Muppets Haunted Mansion

Lore & Background

The special follows Gonzo and Pepe as they skip the Muppets' annual Halloween party to attend a fear challenge at a haunted mansion, the same location where Gonzo's favorite magician, The Great MacGuffin, disappeared one hundred years earlier. After being dropped off by a hearse driver, they meet the Caretaker, several ghosts, and singing busts. The Ghost Host informs Gonzo that he must survive one night in the mansion or be trapped forever. Gonzo claims to fear nothing, while Pepe is easily frightened. They encounter Madame Pigota and a room of ghosts resembling various Muppets. The Host directs Gonzo to Room 999, where he must face his fears. Gonzo realizes he is afraid that no one will like him if he does not perform dangerous stunts, and that he fears never seeing his friends again. This realization releases him from the room. Gonzo then rescues Pepe from a wedding with the ghost Constance Hatchaway, and they escape the mansion at sunrise. The Host reveals himself to be the Great MacGuffin, impressed that Gonzo faced his fears. The special ends with Kermit video-calling the pair to join the Muppets for breakfast, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts appear behind them.

Reader's Guide

Muppets Haunted Mansion is significant as the Muppets' first Halloween special, following earlier attempts to produce a Halloween special dating back to the early 1990s. After Jim Henson's death, his son Brian planned a series of holiday specials beginning with Halloween, but the project was cancelled. Another attempt in 2009 was postponed and eventually cancelled to focus on the 2011 Muppet film. The special was finally produced in 2021, filming over eighteen days in April 2021. It features a large cast including Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson, and many Muppet performers. The music includes three new songs and a cover of King Harvest's 'Dancing in the Moonlight'. The special was dedicated to the memory of Ed Asner, whose role was one of his final acting works. According to Whip Media, it was the 6th most streamed movie in the U.S. during the week of October 10, 2021, and the 10th the following week. Critical reception was generally positive, with reviewers noting its silly humor, spooky elements, and heartfelt tone, with some comparing it favorably to The Muppet Show.

Did You Know?

• The special was filmed over eighteen days in April 2021.
• It was the Muppets' first Halloween special.
• Ed Asner's role was one of his final acting works before his death, and the special was dedicated to his memory.
• The special includes three new songs: 'Rest In Peace', 'Life Hereafter', and 'Tie The Knot Tango', plus a cover of 'Dancing in the Moonlight'.