Movies Based on Attractions

While perusing Disney+ a week or two ago, I came across a section labeled, “Inspired by Disney Parks.” I was hooked.

Pirates of the Caribbean - of course. Behind the Attraction - obviously. The Imagineering Story - love it. Jungle Cruise - I’ve now watched it four times. Haunted Mansion - I didn’t hate it. And so many more.

This got Chris and me thinking. What are all the movies that Disney made that were attractions first? With a little bit of digging, we found these titles (in release order):

Tower of Terror (1997)

Mission to Mars (2000)

Dinosaur (2000)

The Country Bears (2002)

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Tomorrowland (2015)

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Most of these we have seen. Others are on our list because we love all things Disney and we just have to see how these turned out. Personally, I didn’t hate Haunted Mansion as much as most people did. Maybe it’s just because I heard all the Disnerds saying how the storyline didn’t fit the ride very well (which is true). Maybe it’s just that the story isn’t as good as Pirates (but what is?). I also really enjoyed Tower of Terror.

Anyways, Chris and I each gave each of the movies a score between one and ten, and here’s how it all shook out:

The Country Bears came in dead last with The Haunted Mansion flirting with it. Tomorrowland and Mission to Mars were in the middle of the pack with Tower of Terror and Dinosaur. Then Jungle Cruise was safe at second, and Pirates of the Caribbean won heavily.

The movie that surprised me the most was Tower of Terror - I can’t believe this movie is so forgotten! It was up there with Hocus Pocus or Casper as far as a family-friendly spooky movie. A little bit of ghosts and a little bit of witchcraft without too much that would overwhelm the little ones in your family, and you’ve got these three movies.

In my opinion, all of these movies are worth watching once. Even The Country Bears is so bad it’s funny. The others aren’t all that bad. So make some popcorn, gather the family, and then do as Chris’ family does at the movies - have everyone give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to give their thoughts on the movie.