Before today, if someone had asked about my favorite thing about 2026 so far — more regarding pop culture than personal life — I’d almost definitely say Seth Rogen’s pitch-perfect Muppet Show revival special. It captured the spirit of the show and its troupe as splendidly as any Muppets project in the 21st century. But now it appears that will soon be eclipsed by a completely different kind of Muppets project: a crossover with Marvel’s superheroes.

That’s right, some of Jim Henson and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s most beloved creations will be teaming up and/or squaring off for the first time in Marvel Comics’ upcoming one-shot special The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe, an obvious play on the 1984 film The Muppets Take Manhattan. (Which itself had a comic book adaptation published by Marvel.) The crossover doesn’t technically need a reason to exist, but it’s hitting stores in September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show. Check out the main cover below from artist Nick Bradshaw:

Wokka wok-kanda! Things in Space! Captain Amahna-mahna-merica! The sky is the limit, people!

Okay, as far as what fans can actually expect, here's a breakdown for some of the various mash-up stories that'll be featured:

• The crossover kicks off with a story from writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Pete Woods, in which Rowlf gets dognapped by Mojo to help jumpstart his new streaming platform. Expect to see all the biggest characters, from Kermit and Miss Piggy to Spider-Man and Wolverine, as well as Black Panther, Emma Frost, Fozzie and more.
• Writer Kyle Starks and artist Mike Henderson head to Muppet Laps where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are testing an experiment with Bruce Banner and Hank Pym. Everything goes according to plan, and Beaker does not panic once. Orrr not.
• When Doctor Strange is unable to reverse the effects of a mystical virus plaguing Clea, he finds himself at the mercy of the Swedish Chef, with writer Ashley Allen and artist Paco Medina bringing this one to life.
• Writer MacKenzie Cadenhead and artist David Baldeon head into orbit for a Pigs in Space crossover with Rocket Raccoon and Groot.
• More stories will be included from Philip Kennedy Johnson, Adam F. Goldberg, E.J. Su and Áthila Fabbio.

Here's a fantastically self-aware statement from prolific comic scribe Chip Zdarsky:

He went on to say how pumped he is to write for Miss Piggy, whom Zdarsky considers "one of the greatest icons of the last hundred years, a character who speaks to every generation," before then saying "I also got to write Deadpool." Shots fired, Wade, even if the wounds aren't permanent. Sabrina Carpenter might not have such glowing compliments, though. Teehee.

You can bet I'll be preordering Mattew Lolli's variant cover paying homage to Muppet Treasure Island for its 30th anniversary. But the first page could be made out of toilet paper and it'd still be the best thing ever. Maybe not used toilet paper.

While I don't readily have expectations for this crossover comic book to lead to new projects being added to the lists of upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows, but I don't think it would hurt those odds if the one-shot ends up being a massive success. Even if it leads to a live-action one-shot like The Punisher: One Last Kill, or even something more akin to Bluey's mini-sodes, I'd welcome it all with open arms and retracted claws.

It's already been a big year for the Muppets, who also took over Disney World's Rock 'N' Roller Coaster for some musical thrills. So look forward to The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe hitting shelves on September 23, 2026.

The Mandalorian and Grogu’s box office debut last weekend may not have been groundbreaking for the Star Wars Universe, but the movie is definitely a crowd-pleaser for those who decided they wanted to see the streaming-era duo on the big screen. I know I’m not alone in loving the ways in which the movie felt like a throwback to the original trilogy, but there’s something else many fans are talking about regarding the movie. And, it’s got me thinking about a move I want to see The Walt Disney Company do next.

A Lot Of Fans Of Mandalorian And Grogu Are Loving The Same Thing

It’s no surprise people are talking about all the best Baby Yoda/Grogu moments in the latest of 2026 movie releases, but there was a clear trend when I’ve been looking over my Threads feed in recent days. Check it out:

• “There’s a sequence in The Mandalorian and Grogu where it becomes a full-on puppet show…in the best way. Like, not since The Dark Crystal have I seen a bunch of puppets speaking gibberish and acting off each other with no humans in sight in a mainstream movie. And it was extra cool to see that kind of high-tech puppetry in IMAX.” - @yaytime
• “This movie really feels like ‘what if we made a movie where everyone is a muppet and Pedro Pascal was the only human’” - @_bdazzler_
• “Give me 100 more muppet movies thinly disguised as Star Wars, this was absolute gas” - @lukastarnold
• “The Mandalorian and Grogu was basically a muppet adventure & I loved every single second” - @sadieohbaby
• “As someone who watched the muppets daily as a child, this movie truly fed my inner child.” - @leoslovelytreasures

These are definitely akin to thoughts my partner and I had when we saw The Mandalorian and Grogu. While it’s not the whole movie, there’s a point midway through when the entire movie is being carried by puppet/animatronics, and it’s reminiscent of a Muppets movie. This aspect of the movie is getting a lot of good vibes from audiences who were clear about how much it reminded them of how much they missed seeing these sorts of characters in movie theaters.

It’s Time To Revive The Muppets For The Big Screen

Earlier this year, I was hyped to see Disney+ revive The Muppets Show for a single episode, and I pitched why we need the streaming series to continue. However, after seeing The Mandalorian and Grogu and seeing all this excitement over puppeteering, I actually think the clear move is Walt Disney Studios greenlighting a new The Muppets movie. It’s been over a decade since we’ve had a movie from the franchise hit theaters (in the form of Muppets Most Wanted) – which means an entire generation of kids haven’t seen Kermit the Frog before his own theatrical release.

While Muppets Most Wanted was sort of a flop, it was a lesser sequel to 2011's The Muppets, which made $171.8 million against a $45 million budget. That’s pretty dang good if we're talking green. To me, it feels like we’re in a weird moment where a lot of Disney franchises are getting stale. The Muppets movie revival would be such a great follow-up to The Mandalorian and Grogu, in addition to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows already on the way.

The Muppets and celebrities have always gone hand in hand, so it comes as no surprise that the updated Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets is absolutely packed with celebrity cameos. I was anticipating there being a lot to unpack, but I did not count on just how many there would be. However, what was even more surprising was the staggering number of deep-cut Muppet references. Shoutout to the Imagineer who looped me in.

The Rock’n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets is just one of Walt Disney World’s new attractions. CinemaBlend had a chance to experience the ride firsthand during a preview of Cool Kids’ Summer, which kicked off on May 26, and I tried to spot as many Muppet references as possible while queuing up to ride the chaos-fueled coaster.

As I made my way through G-Force Records, I spotted a couple of deep-cut references myself. One of my favorites has to be a tribute to MuppetVision 3D — may it rest in peace.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Gonzo, Gags, and Deep-Cut Details

Near the old show’s entrance, there used to be a door with a sign reading “keys under mat,” where guests could lift a nearby floor mat to find a hidden key underneath. I’m happy to report that the door has made its way into the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster queue, where it now serves as the entrance to Gonzo’s Flight School. A sign explains that Gonzo is away at the concert and, once again, the “keys” are under the mat — though this time, if you look closely, you’ll spot a set of piano keys peeking out from underneath.

This is just one tiny example of the details hidden throughout the ride. So when I had the chance to speak with one of the Imagineers behind the new coaster, David Brescia, I had to ask about other hard-to-spot Muppet references. He told us:

I got a little choked up when I saw the portrait for myself the first time. Brescia also told us to be on the lookout for PizzaRizzo, and I can confirm there are several references to the fun-loving rat’s restaurant both in the queue and on the ride itself. Pizza slices and boxes are scattered throughout the sets and can even be spotted while cruising down the 101. And if you take a quick peek to your left after loading into the L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object) ride vehicle, you might spot the Squeakeasy, a rat biker bar established in 1936 — the year Jim Henson was born.

A Constantly Revolving Door of Celebrities in the Livestream

Besides the countless Muppet references — of which I barely scratched the surface — I need to talk about the “livestream” video that plays in the rotunda queue. The video features all-new material showing everyone backstage and in the audience waiting for the Electric Mayhem to show up to their own concert, which they are several hours late to.

If you stay and watch the whole thing (or are stuck in line for more than 30 minutes), you will spot a ton of celebrities throughout the stream. I was able to catch most of them, but I still had to follow up with Brescia to make sure I did not miss any. He had several names to drop:

Ken Marino goes from soundboard operator to G-Force studio executive—a pretty solid upgrade. Brescia also mentioned John Stamos and Danny Trejo, but the full list is even more impressive, including Awkwafina, Neil Patrick Harris, Questlove, Travis Barker, Joe Elliott, and Phil Collen. And for another fun Muppet reference, Walter from The Muppets and The Muppets Most Wanted also shows up ready to watch the concert.

This is only a fraction of the references you can find on the ride, and every time you go on, you are bound to discover something new. Whether you are rocking out to one of the songs on the set list, spotting a poster featuring Angus McGonagle — who appeared in a single episode of The Muppet Show — or waiting to see if John Stamos finally makes it into the VIP room, there is always a reason to ride again.

There are many updated or new attractions coming to Walt Disney World. One of those attractions opened this week, just in time for summer crowds: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. It was hard for me to imagine a world where this ride did not have Aerosmith music playing until I experienced it firsthand, as the iconic songs, semi-screamed at riders by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, had been a staple of the park since the late ’90s. But time passes and change comes, and the Electric Mayhem took over the groovy ride this week. Let me tell you, it was not an easy feat to come together.

When it came time for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem to become the new headliners, Disney had their work cut out for them. Deciding on the final set list became one of the biggest challenges of the reimagining, and I found out from some Imagineers that the team tested an insane number of songs before finally locking it all in.

CinemaBlend was invited to preview the new ride this past week as part of Walt Disney World's Cool Kid's Summer event, which officially kicks off on May 26th. When we had a chance to chat with one of the Imagineers behind the ride, David Brescia, I had to ask about the music and how the team landed on the final set list. He told us:

Yes, 200, and yes, by testing he means riding to them. Jumping on a coaster more than 200 times to figure out what songs fit may seem like a lot, although it is still not quite as insane as riding one more than 15,000 times. What a job.

The final set list includes some real bangers and features several major artist collaborations, as well. Finding the right balance between classic rock energy and Electric Mayhem chaos became one of the biggest priorities during development. Brescia went on to tell us:

Def Leppard is specifically featured on “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” one of what I feel are the standout needle drops in the lineup. Guests should note hearing the full playlist requires multiple rides, as only one song plays per experience—meaning at least five rides are needed to hear every track, and that's if you are lucky.

The heart and soul of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is still very much alive in this updated attraction. The Muppets bring a different energy to the ride, but it still delivers the same high-speed, music-driven chaos fans love while feeling more accessible to a wider audience. And while you’re at Hollywood Studios, don’t miss the chance to join Grogu on the new mission aboard Smugglers Run, new this Cool Kids summer, too.

On the felt-covered surface, one might not automatically link the Star Wars universe and Jim Henson's Muppets characters, but such connections exist. The Mandalorian and Grogu gives fans of both a reason to cheer, thanks to the more adorable half of the film's title. (Sorry for the sour grapes, Pedro Pascal.) But as eager as I was to see him on the big screen, I'm always equally enthused to learn what working with Grogu is like behind the scenes.

I was thankfully able to shake a few comments loose from co-star Jonny Coyne (The Blacklist, The Toxic Avenger), who understandably had to stay fairly tight-lipped about anything that happens with his character Lord Janu in the 2026 movie release itself. (Naturally, I talked to him on the very same day my spoilers-related Force powers were at their weakest.) But he did confirm that the puppeteers in charge of handling Grogu share a similar in-character dedication with The Muppets’ squad.

When I asked what FKA Baby Yoda was like on the set, Coyne amusingly implied Grogu is an exception of sorts to a long-held showbiz belief. In his words:

Babies can be whiny, fussy, hungry or a million other non-camera-friendly emotions, while animals have a tendency to do the opposite of what's being asked when filming is happening. But an animal-esque creature that's small and cute enough to be a baby even though it's 50+ years old? That's apparently the happiest medium, and its name is Grogu.

Coyne continued, giving the tech team props for its method approach to keeping the big-eyed character active when the cameras weren't rolling on the upcoming Star Wars movie, which is no doubt inspired by the Henson school of thought.

Operating an entity like Grogu is obviously on a wholly different level from the work that Muppets performers bring to their characters, both on-screen and off. They're more physically involved, as well as more vocally involved, given that Grogu isn't so invested in language at this point. But the mindset behind not breaking character is a bridge between both sets of artists.

Grogu himself is as much a tie to the Muppets as anything, given that Yoda was the voiced and co-performed by Frank Oz, the legend behind other iconic characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and more. (The Yoda team featured other Jim Henson Company performers as well, such as Kathryn Mullen, Wendy Froud and David Barclay.) Plus, three months before The Empire Strikes Back even hit theaters, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Peter Mayhew guest-starred in Season 4 of The Muppet Show. (Check out this fun conspiracy theory based on that appearance.)

And let's not forget that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, friends with Henson, also famously allowed Muppet Babies to use footage, character names and plot points from Star Wars movies (and Indiana Jones) for episodes, strengthening that connection while also unwittingly making it impossible for the animated series to ever hit DVD or streaming.

In any case, when I asked Jonny Coyne about his own personal Muppets fandom, he wowed me once more by bringing up a personal connection.

(Though Coyne didn't namedrop anyone, I believe he's talking about the stage and screen's Louise Gold, star of multiple Muppets series and films, who was part of the cast ensemble that performed at Jim Henson's funeral. But don't quote me on it.)

Hopefully Disney is planning on turning the Seth Rogen-produced Muppet Show revival special into a full-on series, and that Pedro Pascal and Team Grogu have been tapped as guest stars, so we can finally get Kermit the Frog and Baby Yoda in the same room. Can you imagine a feature where Kermit was the one tasked with keeping The Child safe? MAKE THAT MOVIE RIGHT NOW, DISNEY! And put Jonny Coyne in it, whydontcha?

In closing, I think I'd like to introduce a new adage that can one day be spoken of as a classic one: "Everything is better with, and because of, The Muppets."

Now keep your eyes peeled for any Pigs In Space nods in The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is in theaters as of May 22, 2026.

A lot of Muppets fans were bummed when it was announced that Muppet*Vision 3D, a Walt Disney World show long rumored to be closing, had finally announced its demise. The final day of the attraction was as much like a funeral as it was a celebration of a favorite attraction. However, there have been some silver linings in the clouds for Muppet fans.

First, we’ve received confirmation that a version of Muppet Vision 3D is set to debut at some point for VR and AR headsets, giving guests a chance to sit in the Muppet Theater once again. Second, the Muppets' time at Walt Disney World isn’t over yet, as the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, Starring The Muppets, is set to debut this summer. However, I’m now slightly less excited for this, as the first news about the upcoming ride isn’t quite what I expected.

The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets May Not Include Any Muppet Music

This morning, Walt Disney World announced that on Wednesday, it will reveal the full track list for the music to be included in the new version of Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. As a fan of all things Muppets, I was excited as some of the Muppets' music have been favorites of mine since I was a kid. Songs like “Moving Right Along” or “Can You Picture That?” from The Muppet Movie would seem like obvious inclusions. Some of the music from the recent Muppets Mayhem series, available with a Disney+ subscription, would also make sense.

And yet, it looks like the plan isn’t for Muppet music on the Muppet roller coaster, at least not entirely. One track has already been revealed, and it’s an Electric Mayhem cover of Blur’s “Song 2.” With cover songs on the table, I have to wonder if all of the songs on the new ride will be covers.

Muppet Covers Are Great, But Hopefully There’s Some Real Muppet Music Sure

To be clear, I have nothing against the Muppets covering great music. They’ve been doing that for as long as the Muppets have been around. I love “Song 2,” and I’m excited to hear the Muppet version. I can already hear Animal’s screams replacing the classic “Woo Hoo.”

However, I hope that as more tracks are revealed, what we’ll get is a combination of covers and “Muppet Music.” It is a Muppet ride, after all. The previous Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster had multiple Aerosmith medleys that would play randomly on each ride, so it’s possible we could get a lot of different songs on the new coaster, or even new songs added later.

I hope things work that way, because if this is going to be a "one song per ride" situation, while that adds to the re-rideability of the attraction, which is good, it's a bit too much like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for my taste. We already have a ride that does that at Disney World. The Muppets coaster should stand apart in some way.

I can’t imagine Muppet music will be entirely left out of the new ride, but I hope it’s more than a single token song when there are so many great Muppet songs that would be excellent to include as well.

For yours truly, the rest of the 2026 TV schedule is going to have to work incredibly flippin’ hard to get my excitement back up to the level it was at watching the magnificence of the Seth Rogen-produced The Muppet Show special. I dunno that anything else will top the critically adored return to the basics, except for maybe a full season of episodes. But the next best thing happened over on social media, where guest star Sabrina Carpenter’s pleasant post sparked a couple of faux-pleasant responses from Miss Piggy.

A day after the special made its streaming debut (via Disney+ subscription), Sabrina Carpenter took to Instagram to spread the word, and all seemed well just looking at her message next to the video of her sharing a duet with Kermit the Frog. Check it out below, and don’t forget to keep reading when you’re done singing along.

Amidst all of the glowing comments, with ABC and Disney+’s accounts also chiming in affectionately, Miss Piggy shared her own kindness-infused comment, and you don’t need to hear her voice to get weighed down by the passive-aggressive pompousness therein. Which then sparked more back-and-forth comments that were just as kind and loving, as seen below.

• MISS PIGGY: A dream to duet with vous, Sabrina!! Kissy, kissy! 💖
  • SABRINA CARPENTER: your lawyers keep calling 🩷🩷🩷🩷
  • MISS PIGGY: And vous keep sending them to your lawyers’ voicemail ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Gotta love the evolving use of hearts, from one pink to four pink to four red. THEY MUST LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH.

For this to be a proper feud, I suppose Sabrina Carpenter would have to bring the same amount of crush-everyone-around-me animosity that Miss Piggy is always a second away from unleashing on the world. For her part, the pop star has played it all graciously, although there's an argument to be made that she probably knew she was stepping in sty mud when she went all in on her Piggy-esque outfit and canoe duet with Kermit.

The mini-tiff began probably as soon as Carpenter was cast, but within the special itself, it was forever obvious that Miss Piggy was not overjoyed by the thought of another attractive female drawing attention. When she rowed out and made herself home inside the canoe next to the Grammy winner, Carpenter tried to take the high road by addressing the idea that she stole Piggy's costume, and thanked the Muppet for not raising an uproar. Which sparked this comment:

The same lawyers that apparently won't stop calling and hearing Sabrina Carpenter's voicemail message. I hope the lawyers are Muppets, too.

Speaking of other starlets joining the Muppet-verse, even if Emma Stone doesn’t want to portray Miss Piggy in the upcoming standalone movie, I would still absolutely love to see them share the screen. I can’t really think of very many celebs who shouldn’t get a scene in with the Muppet queen at some point. Gwyneth Paltrow? I’d goopin’ love it. Chaka Khan? Make it chaka-happen. Bruce Campbell? Nothing would be groovier, baby. (What does it say about me that those were the first three celebs I thought of.)

Until we hear more about the felt-covered characters' next misadveture, The Muppet Show special and all seasons of the original series — among the best sketch comedy shows of all time — can be streamed on Disney+.

It’s a big day for Muppet fans as The Muppet Show is making its return to television for the first time in decades in the form of a TV special. While the show is very much designed to look and feel exactly like the Muppet Show of old, a great deal has changed since then, most notably many of the voices of the characters, including the iconic Kermit the Frog. However, the former voice of Kermit the Frog is not nearly as excited, and he's clearly quite upset.

Following the death of Jim Henson in 1990, Steve Whitmire took the mantle of Kermit, whom he performed until he was fired by Disney back in 2016. Ahead of the release of the new Muppet TV special on the 2026 TV schedule (which is available with a Disney+ subscription), Whitmire posted an extended blog to discuss his views on the future of the Muppets, and Kermit in particular. He makes it clear he is greatly concerned, and he claims he’s not the only one, saying…

Whitmire’s argument is that the Muppets under Disney are treated like any other character role that an actor might perform, but that this is the wrong way for Kermit to be handled. He claims there is a specific character that Kermit the Frog is, and if the performer isn’t handling the role exactly as Jim Henson did, and hasn’t learned how to do it properly, then the essence of the character is gone.

This perspective certainly fits in with the information that came out a decade ago that reportedly led to Whitmore’s firing. Whitmire spoke back in 2017 about disagreements he had with the creative team behind the short-lived The Muppets TV series on ABC. He felt that things Kermit did in the show, such as lying to his nephew Robin about breaking up with Miss Piggy, were simply acts Kermit would not do. This apparently led to some clashes on the set.

Disney has a somewhat different view of the situation, as it called the reason for Whitmire’s firing “unacceptable business conduct,” which the company said took place over many years.

Matt Vogel has been performing Kermit since Whitmire’s departure, but considering the Muppets have seen limited use in that time, the new Muppet Show special may be a lot of people’s first experience with the “new” Kermit. While many may take issue with the voice being noticeably different, Whitmore feels the difference is far deeper than that…

Whitmore clearly feels very strongly about how Kermit and the Muppets are portrayed.

What the future holds for Kermit and the rest of the Muppets is unclear right now. This new Muppet Show special may lead to a revival of the series, though that may not mean The Muppets, as some remember them, will be back.

Fifty years ago the world was introduced to what would become one of the best sketch comedies of all time, thanks to Jim Henson and his understandably overwhelmed host and showrunner Kermit the Frog. The Muppet Show ran for five seasons before the curtain closed in 1981, and several revivals have been attempted over the years. Seth Rogen is spearheading the latest effort, with a one-off special hitting the 2026 TV schedule on February 4, so what are critics saying?

The Muppet Show featured some great guest hosts in its day — with some even contributing to its most wocka-wocka-worthy moments — and the new special is no different, with Sabrina Carpenter sure to bring out only the best in Miss Piggy, right? Right?! Either way, CinemaBlend’s Nick Venable says this is everything he’d hoped it would be and more, writing:

Alex Zalben of Comic Book Club agrees that Seth Rogen captures the “anarchic, weird, funny, and heartfelt” chaos of the original series, calling the special “comedic perfection.” Zalben writes:

Tara Bennett of IGN scores it an “Amazing” 9 out of 10. Bennett loves how Seth Rogen understands that Kermit and co.’s silly humor and desire to make audiences happy is timeless, not something to be updated for 2026. The critic hopes the “heart and hilarity” will be enough to earn a series order, because “the world really needs Kermit and his pals more than ever.” She continues:

Daniel Fienberg of THR says this may not be The Muppet Show at its best, but it’s a return to what the Muppets do best — bringing joy with its variety format, complete with a theme song that still slaps and the “perfect” guest host in Sabrina Carpenter. Fienberg writes:

Collider’s Ross Bonaime rates the special 8 out of 10, saying from top to bottom, it feels like a production made by people who genuinely love the Muppets and want the show to succeed. Hopefully this will be a launching pad for a new series, but if not, it sure is great to see all of our felt friends having a good time again. Bonaime says:

If the Muppets have, in any way, positively affected your life, it sounds like this 50th anniversary special is worth checking out. The 30-minute program will be available to stream with a Disney+ subscription at 3 a.m. ET Wednesday, February 4, and will air later that same day on ABC at 9 p.m. ET.

