33 Years Ago Today, One of the Best Christmas Movies Ever Arrived (And You May Have Never Seen the Real Version)

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It’s the holiday season, which means plenty of movies are available – everything from action and comedy to heartwarming romances. But one Christmas movie consistently rises above the rest, often considered a true classic. Originally released 33 years ago, it’s surprisingly possible you’ve never seen the original version of this beloved film.

Released on December 11, 1992, The Muppet Christmas Carol is widely considered one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made. It was the first Muppet film after the passing of Jim Henson in 1990, directed by his son, Brian Henson. The movie stars the popular Muppets alongside the acclaimed actor Michael Caine, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge. Though it wasn’t a huge success in theaters initially, it has since become a beloved holiday tradition and a memorable film.

The Muppet Christmas Carol Is Disney’s First Muppet Film (Before They Actually Owned The Muppets)

What sets The Muppet Christmas Carol apart is its unique blend of Muppet silliness and a surprisingly faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. While it fully embraces the playful Muppet style you’d expect, the movie stays remarkably true to the original 1843 story. This combination – a classic tale told with Muppet humor – creates a particularly delightful and engaging experience.

Interestingly, The Muppet Christmas Carol was the first Muppet movie to star a human lead—Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge—and he delivers a wonderfully convincing performance. The contrast between Caine’s serious Scrooge and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit creates some truly special moments. Beyond the story itself, this film also marks a turning point in Muppet history. It was the first Muppet production made by Disney, which is notable because Disney would later buy the rights to the Muppets just twelve years later. It almost feels like the Ghost of Christmas Future knew it was going to happen!

You’ve Probably Never Seen The Real Version of The Muppet Christmas Carol

Something fascinating about The Muppet Christmas Carol is that a song was removed from the final cut of the movie, despite the director wanting to keep it. The song, titled “When Love Is Gone,” is sung by Belle (Meredith Braun), Scrooge’s former love. It explains how his growing obsession with money caused her to leave him – a really sad and touching moment. While the scene of Belle leaving Scrooge is short in the version most people have seen, he’s clearly heartbroken after remembering it. The cut song would have given audiences a deeper understanding of his pain.

The song was cut from the original theatrical release because the then-chairman of Walt Disney Studios believed it wouldn’t resonate with younger audiences. Instead, it was moved to the end credits. This decision was odd, considering the final song in the movie, “When Love Is Found,” is a direct response to the cut song. Over the years, some home video releases included the song in different versions, creating confusion for fans who wanted to see the complete film. Fortunately, in 2022, the full-length version of The Muppet Christmas Carol became available on a streaming platform, though it’s located in the film’s extras menu under the title “The Muppet Christmas Carol (Full Length Version).”

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2025-12-11 21:15