The Muppet Show returns for one night only on Disney Plus in 2026

A new teaser trailer for The Muppet Show Disney Plus special has revealed that the much-anticipated reunion will air on Feb. 4, 2026. The show will both air on ABC and be available for streaming on Disney's platform, with a press release stating that "music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos are bound to ensue" when the gang gets together again in the original Muppet Theatre.

Disney Plus is currently home to the original Muppet Show, and the new special will reportedly serve as a backdoor pilot, the success of which will determine if the show gets a full revival. There's a very talented team behind the project, with Alex Timbers, known for his work in musical theater, serving as director and executive producer of the special. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Alex McAtee are executive producers for Point Grey Pictures; David Lightbody, Leigh Slaughter and Michael Steinbach are executive producers for The Muppets Studio; and Sabrina Carpenter, Albertina Rizzo, Matt Vogel and Eric Jacobson also serve as additional executive producers.

Only a bit of the plot of The Muppet Show is currently known: It revolves around the Muppets putting on a variety show at the Muppet Theatre. The cast features many returning voices, including Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel. Goelz has been with the Muppets for over 50 years, originating the characters Gonzo and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, among others. Though Sabrina Carpenter's appearance in the special may seem incongruous to some, the pop star has long been a vocal fan of the Muppets, even arresting Miss Piggy at one of her concerts during the Short n' Sweet tour.

This isn't the only Muppet-related project in the works in Hollywood — a dark Miss Piggy movie is also being developed with Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone, but that likely won't scratch the same sort of itch for fans who miss the original Muppet Show. The fate of a potential series rests on how successful this upcoming special is in the eyes of Disney. Hopefully, the star power of people like Carpenter and Rogen, as well as the fact it's actually airing on television alongside streaming, mean that The Muppet Show won't be the last we see of Kermit and friends.