Theme parks are art. This is a factual statement as far as I'm concerned, and I will not be taking questions. Theme parks and the attractions inside them are creative endeavors made by artists, engineers, and other designers who bring worlds and stories to life, causing emotional reactions in those who experience them.

Unfortunately, there’s an element of theme parks, which means many of them do not last in the way other works of art do. There is only so much space. The creation of a new attraction often means the end of an old one, and once a theme park ride orshow is gone, it’s often gone forever. Unless you’re Muppet*Vision 3D

Muppet*Vision 3D Will Reportedly Return As A 3D/VR Experience

When Muppet*Vision 3D’s closure was announced to make way for the new Monsters Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, many fans felt a great loss. The 3D experience was the last Muppet project that Jim Henson was personally involved in. Walt Disney World assured fans when the show ended that it would be preserved in some fashion, but thus far, no official announcement has been made as to what that means.

However, The Wrap reports that both the Muppet*Vision 3D show and the Muppet Theater show building were filmed priorto the building undergoing redevelopment. The plan is that at some point in the future, exactly when is unclear, Muppet*Vision 3D will be released on the Apple Vision Pro and other VR headsets.

This is fantastic news. I’m one of the chorus of voices that hoped we might see the show get released on Disney+. The fact that many Disneyland attractions have seen ride-through videos released on the platform gave some indication that such a thing was possible. However, this option would let fans truly experience the film in 3D as well as experience all of the theater effects and elements that weren’t part of the film itself

Now Do Captain EO And The Rest

I love everything about this. In fact, I love it so much that I need to see more of it. Muppet*Vision 3D is far from the only 3D film from a Disney Park that has seen its life end that is worthy of preservation. I would love to see this treatment given to the others, too.

The most famous Disney Parks 3D film is Captain EO. The sci-fi short film starred Michael Jackson in the title role, included new music from him, characters from the Henson creature shop, a story written by George Lucas, and was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The show saw a revival following Jackson's death, but hasn’t been seen in years.

There’s also Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The movie starred Rick Moranis and worked as a side story to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movies. I think I saw it once during its life. I would love to see it again.

Not every theme park attraction can be saved in this way. No virtual recreation of the recently closed Dinosaur is going to really make it feel like you’re on the ride, but for the attractions where this is possible, it should become the standard.

It’s hard to believe January is already over, and the second month of 2026 is already here. February may be the shortest month in terms of days, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to have less in terms of great content arriving on your favorite streaming platforms. There are plenty of great movies streaming this month and fantastic series to enjoy. Although our first item this week isn’t a series, at least not yet.

The Muppet Show - February 4 (Disney+)

The Muppet Show was a big hit when it ran from the late 1970s in to thoroughly 1980s, and when there have been various attempts to bring The Muppets back to TV since, none have resonated quite like the original. So Executive Producer Seth Rogen has brought back the original show for a one-off special, with Special Guest Star Sabrina Carpenter. If the show is a hit, however, the return of the series is a real possibility. The special will air on ABC, but it will be available the same day with a Disney+ subscription.

The Lincoln Lawyer, Season 4 - February 5 (Netflix)

Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer has been one of the many reasons to keep up your Netflix subscription, as the show has been consistently good and popular with both fans and critics. The fourth season of the series debuts this week. The new season will see The Lincoln Lawyer become the Lincoln Defendant. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s Mickey Haller is framed for murder and must defend himself.

Relationship Goals - February 4 (Prime Video)

February is Valentine’s Day, so it’s the perfect time for a new rom-com. If you have a Prime Video subscription, you can get a jump on the romance with Relationship Goals. The story follows two people (Kelly Rolland and Cliff “Method Man” Smith) with relatonship history competing for the same job, forced to work side by side.

Is It Cake? Valentines - February 4 (Netflix)

There are so many baking and cooking competitions on television that sometimes it can be hard to decide what to watch. Luckily, there’s nothing quite like Is It Cake? The series sees bakers attempt to fool a panel of judges by making cakes that look like things that are not cake. Following Halloween and Chirstmas themed shortened seasons, the next holiday on offer is a standalone Valentine’s Day special. Perfect for giving the show a try.

We Call It Imagineering - February 4 (Disney+)

Theme parks can be magical places, but the people responsible for making that magic happen at Disney Parks don’t have special powers; they have degrees in engineering and art. After having debuted on YouTube, We Call It Imagineering makes the jump to Disney+and takes a look behind the scenes of recent and upcoming Disney theme park attractions.

The ‘Burbs - February 8 (Peacock)

1989’s The Burbs, starring Tom Hanks, is a comedy classic, which meant it was only a matter of time before it was remade. Keke Palmer leads the cast alongside Jack Whitehall, who moves to a new neighborhood only to learn that there may be murder in the suburbs. You’ll need a Peacock subscription to check out this new series.

February has plenty more where this came from. The revival of Scrubs, the second half of the new season of Bridgerton, and so much more are on the way.

The Traitors Season 4 is ongoing, with another non-celebrity spinoff on the way to the 2026 TV schedule. Diehards of Alan Cumming's show will be entertained this year, provided they have a Peacock subscription. However, even with all that fun, the fans are always looking ahead and never stop petitioning for the people they want to appear on the murderous competition series. I typically don't pay much attention to it, but someone's recent suggestion of casting a Muppet just made my week.

Where else but X would someone openly advocate for casting one of Jim Henson's beloved puppets on The Traitors? Similar to Rian Johnson's gripe about combining them with the Knives Out franchise, it feels so wildly out of place. However, after reading this tweet, I'd be down to see the Peacock series take a chance and roll the dice:

While I think Kermit and Miss Piggy are two obvious candidates for The Traitors, I can't get behind Elmo and Cookie Monster. Elmo is too young, and I could see Cookie Monster getting caught up in the eating portions of the show and not being able to contribute much else. Of course, others had their own opinions, and I chuckled a lot reading these:

• Imagine being the person that killed Elmo😭 - @AmityLabel
• Why would you need an actors? Just cast the Muppets as themselves. No one would be upset! Statler & Waldorf for the win! - @SamMoreRHAP
• Miss Piggy would be an incredible Traitor. - @soulfood77
• That would actually be amazing, Kermit was on the masked singer so it isn’t IMPOSSIBLE - @Survivo_RAB
• I’ll see your suggestion and raise you- The Traitors: Muppets and then Alan Cumming as the only human. - @CGPittsburgh

Really, I'd love to see any of the best Muppets of all time on the series, but ideally, I'd want someone a bit less popular than Kermit and Piggy. Personally, I'd like to see someone more like Sam Eagle, whose staunch patriotism may combat the dramatic aura of the Real Housewives. I also would love Rizzo to be on the show, though I think it would be all too obvious to sniff him out as a Traitor. That said, imagine the hilarity at the roundtable when he calls out someone for accusing a rat!

Obviously, there would be some logistical issues that need to be worked out. It's not like the Muppets can compete for shields or take part in any of the challenges, which feels like a major obstacle The Traitors would have to overcome. I guess one solution could be to have their voice actors compete in their place, though that would break the illusion of a Muppet appearing as their actual selves.

One workaround could be making the challenges less physical, so that the puppeteer could be appropriately hidden and on-camera. As someone mentioned in the comments, Kermit was on The Masked Singer, and it worked because there was room to hide the puppeteer in the costume. Something similar could be done on The Traitors, though it may take a level of planning beyond what the crew normally does, and ultimately be deemed not worth it. That said, I hope there are producers seeing these reactions and considering it, because I would love to see it happen if possible.

The Traitors continues Season 4 with new episodes on Peacock on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET. I'm seated for whatever drama is coming, as Yam Yam Arocho's latest post about Tiffany Mitchell had me wondering what's on the way.

If there’s one thing Emma Stone excels at outside of acting, it’s answering an unexpected question. That talent was on full display when the Oscar-winning actress was asked whether she or Jennifer Lawrence would be playing Miss Piggy in the recently announced movie centered on the iconic Muppet. What followed was a response so sharp, funny, and so oddly respectful that it can only be described as perfection.

The exchange comes from a recent feature in W Magazine, where Stone spoke candidly about everything from shaving her head for Bugonia (for a pact apparently) to ghosts, reality TV, and, yep, you guess it, Miss Piggy. Stone’s answer didn’t just shut down the idea of taking on the role of the iconic puppet, but reframed the question into a pitch-perfect defense of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters. She replied:

The clarification comes as interest continues to build around the Miss Piggy project that Lawrence first revealed late last year. As previously reported, Stone and Lawrence are executive producing a standalone film written by Cole Escola, the Tony Award-winning writer and performer behind Oh, Mary!. While details about the plot remain under wraps, one thing is now crystal clear, and that is Miss Piggy will remain Miss Piggy.

Lawrence first announced the film during a guest appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. At the time, Lawrence casually dropped the news. A few days later, she expanded on the idea during an appearance on The Tonight Show, explaining that early conversations around the film began during the pandemic, sparked by discussions about cancel culture and Miss Piggy’s status as a feminist icon.

While the Hunger Games star has said she’d like to appear in the movie in some capacity, she’s been equally clear that she wouldn’t be playing Miss Piggy either. Stone’s comments now suggest the creative team is more interested in preserving what makes the character iconic than grafting star power onto her, which makes a lot of sense. Because at this point, Piggy is as big a star as they come, so to imply anyone but she would be stepping into the spotlight is admittedly pretty disrespectful. Luckily, Emma Stone had her back.

Stone, a two-time Academy Award winner best known for films like Poor Things, La La Land, and Kinds of Kindness, has built a career on unexpected choices. But in this case, her most unexpected move might be knowing when not to step in front of the camera. And If her comments are any indication, the Miss Piggy movie won’t be about who gets to play the character. It’ll be about giving the karate chopping diva the spotlight she already believes she deserves. And, honestly, doesn't that just feel perfectly right?

The standalone film centered on the beloved Miss Pigathius “Piggy” Lee is still in early development, making a 2026 movie calendar release unlikely. That said, fans won’t have to wait long to see her back on screen. Miss Piggy is set to appear in the newly relaunched The Muppet Show, which premieres February 4 as part of the 2026 television lineup, timed to celebrate the original series’ 50th anniversary. The revival will be available to watch on ABC and then streaming for anyone with a Disney+ subscription.

We're deep into the Holiday Season, which is a great time to re-watch the Best Christmas movies. Personally, my all time favorite is The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription. You can also select its extended version, which features Belle's cut song "When Love Is Gone." But I maintain it never should have been deleted in the first place.

This sequence happens when Michael Caine's Ebenezer Scrooge is revisiting his younger years with The Ghost of Christmas Past. We see a younger Scrooge meet Belle (Meredith Braun), before being transported to their split. The movie's theatrical cut scrapped their break-up song "When Love Is Gone", and I will be mad about it forever.

"When Love Is Gone" Is Necessary For The Plot (And The Finale)

When Disney+ was launched, it only had the theatrical cut of The Muppet Christmas Carol, leaving Belle's song out. As a millennial who grew up watching the movie on VHS (which added the song back to the movie), this made me bananas. But luckily in 2020 the full movie was added to the streaming service, albeit in the "extras" section that has to be specifically sought out by viewers.

I'm happy Disney+ gave Belle her due, because the movie's story (and especially its finale) don't work without "When Love Is Gone." Without the song her entire relationship with Ebenezer lasts mere seconds, so it doesn't have same emotional impact. When Rizzo the Rat is seen crying in response to the sequence, it's hard to understand why.

Michael Caine offers a heartbreaking performance when Ebenezer and Belle briefly duet in the song, with the accomplished actor harmonizing before breaking down into tears. It's one of his most powerful moments in the entire movie, so leaving it on the cutting room floor is a wild choice.

Additionally, The Muppet Christmas Carol's finale song "The Love We Found" is a reprise of "The Love Is Gone." So without Belle's version the finale melody comes out of nowhere, and lacks the emotional payoff of its more hopeful lyrics.

While some fans had a NSFW question about The Muppet Christmas Carol, I simply can't understand why they'd ever cut "When Love Is Gone." I mean, it only extends the movie's runtime by a few minutes. And given Caine's emotional performance and the song's importance in the third act, it seems like a no brainer to keep it. Plus, we get another version of the song in the movie's credits, sung by Martina McBride. The track is a key part of the overall narrative and presentation, which is why its absence in theaters, DVDs and the original Disney+ release is so baffling.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is streaming in its entirety over on Disney+. Just so yourself a favorite and select the "full length version" in the extras to make sure you get Belle's big number.

As wildly excited as I am for Cole Escola's in-development Miss Piggy movie being produced by Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone, I can't deny that I'm even more over the moon for Seth Rogen's upcoming Muppet Show revival special. It was already an early leader in my my anticipated projects hitting the 2026 TV schedule, and Disney+'s first-look teaser just cemented its stop atop that list, which I admit is a bit "Manchild"-ish of me.

That cheeky reference to this year's hit is pointing directly at Sabrina Carpenter serving as the Muppet Show special's big guest star, and though she doesn't appear in the below promo herself, there's a background detail that I'm desperately hoping ties into her impending arrival. Check out the video below and then join me in some felt-covered speculation.

It's almost depressingly short for a teaser previewing a special that's less than two months away, but I'll take anything I can get from this squad. At least we do actually get to see some in-action Muppeting with Kermit popping into frame early on to get the Muppet Theatre lit up and ready for some showstoppers. And I'm not talking abotu Statler and Waldorf, who just want the show to stop. [Waits for familiar laughter from the balcony.]

Here's the official synopsis for the streaming release, which will be available on February 4 via Disney+ subscription:

Assuming this special follows along with the traditional format, fans will likely see Carpenter taking the stage for some comedic antics with Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and others before she delivers one or more musical performances. Speaking of...

Will Sabrina Carpenter Perform With Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem?

While the Muppet Theatre's backstage set looks very similar to the one utilized for the original series, which ran from 1974-1981, there are certain aesthetic changes that were made in bringing the design to life anew. In particular, on the stairs' side wall, there appears to be a poster advertising a concert performance from Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, as well as an appearance from The Great Gonzo, which I'll assume was more cannon-centric than musical.

In any case, fans no doubt remember that Dr. Teeth's band was at the center of the Disney brand's most recent TV series, Muppets Mayhem. That guest star-filled series was unfortunately canceled after a single season, but this Muppet Show special sounds like the perfect place to bring one of pop culture's best fictional bands back into the spotlight alongside one of the biggest pop stars out there.

I guess it might depend on whether the idea is for Carpenter to perform her own hits, which likely wouldn't require the efforts of Zoot, Lips, Animal, Janice, Floyd or Dr. Teeth himself. However, if the "Espresso" singer is set to join characters in performing some of the Muppets' own biggest hits, that would be an easy way to meld these musical maestros. So make it happen!

I don't think anyone should expect. her to dance around in show-branded underwear as she did on SNL in October, given her family-friendly relationship with Disney (where she previously co-starred in Girl Meets World.). But I bet she brings the house down all the same. Hopefully not literally, though, since they JUST got the theatre back open again. Maybe Sweetums can help hold the roof up.

Seth Rogen's The Muppet Show special is set to stream on Disney+ on February 4, 2026.

Nobody likes it when a theme park ride is closed. Whether it’s a case of routine maintenance being done, some sort of major ride upgrade, or one ride being closed to make way for another, construction walls and closed rides are no fun. At the same time, closed rides are a regular occurrence at theme parks like Walt Disney World, as there’s always something new showing up in the parks.

One ride that we know is set for closure is the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. Following years of rumors, Disney World has announced plans to redesign the ride to replace the rock band with the Muppets, a consolation for those sad to see Muppet*Vision 3D get closed. The ride closure has been officially announced for sometime in the spring of 2026.

The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Pre-Show Is Closed, But The Ride Goes On

This morning, Blog Mickey confirmed that the queue for the Rock ‘N’Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith no longer includes a pre-show room that used to be the primary storytelling component of the attraction. It saw the band in a recording studio saying hi to the guests visiting “G-Force Records” when the band’s manager, played by Illiana Douglas, came in and informed Steven Tyler and company they were late for a gig.

This led to the attraction itself, where roller coasters, designed as “super stretch” limos, were set to take everybody to the show at very high speed and with Aerosmith music blasting in your ears. This part of the show is no longer running as Walt Disney Imagineering has apparently already started work on the transformation that will turn this into a Muppets sequence featuring the Electric Mayhem, Scooter, and more. However, the roller coaster itself is still functioning, so while guests miss out on the story, they still get the ride.

Keeping Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Open Longer Is Only A Good Thing

While Disney Parks' attractions sometimes run in a B-mode, where parts of a queue may be closed while the rest of the ride keeps running, and Disney World uses a Rise of the Resistance single rider option that skips pre-show sequences (which is lame), I'm not aware of a time that a ride being functionally replaced was basically shut down in stages. It's odd, but I don't hate it.

While it's unfortunate that the roller coaster is running in a reduced capacity when it comes to features, running at all is better than not. The only alternative is that the ride be closed entirely, and I’m sure a lot of guests would rather ride the coaster, the only Disney World roller coaster with inversions, without the story than not do it at all.

We probably shouldn’t expect to see this sort of thing more often. A lot of Disney World ride queues wouldn’t allow for Imagineering to benign working while keeping the ride open, but in the cases where it’s possible, I’ll take it.

Filmmaker Rian Johnson’s latest big screen effort, Wake Up Dead Man, is the best of the Knives Out films, at least in my mind, despite losing some of the casual humor and charm of its predecessors. The third entry’s religious subject matter and reflections on faith make it somewhat harder for fans to continue pushing for a long-gestating dream crossover movie: Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc enlisting the entire Muppets ensemble to help solve a mystery. Still, you can bet we’ll keep clamoring for it, especially now that the director addressed the idea.

Amazingly enough, Johnson actually gave the mash-up pitch idea full consideration as a self-proclaimed Muppets fan himself, but explained to THR why he doesn’t think it would be nearly as enjoyable as rabid fans believe it would be. As much as it pains me to say it, I kind of agree with his point. Here's what he said:

It's not even just a vocal desire, as fans have put together mash-up videos combining Benoit Blanc and Jim Henson's creations, mostly to positive effect. But all that is of course, just preexisting footage juxtaposed, as opposed to someone crafting an original story for the human and felt-covered characters to partner up on. That's where Johnson's hesitance rears its head, since his detective exists on a plane driven entirely by facts and reality. Meanwhile, the Muppets are the Muppets.

I don't think audiences would get too caught up or upset over a Muppet character being killed off, so long as it's someone who hasn't featured prominently before, in the way that The Simpsons has killed off background characters. (Or, hell, just kill Walter, I guess. Or make it look like he's dead.) Also, it's entirely possible that the Muppets could join an investigation regarding a human being murdered. I get that the crime itself is a sticking point, but this isn't Muppet Babies. (Unless he wanted to make a feature out of that, because I'd take it.)

Rian Johnson continued, saying why he doesn't think the alternate of the above would work either:

I can see how it might take away some of the seriousness of Blanc's past efforts if he spent a whole movie warding off Fozzie's C- puns and Miss Piggy's amorous advances. And while audiences might not care as much, as the character's creator, Johnson likely doesn't want to amend Blanc's legacy in any ways that aren't automatically positive. No good to make such thoughtful movies that could be upended by a clip of Craig attempting to make borscht with Swedish Chef.

It all comes down to this brilliant final sentiment, though, since it should 100% be the grand takeaway that everyone at Disney should be paying attention to. The Last Jedi director concluded with:

Give this man all the money! Especially now that we're in a good spot for in-development Muppet projects. Not only is Seth Rogen working on a new Muppet Show special for Disney+, but also Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are teaming for a Miss Piggy movie written by Cole Escola. The sting of Muppets Mayhem's cancellation is still there, and likely will be until another new project fills the void.

So hopefully the above pair of projects will work out so succesfully that Disney begs Rian Johnson to tackle the next grouped-up Muppets movie. And that one of the characters will be watching a Knives Out movie, thus bringing Benoit Blanc into the mix in a way that doesn't break canon. In the meantime, Wake Up Dead Man is currently in theaters, with a Netflix premiere date set for December 12.

I thought Seth Rogen's upcoming Disney+ special celebrating The Muppet Show's 50th anniversary would be the most glorious Muppet-related news to come out of 2025, but that's somehow NOT the case. (It's still super freaking exciting, though.) Rather, that distinction belongs to a new Miss Piggy project that was revealed by current It Entertainer Jennifer Lawrence.

I already can't wait for Lawrence and Robert Pattinson's upcoming psychological drama Die My Love, whose trailer had me feeling uncomfortably on edge for a while after watching. But this new project sounds like it'll bring about the exact opposite feelings, as she'll be teaming with two all-stars on a standalone movie devoted entirely to the living legend herself, Miss Piggy.

Here's how Lawrence dropped the huge news during a guest spot on Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers' podcast Las Culturistas:

The "Cole" that Jennifer Lawrence refers to is the almighty Cole Escola, who ascended to the upper echelon upon earning a Tony Award and myriad other honors for writing and starring in the initially off-Broadway play Oh Mary!, a comedic take on the life of famed first lady Mary Todd Lincoln. In full costume, Escola even got to pre-tape a full category of related clues for Jeopardy! last season, and it was fabulous.

Escola has been putting their comedic brand on everything for years now, with breakout live-action roles in Difficult People, At Home with Amy Sedaris and Search Party. On the animated side, their voice has been utilized for The Simpsons, Big Mouth and Human Resources, Digman!, What We Do in the Shadows and many more shows.

Jennifer Lawrence and Cole Escola would be a glorious enough tag team all on their own, but adding Emma Stone into the mix somehow takes it up another notch. The actress, who's currently wowing audiences with her work in Yorgos Lanthismos' conspiratorial thriller Bugonia, previously worked with Seth Rogen in her feature debut Superbad, so there's even connective tissue between this Miss Piggy project and the TV special. (Stone is also an EP on the HBO comedy series Fantasmas, and appeared with Escola for a guest appearance as faux reality TV stars.

Speaking of guest stars, the number of amazing celebs who could appear in a Miss Piggy movie is all but endless, and I can envision everyone from Taylor Swift to Donatella Versace to Meghan Markle popping up, but the aforementioned Amy Sedaris also sounds heavenly. I guess I'll wait until this project is off the ground before writing to my local CongressMuppet.

