Ready for a rollercoaster of Disney magic? We’re spilling the beans on how your favorite theme park rides became blockbuster movies, bringing all the thrill and wonder to the big screen. Get ready to dive into the enchanting world where Disney’s magic knows no limits!
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
The Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean
The first movie in the Pirates franchise was inspired by the classic dark ride. Although the ride originated at Disneyland in 1967, there are versions of the ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland.
The film had an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. Of the 5 movies in the series, it is the only one that scored a “fresh” score on the Tomatometer. The next highest was the second movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), which only scored a 53%.
The Haunted Mansion
The Movie: The Haunted Mansion (2003)
The Ride: The Haunted Mansion
The first movie adaptation of the famous dark ride was Eddie Murphy’s version in 2003. The movie only scored a 14% on Rotten Tomatoes–hoping the new adaptation does better!
The Haunted Mansion ride can be found at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland. There is also a version at Disneyland Paris called Phantom Manor, and a version at Hong Kong Disneyland called Mystic Manor.
Jungle Cruise
The Movie: Jungle Cruise (2021)
The Ride: Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise movie has a fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes of 62%. Not great, but not too bad! The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Edgar Ramirez.
The original ride at Disneyland opened in 1955–complete with racist tropes and culturally insensitive content. The version at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is pretty similar to the one at Disneyland, although there is a Cambodian temple tunnel at the Magic Kingdom, and California’s Disneyland has a piranha attack scene. The Hong Kong Disneyland ride has a completely different story.
Tower of Terror
The Movie: Tower of Terror (1997)
The Ride: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Tower of Terror, starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst, doesn’t even have a Rotten Tomatoes score, as there are so few reviews of the 1997 movie.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (also just called Tower of Terror) is the name of a drop tower dark ride that can be found at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, Tokyo DisneySea, and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. There used to be a version at Disneyland’s California Adventure, too.
The Country Bears
The Movie: The Country Bears (2002)
The Ride: Country Bears’ Jamboree
The Country Bears earned a measly 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. It starred Haley Joel Osment, Diedrich Bader, Daryl Mitchell, Christopher Walken, Stephen Tobolowsky, and a number of other character actors. The animatronic stage show at Disneyland has shut down, but you can still see the performance at the Magic Kingdom and at Tokyo Disneyland.
Here’s the show at Disney World if you want to enjoy a glimpse into the world of animatronic country-music singing bears.
The 20 Best Action Movies of All Time: Thrilling Adventures That Will Leave You Breathless
Attention, movie lovers! Prepare for an exhilarating ride as we unveil the ultimate list of the 20 greatest action films ever made. From adrenaline-pumping car chases to mind-blowing fight sequences, we’ve got it all! So grab your snacks, silence your phone, and embark on a cinematic journey that will transport you to thrilling worlds. Superheroes, epic battles, and non-stop excitement await you. Buckle up and let the adventure begin!
The 20 Best Adventure Movies of All Time: Embark on Epic Quests and Thrilling Expeditions!
Embark on an epic adventure through the greatest films of all time! Get ready for thrilling plots, heroic acts, and mesmerizing worlds that will leave you in awe. From Middle-earth’s epic battles to interstellar voyages, these 20 movies will take you on an unforgettable cinematic journey. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and let the adventure begin!
The 20 Best Thriller Movies Ever Made: Heart-Stopping Must-See Films
Attention, movie buffs! Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled, pulse-pounding cinematic ride! Brace yourself for the top 20 thrillers of all time, featuring unforgettable moments like Batman vs. the Joker, the captivating non-linear storytelling of Pulp Fiction, and the iconic shower scene from Psycho. Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and prepare for a suspenseful journey through movie history. Let the thrills begin!
