10 Reasons Why The Muppet Christmas Carol Is The Best Christmas Movie

While the obvious artistry and zany imagination that you would expect from the Muppets is on full display, The Muppet Christmas Carol is actually a particularly loyal adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 tale.

In terms of the story, very few liberties are taken. This is almost a scene-for-scene retelling of the original novella, even lifting some of Dickens' original dialogue. Character names and details are toyed with slightly, but many of the characterisations are also basically the same. Far from feeling lazy, it helps to make even a story as happy-go-lucky and loveable as this feel grounded and with real purpose.

This loyalty is not just because Dickens' story is a timeless reminder to love one another. It is also a story that fits the Muppets perfectly - characters who have first and foremost always been about bringing joy and laughter into homes around the world.

Without feeling inconsistent, the film blends the loveable humour and big heart of the Muppets with the more pertinent moral compass that Dickens had in mind when he put pen to paper. This is why the movie remains not just a heartfelt slice of family-friendly escapism, but a genuine lesson in what the spirit of Christmas should truly be.