It's not likely that this project will get put together quickly enough to premiere alongside other 2026 movie releases, but I'd be inclined to wait patiently for this one until the point when pigs are vetted as astronauts. (Because Pigs in Space.) Now what about all the other Muppets who deserve more attention?

Seth Rogen is coming off an exceptional weekend for his career. The Studio, the Apple TV+ subscription-exclusive he co-created, won 13 categories at Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards, the most ever for a comedy TV show with just a single season. That makes it even better that The Studio is returning for Season 2, and his other Apple TV+ show, Platonic, is currently airing on the 2025 TV schedule. Now it’s been announced that Rogen will be bringing back The Muppet Show next year in a special way… in that it will literally be a special.

As shared by THR and other outlets, Seth Rogen is putting together a Muppet Show TV special that will be released in 2026 on Disney+. Singer, songwriter and fellow actor Sabrina Carpenter will star in the project and also executive produce. The special will air as The Muppet Show celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, and the goal is for this revival to function as a backdoor pilot for a new season.

Although The Muppets franchise began in 1955 when Jim Henson created the TV show San and Friends, it wasn’t until The Muppet Show began that characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie and more got to have the spotlight to themselves. The variety sketch series had a rotating slate of guest stars and ran for five seasons, all of which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription. As The Muppet Show was airing, its subjects also made the jump to the big screen with movies like The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper.

This will be the fourth Muppets project made exclusively for Disney+. The first was the improvisational comedy series Muppets Now, which ran for six episodes in 2020. A year later, the Halloween special Muppets Haunted Mansion followed, and then there was The Muppets Mayhem in 2023, which also only lasted one season. There was also a limited-run TV show in development in the late 2010s called Muppets Live Another Day, which would have taken place after The Muppets Take Manhattan, but that project was ultimately cancelled.

With Seth Rogen putting together this Muppet Show special with Sabrina Carpenter, his producing partner Evan Goldberg and many other behind-the-scenes individuals, I have high hopes for its level of quality. I know I’m not alone in thinking The Muppets have been underutilized by Disney in more recent years, and I was especially disappointed that The Muppets Mayhem didn’t get a second season. My fingers are crossed that this special that Carpenter is heading is not only an enjoyable watch, but also leads to a full-on revival of The Muppet Show.

We’ll see if that’s in the cards whenever this Muppet Show special premieres on the 2026 TV lineup. In the meantime, if you happen to find yourself in Walt Disney World next year, that’s when the Muppet-rebranded Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will open following the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D.

A lot of people who are fans of both Walt Disney World and the Muppets have been in a funk ever since Muppet*Vision 3D closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, when fate closes a door on the Muppet Theater, it opens a window that Gonzo will probably try and jump through. A new Muppet attraction is already on the way in the form of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

The current version of the attraction, which stars rock band Aerosmith, had been rumored for an update for years. A few months back, it was announced that the ride would close early next year for a Muppet makeover. Disney World recently dropped some new details on the upcoming Disney World attraction, and as an old-school Muppet fan who has wanted to see the Muppets take over the Rock 'N'Roller Coaster for years, I love it.

Scooter’s Uncle Owns G-Force Records In The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

By and large, the setup for The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster isn’t changing just because the musical act at the center is. The storyline will still see guests visiting G-Force Records, where they find a major musical act is there, but late for a gig. The only difference is that now the band in question is The Electric Mayhem instead of Aerosmith, and instead of character actors like Ken Marino and Illiana Douglas, we’ll have Muppets, including penguin engineers and Scooter.

However, my favorite new addition to the story is that we now know what the G in G-Force Records stands for. The reason the Muppets are now running the record label is that it is owned by J.P. Grosse, the same man who owned the Muppet Theater during the days of the original Muppet Show, and who is also canonically Scooter’s uncle.

Scooter Was The Original Muppet Nepo Baby

Back during The Muppet Show, it was established that Kermit was basically forced to give Scooter a job because his uncle owned the theater where the show took place. Scooter would sometimes passively-aggressively threaten Kermit with his uncle’s wrath if Kermit didn’t do what his uncle wanted.

The uncle, J.P. Grosse, would make his first actual appearance during the second season of The Muppet Show, but his appearances were rare. To my knowledge, he hasn’t been an actual character on screen in decades.

It’s unclear if we’ll actually see the character as a functioning Muppet. I expect his portrait will be on a wall in the queue if nothing else, but I love that this absolute deep cut Muppet reference is becoming part of this story.

While I'm as sad as anybody that Muppet*Vision 3D is gone, I'm looking forward to what is to come. Although I have to ask, has J.P. Grosse always owned G-Force Records? Was he the boss when Aerosmith was there? Because if he was… that actually answers a lot of questions about that limousine.

This past weekend was rough for a lot of Walt Disney World fans. It saw the final general audience performances of Muppet*Vision 3D, which is now closed to guests. The attraction is gone, and the area it resides in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now set to become home to new attractions at Disney World. But while many were sad to see the show go away, some people decided to take the opportunity to have some fun.

YouTuber, and professional acquaintance of mine, Disney Dan, decided to troll the crowds at the closing of Muppet*Vision 3D by wearing a Monsters Inc. mask into the Grand Avenue area. Dan said fans were so unhappy with him that he got Boo’d in the park. However, as he points out, being boo’d in a Monsters Inc. mask doesn’t have the same negative conotations.

Last year, it was confirmed that a new Monsters Inc. land was coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Fans were generally excited until it was later confirmed that the area would go where Muppet*Vision 3D was located. The show was the final Muppets project for the late Jim Henson, so it truly is the end of an era. When theme park attractions close, art can be lost forever.

Disney Dan, it must be said, has a tendency to go viral within theme park social media (affectionately known as DisTwitter) when he makes jokes that don’t always land quite the way he intends them. This one, while it looks mean on the outside, was largely met, at least on social media, with laughs from those who at least get the joke. Most of the people who boo'd Dan were probably also joking…probably.

Considering how strongly many people feel about the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D, one could expect that the fans there at the end were legitimately upset at somebody having a bit of fun at the expense of the attraction. However, while there are a few people calling Dan names, most of the responses actually think he’s quite funny.

Anytime a popular attraction closes, people are going to be upset. They’re also going to want to say goodbye. Muppet*Vision 3D was as crowded as it has been in years over the weekend, as fans wanted to see it one more time before it was gone. Disney World has indicated a plan to attempt to preserve the film, but it’s unclear what that means, and no specific details have been released.

I’m as sad as anybody to see Muppet*Vision end, but I’m hopeful it will be saved in some way. I’m honestly looking forward to the Monsters Inc land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Door coaster alone is going to be an exciting new addition to the park, and the Muppets, like James Bond, will return. Early next year the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster will begin a retheme that will transform it into a Muppet themed ride.

Losing a beloved theme park attraction is something that can be quite emotional. While new attractions at Walt Disney World are coming all the time, it's also inevitable that things end, and park fans recently took a moment to say a final farewell to MuppetVision 3D. After reading the reactions to the closing day of this classic Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction, you'll be lucky if you don't end up a bit teary-eyed.

The MuppetVision 3D Closure Led To A Lot Of Feelings From Fans

Listen, I’ve been reckoning with this development since MuppetVision 3D’s 2024 closure rumors became a reality in January of this year. The final shows for that 1991 attraction closed it off to the public officially on June 7th, with a cast member exclusive event supposedly set for June 10th, according to WDW Magic.

The closure, which is to make way for the new Monsters Inc. Land that will be build in place of the Muppet Courtyard, has brought people together in sadness and fond memories. Disney Adults, Muppet fans, and other people who enjoyed what MuppetVision 3D brought to the table were present on the attraction's very final day. Which leads us to emotional reactions, like this one from park blog Laughing Place:

Another tweet, from user @BBindman, highlighted the fact that this past May was a pretty big birthday for this vintage attraction. Showing off a piece of art that depicts the Muppets Courtyard as a colorful map, the text of the message read as follows:

With almost three and a half decades in the bank, you'd think MuppetVision 3D would have lost its charm. Considering how some people wish the Carousel of Progress would be shut down for good, this notion probably doesn't surprise anyone. However, user @DisneyOnParade has pitched why this doesn't seem to be the case with the fanbase surrounding this attraction with love:

So what are we supposed to do with the sadness over MuppetVision 3D? Well, if you're like some of the fans we're about to discuss, you use it to make sure that this historical landmark is preserved, in one way or another.

Fans Haven't Given Up Hope On Preserving MuppetVision 3D

Still, while MuppetVision 3D has closed, there are plenty of fans who hope for a future for the attraction, and for the Muppets as a whole in Disney's beloved theme parks.

• “Build a new Muppet Theater for MippetVision 3-D where that Villains show is. The re-theme of Rock N Roller Coaster is overdue, but @TheMuppets deserve so much better from @WaltDisneyWorld @DisneyParks @WaltDisneyCo. I will miss #MuppetVision3D so much… 😔 #TheMuppets - @SirEricBrown
• “If only there was a theater somewhere they could announce the Muppets were coming back to.” - @ParkJourney\
• "RIP MuppetVision 3D (1991-2025) A classic that didn’t deserve to die too soon. If @DisneyPlus can release the film for preservations sake (alongside Magic Journeys, Captain EO, Honey I Shrunk The Audience, and It’s Tough to be a Bug), I would very much appreciate it. - @ThemePark_Nerdo

That last point becomes more solvent than ever, as @ParkJourney included photos from Disney California Adventure’s Sunset Showcase Theater - the current venue for Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3D - in that farewell post. Which perfectly aligns with what our own Danielle Bruncati and others have been saying about MuppetVision 3D’s potential relocation to California.

Personally, I think bringing the 3D film back to the West Coast for the first time since closing in 2014 would be a better move than just securing the film in a warehouse somewhere. There's even calls from some fans to preserve Jim Henson's final Muppet show in the Library of Congress. I'd like that more than the Rock 'n’ Roller Coaster re-theming that will see the Muppets back in action at Hollywood Studios, but we'll have to wait and see how it all pans out.

Sure the new rollercoaster could be neat, but I still feel firmly that’s not going to be nearly as accessible as a 3D theater would be. One could certainly lose hope at a time like this.

Then you learn about how Heather Henson, Jim’s Daughter, was the last member of the public to walk into the MuppetVision 3D theater. And then you see videos like this fan tribute on closing night; and suddenly, it’s ok:

The dream of MuppetVision 3D is over, and it’s a sad time for Muppets fans. However, that’s the right point to create a new dream. Something bigger, grander, and more amazing than Sam the Eagle’s salute to all nations (but mostly America.) So long as we all continue to play our part among the lovers and the dreamers, we’ll be ok. Let’s hope it’s not too long until we see Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppet Gang again; because seriously, how long can a Rock 'n’ Roller Coaster refurb take?!

Super Bowl LIX has come and gone, and some would likely argue that it wasn’t the most competitive game. The Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs, and the former team got off to a strong start and mostly dominated all evening. On the night of the game, sometime after the Eagles’ 40-22 victory, Nike released a video centered around the team, and it involved Kermit the Frog. A number of fans are now praising the clip, while others seem to be talking about being a means to troll Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The advertisement, which was shared on X and other social media platforms, was produced as a means of celebrating the Eagles’ SB win and the season that preceded it. Footage of the team’s ups and downs are chronicled in the minute-long TV spot. And playing over the clip package is “Bein’ Green,” performed by Kermit the Frog. You can check out the video for yourself in the post below:

As the caption states, it certainly is good to be green now, considering the Philadelphia-based team managed to clinch another championship. When it comes to the smattering of Super Bowl LIX commercials, I’d say that this is one of the more subtle ones to hit the airwaves this year. Fans on social media seem to like it as well, with some praising how it’s put together. What’s particularly humorous, though, is that a number of commenters are also mentioning Patrick Mahomes in reference to the commercial’s narrator:

• They got Mahomes to narrate too? - @ChaosChrisPHL
• The Kermit voiceover is clever iykyk - @callmec0ry
• Amazing they got Mahomes to sing the song on this commercial celebrating his opponent. - @regulatorynerd
• How’d they get Pat to narrate this? Wow. - @AlecDWarren
• They got Mahomes singing right after the L? Thats crazy 😂 - @Samurai_black92
• How did they get Patrick Mahomes to sing this? - @vestedmeme

On the surface, one could argue that the inclusion of Kermit the Frog’s song could simply be a reference to the fact that a team that has green jerseys just won the Super Bowl. However, it’s also long been joked that the aforementioned QB’s voice sounds like that of the iconic Muppet. Nike, of course, hasn’t proven whether or not that’s truly the case, but it would appear that fans are definitely running with it.

The Muppets franchise has seen cancellations and other setbacks in recent years, but the characters do still remain beloved staples of pop culture in some circles. A number of celebrities also hold a soft spot for Jim Henson’s hilariously sweet creations. Danny Trejo even became emotional while filming with Kermit shortly after his own mother’s death. So there’s still a lot of love for the characters, though NFL fans’ comments seem to exude more shade than sentiment.

At this point, Patrick Mahomes has been trolled on more than a few occasions. For instance, in 2021, Twitter had jokes after his Super Bowl barber caught COVID shortly before the acclaimed football player’s haircut. Announcers also came for Mahomes after he botched a spike during the AFC Championship game this year. Even his wife, Brittany Mahomes, trolled him after he sported crocs during a fancy photoshoot.

Patrick Mahomes seems to take all of the critiques in stride, and it’s likely that they’ll continue amid much of the offseason. The Eagles did indeed thrash the Chiefs, and fans aren’t going to forget it, thanks to the game itself, the Nike ad and more. And, if I’m being honest, I’d love to see Mahomes take on the trolling head on by collaborating with the Jim Henson Company on some kind of production that pairs him with Kermit.

When new attractions come to Walt Disney World, it almost always means that old attractions must close at Walt Disney World. It’s the circle of life. This means that excitement for new rides is often balanced by sadness that old attractions are going away. I try to always look on the bright side of replacements. Yes, something I enjoyed will be gone, but hopefully the new thing will be even better. This means that even though I am sad to be losing the Muppet Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’m also looking forward to the new Monsters Inc. land that will take over the space, and that’s happening a lot sooner than I thought.

Today, Walt Disney World announced the closure dates for the three locations inside the Grand Avenue area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, also known as the Muppet Courtyard. Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will have its last day on May 10, and it will be followed by fan-favorite restaurant PizzeRizzo and Muppet*Vision 3D, which will see their last day of business on June 7.

Seeing the Muppet Courtyard closing down in less than six months, and specifically Muppet*Vision 3D closing that soon, is certainly a surprise. While we’ve known that Muppet*Vision was closing since November, we’ve also known that the Rivers of America was being replaced at Magic Kingdom for months longer than that, and we still don’t know when that work is starting. Muppet*Vision 3D surviving a bit longer seemed more likely.

I’ve Been Excited By The Monsters Inc Door Coaster For Years

On the one hand, this excites me because it means that the new Monsters Inc. land will be opening that much sooner. While we don’t have an official opening widow, the sooner one ride closes, the sooner its replacement will open. Pf all the things that were announced at last year’s D23 event that I’m excited about, and there was a lot, one of the biggest was the reveal that the long-rumored Monsters Inc. Door Coaster was finally happening.

We sometimes hear rumors about attractions being developed by Walt Disney Imagineering that are never officially announced. One of those in recent years was a roller coaster themed after the door conveyor belt sequence from the first Monsters Inc. movie. At one point, it was believed the attraction might replace the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, but we never heard anything about it.

After enough time goes by, you forget about the things that don’t happen, which is why I, and many others, were shocked at D23 to see Billy Crystal take the stage to announce the land based on Monsters Inc., and then Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro confirmed the coaster was part of the land.

The new ride will be the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney Park. It will also include a sequence where ride vehicles are lifted vertically from one track to another. It looks and sounds incredible.

I Probably Won’t See Muppet*Vision 3D Before It Closes

As excited as I am that the Door Coaster is moving forward, I am still lamenting the loss of Muppet*Vision 3D. But my biggest issue isn’t that it’s going away specifically. It’s that because these wheels are turning so quickly, I likely won’t get to experience the show one more time before it’s gone.

I live 3000 miles away from Walt Disney World, and while my job makes me lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World, usually at least once a year, and sometimes more, I don’t expect I’ll be hitting the parks before June. As such, I may never see Muppet*Vision 3D again.

I expected I’d have more time. When Disney World announced that Dinoland U.S.A. was getting replaced, it made sure to plan that construction in a way so that fan-favorite attraction Dinosaur would remain open. The work on the Tropical Americas area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has begun, but Dinosaur is expected to remain open through the end of 2025.

Doing something similar with Muppet*Vision and keeping it open while the rest of the land went under construction was likely impossible simply due to the geography involved. But considering one land at Disney World is already being worked on, nobody would have been shocked if nothing had happened with the new Monsters Inc. land for even a couple of years. Disney World has a lot of new things planned and nobody expects them all to happen at once.

Along with the closure, Disney World reiterated a previous statement indicating hopes to “preserve the film and other parts of the experience.” It’s unclear what exactly that means. Maybe it means that I will have a chance to watch Muppet*Vision 3D again someday in the future. Even if that day comes, it's probably years away, but who knows, sometimes things happen faster than you think.

The holidays are a time when we're all obsessed with watching the best Christmas movies, and The Muppet Christmas Carol is absolutely one of them. I was recently watching the movie with my Disney+ subscription, and while I still think it's the best of the Christmas Carol adaptations, there's one scene I've always questioned.

Michael Caine once said this was the perfect movie for him to show his daughter, but he may feel differently after my NSFW answer to a scene that has long bothered me. Before throwing another coal on the stove, let me get to it and talk about this bizarre scene foe which I've found an inappropriate answer.

Rizzo And Gonzo's Grapple Hook Scene Confuses Me

When the Ghost of Christmas Past visits Scrooge, Rizzo and Charles Dickens (Gonzo) give chase. Because they're flying, however, the duo has to use a grappling hook to attach to Scrooge and keep up with him. I've watched and re-watched this sequence from The Muppet Christmas Carol over the years, and I still don't see a clear anchor point for the grappling hook. And yet, Gonzo and Rizzo arrive safely and without issue, so where the hell did it attach?

I Think The Grapple Hook Caught Scrooge In The Anus

At the risk of getting as much hate mail as I did when I chronicled the variety of issues with Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, I think I have an NSFW answer. The grappling hook went up and through Scrooge's robe and landed with one hook firmly between the cheeks into his anus.

It's wild, but it makes sense if you watch the scene. From the angles we see, the rope is always between his legs and behind his robe. If it were attached to his cloth belt to keep his robe on, it would surely come undone with the weight of Gonzo and Rizzo attached. I would say that a leg would've been enough to keep these two tethered and able to stay relatively safe during travel, but as I mentioned, we never see an anchor point.

Regrettably, I'm left with the option being the grappling hook landing in the butt, and I'm not happy about it. If it's any consolation, it happens in The Muppet Christmas Carol when Scrooge is still a pain in the rear, and it's not like we see it happen. This is still very much a Christmas movie for the family to enjoy, and it's not like the Muppets did it on purpose.

This is all speculative, and readers are free to disagree with me. That said, I challenge you to watch the scene for yourself when you next get the chance and offer an alternative solution. If nothing else, I can guarantee you'll have trouble finding one that I can't combat because I really tried to write off this theory.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is available to stream on Disney+ right now. It'll always be the perfect movie for the holiday season, NSFW theories aside, and I hope everyone takes some time to watch it.

The Muppets might be one of the most beloved yet underutilized properties owned by Walt Disney Studios. Despite their cult following, the characters have begun appearing less and less in the parks, and their footprint is about to get a whole lot smaller as Muppet*Vision 3D leaves Hollywood Studios. However, I think I know the perfect place for the attraction to relocate to if the Imagineers are serious about preserving the attraction, which it sounds like they are.

Now, I have to be honest, it's more likely that we’ll see the show be added to Disney+ as part of its upcoming releases than get a new home in a theme park. However, I wouldn’t be a Disney Parks fan if I didn’t have a little bit of blind hope. If the higher-ups did want to surprise Muppets fans with some much-needed good news, they should consider bringing Muppet*Vision 3D back to the West Coast. Think about it, they could reinstall the entire show in the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.

The Muppet's show ran in the same theater (formally under a different name) when DCA first opened in 2001 until 2014, when the show was replaced by a Frozen Sing-Along. Nowadays, the Sunset Showcase Theater plays Mickey’s PhilharMagic 4D show multiple times a day.

As a Disneyland Magic Keyholder, I can tell you for a fact that the current show is hardly ever sold out. While it’s a fun thing to see once or twice, it’s not one of the best Disneyland Resort attractions. Not to mention, the theater is a bit hard to find for non-locals as it’s tucked into a back corner of Hollywood Land.

Bringing Muppet*Vision 3D back to DCA would not only save the beloved show -- which was one of Jim Henson’s last projects -- but it would also help breathe new life into the struggling Hollywood Land. Right now, the area is grossly underutilized and in desperate need of some TLC. Of course, there are rumors that the area is set to be demolished to make way for the new Avatar-land that has been promised to West Coast Disney parks fans. However, the exact location of the land remains to be confirmed, with some holding out hope the expansion will be part of the Disneyland Forward project.

While the future of Hollywood Land is a valid concern — after all, nothing would be worse for Muppet*Vision 3D fans than having to see the show close twice in a short time period — I don’t see the Imagineers demolishing the area anytime soon (and hopefully not ever). In fact, the beloved show might be the thing that saves the overlooked part of the park, if only because The Muppets are non-existent on the West Coast.

After all, the last time Kermit, Miss. Piggy, and their friends appeared at Disneyland, at least that I can remember, was back in 2021 during the separate ticketed-event Merriets Nites celebration that has yet to return. The gang appeared on one of Disneyland’s famous double-decker cars and serenaded a packed Main Street with Christmas carols.

Based on the crowd side for the short-lived show, Disneyland fans desperately want more ways to interact with The Muppets, so bringing them back to their original home in DCA is a no-brainer. It wouldn’t even be that much work for the Imagineers since they wouldn’t need to build a new venue or even do many renovations to the existing theater. A few news signs and maybe a paint job to make the theater stand out would do the trick.

The fate of Muppet*Vision 3D remains to be seen, but thankfully, the beloved gang will still have a home in Hollywood Studios when they take over the Rock ’N’ Roller Coaster theme. Until then, I’ll be here holding out hope that they will make their way over to the West Coast sooner rather than later.

Ever since D23 in August fans of Walt Disney World have been a little worried. We learned about a lot of new attractions at Walt Disney World, but with the new comes the risk of losing old favorites.

The announcement that a new land dedicated to Monsters Inc. was coming was well received, but rumors indicated that to get it, we might lose Muppet*Vision 3D, one of the longest-running attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now the exact plan for the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been revealed and if you’re a Muppets fan, I have some good news and some bad news.

