One of the most beloved elements of The Muppets is the iconic characters. It’s hard not to love the friendly faces of Kermit or Gonzo. I already wrote The 5 Worst Muppets, but as a Muppets fan, it’s worth celebrating the best ones. So here is a list of the best of the best Muppets, which was rather difficult to make since the choice to leave out certain favorites is not an easy one.

Note: This list only includes characters under the Muppets branding and is not considering characters from Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, or other Henson-made properties.

9) Statler and Waldorf

The two elderly hecklers of the Muppets, Statler and Waldorf, may rarely add to stories or sketches, but they’re especially hilarious. They simultaneously parody real-life critics while providing outstanding one-liners and insults themselves. They add a lot to the already-existing self-deprecating and meta humor of The Muppets. They also allow fans to know that the creators of these Muppets projects are in on any of the jokes or criticisms they have.

8) Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy is a diva who takes pleasure in being a mega superstar. That being said, she certainly has layers to her character. She’s very loving and cares for her love interest, Kermit, as well as her friends. She’s also a karate master who can lay the smackdown on any of her foes. Her self-confidence, independence, and “take no prisoners” attitude make her a feminist icon. She also serves as a solid parody of real-life self-important celebrities, which at times makes her annoying but hilarious at others.

7) Animal

It’s safe to say that Animal is one of the Muppets that everyone loves. He’s the crazy drummer of the band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and is known to lose his cool quite easily. His limited vocabulary, which consists of single words at a time or even just grunts, leads to comedic moments and serves as proof of his feral nature. He’s chased guests off stage and has unleashed animalistic violence on evil businessmen. It’s always entertaining to see him go absolutely bonkers. However, if given too much time in the spotlight, he can start to feel like a bit too much.

6) Swedish Chef

The Swedish Chef is one of the more unique characters in The Muppets. He may only exist for goofy cooking segments, but they’re absolutely unhinged. His goofy speech (which isn’t real Swedish) is funny to hear, but his eccentric culinary skills are what make him especially entertaining to watch. Any animal is in danger when they’re around him since he’s always looking for new meats to cook. He may prepare a delicious meal, but he may destroy the kitchen in the process.

5) Rizzo the Rat

Rizzo is a wisecracking street rat with some of the best lines in any Muppets project he appears in. He’s sarcastic and witty, but he’s always at his friends’ sides waiting to help them out with any of their shenanigans, especially Gonzo. His humor is a bit more risqué than most other characters in the franchise, which allows him to stand out and offer some of the biggest laughs. He may act tough, but he still speaks fondly of his thousands of brothers and sisters. 

4) Fozzie Bear

Kermit the Frog’s best friend, Fozzie Bear, is one of the key elements in the heart behind the Muppets. He’s insecure and feels alone without Kermit, and feels that being with Kermit gives him the confidence to be the best comedian he can be. His jokes are typically lousy, which makes them even funnier. He’s relatable and easily one of the most loveable of all the Muppets.

3) Gonzo

Gonzo, sometimes called the Great Gonzo, is a strange guy. The word “gonzo” literally means “bizarre or unconventional.” That’s precisely what makes him so incredible. He’s not a frog like Kermit or a bear like Fozzie; he’s simply just Gonzo. He teaches audiences that it’s okay to embrace one’s weird side. On top of that, his stunts going wrong and his occasional cluelessness have led to some outstanding humor over the years.

2) Bunsen and Beaker

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, are an insanely entertaining duo in many Muppets projects. Bunsen is a brilliant scientist and Beaker finds himself becoming the unfortunate test subject for every invention and experiment. It’s a perfect comedy act that provides slapstick and funny dialogue. Their inventions have been helpful to the rest of the Muppets several times, proving their handiness to the plot, but they’re also hilarious when and even more entertaining when the inventions go ridiculously wrong.

1) Kermit the Frog

It’s no surprise that Kermit the Frog makes the number one spot. He’s the face of the Muppets and a natural leader with a heart of gold and a sense of determination. He’s a lover and a dreamer, but also quick with a joke. He’s also been known to sing some catchy tunes. He’s been said to be Jim Henson’s personality in Muppet form, which is a rather powerful statement. When anyone thinks about the Muppets, Kermit is probably the first thing that pops into their mind.

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