The legacy of Jim Henson is alive, well, and—as of late 2025—officially busting a move.
The Jim Henson Company has confirmed that production is officially underway for “Jim Henson’s Monster Dance,” a vibrant new CGI-animated series of shorts destined for Amazon Kids+. Merging the company’s legendary creature design with cutting-edge digital puppetry, this project promises to get the next generation off the couch and onto the dance floor.
If you’ve been waiting for a show that combines high-energy choreography with the emotional intelligence Henson is famous for, here is everything you need to know about the production that kicked off this quarter.
What is “Jim Henson’s Monster Dance”?
Announced as entering production in October 2025, Monster Dance is a series of 10 three-minute shorts designed to help children express big emotions through physical movement.
The premise is simple but powerful: all kids are invited to “let their inner monster out.” In a safe, accepting environment, colorful monsters (inspired by Jim Henson’s original, unseen sketches) groove to the beat, showing young viewers that moving their bodies is a healthy way to process feelings like joy, frustration, and excitement.
“Jim Henson’s Monster Dance’s fun, loveable monsters are the positive allies kids need that give them permission to express their most monstrous emotions in ways words cannot.” — Russell Hicks, Co-Creator and Executive Producer
The “Eras Tour” Connection: A Powerhouse Creative Team
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this production is the talent behind the moves. The series features choreography by Mandy Moore, the industry titan known for her work on Dancing with the Stars and, most notably, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Having Moore’s “ferociously choreographed” numbers means this won’t be standard kids’ TV shuffling; it will be top-tier dance adapted for animated monsters.
The Team Sheet:
- Creators/EPs: John Tartaglia (Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock) and Russell Hicks (Former Nickelodeon executive).
- Choreography: Mandy Moore.
- Music: Sam Hollander (Executive Music Producer).
- Head Writer: Samantha Berger.
- Production: Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford for The Jim Henson Company.
Magic in Motion: The Tech Behind the Monsters
While the show looks like high-end CGI, the soul of the performance comes from the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio.
This proprietary technology allows puppeteers to perform the animated characters in real-time using motion capture. Instead of traditional frame-by-frame animation, the “acting” is spontaneous and organic. This is crucial for a show about dance, as it captures the subtle human elements of rhythm and flow, translating them instantly onto fantastical creature models.
Why This Matters for 2026 Audiences
As we look toward a release (likely in 2026), Monster Dance hits on a critical trend in children’s media: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) through kinetics. Post-pandemic parenting has placed a huge emphasis on helping children articulate their feelings. By pairing “big feelings” with “big moves,” The Jim Henson Company is tapping into a method that educators have used for years—using the body to heal the mind.
Where Can You Watch It?
- USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan: The series will debut exclusively on Amazon Kids+.
- International: The Jim Henson Company is currently seeking distribution partners for other territories, having shopped the series at MIPJunior and MIPCOM in late 2025.
The Bottom Line
With production now in full swing, Jim Henson’s Monster Dance is shaping up to be a bite-sized powerhouse of positivity. It combines the nostalgia of Henson’s creature designs with the modern star power of Mandy Moore’s choreography.
Get ready to clear the living room floor—the monsters are coming, and they want to dance.
Quick Facts Table
| Feature | Details |
| Title | Jim Henson’s Monster Dance |
| Status | In Production (Started Late 2025) |
| Platform | Amazon Kids+ |
| Format | 10 Episodes x 3 Minutes (Shorts) |
| Animation Style | CGI via Henson Digital Puppetry Studio |
| Key Talent | John Tartaglia, Mandy Moore, Russell Hicks |
What do you think? Are you excited to see Henson’s original sketches brought to life through dance? Let us know in the comments below!