Muppet*Vision 3D Is Closing After All

One thing that fans didn’t want to see will come to pass. Theme park reporter Scott Gustin broke the news that the new Monsters Inc. land will replace the Muppets Courtyard. This will include some sort of Monsters Inc. show going into the location where Muppet*Vision 3D currently runs. The Monsters Inc. Door Coaster will be built into a new area behind the existing courtyard.

There was hope that the new land might go into the Animation Courtyard, an area that is largely overlooked in the current park. A new Little Mermaid stage show is currently in development there, but other than that, there’s just not much going on.

On the plus side, Gustin reports that there are “conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future” which would seem to indicate there’s a possibility the movie, the last Muppet project Jim Henson was personally involved in, might survive in some way.

However, it’s not all bad news for Muppets fans, for whatever happens to Muppet*Vision 3D, the characters will live on elsewhere in the park.

The Muppets Are Taking Over The Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

One attraction at Walt Disney World that fans wouldn’t mind seeing rethemed or designed has been the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. The ride has been rumored for a re-theme for years and one idea that has been rumored, and even suggested by myself, has been the idea of using The Muppet's house band, Electric Mayhem as the musical inspiration. And now, somehow, we’re getting that.

While details are scarce, The Muppets will be taking over the rollercoaster in what’s being called a “rockin’ music festival” that won’t simply feature the Electric Mayhem, but all the Muppets.

An exact timeline for these changes hasn’t been announced, so there’s still time to experience both attractions before they close for work to begin.

Disney World fans generally, and Muppets fans specifically, won’t all love the trade-off here. Muppet*Vision 3D was truly beloved and anything short of rebuilding it in a new theater somewhere likely won’t be enough for some. Still, The Muppets aren’t being completely erased from Disney World, and a re-theme of the Rick ‘N’ Roller Coaster was desperately needed, and it’s wonderful that it’s finally happening.

This just leaves us with one question. What about PizzeRizzo?

When you’re waiting for new attractions at Walt Disney World, nobody likes to hear about delays. In this case, however, they might actually be good news. One attraction that has remained closed at Disney World since the global pandemic, the Little Mermaid stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was finally supposed to get a refreshed and updated show this year. Unfortunately, anybody waiting for The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will now need to wait until 2025.

This week, Disney announced that the planned opening in late 2024 is being pushed back into the summer of 2025. That’s a pretty significant delay for a live stage show. According to Disney, work is set to begin on the exterior of the building, including a new marquee, soon. However, one has to wonder if the delay in the new show and other plans for Disney’s Hollywood Studios may have something in common.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure Delay Could Mean Big Changes For The Animation Courtyard

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure was originally set to open basically now. The fact that we’re only now getting the announcement that the show is delayed is indicative, though certainly not conclusively, that whatever caused the delay is some sort of last-minute issue that just came up.

In addition to that, the fact that permits to build a new marquee for the theater are only just being filed, when certainly those could have been filed earlier, could indicate that the work about to begin is something different than what was previously planned for the attraction.

If that’s the case, it could mean that even more changes are planned for the Animation Courtyard. The courtyard is one of two spots at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that are likely locations for the new Monsters Inc. land that has been announced as coming to the park. If Monstropolis is coming to the Animation Courtyard, that means the fan favorite Muppet Vision 3D may have received a stay of execution.

MuppetVision 3D May Have Been Spared, At Least For Now

Disney’s Hollywood Studios' Grand Avenue, otherwise known as the Muppet Courtyard, is currently home to Muppet Vision 3D, the last Muppet project that Jim Henson was personally involved in, as well as Pizzarizzo, the oddly popular dining location. Many believe, mostly based on concept art, that this is where the Monsters Inc. land announced at D23 this year is, or at least was, set to go. An official location hasn’t yet been announced.

However, because a lot of people love The Muppets, there’s been an outcry against replacing Muppet Vision 3D. Some rumors have implied that while Disney was planning to replace the Muppets, the outcry has caused them to reconsider, and the new land may go in the Animation Courtyard instead

So the idea here is the delay for The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is because the previous plans have changed, and in order for Animation Courtyard to accommodate both the new show and a Monsters Inc. land, some additional work on the Mermaid building is needed.

At this point, it’s all speculation. We don’t when work will begin on Monsters Inc. land. Disney World has a lot of construction planned in 2025, with work set to begin at Disney's Animal Kingdom already planned for January, and a major redevelopment of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom also in the cards. Even if we do ultimately lose Muppet Vision 3D, that day could still be several years away.

Today would have been Jim Henson’s 88th birthday. During his long career, Henson gave us Sesame Street, The Muppets, iconic films like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal and so much more. He was an incredible talent who was so much more than a puppeteer, but today those puppets have come together to remember him in an emotional tribute.

A new video on YouTube brings together three characters that Jim Henson created, Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Gobo Fraggle. It’s a rare thing to see characters from different TV series together, and that’s only more true today. It’s a touching and emotional video. Check it out.

Barring the occasional TV special or Big Bird’s cameo in The Muppet Movie, it’s rare to see these characters from different series or films together in one place. That’s only more true today. The Muppets of Sesame Street are owned by Sesame Workshop, while Kermit and the rest of the Muppet Show characters are owned by Disney. Fraggle Rock is still part of the The Jim Henson Company. This means all three companies had to work together to put this tribute together.

The companies don't always get along. Sesame Workshop sued over The Happytime Murders, a movie put out by the Henson Company, a few years ago. Some of the original Muppet performers are less than thrilled with how Disney has managed the Muppets. Disney recently replaced the voice of Kermit the Frog, who had originally been voiced by Henson himself.

Disney certainly hasn't forgotten Henson. A new documentary on Henson's life recently debuted on Disney+. Henson's final creation, MuppetVision 3D at Disney World is still in operation, and while there have been rumors it may be closing, the outcry from fans who love MuppetVision may have saved the attraction.

All of Jim Henson’s creations mean a lot to a lot of people. Whether you grew up watching Sesame Street or watching The Muppets on TV or in theaters, most of for the past 50 years became fans of Jim Henson’s characters at one time or another. I certainly remember watching Sesame Street as a child before moving on to the original Fraggle Rock. Watching reruns of The Muppet Show has always been comfort viewing for me. It’s one of the primary uses of my Disney+ subscription most months.

Then when I got a little older I saw Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Jim Henson was really an incredible filmmaker, it's one of his talents that he really doesn’t get enough credit for. Both films have become cult classics but largely flopped upon their initial release.

It’s nice that even though so many of Jim Henson’s creations have changed so much, they were able to come together for something like this. Jim Henson’s birthday is absolutely a day that should be celebrated, and considering just how many fans he had, and how many new fans continue to discover his work in every generation, hopefully, this won’t be the last time we see these characters coming together to honor him.

While it’ll still take a bit longer to get past the disappointment of Muppets Mayhem getting canceled at Disney+, such was the musical glee that show inspired, I’m holding to abundant hopes that the streaming service’s documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man jump starts a new era of Muppet-filled series and movies, among other concepts. But for all the goodwill that Henson himself was known for, former Kermit the Frog performer Steve Whitmire thinks the current state of the brand is severely lacking his beneficial spirit and influence.

What Steve Whitmire Is Saying About Jim Henson: Idea Man

Jim Henson Idea Man is set to debut for fans with Disney+ subscriptions at the end of May, a little over 34 years after the filmmaker’s untimely death, and is the result of years of behind-the-scenes efforts from director Ron Howard and the team of historians and curators poring over the plethora of creative efforts Henson brought to life throughout the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Steve Whitmire told TMZ the doc’s producers also reached out to acquire some of his own personal footage regarding Henson.

However, while they apparently took his footage and potentially used some of it in the finished project, he claims no one ever reached out for him to be directly involved in it through interviews or otherwise. And while that specifically isn’t a problem for him, it speaks to the overall issue. In his words:

Whitemire claims producers contacted him years prior to the documentary’s premiere date, and that they specifically discussed a selection of his home movies that featured Jim Henson and others, with some of those recordings going all the way back to 1978. The actor says he was perfectly fine with allowing access to it, and that he expected to be contacted again later on to take part in interviews, but that part of the communication process never happened.

Which would be one thing if Steve Whitmire was someone with only tangential ties to The Jim Henson Company and the puppeteer’s imaginative empire. But he took over as the key Kermit the Frog performer following Henson’s death in 1990, and held the role for 27 years, encompassing a wide variety of film, TV, and theme park performances, with the A+ holiday adaptation A Muppets Christmas Carol serving as his first major Frog-voicing project.

Why Did Steve Whitmire Stop Voicing Kermit The Frog?

Longtime Muppets fans likely recall the kerfuffle over Kermit the Frog’s behind-the-scenes changes when Whitmire was suddenly ousted in the summer of 2017, with the actor revealing that he was outright fired, with differing explanations for why his removal happened in the first place. Whitmire claims to have always argued for what Jim Henson would have wanted, while the latter’s son Brian Henson claimed there was “destructive energy” and that he regretted not firing Whitmire prior to the Disney acquisition.

For what it's worth, Steve Whitmire hasn't spoken out negatively about the current state of the Muppet brand in the way that Frank Oz has slammed the Disney era, and in his current complaints also stayed away from shining a negative light on where things are at now. (Frank Oz appears in the documentary, though, interestingly enough.) However, Whitmire maintained his viewpoint that the franchise lost something when he was fired, and that Henson's influence is only a dwindling presence now.

Check out the trailer for Disney+'s Jim Henson Idea Man below to see what side of the argument you fall on.

Fans can see for themselves just how authentic Jim Henson: Idea Man is regarding its genius subject’s intent whenever the documentary arrives on Disney+ on Friday, May 31. Head to our 2024 TV premiere schedule to see what other new and returning shows are popping up on the small screen soon, and celebrate some of the many Muppet characters who don't get enough attention.

Jim Henson introduced the Muppets back in 1955 and from that day to this one, they have been an indelible part of pop culture. Few people in the world don't know the best Muppets, names like Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy, but while a few Muppets have become stars in their own right, so many more fantastic characters were created by Henson and his team, and have been created since, that have never reached the same level of popularity.

From The Muppet Show to the numerous Muppet movies, and all the various incarnations of the character, here are some of the best Muppets who never get enough attention.

 Rowlf

Rowlf is one of the classic Muppets, but that doesn't mean that he ever gets much attention. His recurring role as Dr. Bob on the Veterenarian's Hospital sketch on The Muppet Show is proof that he's far more than just a great piano player. This guy has real comedic skills that should be celebrated.

 Wayne And Wanda 

Wayne and Wanda were a running gag on early episodes of The Muppet Show. They were classically trained stage performers who kept having their numbers interrupted by various Muppet shenanigans. The gag was dropped after a while and so were Wayne and Wanda. It would be wonderful if they got a chance to finally perform. 

 Sweetums 

Sweetums is a well-known monster but he's one that, like most Muppet monsters, rarely takes a starring role. But his name is fitting. Sweetums isn't a monster so much as a sweetheart, and one that needs more attention

 Zoot 

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem have been the Muppets' house band forever, and yet, the band rarely gets to take center stage as it were. While the excellent Muppets Mayhem Disney+ series finally gave them a chance to shine, Zoot, being one of the quieter members of the group, was still largely left out.

 Clifford 

Muppets Tonight was an attempt in the 1990s to bring back the classic Muppet Show concept for a new generation. Rather than letting Kermit host this time around a new character, Clifford, a Rastafarian Muppet,  was chosen as the host of the new show. Because the series didn't last, neither did Clifford, who has rarely appeared since the show went off the air.

 Uncle Deadly 

Uncle Deadly has one of the best looks for a Muppet monster, so it's not surprising that he gets used a lot when somebody who looks evil is needed. But he's usually a pretty generic villain. His biggest role was as a henchman to the human villain in The Muppets movie. Uncle Deadly is no henchman.

Lips

Lips is so overlooked that frequently, even when Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are on screen, the trumpet player is completely missing. While the Muppets Mayhem TV series gave him more time in the spotlight than he had ever seen, it's not nearly enough. If anything, seeing him shine here makes us want more, and with Muppets Mayhem canceled, when will that be?

Lew Zealand

Who doesn't love a guy whose primary act is boomerang fish? Have you ever seen anybody throw fish and make them come back to his hand? I didn't think so. And he's always so happy to perform for the people. 

Bean Bunny

Unless you've been to Walt Disney World recently and seen MuppetVision 3D, you've probably forgotten about Bean Bunny. He's got a pretty significant role in the theme park attraction, but since the show almost certainly has fewer days in front of it than it has behind it, it seems likely Bean Bunny's big break will fade away.

Link Hearthrob

Link Hearthrob is best known as the Captain of the spaceship Swinetrek from the classic Pigs in Space sketch on The Muppet Show. He's modeled after William Shatner, which makes him a hilarious overactor, a bit that hasn't been used to its full potential in decades. Pigs in Space could just be its own show.

Bunson Honeydew & Beaker

An iconic duo that even casual Muppet fans know, but Bunsen and Beaker routinely stole the show when they appeared on The Muppet Show. Since then, however, they've been largely relegated to bit parts and cameos in Muppet projects. Muppet Labs created some amazing stuff, including some of the best laughs in Muppet history and this duo needs to be celebrated more for it.

Newsman

A Muppet character so ill-used he doesn't really have a name, but if you've ever heard a "Muppet News Flash" then you know just how perfect the character's voice is. It's a pity we don't hear it more often.

George the Janitor

George the Janitor was never a major Muppet character, and despite his name, he most often appeared on The Muppet Show during the ballroom dancing sketch. Still, his jokes were always rock solid, and he always looked like he was having a terrible time, which just made the situation funnier for the rest of us. 

The Country Trio

The Country Trio only appeared on The Muppet Show twice, but their rendition of "To Morrow" is one of the Muppet's best songs. We also wish we got more of them because the trio was made up of the Muppet versions of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Jerry Nelson, three of the all-time great Muppet performers that we otherwise never got to see.

Statler & Waldorf

Statler and Waldorf are a popular pair to be sure, so popular that you'd think we'd see more of them. They only appear in small bits and pieces throughout the history of the Muppets but the pair are so hilarious more would not be out of place. 

Bobo The Bear

Bobo the Bear is a relatively recent addition to the Muppets, but he's a really fantastic member of the Muppet family. An incredibly well-designed full-size Muppet, and a character who is perpetually unsure of himself. He's the sort of character you want to see succeed, but we need to see him more often for that to work.

Sam The American Eagle

Sam is a bit of a one-note character, with his patriotism boarding on psychotic. But he so clearly believes in it genuinely that it's hard to not enjoy the joke. Sam thinks he's the serious Muppet but nobody that serious would hang out with all these weirdos.

Hilda

Hilda is one of those background Muppets that you might notice or realize she even had a name, but she appeared regularly on The Muppet Show and she was fantastic. She looked like what your sweet grandma would look like if she were a Muppet, but she could be absolutely brutal in telling you exactly what she thought, also like your grandma.

Beauregard

The Muppet Show resident custodian is a pleasant fellow. He's soft-spoken and polite. He's frequently confused about just what in the world is going on. The Muppet world is frequently frantic, but Beariguard never lets it get him down.

Robin

Kermit's nephew Robin could have easily become so sweet that he would be annoying. But he's actually a great character, with a remarkable singing voice "Halfway Down the Stairs" is an all-time great Muppet performance. At some point, Uncle Kermit just needs to set this kid free to make something of his own.

The Swedish Chef

The Swedish Chef is one of the all-time great Muppets, but his particular specialty limits the sorts of places where he turns up in the Muppet world. I'm not saying we need an entirely Muppet cooking show just so we can get more Swedish Chef in the world, but I'm not not saying that.

Marvin Suggs

Marvin Suggs and his Muppaphone is a bit of a deep cut in the Muppet world, and I'm not sure how much a modern audience would appreciate a musical instrument that involves hitting small furry creatures with a hammer, but it's still pretty funny.

Pops

Pops has played many roles in the various Muppet projects, including the desk clerk of the Happiness Hotel in The Great Muppet Caper. He's the sort of elderly gentleman that you'd expect would have a lot of good stories to tell. He should be given the chance to tell them.

Joe The Legal Weasel

Muppets Now was a short-lived series on Disney+ that brought our favorite characters into the internet age. One new character the show introduced was Joe the Legal Weasel. While nobody thinks Joe is as funny as Joe thinks he is, he was an entertaining character and the Muppets will always need lawyers, won't they?

Chip the IT Guy

Chip is a case of a "generic" Muppet making good. When he was first introduced he was one among many obscure Muppet characters, but in The Muppets TV series he became the head of IT for Miss Piggy's late-night show and proved he was more than just a nerdy face in the crowd. The Muppets didn't last long, which likely is going to send Chip back to the realm of Muppet obscurity.

Scooter

Scooter has been around for decades, and he's one character who has possibly evolved more than any other since the inception of The Muppets. Scooter should have earned an opportunity to do and be more by now, rather than simply being Kermit's right-hand man.

Crazy Harry

Crazy Harry isn't just a guy who likes blowing stuff up. Crazy Harry played the triangle in the Muppet Orchestra on the original Muppet Show and also likes to blow stuff up. This is the sort of multifaceted character that needs more time to explain his various pursuits. What else does Crazy Harry do that we don't even know about?

Yolanda the Rat

Rizzo the Rat has become one of the core members of the Muppets over the years. It's rare not to see him in a major role in modern Muppet productions. Yolonda the Rat, however, has not been given the same time to shine. She was excellent as Kermit's assistant on The Muppets TV series whenever she appeared. Her no-nonsense attitude, amidst all the Muppet nonsense, was always welcome. 

Koozbanians

Whenever The Muppet Show needed an alien world to do anything on, it was set on the planet Koozbane. The alien life forms on the planet were quite varied, covering whatever the show needed. This resulted in some of the most creative Muppet designs that we don't see nearly often enough.

Constantine

I hear what you're saying. Constantine isn't a new character. He's just Kermit with a mole and a funny accent from Muppets Most Wanted, a movie most people have already forgotten. Counterpoint: Who cares? Constantine was hilarious. Leaving him in just the one movie would be a crime.

Nigel

If history had gone differently Nigel could be the most famous Muppet of them all. The character, who became The Muppet Show's orchestra conductor, was the original host of Sax and Violence a pilot for a Muppet series that preceded The Muppet Show. Nigel could have been a star, and he should be given a chance once again.

Mahna Mahna

The very first sketch on The Muppet Show contains one of the most famous pieces of music in Muppet history. This one hit wonder became iconic from these two nonsense words, which are also, apparently, the name of the Muppet. He's a piece of Muppet history and we have to assume he can do a lot more. 

Kermit & Fozzie's "Dad"

The Great Muppet Caper sets up Kermit and Fozzie as sibling news reporters. How are a bear and a frog brothers? Well, the movie shows us their "dad" in a photograph, and this picture raises so many questions that I need this Muppet to appear more often to just begin to answer all the questions.

There are so many great Muppets that it would be close to impossible to give them all the attention they truly deserve. But that won't stop us from wanting to see more from our favorites. We'll always love Kermit and Piggy and Fozzie and Gonzo, but surely there should be opportunities for some of these great Muppets too.

For anyone who adores Kermit the Frog and the rest of Jim Henson’s Muppets ensemble, having a Disney+ subscription is the felt-covered holy grail, considering the service boasts most of the Muppet-related projects out there, from the near-complete Muppet Show lineup to the canceled-too-soon Muppets Mayhem. One glaring exception is Muppet Babies, the beloved 1980s Saturday morning cartoon that has never been fully available to either own or watch on demand. So why isn’t Muppet Babies on streaming, or even Blu-ray or DVD?

The answer is a frustrating one, especially when told through the candidly pragmatic perspective of Guy Gilchrist, the highly accomplished cartoonist who brought the O.G. Muppets comic strip to life on top of crafting Muppet Babies’ character designs. Gilchrist gave a rather definitive answer to the streaming mystery in an Instagram interview with Dennis Pastorizo, which basically proves how special and unique Jim Henson was in the profit-minded world of entertainment. Here’s the first part of his answer:

At this point, Gilchrist discussed how Jim Henson and George Lucas’ collaboration on Labyrinth was prefaced by their behind-the-scenes Star Wars work together on The Empire Strikes Back, which was filming “across the street” from The Muppet Show at the time at Elstree Studios in England. The cartoonist addressed Henson helping “fix Yoda” alongside fellow puppeteering legends Kathy Mullen and Frank Oz, and said a similar fixing on the set of E.T. stemmed from Henson’s friendship with Steven Spielberg.

Because everyone was so friendly, and because Jim Henson had influential powers like no other, Muppet Babies was allowed to bring Kermit into Raiders of the Lost Ark without any copyright tap dancing or legal wrangling. The same goes for the animated series 1984 episode “Gonzo’s Video Show,” which is entirely about the nursery gang remaking A New Hope in an hour’s time. 

That would be a massive headache for any modern-day series to tackle, given Star Wars wouldn’t even release its own Detours spoof series from Seth Green. So even though Disney technically owns both the Lucasfilm property and The Muppets as a brand, that episode alone would keep lawyers busy for who knows how long, which doesn’t take into account the myriad other specific pop culture references made on the show, including classic Universal monsters. 

Guy Gilchrist continued, pointing to everyone’s love of Jim Henson as the reason why Muppet Babies is the pop culture gem that it is, which in turn has led to its absence from streaming services and DVD shelves. In his words:

While there have been occasional glimpses of corporate synergy that led to shocking movie and TV crossovers, such as What We Do in the Shadows' smorgas-bat of vampire cameos, Muppet Babies' streaming rights don't seem like they'll be the catalyst to Hollywood homogeny in 2024 and beyond. It sucks, and Gilchrist knows it sucks, saying:

One would think if there's a shade of a wisp of a glimmer of a hope that Muppet Babies could get a remastered release, Guy Gilchrist would be one of the first to get fans pumped with optimism. But if he's making it sound like a lost cause, I'm no longer holding onto any dreams about it happening. Not even endless viewings of The Muppet Movie's "Rainbow Connection" scene can help. Okay, yeah, that actually does help. I'm not a monster. 

Of course, Disney did reboot Muppet Babies for Disney Junior in 2018, and the show featured plenty of pop culture references of its own, albeit without the use of licensed footage, as it went with this Ferris Bueller's Day Off nod, and with many being references to the Muppets franchise itself. That series, which wrapped its run with a big Muppet Show finale also sparked a lawsuit from the '80s show writer Jeffrey Scott. 

