The Muppet Movie ambition of finding success in professional show business—while being pursued by Doc Hopper, an evil restaurateur with intentions of employing Kermit as a spokesperson for his frog legs business. In addition to the Muppet performers, the film stars Charles Durning and Austin Pendleton, and features cameo appearances by Dom DeLuise, James Coburn, Edgar Bergen, Steve Martin, and Mel Brooks, among others. Notable for its surreal humour, meta-references and prolific use of cameos, "The Muppet Movie" was released in the United Kingdom on May 31, 1979, and in the United States on June 22, 1979, and received critical praise; including two
The Muppet Christmas Carol to have high expectations for the film, being their widest-released film of the holiday season and the second-widest release under the Walt Disney Pictures banner that year. However, the film opened in sixth place, initially reported to have collected $5.9 million in box office estimates, which was later revised to have grossed $5 million. Ultimately, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" grossed a total of $27.3 million in North America. Despite being a modest box office success, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" did not have a large effect during its theatrical release, having to face competition from "" and Disney's own "Aladdin". The