It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights — “The Muppet Show” is stepping back into the spotlight. In 2026, Disney+ will premiere a one-off special marking the 50th anniversary of Jim Henson’s legendary variety series, bringing back Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the rest of the gang. At the center is Sabrina Carpenter, who will star and serve as executive producer.
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The project is stacked with talent on and off camera. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are producing through their Point Grey Pictures banner, alongside The Muppets Studio and Disney Branded Television. Albertina Rizzo is scripting, with Alex Timbers set to direct and executive produce. And of course, the Muppets themselves will be brought to life by veteran performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel. Beyond the nostalgia, the special is also being positioned as a potential backdoor pilot that could pave the way for a full revival if audiences embrace it.
Created by Henson in 1955, the Muppets quickly became cultural icons. They first appeared on “Sesame Street” in 1969 before exploding into mainstream recognition with “The Muppet Show,” which premiered in 1976 and ran for five seasons — all now streaming on Disney+. Over the years, the characters have headlined multiple feature films, including “The Muppet Movie” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984), along with spinoffs and TV projects like “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” (2002). After The Walt Disney Company acquired the franchise in 2004, The Muppets Studio produced two theatrical releases, “The Muppets” (2011) and “Muppets Most Wanted” (2014), plus the streaming special “Muppets Haunted Mansion” (2021) and the Disney+ series “The Muppets Mayhem” (2023).
Still, keeping the Muppets relevant has proven challenging. Jason Segel, Rogen’s pal, frequent collaborator, and fellow “Freaks & Geeks” alum, spearheaded the 2011 film “The Muppets,” which earned strong reviews and briefly reignited interest. But the sequel, “Muppets Most Wanted,” stumbled at the box office, and subsequent TV attempts struggled to sustain momentum. The new special, fronted by Carpenter and supported by a high-profile creative team, aims to balance honoring tradition and reinventing the variety format for a new era.
With Carpenter, Rogen, Goldberg, and Timbers steering alongside a veteran troupe of Muppeteers, the anniversary special is designed as both a celebration and a reset. If it clicks, the Muppets could be on the verge of their most significant comeback in decades.
