'Muppets Haunted Mansion': Television Review

Streaming on Disney+, MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION follows Gonzo and Pepi the Prawn as they stay at a haunted mansion on the 100th anniversary of the disappearance of a magician named McGuffin at the mansion. MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION has some typical fun, crazy Muppet moments, but it has a mixed occult, moral worldview with allegorical Christian references to the afterlife.

The television special begins as Gonzo and Pep the Prawn prepare for a party to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disappearance of a magician named McGuffin by staying at the Haunted Mansion where he was last seen. Meanwhile, Kermit and Miss Piggy call Gonzo from a party they’re hosting, but Gonzo tells the couple they won’t be able to make it.

Upon arriving at the Haunted Mansion, Gonzo and Pepi the Prawn are greeted by a Ghost Host who introduces them to the mansion. Gonzo and Pepi roam the haunted halls and meet several ghostly friends along the way, all the while being spooked by the eerie house. Pepi seems to find love with a bride who lives in the mansion, and Gonzo learns that all the ghosts in the mansion are trapped there because of their fears.

At some point, Gonzo and Pepi get separated. Gonzo learns that his fear is losing his friends, which gives him some hope. However, Pepi might not be so fortunate, unless Gonzo can pry him away from the bride who’s captured his attention.

Starring many famous faces, MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION has several fun nods to the Disney park attraction “The Haunted Mansion.” In fact, the 90-minute TV special is segmented into chapters that mirror the ride’s chronological events, but only those who are familiar will put that tidbit together. Like other crazy Muppet movies, MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION has many comical jokes that will amuse parents while children might just laugh at the silly antics of the Muppets. Still, it’s entertaining.

MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION has a mixed occult and moral worldview with Christian allegorical moments. The movie acknowledges there’s an afterlife, but dwells heavily on ghost imagery rather than focusing on a final destination for life after death. There’s also a séance scene. Ultimately, though, MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION asserts that friendship is a solid motivator in life and hints that one should “follow the light” to freedom. Also, there’s a wedding scene and an instance of cross dressing in the beginning. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for the occult content, scary elements and other edgy content in MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION.