A Muppet Family Christmas (video)

A Muppet Family Christmas has been released on home video a number of times. No release has ever included the completely unedited version that first aired on TV in 1987. US releases have seen the most significant cuts due to music rights. Overseas releases have had fewer problems securing rights to songs, but have still suffered from minor edits.

Domestic Releases

Cover	Year	Notes
	1995	Distributor: Buena Vista Home Video (Jim Henson Video) Catalogue number: 2594 UPN number: 765362-5940-3 Running time: 47 minutes
	1998	Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video (Jim Henson Home Entertainment) Catalogue number: 02388 UPN number: 043396 023888 Running time: 42 minutes
	2001	Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (Jim Henson Home Entertainment) UPN number: 043396 078147 Running time: 42 minutes This DVD release of the special utilizes the same cuts and edits as the previous US VHS releases. edits The red "A Muppet Family Christmas" logo seen at the beginning was added for the home video releases of the special. In the original cut of the special, the logo is seen over Ma Bear's farmhouse at the end of the song "We Need a Little Christmas". However, when reediting the special for future television airings it was slightly reworked. This brief musical interlude was edited from the master and the logo was reinserted separately. Because this new master was of higher quality it has been used for all subsequent TV airings and all video releases. The snowman musical and comedy number with Fozzie is completely gone. In the original version the song "Sleigh Ride" is sung. Rowlf begins playing the song on Emily Bear's out-of-tune piano, saying he "loves out-of-tune pianos," while Sprocket watches him play. Fozzie, the Snowman, and penguins sing outside. This is cut due to rights with the song. The Muppet Babies song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is removed. Included in the broadcast version of the film are the baby versions of Piggy, Kermit, Fozzie, Rowlf, Scooter, Animal and Gonzo. In the edited versions of the film, they begin the home movie and Animal immediately bursts through the screen – the whole home movie and song is cut, again due to music rights. Miss Piggy and the Muppets singing "Home for the Holidays" is not shown in the edited version. After Miss Piggy arrives and Kermit mentions that she always likes to make an entrance, the edited release cuts immediately to the beginning of the Carol Sing Medley. The entire song, along with Miss Piggy falling on the icy patch, is removed due to music rights. A brief segment (5 seconds) where Fozzie and Elmo light the Christmas tree only appears on the original 1987 version. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" are both removed from the Carol Sing Medley on the DVD. This is due to the music rights for the songs. The scene with Fozzie and Ma hanging a stocking is removed. In the scene Emily Bear (Ma) hangs Fozzie's stocking underneath the fire. Fozzie mentions that he's a grown bear, alluding to the fact he doesn't need it anymore. When Emily reaches to take it down, Fozzie decides it's okay to leave it up. This lost scene was cut from the 1989 remastered version. The DVD version has different end credits. The ABC version has the copyright information right below Jim Henson's name on the last credit. The DVD version is similar to the ABC one, but does not have the original copyright title, and cuts to a Henson logo.

International Releases

United Kingdom
Cover	Year	Notes
	1987	Distributor: Palace, Virgin/PVG Limited (Jim Henson Palace) Catalogue number: HPV004
	1994	Distributor: Buena Vista Home Entertainment Ltd. (Jim Henson Video) UPN number: 5017182 259428
	1998	Distributor: Sony Music Operations (Jim Henson Home Entertainment) Catalogue number: CVR 77727 UPN number: 5023940 772788 Running time: 47 minutes Uncut, except for a very brief scene where Fozzie hangs his stocking. Also available as a collector's edition which included a small Kermit the Frog plush toy.
	2000	Distributor: Cinema Club Catalogue number: CC 8167 UPN number: 5014138 281670 Running time: 47 minutes Budget reissue of the Columbia TriStar release.
	2001	Distributor: Cinema Club Take Three VHS Christmas boxset also containing the films Millionaire Dogs and Buster and Chauncey's Silent Night.
	2002	Distributor: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd. Catalogue number: C906 5233 UPN number: 325990 652330 Running time: 47 minutes Another budget reissue of the Columbia TriStar release.
	2003	Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment Catalogue number: CDRP 1288 UPN number: 5035822 128811 Running time: 97 minutes (both specials) The only British DVD release of the special. Like with most overseas releases of the special, this DVD release is uncut except for a very brief scene where Fozzie hangs his stocking. The DVD also includes The Christmas Toy as a special feature, which like with MFC is uncut.
Other territories
Cover	Year	Notes
	2000	Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video Die Muppets feiern Weihnacht German VHS release. It is uncut except for a very brief scene where Fozzie hangs his stocking.
	TBC	Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video Spanish promotional release included with Los Teleñecos magazine.
	2002	Distributor: Elephant Films Spécial Noël Muppets French double-disc set. Includes the special and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.
	2002	Distributor: New Age Entertainment Um Natal Especial com os Marretas Portuguese DVD release. Includes the special with English audio and Portuguese subtitles. Bonus Features: Test Your Knowledge Quiz Image Gallery Access to Muppetworld.com Muppet Classic Theater
	2005	Distributor: Bridge Entertainment Group Dutch DVD release. Includes the special with English audio and Dutch subtitles.