The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 American Christmas musical fantasy comedy drama film directed by Brian Henson (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Jerry Juhl. The fourth theatrical film in "The Muppets" franchise, it was the first film to be produced following the deaths of Muppets creator Jim Henson and performer Richard Hunt, with the film being dedicated to both of them. Adapted from the 1843 novella "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, it stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside Muppet performers Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, and Frank Oz portraying various roles. Although artistic license is taken to suit the aesthetic of the Muppets, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" otherwise follows Dickens's original story closely.