With Haunted Mansion (2023) coming out this week, it’s time to take a look at some of the hits and very, very hard misses that Disney has had with making movies from its rides. There is, of course, Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), which inspired and brought about a billion-dollar franchise for Disney. The ride inspired the movie, which in turn, inspired the ride. I like the circular nature of that.
But more often than not, when Disney turns one of its rides into a movie, it’s been a bit of a disaster. Need I remind you of the original Haunted Mansion (2003) starring Eddie Murphy? And although Tomorrowland (2015) wasn’t based on one particular ride, it was still a mess that not even George Clooney could clean up.
The Country Bear Jamboree got its movie, and Jungle Cruise starring Dwayne Johnson is even getting a sequel. But there are still Disney attractions that need their own Disney movie.
With that in mind, here are the rides that need a film adaptation. A few caveats with the list: Disney has already announced that Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will get their movies, so they are off the list. And I have limited the list to Parks in the United States, as they are the only Parks I have been to. So, here we go:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Okay, so there are many ways you can go with this one. You could use the plot of the original ride and bring in poachers or make one of the animals the star. Any way you go with the storyline, just think of the cinematography. The sheer beauty of the landscape and the animals is all the reason you need to make this movie. Let’s get Animal Kingdom on the big screen.
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
How is this not already a thing? If we’re being honest, Journey Into Imagination doesn’t belong in the “new” EPCOT, but if Disney ever took that away, fans riot like Gaston going after the Beast. There is a built-in, cult-like following for Figment that would go to see any movie that starred the king of imagination.
“it’s a small world.”
Disney turned this into a television cartoon in the early 2010s, but that was it. It would be easy to turn this into a movie, but that’s not what I will go with. Imagine it: “it’s a small world” as a horror movie. Admit it; those dolls can be scary if you look directly at them, despite the singing. You’re scared just thinking about it, aren’t you?
Goofy’s Sky School
Recently, Guests said this was the scariest ride at any Disney Park, and they’re not wrong. There’s always that thought that you are about to fall over the edge. Now, take that feeling and bring it to the movie screen. Plus, it’s Goofy. Who doesn’t want to see more Goofy on the screen?
Carousel of Progress
The ride has Walt Disney’s fingerprints all over it. Bring John, Sarah, and the family into the modern world and see how they adapt to the internet and self-driving cars. Tom Hanks would be perfect for this.
Why not take a spin on the Great Movie Ride and add these rides to the Disney catalog of films?
So what attractions at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort would you like to see turned into a ride?
Disclaimer: The opinions addressed in this article are the writer’s and may not reflect the sentiments of Disney Fanatic as a whole.
