Walt Disney's iconic animation studio and theme parks represent the legacy of a man who brought together the world's most creative minds to spread their creativity worldwide. Each ride is a testament to the imagination, and the films like Disney's Jungle Cruise continue that idea with their own unique story.
But Jungle Cruise isn't the only ride from the park's history with a film adaption. In fact, there are nearly a dozen films based on various attractions. Some of them either bring the ride to life or tell a story revolving around its themes and ideas. But by averaging the scores between Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes, from worst to best, fans can figure out which film is worth hopping on the line for and which ones don't reach the height requirement.
11. Tower of Terror - No Score
1997's Tower of Tower is an outlier among the other films based on attractions, not only because there is no critics score available, but also because it's the only TV movie on the list. While it doesn't take place in the Twilight Zone, the film's premise remains intact. The film follows a journalist and his niece as they venture into the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel and encounter ghosts that disappeared following a curse on their elevator. While made for television, the film still has that creepy aura that permeates the ride and takes itself seriously enough to frighten young audiences.
10. The Haunted Mansion - 24 Percent
2003's The Haunted Mansion maintains its eerie atmosphere but as a comedy rather than a supernatural horror film. Eddie Murphy plays Jim Evers, a realtor who takes his family to the dilapidated Gracy Manor to potentially sell it. However, after being rained in, it's clear he and his family aren't the only guests as they encounter 999 ghosts and a far more sinister plot at work. The film also brings to life some of the best moments of the ride, such as the Hitchhiking Ghosts. While it was a surprising financial success, the critical reception to The Haunted Mansion didn't meet the Disney standard.
9. Mission to Mars - 29 Percent
Rocket to the Moon was a Disney attraction during the early years of the parks, and went by many names, including Mission to Mars. As Mission to Mars, the attraction paired with NASA to give guests an unparalleled experience by taking them to the fourth planet from the sun. The concept later inspired the 2000 film of the same name. However, it tells a completely original story about the first manned mission to mars going wrong. Mission to Mats features a stellar cast with names like Gary Sinise and Don Cheadle and thought-provoking ideas about alien life. But sadly, its bland conveyance of those ideas kept it from reaching its full potential.
8. The Country Bears - 34 Percent
The Country Bears is a show in Frontierland that features fully animatronic bears singing songs created to make guests laugh and sing along. Not only is it a fun way to beat the summer heat, but it's also one of the most iconic attractions in the parks. Rather than maintain the relaxing country music vibes of the show, the film takes things up a notch and follows a young bear named Barry Barrington as he tries to reunite The Country Bears. However, while the puppets in The Country Bears are incredibly detailed and lifelike, it wasn't enough to save it from the critics, who described the film as "boring."
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales - 34 Percent
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is the fifth installment in the hit franchise and follows Jack Sparrow as he helps Will Turner's son retrieve an item that can free his father from his tie to the Flying Dutchman. The film features many parallels to the original while delving into Sparrow's checkered backstory. However, even after bringing the series' characters together again, a mixed response from critics and substantial box office success, the fatigue of the Pirates franchise kept it from reaching the same heights as previous installments.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 39 Percent
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides acts as the one true outlier to the franchise. Unlike the other films, the third sequel in the swashbuckling series stands alone, only focusing on the adventures of Jack Sparrow. While Barbossa returns to chase Sparrow, the film focuses more on his quest to find the Fountain of Youth. However, even with massive financial success, the film shows what happens when a franchise is stripped of the dramatic plotlines that made it successful and becomes bombastic action sequences and jokes. But even without a Will Turner-type character to balance Sparrow's antics, On Stranger Tides' success ensured future sequels.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - 47 Percent
2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was an Avengers: Endgame-like event for the series in that it set up a climactic battle over the course of three films and set the stakes so high that it was no longer just a movie. The action sequences were amazing, and many lingering plotlines were finally concluded, such as Will and Elizabeth's fate. But while At World's End was a box office success, many critics claim the film tried to balance too much.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - 53 Percent
Following the massive success of the original film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest continues the adventures of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan. Together, they must evade the threat of the East India Trading Company as they eliminate more pirates while also in a race against Davy Jones' supernatural crew to find the Dead Man's Chest. While it was a box office success and featured special effects that still hold up today, many critics left mixed reviews feeling that Depp's portrayal of Sparrow was already becoming redundant. Ultimately, these thoughts fell on deaf ears to studio execs, though, as the franchise continued to expand after Dead Man's Chest's success.
3. Tomorrowland - 55 Percent
Unlike other films based on Disney attractions, Tomorrowland is about an entire land from the Disney parks. The film follows a young girl named Casey and a man named Frank as they travel to the futuristic city of Tomorrowland to prevent the end of the world. It's a celebration of all things Disney, featuring audio-animatronics and even Space Mountain in the city skyline. However, Tomorrowland's hope of creating something new is ultimately sabotaged when critics mention how its message isn't anything that hasn't been seen before. But even with its mixed reviews and financial losses, the story is so hopeful and full of heart that it's hard not to admire it.
2. Jungle Cruise - 58 Percent
While it hasn't been released yet, Disney's Jungle Cruise has already been reviewed by critics who believe that something entertaining is coming. The film follows Lily (Emily Blunt) and McGregor Houghton (Jack Whitehall) as they travel the Amazon searching for an artifact that could change medicine forever. But to navigate the terrain, they need Skipper Frank (Dwayne Johnson), who knows every corner of the jungle. Jungle Cruise is set to be a classic adventure film that brings the excitement and humor of the ride to life, with many critics claiming it's a fun experience for the whole family.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - 71 Percent
Taking the top spot on the list is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The 2003 classic brought all of the best moments from the ride to life while also telling a totally original story where a young man joins forces with Jack Sparrow to save the love of his life from undead pirates. Not only was Sparrow a genre-defining role for Depp, but he also helped create a new iconic franchise that redefined the summer blockbuster. While many films have surpassed its success, The Curse of the Black Pearl still stands as the best film to meld swashbuckling action with the vivid memories of the attraction inspired it.
To see how Disney brings one of its most popular theme park attractions to life, Jungle Cruise hits theaters and begins streaming on Disney+ premier access June 30.