The Muppet Show

In a delightful return to form, 'The Muppet Show' (2026) proves that some theatrical magic is truly timeless. Directed by Alex Timbers, this 32-minute TV movie is a vibrant, chaotic love letter to the original variety show format, injecting it with modern energy while keeping its heart firmly in the right place. The premise is classic Muppets: Kermit the Frog, now a seasoned but perpetually flustered producer, attempts to helm a new episode at the iconic Muppet Theatre with pop star Sabrina Carpenter as the 'very special guest.' What follows is a whirlwind of musical numbers, backstage antics, and the glorious anarchy that ensues when Miss Piggy's diva demands, Fozzie's woeful jokes, and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew's explosive experiments all collide. The film smartly avoids a complex plot, instead focusing on the joyous, interconnected vignettes that celebrate performance and camaraderie. Alex Timbers directs with a keen eye for both the grand spectacle of the stage and the intimate, frantic chaos behind the curtain. The puppetry, led by veterans like Bill Barretta and Dave Goelz, remains an absolute marvel—fluid, expressive, and brimming with personality. Sabrina Carpenter proves a game and talented foil, seamlessly slipping into the Muppet universe for a show-stopping musical number. While the runtime feels slightly abbreviated, leaving some gags underdeveloped, the sheer density of charm per minute is impressive.