The past two years have technically amounted to a win for fans of The Muppets, given that Muppets Haunted Mansion and The Muppets Mayhem were each inarguably a step above their small screen predecessors, 2020’s fun-if-limited variety show Muppets Now and 2017’s misguided broadcast effort The Muppets. Unfortunately, Disney+ didn’t deem Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem’s new album worthy of a second season, and killed our Season 2 hopes by canceling it ahead of Thanksgiving festivities. But before all those sour feelings could settle, Adam F. Goldberg swooped in and revealed he and co-creator Jeff Yorkes are currently “cooking up” another Muppets adventure. 

Considering how early in the process things are, Goldberg obviously didn’t have any hard and fast details to share with Muppets fans to keep our heads above these smooshed-tomato-filled waters. (For what it’s worth, he did mention “Kermit & the gang” in a thankful tweet in the days following the dreaded cancellation.) But that just leaves the door open to start dreamily speculating about what characters the next series (or special) could be about. 

A Full-Length Muppet Labs Series

For as long as I can remember, Bunson and Beaker have been my favorite Muppets characters, which is kind of incredible for a duo sporting one member who doesn’t speak coherently. Part of their ongoing appeal ties into the always excellent Muppet Labs segments, which follow the same basic structure of “Bunson’s cool invention goes haywire all over Beaker’s worried face.”

I’d love to see this creative team expand on Bunson and Beaker’s contributions to science in the same way Muppets Mayhem embraced 50+ years of music. Whether they enter the modern space race — Pigs! In! Space! — or attempt to reverse climate change (or some slightly less ambitious mission), it would be a blast to watch, and just think of all the amazing guest stars that could show up. 

A Rom-Com About Kermit The Frog And Miss Piggy

Considering how long Kermit and Piggy have been romantically linked, including situations where they weren’t actually a couple, I think it would be fun for the Muppets universe to hone in on their chemistry for a high-concept comedy that pays homage to Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan’s pair-ups, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s shared films, as well as more offbeat fare such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

I certainly wouldn’t scoff if the Muppets team would handle such a concept as a spoof of the rom-com genre, since there’s a lot to mine there. But I’d be more interested to see an authentic love story play out for Kermit and Miss Piggy, with a mature approach that doesn’t just veer into bawdy gags. (I mean, some bawdy gags are welcome, of course.)

A Show About Gonzo Setting Up A Disney Park Stunt Attraction

Considering how many of The Muppets’ movies, shows and specials revolve around the concept of putting a live show together, why not bring that Disney synergy from Muppets Haunted Mansion back for a scripted series that actually includes Disneyland and/or Walt Disney World in the show itself? I can think of no better way to tackle that idea than through a stunt spectacular attraction set to star none other than Gonzo the Great, his loyal Camilla, and whatever other characters are courageous enough.

I adore theme park stunt shows almost as much as I love Jim Henson’s presence in the parks through Muppet Vision 3D and others, so this idea would scratch both of those itches with precision. And obviously the end goal here would be for Disney to actually introduce a Muppets stunt show into the parks to coincide with the series’ release, which would help reverse the disappointment that our hopes for a Muppets Mayhem tie-in never happened.

A Revival Of The Muppet Show

Since the stunt spectacular idea above already addressed the Muppets’ penchant for recalling the glory days of The Muppet Show, I might as well put the call out there for Adam F. Goldberg & Co. to just fully embrace a top-to-bottom revival of the variety show that turned Kermit, Fozzie, Animal and more into household names. There are no doubt plenty of celebs who would sign on as guest hosts, and even if it only included stars who worked with the Muppets previously, that would still allow for hundreds of A+ talents, from Mark Hamill to Tina Fey to RuPaul. 

What’s more, considering how widespread sketch comedy is now, a new Muppets Show could also take the self-aware approach by spoofing and bringing in cast members from other popular shows like Saturday Night Live, Mr. Show, Kids in the Hall, Tim & Eric, The State and beyond. I would love to see Jordan Peele and Keegan Michael Key (both of whom appeared on The Muppets) voicing Muppet versions of themselves posing as dozens of fictional college football players.

Granted, there’s no telling where Adam F. Goldberg and Jeff Yorkes (or anyone else) are going next with this franchise, and I’m sure the ideas I noted above won’t be anywhere near what actually comes out. Which is fine, since the Muppets could make a show about watching butter melt, and I’d be parked on the couch for it. Until we find out anything further, though, be sure to stream all the Muppets excellence available with a Disney+ subscription.

It was more than a little shocking when the iconic Michael Caine announced his retirement from acting. Many actors never officially retire, even if they cut back their schedule significantly. And while Caine had claimed retirement previously and not followed through, this time seems different. Few people have quite the career that Caine has had. After all, it’s not everybody who gets wished a happy retirement by The Muppets.

Michael Caine has had some incredible roles in his career, in both tentpole blockbusters and Oscar-worthy dramas, but one of his most popular and well-known roles ever may be that of Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol (which is available with a Disney+ subscription). So it was fitting that the official Muppets Instagram took a moment to wish Caine well.

It’s a beautiful little tribute and one that a lot of fans who absolutely adore this movie are going to appreciate. Though I can't imagine Caine will need much help with bookkeeping as part of his retirement, though certainly he'll get to enjoy himself more if he doesn't have to worry about such things.

There are dozens of actors and other performers who have worked opposite the Muppets over the decades, but Michael Caine’s appearance is perhaps the most beloved. Not everybody has seen every episode of The Muppet Show, but most people have probably seen The Muppet Christmas Carol as its theme causes it to come back around every season, unlike the other Muppet films. It’s so well known that people are calling out Timothee Chalamet’s Wonka look for being a bit too similar to Gonzo’s Dickens getup from Christmas Carol. 

Caine’s role in Muppet Christmas Carol may also be one of his most well-known performances simply because it was in the sort of movie that everybody has probably seen. It’s well-regarded, and arguably one of the best Muppet movies ever made and one of the best adaptations of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the same time, so it’s the sort of movie that eventually attracts everybody at Christmas time. 

There's probably an entire generation for whom Muppet Christmas Carol is their introduction to Michael Caine as an actor. Caine himself has explained why he did the Muppet film, saying that it was in large part because his then seven-year-old daughter had never seen him in a movie, and he wanted to be in something she could watch. There are probably a lot of seven-year-olds who saw this before anything else that Caine has ever done and a lot of parents who saw the actor in a whole new way after experiencing it. 

We, along with the Muppets, certainly wish Michael Caine well in his retirement. He’s certainly earned the right to enjoy not working for the rest of his life. Hopefully, he won’t be bothered by too many rats as part of his newfound time off.

The Walt Disney Company is in a unique position when it comes to promoting its franchises. It has a theme park that can be used to push new movie and TV projects and can be promoted by those same media franchises. The Disney Parks are nearly always a massive moneymaker for Disney, so it’s perhaps not that shocking when the company revealed during an investor meeting on Tuesday that it plans to spend $60 billion on the parks over the next decade, more than twice what it had previously projected.

However, what’s perhaps more interesting is the word from Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro that Disney plans to use that money to promote some parts of the Disney synergy machine that maybe haven’t seen the same level of use as others. That could mean older movies that have been largely overlooked, but it could also mean a lot of brand-new characters and films that simply haven’t been brought to the parks quite yet. Here’s where Disney should be spending its billions.

The Black Cauldron 

Is The Black Cauldron the movie that nearly destroyed Walt Disney Animation forever? Yes, it is. Is it really that bad a movie? Yes, it is, but that doesn’t mean that it should be swept under the rug and forgotten about forever. Even Disney recently released a Horned King MagicBand, so the company hasn’t forgotten about the franchise entirely.

I’m not saying The Black Cauldron needs its own ride at Disneyland, but the Disney Parks have great Halloween events every year, which are going on right now, and The Black Cauldron was made for just such an event. Even if we only see the movie appear during the spooky season, it would be worthwhile. 

Atlantis: The Lost Empire 

Disney Animation tried something new in the early 2000s with a pair of non-musical, action-adventure movies in Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire, the former would be such a flop that Disney would literally write it off on its taxes within a week. While Atlantis fared better, it was only by comparison.

I’ve seen women Disneybounding in the parks as Kida, so I know there are fans of this work. Adding Atlantis to the parks would bring something that’s just that little bit different, and different is good. Who knows, maybe promoting a project that didn't find that much love the first time around would help others discover it now on Disney+.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame isn’t a complete stranger to Disney Parks. We have heard “Out There” playing during nighttime spectaculars, and we’ve seen characters appear in parades here and there. The fact of the matter is that the movie is great and a lot of people love it, and we just need more.

The fact that we keep hearing Hunchback music indicates there’s something there, so maybe a stage show is in order, specifically something inspired by the Broadway show we never got would not run amiss. This $60 billion is being spent on the Disney Cruise Line too, not just the parks, so a Hunchback stage show there where it's worth pulling out all the stops would be excellent.

101 Dalmatians/Cruella de Vil 

Disney Villains are almost always popular, sometimes more so than the movies that inspired them You don’t see a lot of references to 101 Dalmatians in the Disney Parks, but everybody knows Cruella de Vil. You’ll see her as a character in the parks, often around Halloween, and she’s so good that we need more of her.

We know that Disney is looking at expanding Magic Kingdom as part of planned new attractions at Walt Disney World, and that’s likely going to be where a decent chunk of this money will be spent. A Villains Land has been suggested as one possibility for the area, and that would be the perfect spot for a permanent Cruella show or attraction.

 Mary Poppins 

Outside of animation, Disney has often struggled with franchises that aren’t Marvel or Star Wars-related. Only the Pirates of the Caribbean films, which, of course, already have their own ride, have really been successful. But before them, there was Mary Poppins, and somehow she still doesn’t have her own ride.

She was supposed to get one though. Prior to the pandemic, a new attraction was planned for Epcot’s UK pavilion that would have brought the practically perfect nanny there in a big way, but the post-pandemic budget crunch killed that idea. If Disney is going to spend some money, let’s spend some to bring that idea back.

The Muppets 

During the recent Destination D23 Parks panel, The Muppets were everywhere. Josh D’Amaro got the “15 seconds to curtain” call from Scooter. Uncle Deadly came out to talk about the Haunted Mansion. Longtime Muppets puppeteer and voice Dave Goelz took center stage with D’AMaro to talk about his 50 years working with the Muppets. It seemed all but assured some new Muppet project would be announced for the parks, and yet, nothing happened.

MuppetVision 3D has been gone from Disney California Adventure for years, and the show seems destined to disappear from Disney’s Hollywood Studios someday sooner rather than later. The Muppets have appeared in the parks now and then, but they are the definition of underutilized characters. We need to see more of them in the parks. Having the Electric Mayhem take over Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, as has been suggested is one option, but there are so many more. 

With Disneyland’s massive expansion all but assured to get approved, and an expansion of Magic Kingdom being teased alongside a now, somewhat decided Animal Kingdom expansion, we know where a lot of the $60 billion that Disney is going to spend over the next 10 years is going to go. What we will see in those new areas is less certain, but it's likely we can expect to see more of Anna and Elsa, or the Avengers, at Disneyland Resort. Seeing some of that is fine. I look forward to it, but hopefully Disney won’t forget that it has so many more popular stories, and somebody is a fan of each one. 

When it comes to actors who look as if they could make it through any and all of life’s harshest experiences with unflinching persistence and determination, I’d easily put Machete star Danny Trejo somewhere around the top of that list. The actor’s Hollywood history speaks to that toughness, with his first credited role not happening until he was 43 years old, following several years of working behind the scenes and playing extras. But Trejo is obviously filled with the same feelings as anyone, and he recently recalled the tragic-yet-comforting story about facing a total emotional implosion caused by the most unexpected source: Kermit the Frog.

The 2011 feature Muppets Most Wanted is where Danny Trejo first partnered up with The Muppets, playing an inmate within the Gulag alongside Ray Liotta, Jemaine Clement, Tom Hiddleston and others. It was an experience he’ll never forget, and definitely not only because he put his musical skills on display. Sadly, the actor’s mother passed away in the midst of the film’s UK production, and his initial attempts to maintain a stoic stance while filming was rather quickly thwarted by the marquee Muppet himself. While answering fans questions during a panel at Fan Expo Dallas’s 2023 event, Trejo was asked about his working relationship with the Jim Henson-created group, and recalled how the “Rainbow Connection” performer caused an emotional implosion on the set. In his words: 

In no possible way, shape, or form would I have been able to offer a response that wasn’t just “dashing away before bawling” if I were in a similar position. So power to the Desperado actor for being able to make it through Kermit’s entire thought before making a beeline for the bathroom. 

He continued, sharing why he still feels to this day that it was his mother's beyond-the-ethers bidding that led to that moment.

Danny Trejo shared an expanded version of the tale in his autobiography Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood, which was co-written with his Reindeer Games co-star Donal Logue. In it, he talked about how co-star Ray Liotta followed him into the bathroom, and how ridiculous it seemed after the fact that two of the most seemingly intimidating actors in Hollywood were both turned to mush by a faux frog. Albeit through the prism of highly talented puppeteer Steve Whitmire and the green-collared entertainment icon he was handling.

As hardcore fans of The Muppets and/or Trejo are likely well aware, the L.A. native has become one of the felt-faced comedy squad’s go-to celebrities across both the big and small screen, and he’s appeared in each of the original Disney+ projects: Muppets Now, Muppets Haunted Mansion and the recent tune-a-licious comedy The Muppets Mayhem. (They can all be streamed in full now with a Disney+ subscription.) To that end, the actor talked about just how easy it is to fall into the mindset that Muppets are just as genuinely real as those who bring them to life, saying:

That story is nearly as sweet as the one about empathetic Kermit. I bet that kid had as big a blast as anyone on any Muppets project set, especially if it inspired an entire script. While it likely won't ever come to fruition, I hope to hear in a few years about that kid growing up to join the troupe in some capacity, with Danny Trejo as the first guest star he brings in.

Professional wrestling has a long history of celebrity appearances with comedians like Andy Kaufman, actors like Mr. T, and professional athletes like Dennis Rodman being at the center of some of sports entertainment’s biggest moments. However, for every comedian, actor, athlete, and even singer whose appearance on WWE, WCW, or TNA that has made sense over the years, there are just as many that are so random, so bonkers, and so unexplainable they have left wrestling fans scratching their heads in confusion or split over laughing from the sheer ridiculousness of the situation. Below are just a few of the most random wrestling celebrity guests including Chucky, the Muppets, and so much more…

Chucky 

In October 2021, the official USA Network Twitter account revealed that Chucky, the possessed the My Buddy doll from classic horror franchise Child’s Play and SyFy revival series, would be appearing as a special guest at NXT Halloween Havoc later that month. Shockingly, this isn’t the first time Chucky has appeared in professional wrestling. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

During the lead-up to the 1998 edition of WCW’s Halloween Havoc (WWE now owns the trademark after purchasing its former competitor in 2001), Rick Steiner was in the middle of an interview with the late Gene Okerlund on WCW Monday Nitro when Chucky appeared on screen. After verbally tearing down Steiner about his upcoming match with his brother Scott, Chucky began promoting his then-upcoming movie Bride of Chucky while everyone stood there in shock. 

Maybe Chucky will have an interaction with Rick Steiner’s son Bron Breakker when he challenges Tommaso Ciampa at NXT Halloween Havoc. Who knows, maybe “Ricky” will get the last laugh after all.

The Muppets

There has long been a tradition of having guest hosts of WWE’s flagship program Monday Night Raw, and during that time, there have been some truly random and amazing appearances. One of the most iconic (and random) has to be the October 31, 2011 appearance by The Muppets cast who popped up in various segments throughout the night to promote the then-upcoming movie. Although it seemed like the whole arrangement was some crazy cross-promotion, the different appearances by Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Beaker, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, and others, made for a fun, albeit strange night of television.

The Muppets would appear again a little more than a year later for WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops program, which led to various other encounters, including this one between Daniel Bryan and Gonzo.

RoboCop

Before WCW turned things around in the mid 1990s, the company had its fair share of crazy, random, and hard to explain moments. Near the top of that list (right under Hulk Hogan seeking out the Dungeon of Doom, brother) is the special guest appearance by RoboCop at the Capital Combat pay-per-view in May 1990. RoboCop was all over the promotional material leading up to the show (this was a way to promote the Summer 1990 release of RoboCop 2), but what happened was so weird no one would hold it against you if you forgot about the movie entirely.

At one point when Sting was walking to the ring, he was attacked by the Four Horsemen, who threw him into a cage for some reason. After a few moments, who else but RoboCop came marching down to the ring to free Sting and scare off the heel faction. In March 2021, Sting told Bleacher Report that the appearance was “one of the most embarrassing things” he had endured. 

Chris Rock

In the early days of TNA Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling), Chris Rock made an appearance not to set up an angle, promote a match (or anything else really) but to sing the promotion’s praises during a brief interview segment in the middle of a wrestling ring and energetic crowd. It was later revealed that Rock was there to film a scene for the 2003 comedy Head of State (which featured several wrestlers from the promotion), but none of that is ever stated on the broadcast, making it seem like the former Saturday Night Live star just appeared to talk for 30 seconds and then dip out.

The Three Stooges

Prior to the 2012 release of The Three Stooges, the movie’s titular trio — Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes), and Curly (Will Sasso) — appeared on an episode of Monday Night Raw to “entertain” fans in the arena and at home in a series of skits reminiscent of the classic shorts from the original slapstick comedy group. However, the fans were not having it and pretty much booed the three actors whenever they appeared in the ring or backstage. The only redeeming moment of the entire night was Will Sasso’s Hulk Hogan impression, but even that ended with the former MadTV mainstay getting beat up by Kane.

Grumpy Cat

Remember Grumpy Cat, the meme that became a worldwide sensation and even got her own movie? Probably so because the meme was everywhere a few years back. In November 2014, Grumpy Cat was a special guest star of Monday Night Raw and appeared alongside various wrestlers, with the standout being a backstage encounter with The Miz and his stunt double Damien Mizdow. Grumpy Cat doesn’t put The Miz through a table or anything like that, but instead just sits there on a pillow and gives the former WWE Champion its signature expression.

Jay Leno

WCW was on top of the world in the summer of 1998 following the pop culture phenomenon that was that year’s Bash at the Beach even with its Hollywood Hogan/Dennis Rodman vs. Diamond Dallas Page/Karl Malone main event. In August of that year, the company went all out again but this time with The Tonight Show host Jay Leno taking Malone’s place and WCW executive Eric Bischoff filling in for Rodman at Road Wild at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

It all started when Hollywood Hogan and Eric Bischoff showed up on The Tonight Show to cause some trouble, which ended with the pair getting escorted off the set. After that Diamond Dallas Page talked Jay Leno into one of the most random wrestling matches of all time.

Each and every one of these wrestling celebrity guest appearances are wild, crazy, and most of all, random. But it's moments like these that make professional wrestling such an odd and beloved art form, even if they don't always hit their mark. And who knows, maybe we'll see even more random guest appearances at some of the upcoming WWE events.

Despite having taken part in all kinds of multi-genre adventures over the years, The Muppets never truly embraced the world of horror until this year's Disney+ special Muppets Haunted Mansion, the ingenius combination of Jim Henson's fun-loving creations and one of Disneyland's most iconic attractions. Considering how excellent the special is, one can only hope that the characters aren't too far away from making fright-filled projects. So it seemed only fitting when CinemaBlend spoke to Walking Dead superfan and MHM co-star Yvette Nicole Brown and Gonzo the Great for me to ask about the latter's chances of survival during a zombie apocalypse. 

While The Walking Dead's ever-expanding universe has brought about the brutal ends to untold numbers of characters big and small, Yvette Nicole Brown is of the belief that this would not be a fate to be suffered by Gonzo. As seen in our video above, here's how she put it:

Cue the hypest WWE entrance music you can find, because that's a statement that needs to be followed by a high-five-filled walk through fans. Not that Gonzo has an easy time of walking through crowds, or high-fiving people. But hey, if Yvette Nicole Brown thinks he's is badass enough to live through walker attacks, I'm not about to deny her beliefs. 

In following up on Brown's boast, Gonzo kinda flubbed his words. But I don't think "speaking correctly" has ever been a dependable way to kill off walkers, so this shouldn't reflect negatively on what his chances would be as a zombie-destroying warrior.

For the record, Gonzo is also post-alpacalipstick, post-acropadipstick, Proust-iconoclastic, and Pabst-firstribbonistic. And don't anybody try to say those things aren't true. 

When I offered up the idea that Gonzo could weaponize his rather noteworthy schnoz to defend himself from walkers, the Muppet responded with the perfect amount of hyper-dry wit, saying:

I mean, we are talking about a character who has readily entered himself into cannons with the express purpose of being shot out of them (and not always into safety nets or anything of that nature). So he's quite used to risks and painful situations, even if he's not specifically accustomed to having zombies attempting to gnaw his fuzzy skin. 

If Gonzo the Great happened to show up in Alexandria during Season 11 — and let's just take a second to think about how truly and wonderfully bizarre that would be — it wouldn't even be the first time that the Muppet-verse would crossover with The Walking Dead. Back in 2017, Sesame Street delivered the segment "The Walking Gingerbread," with Cookie Monster in the role of Sheriff Lick Graham (a pun on Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes). Later that same year, the live performance event The Muppets Take the Bowl included a pre-taped segment feature Swedish Chef titled "The Walking Bread," in which he fought off moldy bread. 

Muppets fans definitely need to check out Muppets Haunted House, currently streaming on Disney+, while AMC is currently delivering undead mayhem every Sunday night via Fear the Walking Dead Season 7 and The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 2.

While The Muppets have been known to hang out in Manhattan, Nanny's nursery, TV studios, outer space, and in Disney theme parks, the iconic characters have somehow never convened for a swine-killing...ahem...spine-chilling Halloween adventure. (Sorry, Miss Piggy.) Thankfully, everyone's October will be filled with felt-covered tricks and treats in the form of Disney+'s new special Muppets Haunted Mansion, which is a delightfully macabre combo that delivers everything a fan of The Muppets and Halloween could hope for. And even things we didn't know we were missing, such as Yvette Nicole Brown! And a statuesque Pat Sajak!

Ahead of the special's October 8 debut on Disney+, I had the life-affirming pleasure of speaking with Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, and the lowercase great Yvette Nicole Brown, as seen in the video above. And like me and presumably millions of other fans out there, everyone involved was pumped about finally bringing the Muppets into the horror-lite genre for Muppets Haunted Mansion. When I asked Miss Piggy for her thoughts on the connection, she laid out exactly what a fan would want to hear. 

Miss Piggy immediately referenced what I've long considred to be one of pop culture's white whales: basically any of the previous attempts to give The Muppets a Halloween special. The holiday mash-up was originally pitched in the early 1970s and predated The Muppet Show, while a Muppets Haunted House concept was in various stage of early development throughout the 1990s, with the Playstation game Muppet Monster Adventure being the end result, as it were.

