What Happened to The Muppets?

The Muppets, an iconic collection of puppet characters, originated in 1955 with Jim Henson's local Washington, D.C. television show, 'Sam and Friends.' Kermit the Frog, one of Henson's earliest creations, quickly became the most recognizable figure. The Muppets gained international stardom with 'The Muppet Show,' a syndicated variety series that ran from 1976 to 1981, earning critical acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards. This period also saw their expansion into successful theatrical films like 'The Muppet Movie' (1979).

Following Jim Henson's unexpected death in 1990, negotiations for Disney to acquire Jim Henson Productions, which had been ongoing, were halted. The Jim Henson Company continued to produce Muppet content, including films like 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992) and 'Muppet Treasure Island' (1996) in co-production with Walt Disney Pictures. However, the ownership of the Muppet characters became complex. In 2000, The Jim Henson Company sold the Muppet properties to German media company EM.TV & Merchandising AG, which then sold the 'Sesame Street' characters to Sesame Workshop in 2001. The Henson family reacquired The Jim Henson Company in 2003.

A pivotal turning point occurred in 2004 when The Walt Disney Company officially acquired 'The Muppets' and 'Bear in the Big Blue House' intellectual properties from The Jim Henson Company. Disney established The Muppets Studio to manage the franchise, overseeing films, television series, specials, theme park attractions, and merchandise. The Jim Henson Company, now run by Henson's children, retained ownership of 'Fraggle Rock,' 'The Dark Crystal,' and Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

Under Disney's ownership, The Muppets have seen various attempts at revitalization. This included the unscripted Disney+ series 'Muppets Now' in 2020 and the Halloween special 'Muppets Haunted Mansion' in October 2021, which received generally positive reviews. In May 2023, 'The Muppets Mayhem,' a musical comedy series centered on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, premiered on Disney+, but was canceled after one season in November 2023.

The year 2026 has marked a significant period for The Muppets. On February 4, 2026, a new 'The Muppet Show' special event premiered on Disney+ and ABC, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original series. This special, featuring guest stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen, and Maya Rudolph, aimed to return to the classic variety show format and was seen as a potential pilot for a full series. Further bolstering their presence, Disney's Hollywood Studios unveiled 'Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets' on May 26, 2026, replacing the previous Aerosmith theme. This new attraction features Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, with a Muppet-themed storyline and soundtrack. As of August 29, 2026, a permit was filed for the new coaster, likely for routine maintenance or punch-list work. While the D23 Expo in August 2026 featured a panel on 'The Muppets Musical History with Seth MacFarlane' to promote his new album of Muppet covers, no new major film or series projects were announced at the event. The current strategy appears to be a blend of nostalgic revivals and integrating the characters into Disney's theme park experiences.