From the Muppets to creatures and characters of the Harry Potter franchise, the talented and imaginative artists at Jim Henson's creature shop have been supplying the movie industry with a haul menagerie of monsters for decades. Creatures like Fraggles, Skeksis, and even Kermit the Frog himself would not exist if it wasn't for Henson's empire of special effects.
The company has been involved with legions of films since its creation, and to say it isn't overwhelming would be untrue. It can be hard to make a decision thanks to the sheer number of projects they have under their proverbial belt. However, thanks to websites like IMDb, fans can sort the best of the best from Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Alice In Wonderland (1999) - 6.3
It might have something of a low rating, but 1999's adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll deserves a mention simply due to how bizarre its visuals are. Naturally, most of the creatures and characters Alice encounters on her journey down the rabbit hole walk the line between charming and terrifying, and it's quite remarkable to see such a star-studded cast transformed into a cast of strange and unusual beings.
Adaptations of Alice are nothing new, not even star-studded versions. However, the way the film blends its puppetry and special effects with its actors is exceptionally remarkable, especially with how lifelike many of the creatures can be.
Dreamchild (1985) - 6.7
Hallmark's production wasn't the only time Jim Henson's Creature Shop was involved with Alice in Wonderland. Where the 1999 adaptation was designed to pull from the books by Lewis Carroll, Dreamchild mixes fact with fantasy as it retells the origins of the book that began with the friendship with Charles Dodgson and Alice Liddell's family.
This movie is strange, and that's putting it in the most basic of terms. The scenes from the book are brought to life with a mix of puppetry and special effects, but the way they are presented as a mixture of flashbacks and dreams gives the movie a hallucinogenic flavor that might rub some viewers the wrong way. Even so, the visuals are certainly unique, to say the least.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) - 6.7
As popular as the Heroes in a Halfshell are, many of their biggest fans often forget that they owe their live-action existence to Jim Henson. Although the movie is a product of the '80s, the effects that brought Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Raphael to life were undoubtedly impressive.
The film is what most fans of the turtles would expect, an adventure on the streets of New York with four martial-arts-trained reptiles duking it out with Shredder and the Foot Clan. Those who only grew up with the comic books or the cartoon were certainly treated to a magnificent representation of their favorite ninjas. All it's missing is the cartoon theme song.
The Witches (1990) - 6.8
The Creature Shop will always be known for its collection of monsters. While its cast of beautiful, enchanting, and comical characters will always be at the company's forefront, some movies are absolute nightmare fuel. Case in point, 1990's adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches.
Despite its whimsical storyline, the witches themselves aren't the green-skinned, broomstick-straddling spellcasters most viewers are used to. In fact, they're possibly some of the most frightening creatures created by the company, especially Angelica Huston's Grand High Witch. Then again, a race of creatures wishing to turn the world's population of children into mice has to be something especially sinister.
Muppet Treasure Island (1996) - 6.9
The Muppets are essentially synonymous with the Jim Henson brand, and Kermit and all his friends have quite a filmography in their resumes, but things get even more interesting when they mix with works of classic literature. Muppet Treasure Island is undoubtedly one of the most underappreciated works in the Muppet fandom.
Seeing the likes of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo, sailing the high seas in search of Captain Flint's treasure is an entertaining concept all on its own, but it would be incomplete without Tim Curry's unforgettable performance as Long John Silver. That all being said, the sea of creature characters and plush pirates is undoubtedly a fun and memorable sight.
The Muppets (2011) -7.1
The 2011 film semi-officially marked the feature film return of the Muppets to the big screen. The zany musical featured a star-studded cast and appearances by all the classic Muppet Show characters, along with some new friends to get in on the action as well. At its core, it had all the makings of a successful comeback for those beloved creatures of fur and felt.
Although it might not have relaunched their careers to soaring new heights, the movie did put the Muppets at the entertainment forefront, even if just for a while. It was successful enough to spawn a new TV series on ABC, after all.
The Dark Crystal (1982) - 7.2
The Dark Crystal has been considered by some fans as Jim Henson's Lord of the Rings, and that's not an unfair comparison. It might be a cult film, but it was an impressive feat of special effects and puppetry for 1982, and undoubtedly shaped the way movies were made. From the Skeksis to the Gelflings, there's plenty to love about this dark fantasy epic.
The creatures and special effects are just one element of the film that establishes its distinct identity. However, it's the rich lore formulated by Jim Henson himself that truly earns it a spot in the fantasy hall of fame. It's no wonder it took both a movie and a Netflix series to tell the full story.
Labyrinth (1986) - 7.3
In all honesty, David Bowie is the reason to watch this film, but that doesn't mean the creatures and monsters present in Jareth's enormous and treacherous labyrinth are any less amazing. On the contrary, there are few more appropriate ensembles to back Bowie up than Henson's army of goblins and ghouls.
The creatures, the sets, the designs, and the soundtrack create a palate of magic that absolutely drips with '80s glamour. Many films of the era are considered products of their times, but Labyrinth has an intoxicating quality that makes it a timeless tale beloved by fans of Henson, Bowie, and the fantasy genre as a whole.
The Muppet Movie(1979) - 7.6
The Muppets made their first feature film debut in 1979 with The Muppet Movie, and the film essentially encaptured every element that would become commonplace and expected in various Muppet projects. Bringing classic Muppet gags like chickens and exploding fish, celebrity cameos, and meta-humor to the big screen was a step in the right direction for both Henson and his cast of beloved characters.
In this classic road trip movie, Kermit, Fozzie, and the rest of the gang are trying to make their way to Hollywood, all while evading the shifty Doc Hopper who wants Kermit to advertise his frog-leg-serving restaurant chain. It's weird, it's wild, and it's loaded with guest stars, it's everything The Muppet Show could be in cinematic form.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - 7.7
A sure-fire way to get a movie regular views is to make it a holiday classic. Enter The Muppet Christmas Carol with its classic story, enchanting soundtrack, and unforgettable performances from both the Muppet cast and Michael Caine in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Needless to say, it's ranked as one of Muppets' best projects.
Apart from Mickey Mouse's version, it's probably one of the first versions of A Christmas Carol most viewers are introduced to, and it's easy to see why. The Muppets take a great deal from the novel, only altering the script for comedic effect. Plus, Caine's uber-serious portrayal of Scrooge amongst a sea of eccentric characters is one of the film's biggest selling points. There are more than enough reasons for the film becoming a Christmas tradition.