The theme
The approaches both movies take is interesting as they can be light-hearted for the most part. The Disney version starts a bit more cartoonish with some banter and even slapstick of Scrooge handling the ghosts. There are a few throwaway gags, yet they can get dark in the Christmas Future segments. It does feel more traditional than the Muppet version and warm at the end while still the Disney touch.
For the Muppets, the framing device of Gonzo as Dickens narrating things with Rizzo could have been bad with the fourth-wall-breaking humor and Rizzo's antics. Yet the film captures the darker edges of the story with a top-notch production that replicates the era perfectly. As with any Muppets project, you ignore these are puppets with live actors as it comes together so well. They don't parody the story but do it true justice even if some of the humor may seem too forced.
WINNER: TIE
VERDICT
This is a toughie as really either version of the story is a marvelous watch. Mickey has gorgeous animation, a warm take on the characters, and Scrooge is delightful. But the Muppets have the edge with Caine's performance one of the best Scrooges ever, the songs lovely to listen to, the production is stellar and the Muppet touch making it shine. The real winners are viewers, as both movies do justice to A Christmas Carol as a reminder of why this story still shines bright every holiday season.
Mickey's Christmas Carol and The Muppet Christmas Carol both streaming on Disney+.