Throughout its long history, Disney has released hundreds of family movies. Naturally, few of them have strayed into genuinely spooky territory. In 2003, however, Disney released a pair of films based on two of its darkest theme park attractions. The first was “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” which became a surprise smash hit and spawned a series of profitable sequels. The other was “The Haunted Mansion,” which…not so much.
Now, twenty years since that mostly forgotten first effort, another “Haunted Mansion” movie has come to fruition. According to the official synopsis, the plot concerns a single mother (played by Rosario Dawson) and her son “who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.”
The ensemble cast is loaded with likable faces, including LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Winona Ryder, Dan Levy, Hasan Minhaj, Danny DeVito, Jared Leto, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie also features newcomer Chase W. Dillon as the Dawson character’s young son.
The script comes from Katie Dippold, who also co-wrote 2016’s “Ghostbusers” reboot with Paul Feig. The film was directed by Justin Simien, the mind behind “Dear White People” and “Bad Hair.” The project was first announced back in 2010 with Guillermo del Toro attached to write and produce, but he eventually departed after his ideas were deemed too frightening for a family audience.
Meanwhile, the two non-”Pirates” theme park adaptations Disney has released since 2003 (2015’s “Tomorrowland” and 2021’s “Jungle Cruise”) both flopped at the box office, though a sequel for the latter is reportedly in production. The company has also announced the development of movies based on “Tower of Terror,” “Space Mountain,” and several other of its theme park attractions.
“Haunted Mansion” hits theaters July 28. If you dare, take a peek at the trailer below: