December is a great time for getting cozy with loved ones and watching a movie together. Here is the first in a series of discussion guides to get you reflecting, talking and connecting with the ones you love. We are calling this series Disney Sunday Movie Night, in honor of some lovely family traditions. Of course you can use it any night or day of the week.
So grab some popcorn and a spot on the couch. Tonight we are watching the 2011 movie The Muppets and talking about what connects us.
Disney Sunday Movie Night Guidelines for Discussion
We wrote these questions for you to share with your group after the movie. They are meant to guide you into a conversation about the film. More than that, we hope they will help you connect and better understand yourselves and one another. That is a lot to ask from a movie with singing chickens and a bear comedian, but here are some tips for helping the conversation flow.
Create a Cozy Environment for Sharing
Try to create an environment where everyone in your group feels comfortable sharing. Gentle lighting and a seating arrangement where everyone can see each other is helpful. Let everyone know that their thoughts are valued.
Writing & Drawing Can Help
Are you afraid your group will have trouble expressing themselves? Have a room full of introverts? Before you ask everyone to share, read the questions out loud and give the group ten minutes to draw or journal. Some people need individual time to process their thoughts before they share.
Listen Well
When someone chooses to share something difficult, it can be hard to know what to say. Just let that person know you are listening. Try to avoid the temptation to minimize the problem or offer suggestions right away. Be attentive and acknowledge their feelings. You can say things like, “How did you feel when that happened?” Or, “That sounds very hard. Thank you for sharing this with me.”
Disney Sunday Movie Night Questions for Connections: The Muppets (2011)
What follows are our reflection questions for The Muppets, the 2011 film with Walter, Gary, Mary and the whole Muppet gang. The questions are designed to start gently and then encourage everyone to look deeper. Choose the questions that will work for your group, and on with the show!
- What was your favorite song from the movie? Why did you like it?
- Which character did you identify with most?
- What positive traits do you have in common with that character?
- Do you have any of the same fears as that character? How did the character overcome those? How can you?
- At the end of their fundraiser show, the Muppets were not even close to saving their theater. How did that make you feel?
- What did you think about Kermit’s idea that losing the theater did not matter as long as they had each other?
- Kermit, Gary, Mary and Walter all experienced moments of feeling misunderstood or alone.
- How did they overcome their loneliness?
- How did other people (pigs, chickens, Gonzos, etc) help them overcome their loneliness?
- Walter had a chance to live out his dream to perform with the Muppets. What is your dream?
- To achieve his dream, Walter had to leave his familiar life. What would you have to let go of to follow your dream?
Thank you for reading this Disney Sunday Movie Night discussion guide on The Muppets with questions for connections.
We hope you get to enjoy a cozy movie night with people you love. We also have discussion questions for your visit to Disneyland Resort: Fun Questions for Connection While Waiting in Disneyland. To get future discussion guides right in your inbox, please subscribe below. Thanks again for reading!