To Miss Piggy's point, Muppets Haunted Mansion is definitely a one-of-a-kind project that likely would have been handled completely differently had it been approached at an earlier time. While Disney has never been a stranger to marketing tie-ins, the complete immersion of Muppets-dom within the legendary Disneyland attraction feels like it could have only come after the MCU's interconnectedness (and even The Simpsons' crossover shorts) led the charge. To boot, it truly matches the all-ages enjoyment that The Haunted Mansion has delivered for over 50 years.

While Miss Piggy was in positive-minded promotional mode, Gonzo looked at things from a different and more personally literal perspective, which is what one would expect from the beloved weirdo. In his words:

Gonzo is a hard act to follow in any capacity, even when there aren't any cannons involved, but it helps to be as cool, collected and classy as Yvette Nicole Brown. The well-documented horror fan likely isn't the only one out there who was surprised to realize this was The Muppets' first foray into frights. Here's why she thinks Jim Henson's cherished creations are a solid match for Halloween:

Gather your kids, your parents, your siblings, your friends, your pets and all the ghosts from the old shed, so that everyone can find a seat in the Omnimover for the debut of Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+ on Friday, October 8. When you're done catching up with all the other Muppets fare the streaming service has to offer, check out everything else hitting the 2021 Fall TV schedule soon!

No matter how old you are, chances are you know Frank Oz - if not by name, then by his voice. He has voiced iconic characters from the ‘60s all the way to the present. He voiced Cookie Monster for upwards of 50 years alone, but the famous voice actor hasn’t voiced any of his Sesame Street or Muppet characters for a number of years. Oz now reveals the reason for his absence in the children’s programs, and it will likely come as a surprise for all of those who grew up listening to his characters.

In an interview with The Guardian, Frank Oz explained why fans haven't heard him voice any Muppets or Sesame Street characters for a while, and why that's unlikely to change. The iconic voice actor said:

According to Frank Oz, he no longer has a relationship with Disney, which owns the rights to The Muppets and its many characters, or the people at Sesame Street. His explanation indicates that he wants to stay true to the creative process and type of characters he feels are right for the programs, and he has spoken out about Disney's handling of The Muppets in the past. Oz is an incredibly creative individual and in addition to giving life (and voice) to a wide variety of characters, he also has had a hand in the writing and directing processes for projects.

Frank Oz directed The Dark Crystal with his creative partner Jim Henson and then went on to direct a number of cult classics himself, like Little Shop of Horrors. Oh, and he’s also the man behind Stars Wars’ Yoda. And if that’s not an otherworldly range of talent, I don’t know what is. In the same interview, Oz explained just what issues he has with Disney’s characters that he hasn’t had a part with. Apparently there is no soul in the newer Disney led Muppets, and that just doesn’t sit right with Oz. Here’s how he puts it, exactly:

You only have to look at a small example of the characters Frank Oz has put out to know that there are, indeed, souls in his puppets. The magic he brings to characters has surely led to his many successes in Hollywood, and even if he no longer voices those characters he helped create he has certainly left his mark in many’s lives with them. Still, with such a long list of credits in beloved properties, it's safe to say that his work won't be forgotten even if he never does get to return to The Muppets or Sesame Street.

Of all the various worlds and characters owned by Disney, The Muppets have had a more difficult road than most. While they've seen some recent successes, like the 2011 movie The Muppets, they've also had some failures, like the 2015 TV series The Muppets. The most recent franchise entries, like the Disney+ series Muppets Now were met with positive response, but not with a massive audience. But a couple of comedians may have found the perfect way to bring back the Muppets, a live-action movie with Josh Gad and Ben Schwartz as Bunsen and Beaker.

Ok, so yes, the idea sounds absolutely insane, but maybe that's why it's perfect. Ben Schwartz started the whole thing off by claiming on Twitter that he had "accomplished nothing" until he played Beaker in a live-action origin story of the Muppet Labs sidekick. Of course, this idea leads to an obvious question, who would play Dr. Bunsen Honeydew? Schwartz put out the call and got a very enthusiastic response from Josh Gad.

I'm not saying we need a live-action Bunsen and Beaker movie. I'm just saying that if we were to get one, we could do a lot worse than Josh Gad and Ben Schwartz in the lead roles. They could absolutely pull it off, and if Ben Schwartz thinks he looks like a real life Beaker, then Josh Gad would fit equally well as Bunsen Honeydew. And Gad has never met a Disney project he didn't love. And his previous Muppet series idea fell apart, so he has probably been waiting for this.

Of course, a live-action Muppet movie is sort of a wild idea to begin with. Being puppets, the Muppets are that much closer to being live-action as it is, and since actual human actors appear with them all the time, recreating Muppet characters as human would just feel weird. This movie idea isn't really going to happen, but it still does make one want to at least get an idea of what it would look like. You can picture it quite easily, and it sounds amazing, or possibly terrifying. Even Ben Schwartz seems to understand just what a monster he has created.

But of course, if you were doing a live-action movie about Bunsen and Beaker, you'd probably need to include a few more Muppet characters, which would mean even more actors playing Muppets. The whole thing might work as a short or some sort of comedy sketch. But perhaps as a full on origin story movie, it might outlast its welcome. But I still want to see Josh Gad and Ben Schwartz as Bunsen and Beaker. Even if they just dress up as the characters for Halloween it could be great.

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If you still have yet to see A Quiet Place Part II (one of the best 2021 movie releases as far as I am concerned) in the movie theater (where the sound design can be appreciated to its fullest extent), don’t sweat. I can understand if you still feel most comfortable streaming from the privacy of your own home, no matter how much of an Emily Blunt fan you may claim to be. Luckily, all of the best Emily Blunt movies are now currently available to stream, rent or buy digitally, or even purchase on a physical copy if you still prefer that method, including the breathtaking predecessor to the British actress’ most recent thrilling blockbuster.

A Quiet Place (2018)

In order to survive a world overrun by malevolent, extra-terrestrial creatures, a family is forced to live in complete silence.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Emily Blunt and her real-life spouse John Krasinski (who also co-writes and directs A Quiet Place) play husband and wife in this heart-wrenching family drama brilliantly crafted wall-to-wall thrills.

Rent/buy A Quiet Place digitally on Amazon.

Buy A Quiet Place on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

In order to save the world from malevolent, extra-terrestrial creatures, a soldier (Tom Cruise) is forced to overcome his cowardice and train with a fierce special forces veteran (Emily Blunt) while mysteriously trapped in a time loop.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Four years before she won a SAG award for struggling to silently evade alien invaders in A Quiet Place, Emily Blunt played a loud and proud badass warrior taking them out one-by-one in Edge of Tomorrow (also known as Live. Die. Repeat.) - a clever, action-packed fusion of Independence Day with Groundhog Day based on a popular manga called All You Need Is Kill.

Rent/buy Edge Of Tomorrow digitally on Amazon.

Buy Edge Of Tomorrow on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Looper (2012)

A mafia hitman (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) whose victims are sent to him from the future must go on the run after failing to kill his latest target: his future self (Bruce Willis).

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Two years before she helped Tom Cruise fight time-traveling aliens in Edge of Tomorrow, Emily Blunt helped Joseph Gordon-Levitt take on his older, out-of-time counterpart in Looper - a refreshingly original and meticulously crafted fusion of the time travel genre with old school film noir from director Rian Johnson.

Stream Looper on Starz.

Rent/buy Looper digitally on Amazon.

Buy Looper on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

A promising politician (Matt Damon) falls in love with a ballet dancer (Emily Blunt), only to have their affair threatened by a mysterious team of agents who have dictated that the relationship does not fall in line with the path chosen for him.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: A year before she and Joseph Gordon-Levitt messed with the flow of time in Looper, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon messed with fate itself in The Adjustment Bureau - a unique and romantic take on the philosophy of predestination inspired from a short story by Phillip K. Dick.

Stream The Adjustment Bureau on Showtime.

Rent/buy The Adjustment Bureau digitally on Amazon.

Buy The Adjustment Bureau on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Sicario (2015)

A promising FBI agent (Emily Blunt) agrees to help a government task force (including Josh Brolin and Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro) take on a deadly drug cartel, only to soon question to the true nature of the assignment.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: After Emily Blunt proved her worth as an action star with Edge of Tomorrow, Sicario - a smart, stylish crime drama from director Denis Villeneuve, writer Taylor Sheridan, and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins - helped her solidify that reputation.

Rent/buy Sicario digitally on Amazon.

Buy Sicario on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

An ambitious young woman (Anne Hathaway) gets a crash course in everything she did not know about fashion and the workforce when she is unexpectedly hired as an assistant to the infamously difficult editor of a renowned fashion magazine.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Witness the beginning of Emily Blunt’s road to A-List stardom in the fun, winning comedy The Devil Wears Prada, in which she stars as Emily (coincidentally) - the snarky first assistant to the intimidating (to say the least) editor of Runway Magazine, Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly.

Stream The Devil Wears Prada on Starz.

Rent/buy The Devil Wears Prada digitally on Amazon.

Buy The Devil Wears Prada on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dan In Real Life (2007)

A successful advice columnist and widowed single father (Steve Carell) begins to finally show signs of living by the standards he preaches after meeting the woman of his dreams (Juliette Binoche), until he discovers she is dating his brother (Dane Cook).

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Before she even met her husband, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt appeared in the cute, underrated dramedy Dan in Real Life with his co-star from the Office cast, Steve Carell.

Rent/buy Dan In Real Life digitally on Amazon.

Buy Dan In Real Life on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

A single mother (Amy Adams) forms an unlikely partnership with her estranged, aimless sister (Emily Blunt) in a business that specializes in removing biohazards and cleaning up after crime scenes.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Amy Adams had a short-lived stint on The Office playing John Krasinski’s girlfriend before playing the sister of his future wife, Emily Blunt, in Sunshine Cleaning - the perfect comedy for anyone who thought CSI was a little too dark for them… even though this movie can get a pretty dark, actually.

Stream Sunshine Cleaning on HBO Max.

Rent/buy Sunshine Cleaning digitally on Amazon.

Buy Sunshine Cleaning on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Muppets (2011)

A Muppet named Walter teams up with two humans (co-writer Jason Segel and Amy Adams) to bring the titular felt performers back together to take on an oil tycoon who wants to destroy Muppet Theater.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Emily Blunt has a reunion of sorts with Amy Adams and also pokes fun at her role in The Devil Wears Prada by playing Miss Piggy’s receptionist in the delightful, Oscar-winning reboot of The Muppets, which is the also the first film she appeared in with her husband.

Stream The Muppets on Netflix.

Stream The Muppets on Disney+.

Rent/buy The Muppets digitally on Amazon.

Buy The Muppets on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Five-Year Engagement (2012)

After a young, smitten couple (co-writer Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) get engaged, they soon begin to suffer a series of circumstances that force them to postpone their nuptials again and again and again.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Emily Blunt has a big reunion with Jason Segel by playing his fiancée in The Five-Year Engagement - a hilarious and heartfelt meditation of why patience is a very important part of love.

Stream The Five-Year Engagement on HBO Max.

Rent/buy The Five-Year Engagement digitally on Amazon.

Buy The Five-Year Engagement on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (2011)

A leading expert on fisheries from Britain (Ewan McGregor) clashes with a determined consultant (Emily Blunt) over her client’s demands to bring the sport of fishing for salmon into his home country.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: A year before starring in a rom-com about a love forced to endure a long waiting period, Emily Blunt starred in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen- a romantic dramedy about a love that slowly develops over time and over unusual circumstances from the Academy Award-winner writer of Slumdog Millionaire.

Stream Salmon Fishing In The Yemen on Showtime.

Rent/buy Salmon Fishing In The Yemen digitally on Amazon.

Buy Salmon Fishing In The Yemen on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Girl On The Train (2016)

A woman (Emily Blunt) still suffering from the troubling circumstances of her painful divorce becomes obsessed with a young couple she sees everyday while riding a commuter train, which curdles into a nightmarish situation of deadly proportions.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Emily Blunt’s performance is the central strength of The Girl on the Train - a dark melodrama based on a best-selling novel that has nothing to do with Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, in case you were wondering.

Rent/buy The Girl On The Train digitally on Amazon.

Buy The Girl On The Train on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

My Little Pony: The Movie (2017)

When an evil, tyrannical force invades Equestria, the Mane 6 must make their escape and seek help to save their land and its magic.

Why it is one of the best Emily Blunt movies: Among the star-studded cast who lend their voices to My Little Pony: The Movie, Emily Blunt actually plays the villain named Tempest Shadow in this surprisingly funny and entertaining feature-length spin-off the popular TV series based on a popular toy line.

Stream My Little Pony: The Movie on Tubi.

Stream My Little Pony: The Movie on IMDb TV.

Rent/buy My Little Pony: The Movie digitally on Amazon.

Buy My Little Pony: The Movie on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

As of now, you still have a little bit of time before you can watch A Quiet Place 2, streaming on Paramount+ eventually, from the privacy of your own home. Fortunately, the rest of these highlights from Emily Blunt’s career should be a fine way to pass the time.

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While The Muppets have been around since the 1950s, this is one franchise that has continued to go strong, with new films, television shows and other projects coming along on a regular basis. There are few people who don't love watching the antics of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzy and all of our other favorites as they have a wide variety of adventures (which typically involve putting on a show to at least some degree), and now the gang is returning for an all new special just in time for Halloween. The Muppets are actually taking over The Haunted Mansion, and Gonzo offered up a hilarious reveal.

The Muppets have come a long way since The Muppet Show took the world by storm in the late '70s, and though this wacky cast of funny characters has starred in more than their share of awesome films, TV shows and specials, there's been nothing quite like this before. The Muppets will be coming back to Disney+ this fall for an all new special, and their first ever to celebrate Halloween, Muppets Haunted Mansion. Take a look at Gonzo's hilarious reveal video, which features a guest appearance from Pepe the King Prawn, looking a little bit like a throwback version of The Rock:

Fear and fright lovers, indeed! As you can see, The Great Gonzo (I think he deserves to be addressed by his full title at least once) and Pepe the King Prawn (who's really rocking that black turtleneck / chain combo) are incredibly excited about what's coming on Muppets Haunted Mansion, and, if you're a lover of The Muppets (I mean, would you be here if you weren't?), you should be excited, too.

If you're wondering why our old pal Gonzo was awarded the honor of announcing this very special special, well, it's because Muppets Haunted Mansion will focus on him. It takes place on Halloween night, when Gonzo is dared to spend one spooky night in "the most grim grinning place on Earth," the famed Haunted Mansion. Neither Gonzo, nor Pepe, were able to tell us whether the special's version of The Haunted Mansion will remind viewers more of the Disneyland or Walt Disney World dark rides, but, either way you can bet we'll see a good number of the 999 happy haunts in residence.

Anyone who's enjoyed pretty much any of The Muppets movies or TV shows across their many decades of existence will know well how the outrageous troupe deals in comedy, music, and all-around fun and good times, and Muppets Haunted Mansion promises to be no different. The special will feature the star-studded cast of Muppet characters we've all come to know and love, as well as celebrity cameos, all new music and a lot of good, old fashion eerie Halloween fun that the whole family can enjoy.

We'll likely hear more about Muppets Haunted Mansion as we near the fall, but for more to watch in the meantime, be sure to check out our 2021 summer TV premiere schedule!

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Over the years, Rashida Jones has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to lead a hit comedy series like Parks and Recreation or play a smaller yet key role in Academy Award-winning dramas like The Social Network, and just about everything in between. With multiple streaming services offering the best Rashida Jones TV shows and more, it’s easier than ever before to see where the versatile star has been and where she’s going.

Whether it's streaming, digital purchases, or even DVDs, there are multiple ways to watch Rashida Jones' best movies and TV shows. From her days as Karen Filippelli on The Office to playing Bill Murray’s daughter in Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks, there’s a lot to tackle here, so let’s get started and start breaking down where you can watch some of Rashida Jones’ best work yet.

The Office (2006 - 2007, 2009, 2011)

For the longest time, The Office was one of the best shows to binge watch on Netflix, but ever since New Year’s Day 2021, NBC’s cultural phenomenon is streaming exclusively on Peacock. And while it was a bummer for everyone with a Netflix subscription to lose their favorite show, fans of the series get to see everything plus never-before-seen content that is exclusive to NBCUniversal’s new platform. Now you can watch the entirety of Karen Filippelli’s saga at Dunder Mifflin plus tons of deleted scenes and other material you won’t find anywhere else. 

Stream The Office on Peacock.

Rent/Buy The Office on Amazon.

Parks And Recreation (2009 - 2015)

It is crazy to think about the Parks and Recreation cast and everything they’ve been able to pull off since the show ended in 2015. One of the funniest faces on the show is without a doubt Rashida Jones who played Ann Perkins, a nurse who became involved with the inner-workings of the Pawnee, Indiana Parks and Recreation department after her boyfriend, Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) broke both his legs after falling into a large pit. Ann would continue to be a major force and source of comedy for the show until partway through Season 6 though she would return on occasion.

Stream Parks and Recreation on Peacock.

Rent/Buy Parks and Recreation on Amazon.

The Social Network (2010)

The Aaron Sorkin/David Fincher Facebook movie The Social Network remains one of best movies on Netflix thanks it part to its gripping story, outstanding direction, and that amazing cast anchored by Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. Even the supporting cast, which includes Rashida Jones in a small yet unforgettable role of Marylin Delpy, one of Mark Zuckerberg’s defense attorneys. Despite her soft tone and calm demeanor, it’s Marylin who tells the Facebook founder that he will have to settle his case against Eduardo Saverin not because he's an asshole but he just tries so hard to be one.

Stream The Social Network on Netflix.

Rent/Buy The Social Network on Amazon.

On The Rocks (2020)

Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks, which follows a young mother (Rashida Jones) who reconnects with her playboy father (Bill Murray) by going on an adventure through the heart of New York City is something that the director and star both have experience with considering their fathers’ fame and names. At the heart of this 2020 Apple TV+ exclusive dramedy, it is about the bond shared by parents and their adult children and how it’s never too late to teach your kids something while also learning a thing or two along the way.

Stream On The Rocks on Apple TV+.

BlackAF (2020)

The Netflix sitcom BlackAF features a fictionalized version of the show’s creator Kenya Barris as he and his wife, Joya Barris (Rashida Jones) become a “new money” Black family and deal with the fallout of their newfound wealth. This hilarious yet socially and culturally-conscience comedy series struck a chord with audiences who will get to come back for more as BlackAF is one of the Netflix TV shows coming back at some point in 2021. With so many reasons to watch, why not give the show a shot.

Stream BlackAF on Netflix.

I Love You, Man (2009)

The 2009 comedy I Love You, Man is largely centered on the budding friendship of Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) and Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), but the driving force of the film’s big adventure is none other than Peter’s fiancée Zooey Rice (Rashida Jones). When she discovers that her soon-to-be husband doesn’t have a best man for the wedding, or any friends to really choose from, she encourages him to go out and find a best friend. Hilarity and chaos soon follow.

Stream I Love You, Man on Amazon.

Rent/Buy I Love You, Man on Amazon.

Freaks And Geeks (1999 - 2000)

The Freaks and Geeks cast was filled with some of today’s biggest stars with people like Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel all getting one of their first big breaks on the show that ran for one season before getting the axe. The teen comedy about two interconnected groups of high school slackers and nerds set in 1980 also featured a ridiculous list of cameos and guest spots including Rashida Jones, who played Karen Scarfolli in a single episode. You probably want to hurry up and watch Freaks and Geeks as it has a habit of disappearing as quickly as it shows up on various streamers.

Stream Freaks and Geeks on Hulu.

Buy the Freaks and Geeks Blu-ray set on Amazon.

Klaus (2019)

The 2019 animated Christmas adventure Klaus serves as a new take on the origin of Santa Klaus, this time featuring Old St. Nick as a reclusive woodsman (J.K. Simmons) who is discovered by Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman), who is perhaps the worst postman of all time. The partnership eventually turns fruitful, transforming the quiet and once-frozen town into the epicenter of joy and goodwill. Add in Rashida Jones’ performance as Alva, a teacher-turned-fishmonger whose cold heart is melted and made anew with the town’s transformation and you have a recipe for a must-watch holiday classic.

Stream Klaus on Netflix.

Black-ish (2014 - Present)

Despite being one of the funniest shows on television, the long-running ABC hit series black-ish isn’t afraid to hold back with its portrayal of an upper middle class African-American family and the issues and situations they must deal with on a daily basis. Led by the outstanding duo of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, this hilarious and hard-hitting series also features one hell of a recurring cast that includes Laurence Fishburne, Wanda Sykes, Daveed Diggs, and Rashida Jones to name only a few.

Stream Black-ish on Hulu.

Rent/Buy Black-ish on Amazon.

Angie Tribeca (2016 - 2018)

Perhaps one of the strangest “crime of the week” police procedurals, the TBS comedy series Angie Tribeca really allowed Rashida Jones to showcase her offbeat and unique comedic timing in her portrayal of the veteran of the LAPD’s Really Heinous Crimes Unit. The show’s satirical approach to the crime genre, which was sometimes a little overbearing, gave Angie Tribeca a unique feel over the course of its four seasons.

Steam Angie Tribeca on Hulu.

Rent/Buy Angie Tribeca on Amazon.

The Muppets (2011)

The 2011 version of The Muppets is honestly one of the best additions to the franchise in recent memory and there’s a case to be made about it being one of the best titles in the property’s history. Centering on Gary (Jason Segel) and his Muppet brother Walter (Peter Linz), the movie follows the pair and all other sorts of characters as they attempt to breathe fresh life into the film’s version of the Muppets. When the Muppet Theater needs a big break, Veronica Martin (Rashida Jones) steps in and pulls some strings at the CDE network to get the iconic group a slot.

Stream The Muppets on Disney+.

Rent/Buy The Muppets on Amazon.

Inside Out (2015)

The 2015 Pixar film Inside Out explores the ways in which our emotions dictate essentially every function of our lives and how quickly things can get out of hand when our emotions lose control of what’s happening behind the scenes. The film does a tremendous job of showing that everyone goes through these battles in their lives, even when it looks like they have everything in order. This is seen with the “Cool Girl” character whose emotions are voiced by Rashida Jones, who shows that everyone has their own insecurities.

Stream Inside Out on Disney+.

Rent/Buy Inside Out on Amazon.

Tag (2018)

Despite being a movie based on a schoolyard game, the 2018 action comedy Tag is surprisingly about more than a group of lifelong friends playing a seemingly never-ending game at the expense of everyone around them. Sure, that does happen throughout fun-loving film, but it’s also about the meaning of friendship, even if that means chasing one another through various situations. In addition to the central cast of Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Jon Hamm, and Hannibal Buress, the movie also features a well-rounding supporting crew including Rashida Jones, Isla Fisher, Leslie Bibb, and Brian Dennehy.

Rent/Buy Tag on Amazon.

