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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DXaPGRodPOwMGYYLW+C1vOXauw1GoH1ltinXKY0ybqdPxmfpcMaeKajnTSOAXlI7
 BMOhieN2VCR8Noma5VqENQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001304322-09-000005.txt : 20090612
<SEC-HEADER>0001304322-09-000005.hdr.sgml : 20090612
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090612155115
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001304322-09-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090430
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090612
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090612

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WORLEY RICHARD B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218948

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-07626
		FILM NUMBER:		09889775

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 FRONT ST
		STREET 2:		STE 1430
		CITY:			W CONSHOCKOCKEN
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19428

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000900422
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				043187549
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6172921000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000900422</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES TRUST</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PMO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218948</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WORLEY RICHARD B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 FRONT ST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 1430</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>W CONSHOCKOCKEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19428</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Closed End Fund</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-04-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21.2062</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>326.885</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Dividends reinvested for fiscal year ended 4/30/2009</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Price as of 4/30/2009</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard B. Worley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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