show. As adults, their dynamic remains intact, and Gary, eager to celebrate his tenth anniversary with his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams), invites Walter on a trip to Los Angeles.
Upon arrival in Los Angeles, the trio visits the legendary Muppet Theater, only to discover it in dire disrepair. Walter sneaks into Kermit the Frog’s office, where he overhears Statler and Waldorf discussing a shady deal with Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), an oil tycoon looking to demolish the theater for his own profit. Walter quickly realizes the Muppets must raise 10 million dollars to save their beloved theater before it’s too late. He shares this shocking news with Gary and Mary, setting the stage for their quest to track down Kermit at his mansion.
Once they find Kermit, he’s devastated, understanding that to raise the funds, they must put on a show—a venture the Muppets have long abandoned. Driven by determination, Walter encourages Kermit to revive the troupe. They embark on a journey to reconnect with their old friends. They locate Fozzie Bear, who is now stuck performing with a bunch of subpar Muppet impersonators called the “Moopets” in Reno. With Kermit’s persuasion, Fozzie decides to leave the group behind. Meanwhile, Gonzo has turned into a successful plumbing magnate, but his longing for his adventurous past leads him to blow up his business and join the team.
Finding Animal at a celebrity anger-management clinic proves fruitful, but with a stipulation: he must avoid drums per his sponsor, Jack Black. The Muppets venture to Paris to persuade Miss Piggy, now Vogue Paris’ editor in chief, to rejoin them, but she initially declines, leading them to temporarily adopt her Moopet counterpart, “Miss Poogy”.
As they prepare for their telethon, they face rejection from numerous TV networks, until Veronica (Rashida Jones) reluctantly offers them a two-hour slot, contingent on landing a celebrity guest. The Muppets begin renovations on the theater, but their rehearsals fall flat, and Kermit struggles to secure a guest. When Miss Piggy finally returns and ousts Miss Poogy, she encourages Walter to explore his hidden talent.
With the clock ticking, Kermit pleads with Tex to return the studio, but Tex holds a bitter grudge against the Muppets due to a past incident. Mary feels overlooked after Gary forgets their anniversary and returns home, leading both Gary and Walter to confront their respective struggles, prompting self-realization. Gary steps up, rekindling his relationship with Mary just as they witness the telethon’s chaotic launch with Black as the host.
As the telethon unfolds, Tex’s sabotage tactics rear their ugly head, but Gary and Mary rush back to save the day, aided by Uncle Deadly’s rebellious turn against Tex. Walter uncovers his talent through a remarkable whistling act, earning the audience’s admiration. Tension mounts when they discover a significant donation glitch, leaving them far short of their goal. Kermit reminds everyone that their efforts are what truly matter.
In a heartwarming conclusion, the Muppets, united once again with Walter, Gary, and Mary, greet a throng of enthusiastic fans outside the theater, creating a finale that resonates with joy and camaraderie. As an epilogue unfolds, Gary proposes to Mary, Black is crowned by Hobo Joe’s gang, and after a comical mishap leads Tex to laughter, he returns the Muppet name and theater to the beloved ensemble, heralding a new chapter for the Muppets.
Last Updated: November 07, 2024 at 23:12
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Energetic and heartfelt stories of old friends coming together for one more big show.If you liked seeing the Muppets reunite to save their theater, you'll enjoy these movies where old friends get the band back together. Discover similar stories filled with joyful camaraderie, nostalgic quests, and uplifting triumphs against the odds.
The narrative follows a clear call to action that forces a scattered group to reunite. The journey involves tracking down each member, overcoming their initial reluctance, and combining their unique talents to succeed in a collective endeavor, usually against a ticking clock.
These films share a core focus on the power of friendship and nostalgia. They blend comedy with heartfelt emotion, feature fast-paced plots centered around a specific event or goal, and deliver a satisfying, happy conclusion that celebrates community.
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A clearly defined external threat motivates a quirky but good-hearted team to rally. They face a series of comedic obstacles but never lose their optimistic spirit, using their unique talents and sheer determination to achieve a crowd-pleasing victory.
This thread groups movies that prioritize fun, optimism, and low-stakes adventure. They share a fast pace, a straightforward narrative, a light emotional touch, and a consistent tone of hope and whimsy that makes them perfect for a cheerful viewing experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Muppets in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Muppets is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Muppets with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Muppets. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Muppets that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Muppets: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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