Our Idiot Brother (2011)

The 2011 comedy Our Idiot Brother follows Ned Rochlin (Paul Rudd) a lovable slacker who falls under the care of his three sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer) whose lives are subsequently thrown into disarray due to his actions. Once Cindy (Rashida Jones), the girlfriend of one of his sisters, agrees to help Ned gain custody of his dog, even more lives are thrown into chaos with more to follow.

Stream Our Idiot Brother on Netflix.

Rent/Buy Our Idiot Brother on Amazon.

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)

The 2012 romantic comedy-drama Celeste and Jesse Forever follows the titular couple (Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg) in the years after they married young. As the years go by and they begin to mature into adulthood, the two begin to drift apart, reaching the brink of divorce. Co-written by Jones, this emotional and at times funny love story will bring a tear to your eye (or two).

Stream Celeste and Jesse Forever on Starz.

Rent/Buy Celeste and Jesse Forever on Amazon.

The Sound Of Silence (2019)

The 2019 offbeat and almost surrealist drama The Sound of Silence follows Peter Lucian (Peter Sarsgaard), a “house tuner” who helps improve the sonic environments of his clients’ homes in hopes of improving their day-to-day lives. Things take a turn when Peter is introduced to Ellen Chasen (Rashida Jones), a client who quickly begins to have deep feelings for the tuner, forever changing their lives.

Stream The Sound of Silence on Hulu.

Buy The Sound of Silence on Amazon.

Those were just a few of the best Rashida Jones TV shows and movies you can stream right, rent, or buy right now. If you’ve already blown through all of those you could always take a look to see what all the 2021 movie premiere dates so you don’t miss another big release.

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Whether you know him best from How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Muppets (2011), or any of his various other projects from the past two decades, it's safe to assume that you're familiar with Jason Segel. The film-television actor has kept a consistently active profile — at least, until recently when he started working on smaller, more intimate projects that suit his creative ambitions. Nevertheless, Segel returned to the spotlight with last year's anthology series, Dispatches From Elsewhere, which he also created, wrote, and directed, and last month's buddy dramedy, Our Friend.

Now that Freaks and Geeks is finally on Hulu, though, let's take a look at what other notable Jason Segel projects are available to stream, especially if you're a fan of the multi-talented performer. Here's what you should check out if you love Jason Segel!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Peacock)

Following a devastating break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), heartbroken musician Peter (Jason Segel) decides to travel to an exotic resort, only to discover that his ex is there, alongside her cool new boyfriend (Russell Brand).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Following several years of success as a TV star and reliable supporting player, Jason Segel finally found his own star vehicle with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a heartfelt, heartwarming, and refreshingly honest romantic comedy that served as a great showcase for Segel as an actor and writer.

Based on Jason Segel's personal experiences, this winning blend of raunchy comedy, emotional sincerity, and even some puppet silliness proved to be a poignant mix, blending the familiar pleasures of your traditional studio rom-com with debauched R-rated goofiness and well-developed characters. While Segel holds his own as the lead, he's surrounded by a strong cast of dependable co-stars, including Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, and Jonah Hill. This is a rom-com you won't want to forget.

Stream It On Peacock Here.

The Muppets (Disney+/Netflix)

Devoted fan Walter and his human friends (Jason Segel, Amy Adams) must reunite The Muppets to save the Muppet Theater from businessman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights. It's time to meet The Muppets again with their 2011 smash hit, The Muppets, which became a wonderful reprisal for this beloved puppet-based franchise, with Segel's loving assurance providing a steady hand as an actor and screenwriter.

Championing the project through every step in the process, The Muppets (2011) is certainly Jason Segel's baby, and you can feel his affection and dedication to this property throughout this emotionally gratifying, immensely engaging cinematic return. While it didn't signal the bright, prosperous second life for the brand that many fans (like myself) wanted, Disney's reboot gave us one of the finest Muppet movies in ages. Certainly, it's among the best Muppet movies since the 1980s, which is no small feat.

Stream It On Netflix Here And On Disney+ Here.

The End Of The Tour (Showtime/Hoopla)

Based on David Lipsky's memoir, a Rolling Stone journalist (Jesse Eisenberg) conducts a five-day interview with acclaimed author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: The late David Foster Wallace is an imposingly large literary figure, filled with mountains of wit and tragedy. The wise, even mythic author behind Infinite Jest wasn't an easy personality to fully understand or comprehend. Likewise, he's not an easy persona to embody. Nevertheless, Jason Segel dutifully stepped up to the challenge in 2015's excellent character-based drama, The End of the Tour, resulting in quite arguably his finest performance yet, drama or otherwise, while also demonstrating the subtle depths of his grounded acting talents.

Though it's hard to know how truthful this correspondence between David Foster Wallace and David Lipsky is in its cinematic depiction, Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg infuse enough realistic emotional honesty to sell it immensely. You get immersed in their thoughtful, soul-searching pondering throughout this prolonged conversation.

Stream It On Showtime Here, On Kanopy Here, And On Hoopla Here.

Jeff, Who Lives At Home (CBS All Access/Amazon Prime)

Slacker Jeff (Jason Segel) starts to find himself when he spends the day with his unhappily married brother (Ed Helms), tracking down the latter sibling's potentially adulterous wife (Judy Greer).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Though it plays heavily into the Sundance formula, Mark and Jay Duplass' Jeff, Who Lives At Home carries a tender heart and an appropriately homey feel, thanks to its bright writing, sensitive direction, and sharp lead performances from Jason Segel as our titular housebound brother and Ed Helms as his emotionally-fraught brother.

Having established himself as a comedic star who excels at playing carefully-crafted earthbound characters, this aimless character felt right at home (hardy har) with Jason Segel's skillset, while also giving him more flexibility to play loose and comfortably with Jeff's unspecified motivations. This movie isn't anyone's best work, but it's certainly a good film. And it makes for an appealing and endearing watch, especially while you're snuggled up on the couch.

Stream It On CBS All Access Here And On Amazon Prime Here.

Knocked Up (Peacock)

A drunken one-night-stand between fun-loving stoner Ben (Seth Rogen) and career-driven Alison (Katherine Heigl) becomes serious when she gets pregnant.

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: For my money, Knocked Up remains Judd Apatow's finest film. The prolific writer-director-producer has a keen talent for spotting up-and-coming talent and giving them plenty of opportunities to shine in his high-profile projects. While this movie is undeniably Seth Rogen's showcase, his Freaks and Geeks co-star, Jason Segel, is quite a scene-stealer with all of his raunchy, ball-busting retorts.

Though he's strictly a supporting character in this sophomore feature, Jason Segel makes the most of every moment he's on-screen, demonstrating the promising untapped star power that would be realized in his own movie, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the following year. There are several reasons why Knocked Up is one of the better studio comedies to come out in the past decade-plus, and Segel's slacker charm in this unconventional rom-com is only one of them.

Stream It On Peacock Here.

Freaks And Geeks (Hulu)

An ace student (Linda Cardellini) hangs out with a group of burnouts (Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel), while her freshman brother (John Francis Daley) navigates the tribulations of high school with his fellow geeks (Samm Levine, Martin Starr).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Before he found fame with How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jason Segel got his early start on the cult-favorite coming-of-age NBC dramedy series, Freaks and Geeks. Through his affable screen presence, Segel established his easygoing charm, which would carry over into numerous other projects to come.

From executive producer Judd Apatow, Paul Feig's series only aired 12 episodes before the network pulled the plug (there were 18 episodes altogether), but it helped jumpstart the careers of Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Linda Cardellini. Likewise, Jason Segel's protective, weed-smoking "freak" became an early favorite, showing his talents for playing commonmen who wear their flaws openly but try to do right by others. This early role shaped Segel's career as we now know it.

Stream It On Hulu Here.

How I Met Your Mother (Hulu/Amazon Prime)

Through a series of extensive flashbacks, a father (Josh Radnor) recounts to his teenage kids (Lyndsy Fonseca, David Henrie) the story of how he met their mother.

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Admittedly, How I Met Your Mother's clout has since waned, mainly due to its egregiously terrible series finale that stole a lot of the sitcom's comfortable goodwill. Nevertheless, while the finale is one for the ages (and not in a good way), the majority of the show is generally fun-loving, agreeable, and sweet-natured throughout.

While it does rely heavily on sitcom tropes, the likability of our five leads, Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, and Alyson Hannigan, constantly wins you over, particularly as they mine lots of believable sincerity and affectionate care from these familiar characters. Certainly, this winsome quality makes the early seasons so enjoyable to discover (or revisit). Similarly, Segel's talents for playing a dorky, endearing everyman were often well-showcased in these seven seasons.

Stream It On Hulu Here And On Amazon Prime Here.

The Discovery (Netflix)

After the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man (Jason Segel) helps a woman (Rooney Mara) break away from her dark past.

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Of late, Jason Segel has ventured away from his affable comedy persona into darker, more sophisticated dramatic depths. While some of these subdued projects are better than others, one of his more underrated dramatic roles comes from Netflix's The Discovery, an inquisitive, intelligent sci-fi character study with a nicely understated leading man performance from Segel.

While its pompous philosophizing can get in the way of its grounded character work, Jason Segel, Rooney Mara, and Robert Redford each bring their own gentle dignity to their melancholy characters, resulting in a moody-but-mindful cerebral journey that raises some interesting questions and gets solid mileage out of its heady premise. If you love Segel for his laughs, you won't find The Discovery to be a divine affair. But if you like contemplative introspection, notably with Segel providing one of his most quietly curious performances, this movie is worth discovering.

Stream It On Netflix Here.

The Five-Year Engagement (HBO Max)

A time-spanning romantic dramedy that follows the multi-year engagement between Tom (Jason Segel) and Violet (Emily Blunt).

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Though not without its shortcomings, including an uneven tone, overlong narrative, and a barrage of hit-and-miss jokes, all of which are highlighted by its overarching storyline, The Five-Year Engagement also celebrates Jason Segel's strengths as an actor and screenwriter alike, presenting an agreeable lead caught in extraordinary circumstances, while bringing enough believable heart and emotional honesty to keep it from completely falling off-the-rails. The actor/writer also works well with an appealing Emily Blunt, who's very capable of handling the movie's comedic and dramatic moments with equal assurance.

While this Forgetting Sarah Marshall reunion between Nicholas Stoller and Jason Segel can get too caught up in its own mopiness to keep the laughs plentiful, the director and actor/writer duo remain commendably good at finding the core heart of this ill-fated romance, while presenting a well-established couple who are easy to engage with.

Stream It On HBO Max Here, and if you're not an HBO Max subscriber, you can sign up for it here.

Come Sunday (Netflix)

A dramatized retelling of evangelist Carlton Pearson's (Chiwetel Ejiofor) ostracizing from his church and religious community after he preaches that there's no Hell.

Why It's A Good Option For Jason Segel Fans: Though its narrative structure could use some divine intervention, favoring an uninspired template that doesn't venture away from its conversational-but-conventional storyline, Netflix's Come Sunday is, nevertheless, an investing watch, thanks to its commanding lead performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor as a real-life evangelist who was shunned by his church and followers when he preached the notion that Hell doesn't exist. He captures the confusion and confoundment of his central character, though he's also aided by his dependable supporting cast, which includes LaKeith Stanfield, Martin Sheen, Danny Glover, Condola Rashad, and Jason Segel.

When it comes to Jason Segel's doubtful supporting turn, the actor doesn't get a ton of time to shine, but his reliable insecurities play a heavy role in establishing funneling doubts and moral questioning that our preacher faces in his uneasy new spiritual journey.

Stream It On Netflix Here.

Do you love Jason Segel? Which movie or TV show is your favorite? Let us know below!

Following the R-rated zaniness of 2018's The Happytime Murders, puppeteering mastermind Brian Henson shifted his focus to a far more family-oriented project, Disney+'s latest original TV series Earth to Ned. A non-topical talk show hosted by the massive alien Ned, along with his put-upon sidekick Cornelius, Earth to Ned features an array of excellent guest stars, including Rachel Bloom, Joel McHale, and the almighty Star Wars vet Billy Dee Williams. But despite this Henson production sharing its Disney+ home with The Muppets, none of those beloved characters made an appearance.

The lack of Muppets on Earth to Ned definitely wasn't an issue, since the new series has more than enough moving parts to keep audiences entertained through the first ten episodes. But considering the show was put together by a former Muppets head honcho, it was certainly curious. CinemaBlend had the pleasure of talking to Brian Henson ahead of Earth to Ned's series premiere, and when I voiced my hopes of seeing the "Pigs in Space" crew in future episodes, Henson had a surprisingly logical reason for the Muppets' absence.

As Brian Henson put it, the already complicated nature of Earth to Ned's backstory already requires a lot of suspended disbelief on the part of the viewer. Ned, as voiced by Paul Rugg (most beloved by yours truly as the voice of Freakazoid), seeks to learn as much as he can about humanity, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense for him to bring in fantastical characters that aren't inherently human. Minus the Episode 3 appearance of Star Wars' fan-favorite droid BB-8, Earth to Ned's guest list featured real-world celebrities as themselves, as opposed to any fictional entities. Of course, RuPaul showed up on both Earth to Ned and the equally enjoyable Muppets Now, so there is already connective tissue.

Now does that mean the Muppets will never show up on Earth to Ned? Don't think so pessimistically! Thankfully, Brian Henson already believes that the day will come when at least a couple of Muppet characters will get transported onto Ned's ship in the future. In his words:

Huzzah! Now we can start an office pool focusing on which of the many Muppet characters Ned will bring on. If Muppets Now didn't already have Swedish Chef heading up a cooking show, that would have been a go-to guess. Gonzo would be an excellent choice, considering he's the further thing from a human in that universe, but maybe having "real people" like Statler and Waldorf would be the more proper choice for Earth to Ned. Fingers crossed the producers can also swing a Sesame Street character or two for the same episode.

Earth to Ned is a show that, to quote Brian Henson himself, is "all about the absurdity of us as people," and even if it largely avoided referencing other fantasy worlds, the show's guest list still features lots of people who embrace absurdity, usually through comedy, such as Paul Scheer and Reggie Watts. Like The Muppet Show of decades previous, this series leans on guests that appeal more to adult viewers, such as Thomas Lennon, Eli Roth and NeNe Leakes, though there are some that younger viewers will know quite well, such as Disney vet Raven Symone and second-generation wildlife experts Robert and Bindi Irwin.

So no "Kermit the Frog meets [fill in the blank with your politician of choice]" episodes yet, but maybe one day soon, if enough people are watching Earth to Ned to convince Disney+ to keep the show going for a few more seasons.

All ten episodes of Earth to Ned Season 1 are available to stream on Disney+. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more exclusive coverage on the show, and be sure to bookmark our Fall TV 2020 premiere schedule to keep up with all the shows hitting the small screen in the coming months.

As an extraordinary actress capable of tackling multiple genres with exceptional range, Amy Adams is undeniably one of our finest working actresses. As a comedic, dramatic, musical, or even sci-fi star, Adams constantly finds new ways to stand out and make an impression on the big and small screen, showcasing the vast wealth of her fine talents through several strong roles — even in some not-so-great movies. As her profile rises, we'll hopefully only continue to see more compelling and enriching performances from this great talent — though if you're a fan of the six-time Oscar-nominated actress (as well you should be), there are currently several great titles available on streaming. Here are a few movies and performances that you should check out if you love Amy Adams.

The Master (2012)

An oversexed, PTSD-stricken Navy veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) is lured into the promises of grandeur provided by a charismatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: In Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece, The Master, Amy Adams does wonders alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman — all of whom put forth some of the strongest performances of their respective careers. Though Phoenix's turn as Freddie Quell is revolutionary and Hoffman gives one of the most stunningly captivating performances of his tragically short career, Adams shapes an ingeniously subtle and sharply layered character who only grows richer the more you reflect on the film. She's one of its biggest puzzle pieces, and as you dissect the movie more, you can see more clearly how much she drives the ship. It's most certainly worthy of Adams' fourth Oscar nomination.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The Fighter (2010)

Professional boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) tries to escape the shadow of his older half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale), and strives for greatness.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: While The Fighter was Mark Wahlberg's commendable passion project, this biopic often finds the actor/producer outshined by his supporting cast, including Christian Bale, Melissa Leo (both giving Oscar-winning performances), and Amy Adams. Playing Micky's confident partner, Adams plays slightly against type by providing a sexy, mature character at a time when she was commonly associated with her child-friendly performances in Enchanted and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. The result is another electrifying performance from the terrific actress, earning her third Oscar nomination. As a David O. Russell production, the ensemble is predictably sharp, but Adams stands out and packs a wallop of a punch in this dynamic dramatic role.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Her (2013)

A lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) forms an unlikely relationship with a personality-driven operating system voice (Scarlett Johansson).

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: In Her, Spike Jonze's ultra-unconventional romantic drama, we explore the innate complexities of human relationships in an ever changing world in a compellingly original and inventive fashion. While Joaquin Phoenix's central performance understandably earned the majority of the movie's praise, along with Scarlett Johansson's voice-only role, Amy Adams' portrayal of Amy shouldn't be overlooked. As the friendly neighbor with whom our lead character finds a meaningful physical relationship, one that doesn't provide the same interpersonal fractions found in his courtship with the operating system voice, Adams really helps bring out the heart and soul of Jonze's adventurous concept. For as intriguing as the movie's central focus can be, she's the one who really brings it home in an effective way.

Stream it on SundanceNow here.

The Muppets (2011)

Muppet superfan Walter, along with his two human friends (Jason Segel, Amy Adams), must reunite the Muppets to prevent an evil oil mogul (Chris Cooper) from taking down a lifelong treasure.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Following an extended down period for the generation-jumping brand, The Muppets (2011) marked a triumphant return for the lovable felt fellows, anchored by Jason Segel's winning sincerity as both an actor and screenwriter, along with James Bobin's bubbly direction and Amy Adams' charming performance. As Mary, an elementary school teacher in a long-time relationship with Segel's non-committal Gary, Adams isn't given as many chances as her co-stars — human or otherwise — to shine here, but her character is radiant with the film's beautiful beating heart that helps this meta-return avoid too many bouts of melancholy. Plus, she gets to sing!

Stream it on Disney+ here and Starz here.

Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

To pay for her son's private school tuition, a determined mother (Amy Adams) starts a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service with her unreliable sister (Emily Blunt).

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: As a late '00s Sundance dramedy, Sunshine Cleaning doesn't stray too far beyond formula, but it's benefitted nicely by its central two performances from Amy Adams and Emily Blunt. Both comedically and dramatically, these two actresses provide the goods — with Adams, in particular, showcasing her versatile talents in this prominent leading role. Her sibling dynamic with Blunt is engrossing and investing, allowing the characters to find their emotional truths despite the screenplay's habit of favoring indie cliches. And Adams often matches her character's determination, providing a nicely layered performance which helps the emotional beats hit as they should. She really shines (pardon the pun).

Stream it on Tubi here, PlutoTV here, and Hoopla here.

Vice (2018)

A darkly satirical biopic detailing how Dick Cheney (Christian Bale) became the most powerful Vice President in U.S. history.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: As both a darkly seething biopic of a political figure from our recent past and an unapologetically biting political commentary, Adam McKay's Vice is scattershot and broad-reaching in its approach. Its presentation is punchy and sense of indignation is impassioned, but outside of its squared attack against former Vice President Dick Cheney, it's not entirely focused in its execution, favoring several different filmmaking tones and methods to visually and narratively communicate the depths of Cheney's depravity. While the film itself is flawed, there is no denying the excellence of its central performances. While Christian Bale's transformative turn received the lion share of the praise, Amy Adams' Oscar-nominated Lady Macbeth-esque portrayal of Lynne Cheney is similarly terrific.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Doubt (2008)

Based on John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Doubt follows a Catholic school principal's (Meryl Streep) moral quandary whenever a sister (Amy Adams) informs her that the priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) may have an ambiguous relationship with a troubled student (Joseph Foster).

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Extraordinary plays don't always make the smoothest cinematic transitions, but Doubt does a tremendous job of capturing the livewire dramatic intensity of its original source material through its outstanding cast, including Meryl Streep, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis, and Amy Adams. While Adams' supporting performance isn't as explosive as the ones from Streep and Hoffman can be, Adams' second Oscar-nominated performance brings a quiet dignity and an emotional reckoning that drives home the film's troubling thematics.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

A cat-and-mouse game between a seasoned FBI agent (Tom Hanks) and a successful young con man (Leonardo DiCaprio) who swindles millions of dollars by posing as an airplane pilot, a doctor, and more.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Admittedly, in this pre-fame role, Amy Adams doesn't get as much screen time as some of her famous co-stars. But in typical Amy Adams fashion, she certainly made the most of every minute she's in during this Steven Spielberg picture. As Brenda Strong, a braces-wearing hospital worker whom Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) falls for while posing as a doctor, the talented young actress brought a bright presence to this enchanting crime film, with this role serving as a fine introduction for her future as one of Hollywood's most valued A-list actresses. Looking back, she was clearly meant to be a star.

Stream It On SundanceNow here.

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

A wealthy art gallery owner (Amy Adams) finds herself haunted by a novel written by her first husband (Jake Gyllenhaal), finding parallels to their former relationship.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Director Tom Ford's sophomore feature was notably polarizing upon release, baffling audiences and earning a mixed reception among critics. While the movie's bleak, nihilistic approach left some audiences cold, Ford's craftsmanship as a filmmaker was continuously impressive, bringing out marvelous performances from his starry A-list cast, including Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, to name a few. Some people were more receptive to the novelistic side, in which Ford dramatizes the intense book read by our lead character, but there's something oddly compelling about the cold demeanor of the movie's real-world side, guided with compelling intrigue by Adams' searching, intuitive, and sometimes darkly funny performance.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

Junebug (2005)

An art dealer (Embeth Davidtz) travels to North Carolina to meet her new in-laws, challenging their equilibrium in the process.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Though her talents weren't ever denied, it wasn't until 2005's resonant Sundance dramedy Junebug that Amy Adams' extraordinary acting skills were finally recognized, earning the first of six Oscar nominations to her name. While Adams' work in this suburban indie is remembered more so than the movie itself, director Phil Morrison makes a tenderly evocative arthouse ensemble piece with healthy bouts of heart and humor. The dialogue is bright, the characters are nuanced, and the performances are winning, but Adams undeniably steals the show, providing the observant wit and warmth that turns this little indie charmer into a winner. No matter how big or small the movie, Adams always found a way to make it count.

Stream It On SundanceNow here.

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (2009)

Security guard Larry (Ben Stiller) infiltrates the Smithsonian Museum in an attempt to rescue Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and Octavius (Steve Coogan) following a shipping mishap.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: While it's not the performance that she'll likely be remembered for, Amy Adams steals the show as Amelia Earhart in this family comedy. Providing a plucky, charmingly persistent take on the missing aviation pioneer, the Academy Award-nominated actress brings lots of spunk and goodwill to this blockbuster sequel, resulting in an entertaining comedic performance that — you guessed it — soars.

