A documentary film about the life and work of iconic puppeteer Jim Henson will be screening on Disney+ this month. Titled Jim Henson Idea Man, it is directed by Academy Award winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind). Henson was best known for creating Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show. He also directed the fantasy films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth in the 1980s.
His innovative ways of capturing and presenting puppets on television has changed the art of puppetry forever. Combined with his brilliant storytelling and inspiring inventions, the world’s most famous puppeteer has inspired countless audiences spanning generations.
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Where to watch Jim Henson Idea Man in Australia?
A movie based on Henson’s life (initially titled Muppet Man) has been in development at Walt Disney Pictures and The Jim Henson Company since 2010. With the biopic still in the works, a documentary was also announced in 2022. After two years, the output will finally be streaming in Australia on Disney+.
The streamer is also home to the entire Star Wars and Marvel catalogue, as well as Disney and Pixar shows and movies, National Geographic’s factual content, and the more adult-themed content on Star.
| Movie | Streaming Service | Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Henson Idea Man | Disney+ | Yes – with Disney+ subscription |
Jim Henson Idea Man release date
Don’t miss Jim Henson’s colourful life and how his sparkling ideas were brought to life in the documentary film premiering on May 31, only on Disney+.
| Movie | Release Date | Streaming Service |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Henson Idea Man | Fri, 31 May 2024 | Disney+ |
Watch Jim Henson Idea Man on Disney Plus
The new documentary about legendary puppeteer Jim Henson will be screening exclusively on Disney Plus from May 31.
To start watching what’s on Disney Plus, new customers can choose between the monthly and the yearly plan. It’s worth noting that their free trial is no longer offered, although there are occasional Disney Plus offers that new customers can use.
Disney’s Standard plan allows streaming on up to two screens for $13.99 per month, or $139.99 if you prefer pre-paying for a year in exchange for some savings.
If you need 4K streaming with Dolby Atmos audio and four concurrent streams, you’ll need to upgrade your subscription with Disney Premium at $17.99 monthly or $179.99 annually.
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FeaturedWhat is Jim Henson Idea Man about?
The new documentary about Jim Henson will delve into his early life, career beginnings, and his meteoric success following the creations of some of TV’s iconic children’s classics, including Sesame Street, which introduced the Muppet characters he created for the show. The muppets would later star in The Muppet Show, another smash-hit kids program.
“With the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family”, the factual film will feature unparalleled access to the puppeteer’s personal archives, giving fans an in-depth insight into the mind of a visionary whose imagination knew no bounds. The results of which are inspiring and enduring creations that have stood the test of time. In 2011, Henson was named a Disney Legend.
The documentary film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures alongside The Jim Henson Company (formerly Muppets, Inc.), and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries.
Jim Henson Idea Man trailer
Check out the trailer for the Disney’s new documentary right here:
Who appears in Jim Henson Idea Man?
The documentary will showcase archive footage featuring Henson during his career beginnings to his eventual international success.
It will also feature interviews with some of the people in the industry he had worked with, including Jennifer Connelly (Labyrinth), Rita Moreno (The Muppet Show), and puppeteer Frank Oz, who worked with Henson through the Muppets and Sesame Street. Jim and Jane Henson’s son Brian will also make an appearance.
You can find the complete list of personalities appearing in the film below:
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