In one week The Muppets have earned $43 million, and with Christmas around the corner, it’s a cinch Kermit and Co. have the legs to dance past $100 mil with ease. (Adjusted for inflation, The Muppets Movie in 1979 brought in $210 mil.) Audiences (53% female) have awarded The Muppets an “A” CinemaScore, and it’s the second-highest ranked comedy of the year on Metacritic. Along with Bridesmaids, it’s the funniest movie of 2011 and fits the criteria as most tuneful musical too.
Is it any wonder buzz is building for The Muppets to break free of the kid niche and hit the big-time with a nomination for Best Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes? In fact, The Muppets benefits from the same level of affection many are feeling for The Artist– nobody says anything bad about The Muppets, and even those who don’t adore them can’t help feeling really fond of them. That’s the kind of genial warmth and goodwill that prompts an automatic check-off on awards ballots.
The Muppets will be great fun on the campaign circuit, too, as you can see in the clip after the cut.