Stream It On Starz here.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

A small-town beauty pageant turns deadly when someone will go to any lengths to win.

Why It's A Good Option for Amy Adams Fans: Though it wasn't a critical or commercial hit upon release, Drop Dead Gorgeous has since become a cult favorite, particularly thanks to its excellent performances from its entertaining cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, and Amy Adams in her film debut. Right off the bat, Adams had the chops, providing some of the movie's biggest laughs and showcasing her early talents in this supporting turn. While many audiences would recognize her acting prowess in the decade to follow, it was clear to this movie's admirers that she was ready for stardom — even if Hollywood wasn't too quick to recognize it. It was only a matter of time.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

What are your favorite Amy Adams movies? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

The Mandalorian Season 1 is over and fans have questions. One of them is "Now what do I watch?" We already know Disney+ is premiering The Mandalorian Season 2 in Fall 2020 and creator Jon Favreau shared an intriguing photo tease. But what can you watch on Disney+ in the meantime? There are plenty of options. Some are already on the streamer, others are coming very soon, still others are holding for later in 2020 just like The Mandalorian Season 2, and a few more are treats to come in 2021 and beyond.

Disney+ is brand new and has ambitious plans for Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Pixar, and National Geographic content. I recommend stuff worth streaming every Monday, so here are 10 (plus bonus) options to consider on Disney+ in the long wait for more Baby Yoda memes in The Mandalorian Season 2.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars & Star Wars Rebels

This is the most important homework assignment before The Mandalorian Season 2. The Chapter 8 finale showed Moff Gideon apparently in possession of the Darksaber. That particular lightsaber was first shown in The Clone Wars series, set in the timeline between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, and then again in Star Wars Rebels, set in the timeline just before A New Hope. The Mandalorian takes place after Return of the Jedi. So you can catch up on the story of the Darksaber and everything else through The Clone Wars and Rebels before learning more about Moff Gideon in Mandalorian Season 2.

The Clone Wars has six seasons currently available to stream on Disney+ and, if you time it right, you can catch up before the final Season 7 arrives with 12 new episodes on February 17, 2020. Star Wars Rebels has four seasons to stream here on Disney+. Of course, there's plenty of other Star Wars content to keep you busy on Disney+, from Star Wars: Resistance to the Skywalker Saga movies themselves, etc.

Marvel's Runaways

Runaways just wrapped up its third and final season in December 2019 on Hulu. The series is based on Marvel Comics superheroes and set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It follows six teens who end up uniting against their own parents, and if you never got a chance to see it on Hulu, now is your chance. You can give yourself a proper marathon of all 33 episodes on Disney+, with Season 3 arriving fresh on the streamer this Friday, January 10.

The Muppets & Muppets Now

Maybe it wasn't the best choice to follow the adult mockumentary style trend, but I'm still bummed that The Muppets TV series only lasted for one season on ABC. Still, in honor of Yoda voice actor Frank Oz -- who also voiced Muppets from Miss Piggy and Fozzie to Animal -- it's worth inviting the 16 episodes of The Muppets into your Mandalorian wait time. Stream The Muppets here on Disney+. It's a great way to fill time before Muppets Now shows up later in 2020. That new short-form series was announced at the D23 Expo in 2019. The unscripted series is set to feature celebrity guests and it will premiere at some point in 2020. Stay tuned on the date.

The Imagineering Story

In the past year, Star Wars fans have been discovering Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Disney World. This Disney+ original miniseries follows Walt Disney Imagineering for an in-depth-look at the creation of the Disney theme parks around the world. For example, the first episode, "The Happiest Place on Earth," delves into the making and evolution of Disneyland up until Walt Disney's death. The next episode covers Disney World and the conception of Epcot Center, etc. It's a fascinating must-watch for Disney Parks fans. Stream it here.

One Strange Rock & Origins: The Journey of Humankind

One overlooked but very cool aspect of Disney+ is all of the National Geographic content. One Strange Rock comes from Darren Aronofsky and producer Jane Root, and it's hosted by Will Smith. Each episode shares how life survives and thrives on Earth as told from eight astronauts from the unique perspective of being away from Earth. There are 10 episodes to Season 1 and you can watch them on Disney+. Origins: The Journey of Humankind is an eight-part documentary series with each episode themed around one aspect of civilization, from fire to war, shelter, transportation, etc. Watch that fascinating series now on Disney+.

One Day At Disney & Pixar In Real Life

Disney+ has been posting a lot of original shorts -- from Forky Asks A Question and SparkShorts to One Day At Disney and Pixar In Real Life. Each short episode (around 6 minutes) of One Day At Disney introduces you to another Disney employee, from animators to CEO Bob Iger himself. This may only intrigue die-hard Disney fans, but I find it very interesting. New episodes are released weekly, following a new "cast member." In Pixar In Real Life, iconic characters from Pixar movies are brought into the real world in a live-action setting, surprising people around New York City. It's cute and funny.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

This is like Netflix's Explained but with less complex topics and Jeff Goldblum as host. New episodes are posted weekly to Disney+, following the Thor: Ragnarok star as he tries to unravel the fascinating science and history of deceptively familiar objects. So far, episodes have followed Jeff's curiosity on Sneakers, Ice Cream, Tattoos, Denim, BBQ, Gaming, Bikes, RVs, and -- I need to see this one next -- Coffee. It's a 12-part series so there's still more to come.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier & WandaVision?

I have question marks here because, as of early January 2020, Disney+ has yet to announce exact release dates for the MCU's first original TV series for Disney+. But there's a very good chance at least one will come out before The Mandalorian Season 2's fall premiere. We already knew Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan's Falcon and Winter Soldier, set right after Avengers: Endgame, was expected in 2020. But Disney+ surprised fans with the awesome update that my #1 most anticipated show -- Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany's WandaVision -- is actually coming in 2020 too. When? If they are both arriving this year, I wouldn't be shocked if we got Falcon mid-year instead of the initial "late 2020" listing and WandaVision at the end of the year, maybe around the same time as or shortly after The Mandalorian Season 2. But that's why there are question marks. We don't know yet.

Monsters At Work?

Here's another release date question mark, because it may show up after The Mandalorian's fall premiere -- but there's a good chance it won't if Mandalorian arrives in November again. I'm excited for Monsters at Work, the spinoff series to Monsters, Inc., which is coming sometime in 2020. It's meant to be set just six months after the 2001 movie. According to Disney+, the power plant at its center now harvests the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis. Tylor Tuskmon (Ben Feldman) -- an eager and talented mechanic on the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team -- dreams of working on the Laugh Floor alongside Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman). Keep an eye out for this premiere date!

What Other Original Shows Are Coming To Disney+?

There's a lot to look forward to! If you're a Lizzie McGuire fan, you must be excited for the sequel series coming to Disney+ in 2020. Disney+ also has a ton of other shows planned for 2021 and beyond -- like Star Wars' Cassian Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi series; and the MCU's series for Loki, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Hawkeye, and Ms. Marvel, plus the MCU's intriguing What If...? animated series. You could also check out the inspiring Marvel's Hero Project, which is streaming now. Disney+ tends to release new info one week at a time, but I'm hoping the streamer shifts strategies to share a lot more info on what's ahead -- and also what's leaving.

If you're looking for more streaming recommendations, I share suggestions every Monday and there are A LOT of past features you can check out:

• 5 Excellent Keanu Reeves Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Sci-Fi TV Shows To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Documentary Series To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 British TV Comedies On Netflix You Should Bloody Well Watch: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 3%, Occupied, Harlots, and Other Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Robert Downey Jr. Movies To Love 3000 On Netflix

• 5 Chris Evans Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Ryan Reynolds Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Will Smith Movies Worth Streaming Right Now On Netflix And Beyond

• 5 Refreshingly Non-Toxic Reality TV Shows Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 5 Joaquin Phoenix Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon Ahead Of Joker

• 5 Stripper Movies Worth Streaming In Honor Of Jennifer Lopez's Hustlers

• The 5 Best Space Movies To Stream In Honor Of Brad Pitt's Ad Astra

• 11 Unbelievable True Crime Series Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 8 Movies With 100 Percent Ratings Worth Streaming Before Netflix's The Irishman

• 7 Paul Rudd Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix Before Living With Yourself

• 8 Movies With Twist Endings Worth Streaming On Netflix After Fractured

• Where To Stream Firefly And 10 Other Great Shows Cancelled After One Season

• Whodunit? 7 Murder Mysteries Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 12 Royal TV Shows Like Netflix's The Crown: Our Jolly Good Streaming Recommendations

• 11 Best Gangster Movies Worth Streaming Along With Netflix's The Irishman

• 11 Best Tom Cruise Action Movies Worth Streaming As We Wait For Top Gun: Maverick

• 13 Adam Driver Movies Worth Streaming, Including Netflix's Marriage Story (But Not Star Wars)

• 8 Carrie Fisher Movies Worth Streaming As Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Opens

• 8 TV Shows Worth Streaming On Netflix As You Wait For The Witcher Season 2

What TV shows are you watching, or looking forward to watching on Disney+, as we wait for The Mandalorian Season 2?

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Disney is planning their own streaming service to launch in November and along with the studio's massive back catalog of content, they're also planning a massive amount of new material as well. While we don't know every new thing that the service, called Disney+, will include, a lot of information has been revealed about the upcoming shows and movies.

With the huge list of valuable properties that Disney has at its disposal, the studio is in a position to disrupt the entire streaming marketplace in a single moment with everything they could potentially create here. Some of these projects have been confirmed by Disney, while others are simply reported by other sources, but regardless, here's everything that is confirmed, followed by everything that is rumored, coming to Disney+ starting in November.

Confirmed Projects

The Mandalorian

The first Star Wars series to go into production was being helmed by Iron Man director Jon Favreau and while we had no actual idea what he was working on for the longest time we now know that the series is called The Mandalorian. This would mean that our main character comes from a similar history as fan-favorite character Boba Fett. Casting on the series rann the gamut from Gina Carano to Carl Weathers so it's anybody's guess just what we have in store as far as characters and story. The show also has some major behind the camera muscle as episodes are set to be directed by the likes of Taika Waititi, Rick Famuyiwa, and Star Wars Rebels vet Dave Filoni. The show is confirmed to at least see the first episode release on day one of the service.

A Rogue One Prequel Series

Star Wars ideas were teased early on and we learned before long that Tha Mandalorian wasn't the only show being planned. We're also getting a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that will follow Diego Luna's character Cassian Andor in events that lead up to the film. Alan Tudyk will also reprise his role as the voice of K-2SO. All signs point to this series debuting in late 2020 or 2021.

The Clone Wars

Quite possibly the most exciting Star Wars related news for Disney+ isn't a brand new series or movie, but the return of a well-loved one. Star Wars: The Clone Wars was a six-season animated series that filled in the gaps of the events between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The show ended without really reaching the end of the story it was trying to tell, which left many fans wanting more. Now, they'll finally get the end they've been waiting for.

Lady And The Tramp

One of the more interesting movie projects that Disney is planning is a Lady and the Tramp remake. While Disney has been doing really well with their remakes of classic animated films, Lady and the Tramp isn't the sort of film you'd expect to see get a major theatrical remake. The film will use the same life-like computer animated style of The Jungle Book. One of the potential benefits, with projects like this one, is that viewers could have the ability to watch the new remake, then jump over and watch the original, which is the sort of thing that could keep people glued to the new service.The movie will be released on day one.

Noelle

What's quite possibly the single most surprising report for a movie looking to debut on Disney's streaming service is Noelle, a Christmas movie starring Anna Kendrick. The reason this one is a shock is because, previously, this film had a theatrical release date for November 2019, but after being rumored to be making its way to Disney+, the company officially confirmed that during its recent Investor's Day. Officially, Noelle is slated for "shortly after launch" of Disney+ but with the launch set for November 12, and Noelle a Christmas movie, it should be a pretty short window between launch and this release. This might be literally the first thing added to the service after the day one content.

Monsters At Work

Another of the "actually confirmed by Disney" projects in development is a series based on Pixar's Monsters Inc. Disney has turned several of its successful animated films, like Tangled and Big Hero 6, into series, but this is the first time we've seen it happening with a Pixar property. The show will be called Monsters at Work and Billy Crystal and John Goodman will both be back to voice their characters of Mike and Sully from the films.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Let's face it, it just wouldn't be Disney if it didn't have teenagers singing pop music. Following the success of the original High School Musical on the Disney Channel, Disney made a couple of sequels, including one that saw a theatrical release since the series was so popular. Since then, Disney has made several other musicals with up and coming pop sensations like Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers. Now, Disney goes back to the well with a new series based on High School Musical. The premise, and stay with me on this one, will see a new group of kids, from the "real" high school where the films were set, as they attempt to put on a staged performance of the original High School Musical. It gets pretty meta, but it also means that new versions of the popular songs from the original will have a place.

A Loki Series

Tom Hiddleston's Loki may be well and truly dead in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that doesn't mean the actor or the character are quite done yet. Bob Iger confirmed during a Walt Disney Company earnings call last year that a series about the trickster god, and starring the man who made him famous, TGom Hiddleston, was coming to Disney+. One assumes it will be some sort of prequel series, but we're still waiting for those details, and it's always possible that Avengers:Endgame could change the situation for the character in a big way ahead of the series.

WandaVision

Marvel has had nearly as much success on the small screen for Disney as they have on the big one, so it's little surprise that other Marvel series are reportedly planned for Disney+. A series focusing on Scarlet Witch and Vision, had been previously rumored as being bound for Disney+, and the recent Investor's Day event officially confirmed that it is, in fact, on the way. The show will be called WandaVision and both Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany are confirmed to reprise their roles from the MCU.

Falcon & Winter Soldier

One additional Marvel series that had been rumored and has now been confirmed, is a team-up with The Winter Soldier and the Falcon. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan will reprise their MCU roles for the new series. Kevin Feige says the pair will be "forced" to team up in the new series, implying that neither character will be fully on board with the idea. It sounds like this project will be a bit down the road, but no release date was announced.

Marvel's What If?

Marvel's What If? is a long running comic title that images what would happen if both minor and major changes took place in the Marvel universe. That idea will now be making its way to Disney+ as a new animated anthology series, but this one will be focused on creating "what if" scenarios specifically for the MCU. The first episode will examine what could have happened if Peggy Carter had become the super solder, and Steve Rogers had instead joined World War II inside an armored suit built by Howard Stark. MCU cast members will be adding their voices to the new series as well.

Togo

You might remember the animated movie Balto from many years ago, which was based on the sled dog that led the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome which brought much needed Diptheria medicine to Nome, Alaska. Togo is the name of the sled dog that led the team that ran the leg prior to Balto, the longest leg run by any team during the race. This project looks to be a live-action movie that will focus on Togo and Leonhard Seppala, the human driver of the sled dog team. Disney is good at making inspirational stories, and this looks to be right in their ballpark.

Stargirl

While Stargirl sounds like a science fiction story, it's actually a very grounded YA drama about a girl transitioning from homeschooling to high school who is at first embraced for differences before shunned for being so unusual. The book has been in development hell since almost back when it was written in 2000, but Disney reportedly cast the two leads, some time ago and has now officially confirmed the project is happening.

Timmy Failure

Timmy Failure is a children's book which focuses on an 11-year-old boy who fancies himself a great detective. The project is being co-written by the book's author Stephan Pastis and Spotlight director Tom McCarthy, who recently handled rewrites on another Disney project, the live-action Winnie the Pooh movie Christopher Robin. This was another project that had been rumored for Disney+ a while ago, but was only recently confirmed by the studio at the Investor's Day event.

The Imagineering Story

Clearly, there will be a lot of Disney magic all over Disney+, but for those who'd like a look behind the scenes at just how Disney magic is made, there will be a documentary series that goes behind-the-scenes at Wat Disney Imagineering, the division that's responsible for creating everything that makes a Disney theme park feel like you've stepped into another world. The show promises to give viewers a look at things that have never been seen by the general public before, which will make it a must watch for the average Disney fanatic, which is sure to be the core audience of Disney+ when it launches on day one of the new service.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Along with the acquisition of Fox, Disney purchased National Geographic, and along with that comes a vast array of existing content. However two new series original to Disney+ will also be available. The World According to Jeff Goldblum will follow the famous actor as he investigates mundane and everyday items and "pulls back the curtain" to reveal the fascinating science and history behind them. This one sounds like a lot of fun, made all the more fun by including Jeff Goldblum.

Magic Of The Animal Kingdom

The second original Disney+ series from National Geographic may mark the first major collaboration between Nat Geo and its new Disney overlords. Magic of the Animal Kingdom will take viewers behind the scenes of Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot's Sea Base Aquarium, following the vets, biologists, and others who use the theme park as a location for learning more about animals. For fans of Disney theme parks, or of animals, and especially if you love both, this promises to be a very special series.

Rumored Projects

A New Muppets Project

The Muppets have had a rough go of late. They came back strong with a 2011 movie, but that was followed by a lackluster Muppets Most Wanted sequel, and while I personally thought The Muppets TV series was mostly pretty good, it failed to connect with audiences and didn't last beyond one season. It looks like they're going to be given another shot, though, as the word is that a new series, that will co-star Josh Gad and follow the events of Muppets Take Manhattan is being developed for Disney+.

The Paper Magician

The Paper Magician is the first in a fantasy book trilogy written by Charlie N. Holmberg that Disney picked up the rights to in March of 2016. It looks like the plan for the first film, and one assumes the rest of the trilogy, is to see a release via streaming service rather than theatrical release. Since the project was announced prior to Disney's streaming service being a known entity, it was assumed that this was going to be a theatrical release. Officially, this one is still in limbo as it has not been confirmed by Disney that this is Disney+ bound.

Magic Camp

Magic Camp is an interesting one because the film sat on Disney's theatrical release slate for quite some time, all while essentially nothing seemed to be happening with it. Then, the project was pulled from the theatrical calendar with just as much fanfare as we'd had before -- none. Now, it appears the reason for the switch is that the film is going to be moved to debut online instead of on the big screen. The movie stars Adam Devine and Gillian Jacobs, so we know it's a comedy, and the movie appears to have been completed for some time, but it looks like it'll be at least a year before anybody actually sees it. Considering how old this project is, we would have expected official confirmation by now, but that hasn't happened.

The Sword in the Stone

One of Disney's live-action remakes that we did know was on the way was the remake of The Sword in the Stone. In fact, we only recently learned that the movie was talking to a director in 28 Weeks Later 's Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. It appears now that the plan is for that particular remake to be an original production for the streaming service rather than the big screen. With the writer of the project being a Game of Thrones vet, perhaps the feeling was that the final product would fit better on TV. This would does seem to be moving forward, but it's still lacking confirmation.

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The Mighty Ducks Series

Another potential TV project in the works is one based on the Mighty Ducks film series. What's more, the original screenwriter of the films is attached to write it. It's not clear if the plan is to reboot the franchise fresh and make a series that more or less follows the premise of the film(s), or if the plan will be to make the series a sequel which picks up after the films. Perhaps with one of the now adult Ducks taking the role as coach of the team? It feels like a premise like that could both attract fans of the films as well as those new to the franchise.

Don Quixote

The writer of The Hunger Games and Captain Philips, Billy Ray, has a script for an adaptation of Don Quixote which Disney picked up in 2016. It appears they see the feature as a Pirates of the Caribbean-like action adventure and they're eyeing the streaming service for the film. Considering Terry Gilliam's Don Quixote project finally saw the light of day, perhaps that's a good sign for this one. Clearly, the two projects will take the same material in very different directions.

Three Men And A Baby

Of all the reboots that the Disney streaming service is planning, one of the oddest that has been reported is a remake of Three Men and a Baby. The original was technically a Disney project, though it was produced through Touchstone, the studio Disney started to do more "adult" movies, and starred Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson as three men who find themselves raising an infant. One hopes that a sequel won't find quite as much novelty in the mere concept of men raising kids, but if not, what exactly would this movie be about?

More Star Wars Series

While two Star Wars series have been confirmed, a host more have been rumored. One potential series could focus on Finn and Poe Dameron, the characters played by John Boyega and Oscar Isaac in the current Star Wars trilogy. Two other series could see a pair of characters from Solo: A Star Wars Story get their own shows. Both Emilia Clarke's Qi'ra and Donald Glover's Lando Calrissian could get shows of their own if rumors are accurate. In addition, it's possible that the long rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi movie might actually become a series for Disney+. All of these are only rumors, but considering how many Marvel series are happening, it's entirely possible all of these could be real as well.

Hawkeye

While several of the rumored Marvel series for Disney+ have been confirmed, one that was not mentioned by Disney at the recent big event was a rumored series that would focus on Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye. Allegedly, the new show would see Clint Barton pass on the Hawkeye mantle to a new character. Since the other Marvel rumors turned out to be true, this one may be as well, but it maybe so far out that Disney doesn't want to confirm it yet.

The Muppet franchise has tried a few new things over the years, and while some of it has been well-received, other projects have not. The short-lived ABC primetime comedy The Muppets is one noteworthy example, and it turns out that a prolific voice actor from the franchise had some blunt thoughts about that project and why it failed. Frank Oz said the magic in the Muppets is their purity, and The Muppets more or less destroyed that.

Frank Oz wasn't a fan of the liberties The Muppets took with Fozzie Bear, specifically the real life persona that was given to that character and presumably others. Frank Oz told attendees at SXSW (via Syfy) it was a destruction of the "purity of work," but perhaps not in the way folks would think. Oz doesn't seem so upset about the general actions of Fozzie, but rather that those developments limited him as a character.

Essentially, giving Fozzie Bear adult problems and hobbies boxed the character into a role that could only be enjoyed by adults. That's something Frank Oz has worked against his whole career in regards to Muppets or Sesame Street, as he said his mission was to make his performances accessible to all ages. That is to say, even if he was in a show geared towards children, he was actively avoiding pandering to them.

This means Frank Oz doesn't like it when the Muppets get too adult, but he also doesn't appreciate when they get overtly cute either. He specifically cited the 2011 movie in that regard which, while it did feature some things he enjoyed, Oz ultimately felt it wasn't a very good showing for the Muppets either.

Oof, that's some harsh words for Disney, especially when Frank Oz has provided the voice of a lot of characters for the company's projects over the years. Oz told the audience he may get in some trouble for his comments, although his grin either implied he was joking or he didn't care all that much whether it happened. Perhaps when you're one of the most prolific voice actors in Hollywood, being honest about companies you work for, regardless of the consequences, is one of the perks of the job.

The Muppets next project is happening on Disney+, and it will be interesting to see whether or not Frank Oz is tapped to be a part of it. For more on other works of Jim Henson returning to television, check out the classic work of his from back in the day that's making a comeback.