The Christmas Toy

TV Movie
1986
TV-G
50m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Dave Goelz and Kathryn Mullen in The Christmas Toy (1986)

The toys in the playroom of the Jones household magically come to life when their owners aren't looking. On Christmas Eve, as the toys eagerly await the arrival of a new toy, Rugby the tiger... Read allThe toys in the playroom of the Jones household magically come to life when their owners aren't looking. On Christmas Eve, as the toys eagerly await the arrival of a new toy, Rugby the tiger plots to make sure he remains the favorite toy.The toys in the playroom of the Jones household magically come to life when their owners aren't looking. On Christmas Eve, as the toys eagerly await the arrival of a new toy, Rugby the tiger plots to make sure he remains the favorite toy.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 nomination total

Photos15

+ 8

Top cast14

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Dave Goelz

Rugby
(voice)
…

Steve Whitmire

Mew
(voice)

Kathryn Mullen

Apple
(voice)

Jerry Nelson

Balthazar
(voice)
…

Richard Hunt

Belmont
(voice)
…

Camille Bonora

Meteora
(voice)
…

Brian Henson

Cruiser
(voice)

Rob Mills

Bleep
(voice)

Nikki Tilroe

Ding-a-Ling
(voice)

Marsha Moreau

Jamie Jones

Zachary Bennett

Jesse Jones

Diana Birkenfield

Mom
(voice)
(uncredited)

Jim Henson

Kermit the Frog
(voice)
(uncredited)
…

Jack Riley

Dad
(uncredited)

Director
- Eric Till
Writer
- Laura Phillips
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The horse's name, Belmont, refers to the famous racetrack.

Quotes
Mew: It's catnip! Just catnip!

Alternate versions
Originally introduced by Kermit The Frog when it aired on television. It was released unedited on VHS in 1993. However, the 2008 DVD release from HIT Entertainment (distributed by Lionsgate) edited out Kermit's appearance due to legal reasons. The unedited special was available on the Peacock streaming service in 2024.

Connections
Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Underrated Christmas Specials (2018)

Soundtracks
Toys Love to Play
Written by Jeff Moss
Performed by Dave Goelz, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Brian Henson, Rob Mills, and Nikki Tilroe

User reviews11

Review

Featured review

8/10

Toy Story inspiration

Two reviewers have already mentioned 'Toy Story'. I can't help but wonder if John Lassetter had seen this special before he made that movie. This isn't in any way to take away from the genius of either Henson or Lassetter, both of whom have been named as latter day Disneys, a sentiment I agree with.

There are some intriguing similarities:

1 - The overall idea of toys coming alive.

2 - The theme of a toy being replaced in a child's affections and how the toy might feel.

3 - Toys to the rescue!

4 - A science-fictional toy believing they are real. Can't you just see Meteora and Buzz Lightyear hooking up?!