The Muppets Are Back: 5 Massive New Projects And The 70th Anniversary Celebration You Can’t Miss

The Muppets franchise is experiencing a massive, full-scale revival, with a slate of new projects rolling out from late 2024 through 2026. Fans of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the entire troupe have reason to celebrate, as Disney and other partners are preparing a new movie, a highly anticipated return to the classic variety show format, and a genre-bending comic series. This surge of new content is perfectly timed to celebrate a historic milestone for the world's most famous puppets. The current date, December 10, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the Muppets' long history, as the franchise is in the middle of celebrating its 70th anniversary. The celebration, which officially began in August 2024, is set to continue through the end of 2025, honoring the legacy of creator Jim Henson and the debut of his first show, *Sam and Friends*, in 1955. The upcoming projects demonstrate that the Muppets are not just a nostalgic property; they are a vibrant, evolving media franchise with exciting new stories to tell.

The Muppets' 70th Anniversary: A Legacy of Laughter and Puppetry

The Muppets' journey began with a simple five-minute show and has since grown into a global phenomenon encompassing film, television, music, and theme park attractions. The 70th anniversary, centered around May 9, 2025, celebrates this enduring legacy. The Muppets' topical authority stems from their unique blend of vaudeville comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and groundbreaking puppetry techniques pioneered by Jim Henson and performers like Frank Oz. Key entities that define this universe include:

• Creators & Performers: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel.
• Core Characters: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Rowlf the Dog, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf.
• The Muppet Show Entities: The Muppet Theatre, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, The Swedish Chef, Electric Mayhem (Dr. Teeth, Janice, Floyd Pepper, Zoot).
• Related Franchises: *Sesame Street*, *Fraggle Rock*, *The Dark Crystal*, *Labyrinth*.
• Key Films & Shows: *The Muppet Movie*, *The Great Muppet Caper*, *Muppet Christmas Carol*, *Muppet Treasure Island*, *The Muppets Mayhem*.

A Year-Long Celebration Across Disney Parks and Media

Disney, the owner of The Muppets Studio since 2004, is leveraging its entire ecosystem for the celebration. The festivities, which began in late 2024, include social media spotlights on different characters and digital trading cards. Furthermore, Muppet fans visiting Disney Parks are seeing the celebration firsthand:

• Disneyland's World of Color: A new World of Color show, "Happiness for Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration," is set to feature more than a dozen Muppets, bringing the characters into a major nighttime spectacular.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios: The park is featuring special events and merchandise tied to the anniversary, continuing through the end of 2025.

The anniversary is a powerful reminder of the Muppets' ability to remain relevant across generations, a testament to their character-driven comedy.

Project Breakdown: The New Muppet Movie and Disney+ Specials

The most exciting news for fans is the confirmed return of the Muppets to both the big screen and the variety show format that made them famous. These projects are the freshest content announcements in years and signal a major investment in the franchise's future.

1. The Return to the Big Screen: *Muppet Adventure* (2025)

The Muppets are officially making a grand return to cinemas with a brand-new movie slated for a 2025 release. While official plot details are being kept under wraps, the working title and early rumors suggest a classic "Muppets on the Road" story. The film, tentatively titled *Muppet Adventure*, is rumored to follow the Muppet gang—Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo—on a global adventure. Early synopses hint at a plot involving two photographers and a tourist, with the Muppets unknowingly getting involved with smugglers. This echoes the beloved globe-trotting capers of *The Great Muppet Caper* and promises a return to the franchise's action-adventure roots.

2. *The Muppet Show* Revival Special (2026)

The iconic Muppet Theatre is set to reopen its doors for a new generation. Disney has confirmed a one-time *The Muppet Show* revival special for Disney+, scheduled for release in 2026. * The Format: The special is described as a variety show, bringing the entire Muppet gang back to the stage for musical numbers, sketches, and chaos—the very essence of *The Muppet Show*. * Star Power: The project has already attracted major Hollywood talent, with actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen attached as a producer. * Special Guest: Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is confirmed as a special guest star, continuing the Muppet tradition of featuring famous celebrities in their chaotic world. This revival is a direct response to fan demand and marks a significant move away from the mockumentary format of previous shows like *The Muppets* (2015), returning to the classic variety show structure that fans and critics universally adore.

Muppet Noir and Other Unexpected New Directions

Beyond the movie and the Disney+ special, the Muppets are diversifying their content across different media, proving their versatility and ability to parody any genre.

3. *Muppets Noir* Comic Series (2026)

In one of the most unexpected announcements, Dynamite Entertainment is launching a new comic book series called *Muppets Noir* in 2026. * The Concept: The series is a full-fledged parody of the 1920s detective and film noir genres. * The Plot: Kermit the Frog takes on the role of a private detective, navigating a shadowy world of mystery and intrigue, a stark contrast to the colorful chaos of the Muppet Theatre. * Creative Team: The series sees the return of fan-favorite *Muppets* comic writer Roger Langridge, known for his critically acclaimed past work with the characters. This project highlights the Muppets' unique strength in character comedy, where the personalities of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the others can be transplanted into any setting—from *A Christmas Carol* to *Treasure Island*—and still deliver laughs.

4. World of Color: Happiness (Disneyland)

The inclusion of Muppets in Disneyland's new *World of Color: Happiness* show is a major win for the franchise's visibility. This move integrates the classic characters into the core theme park experience, ensuring that new generations of Disney fans are exposed to the timeless humor of Gonzo, Animal, and the rest of the gang.

5. Continuation of *The Muppets Mayhem* Legacy

While *The Muppets Mayhem* series was canceled after one season, its critical success and fan following have clearly influenced Disney's current strategy. The show, which focused on the Electric Mayhem band, proved that Muppet characters can successfully anchor modern, long-form streaming content. The upcoming *Muppet Show* special, with its focus on music and variety, will undoubtedly carry forward the energy and musicality that *Mayhem* reintroduced to the brand. The next few years are poised to be one of the most significant periods for Muppet fans in decades. With a new film, a return to the classic variety show, and a genre-bending comic series all coinciding with a major anniversary, the Muppets are proving that after 70 years, they still have the power to make us laugh, sing, and believe in the magic of a frog, a pig, and a whole lot of felt.