Yes: the extended version of The Muppet Christmas Carol restores “When Love Is Gone,” Paul Williams’s song sung by Meredith Braun as Belle. Disney announced it for the film’s Disney+ extras page on December 9, 2022. Here, “uncut” means the full-length version with the song and its scene—not a version changed by a ratings board. Because Disney announced it as an extra, viewers may need to choose it separately from the main feature. Current availability can vary by territory and date.
What changed in the restored version?
The restored extended cut includes the full “When Love Is Gone” sequence, which was left out of the film’s theatrical version. In the scene, Belle sings about the relationship she and Scrooge have lost. The song makes that loss explicit before the story moves further into Scrooge’s transformation.
Songwriter Paul Williams told TheWrap that the number advances the story and reveals what Scrooge has lost. Director Brian Henson called the restored cut the full-length version intended for viewing after the original theatrical engagement. This is a restoration of that longer version, not a newly written scene or a different ending.
Why was “When Love Is Gone” cut?
In a 2022 interview with TheWrap, Brian Henson recalled that Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg thought the film played better for young children without the ballad, based on test screenings. Henson said he valued the song’s contribution to the story, and that he and Katzenberg agreed it would return after the theatrical run.
#1 Best Overall
![The Muppet Christmas Carol (20th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61iiVrFfDML._SL160_.jpg)
- Factory sealed DVD
That plan was delayed when the original negative for the song’s reel could not be found. Disney later recovered an inter-positive—a film element made from a negative—containing the sequence. TheWrap reported that Disney used it for the restored version. Henson’s account describes the removal as a decision about pacing and audience response, not a ratings-board edit.
Where can you watch the extended version?
Disney+ Press announced that the full-length version would be added to the film’s extras page on December 9, 2022, for the film’s 30th anniversary. That announcement identifies the historical placement: the extras page, rather than necessarily the default feature selection. Look for a separately listed extended or full-length version among the film’s extras.
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- Comes in original packaging and is bundled with a Plastic Box Protector with the collector in mind (Removable Film)
- Embrace the spirit of the season with the Muppets! Enjoy a timeless classic as the Muppets perform Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, featuring Gonzo as Pop! Charles Dickens with Rizzo!
- Stylized collectible stands 3 3/4 inches tall, perfect for any The Muppet Christmas Carol fan!
- Ships in acid-free PET plastic Pop Protector with peel-able protective film
- Push-lock tab that adds structural integrity to the Pop Protector when formed
The announcement does not establish that the extra remains available in every Disney+ territory today. Catalogs can change by date and region, so check the Disney+ listing where you watch before subscribing or searching for a particular version.
How the known versions differ
| Version or format | “When Love Is Gone” | How to identify it | What is established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theatrical cut | Omitted | The standard theatrical version | Disney lists the film’s original release date as December 11, 1992, and its runtime as 1 hour 26 minutes. |
| Initial VHS run | Included, according to TheWrap and Gizmodo | Check the specific tape and edition | Later home-video formats did not all use the same cut. |
| DVD described by Gizmodo | Omitted; it used the theatrical cut | Check the edition rather than relying on “DVD” alone | This report does not establish the contents of every DVD release. |
| Disney+ extended version announced in 2022 | Included | Look for the separately selectable version in the film’s extras | Disney announced the addition for December 9, 2022; current regional availability is not established. |
| Other Blu-ray or 4K discs | Not established for unspecified editions | Verify the exact release and included cut | The cited reports describe a restored 4K streaming version, not a confirmed physical 4K release of the restored widescreen cut. |
The practical takeaway is to verify the exact edition. “DVD,” “Blu-ray,” or “4K” by itself does not tell you whether the song is present, and a disc listing that does not specify the cut is not confirmation.
Rank #3
What runtime and release date does Disney list?
Disney’s film listing gives The Muppet Christmas Carol a release date of December 11, 1992, a G rating, and a runtime of 1 hour 26 minutes. Those are the listing’s film details; they should not be treated as proof that every version or platform listing has the same runtime.
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