The Christmas Toy

1986 The Muppets film The Christmas Toy1998 VHS cover to the specialAlso known asThe Muppets Christmas ToyGenreFamilyFantasyMusicalBased onKermit the Frogby Jim HensonWritten byLaura PhillipsDirected byEric TillStarringDave GoelzSteve WhitmireKathryn MullenJerry NelsonRichard HuntCamille BonoraJack RileyJim HensonMusic byJeff MossDick LiebCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producerDiana BirkenfieldProducersJim HensonMartin G. BakerProduction locationsToronto, Ontario, CanadaEditorGeoff CraigenRunning time50 minutesProduction companyHenson AssociatesOriginal releaseNetworkABCReleaseDecember 6, 1986 (1986-12-06) The Christmas Toy is a 1986 television film directed by Eric Till and produced by The Jim Henson Company, featuring Jim Henson's Muppets, including Rugby the Tiger, who remembers being last year's Christmas Toy and thinks that he will be unwrapped again this year. The film, which originally aired on December 6, 1986, on ABC, was sponsored by Kraft Foods. Originally introduced by Kermit the Frog, it was released on VHS format in 1993. In 2008, HIT Entertainment, distributed by Lionsgate, released the special on DVD, with Kermit's opening introduction edited out due to legal issues with The Walt Disney Company, which had owned the rights to him since 2004. When the film was released on Amazon Prime, Kermit's scenes were restored. The film later inspired a spin-off television series, Secret Life of Toys (1994).

[edit] When people are not around, toys come to life to play, but they must be careful because if a person catches them out of position, they will be frozen forever. On Christmas Eve, Rugby the Tiger remembers that he was last year's favorite Christmas toy and wants to keep that position rather than be replaced by another toy. However, he does not realize that if Jamie were to unwrap him again, she would see him out of his normal place and he would freeze. Mew, the cat's toy mouse, follows him out of the playroom to help him after informing the other toys that he has left. Apple the Doll, whom Rugby had replaced as favorite toy, leads a group of toys out of the playroom to rescue him. Once they meet up with him in the living room, Apple tries to tell him what Christmas is truly about, but Rugby refuses to believe her. As he tries to get into the Christmas package, he releases Meteora, Queen of the Asteroids, who is unaware that she is a toy and thinks that she has landed among aliens. The other toys hurry to get Rugby out of the box and Meteora back in before they are found and frozen forever. However, after Mew is caught and frozen, Rugby realizes what a good friend Mew has been to him and how he had been acting selfishly. Rugby sings, telling Mew how much he cares for him. This brings Mew back to life, and the toys revive their frozen friends. On Christmas Day, Jamie and Jesse enjoy their new toys along with their current toys. While they are away, the toys and Kermit sing "Together at Christmas".

[edit]

Actor

Role

Marsha Moreau

Jamie Jones

Zachary Bennett

Jesse Jones

Diana Birkenfield

Mrs. Jones

Jack Riley

Mr. Jones

Muppet performers[edit]

Actor

Role

Dave Goelz

Rugby Tiger, Ditz

Steve Whitmire

Mew, Dauntless Dragon

Kathryn Mullen

Apple

Jerry Nelson

Balthazar

Richard Hunt

Belmont

Camille Bonora

Meteora, Molly Jones (voice)

Brian Henson

Cruiser

Rob Mills

Bleep

Nikki Tilroe

Ding-a-ling

Jim Henson

Jack-in-the-Box, Kermit the Frog (uncredited)

[edit] The original broadcast of The Christmas Toy featured four 90-second commercials, plus two shorter spots at the special's beginning and end, for Kraft Foods. The four main spots, narrated by Ed Herlihy, provided abridged recipes for foods one could make using a specific Kraft product for Christmas and New Years' celebrations. The full recipes were printed in the December 6, 1986 issue of TV Guide.

Even though the special premiered in the mid‑80s, its blend of gentle humour and heartfelt nostalgia slots perfectly into today’s festive routines. The story hinges on a toy’s anxiety about being discarded, a theme that resonates with families who still hide their favourite childhood objects in the attic. The musical numbers, written by Jeff Moss, are short enough to keep children’s attention but catchy enough for adults to hum along while wrapping gifts. Moreover, the toy‑world setting offers a whimsical excuse to showcase the beloved Muppet characters beyond their usual newsroom or kitchen, giving parents a chance to introduce the original crew to a new generation without the heavy commercial overlays of modern cartoons.

If you’re adding the Christmas Toy to your holiday library, start with the 2008 DVD release – it includes the original 50‑minute cut and a neat set of behind‑the‑scenes featurettes that shed light on the puppetry. For streaming fans, the Amazon Prime version restores Kermit’s opening, so you’ll get the full Henson‑era experience. Pair the viewing with a plate of buttery popcorn and a mug of hot chocolate to replicate the cosy 1980s TV night feel. Keep a spare blanket handy; the film’s gentle pacing encourages snuggling, and the sentimental ending works best when shared with kids who can still believe in the magic of a toy that comes alive at night.

Many assume the special is simply a cute Christmas episode, but it subtly comments on consumer culture and the fleeting nature of holiday joy. Rugby the Tiger’s fear of being left behind mirrors real‑world concerns about waste and the disposability of gifts. The film doesn’t preach; it simply lets the toys voice anxieties that adults often suppress – the pressure to be loved, the dread of being forgotten. By framing these worries in a light‑hearted musical, the creators invite families to discuss the value of lasting memories over material accumulation, making the special a quiet reminder that the best gifts are the stories we share.