Haunted Mansion is my favourite classic Disneyland ride. For a 90’s kid who grew up on Goosebumps, Haunted Mansion is the perfect spooky tale without being gorey, has twists aplenty, and is populated by frightening and friendly ghouls in equal measure. Perfect supernatural tale, perfect nostalgia. But I’ve gotta admit that even as a fan of the ride, I went into Haunted Mansion with low expectations but was more than pleasantly surprised. Haunted Mansion is a fright filled, fun fest with intriguing characters and a cracking tale. Sure to be a family Halloween classic.

 

Gabbie and her son Travis move from New York into Gracey Manor for a new start and plan to turn the sprawling estate into a bed and breakfast. But soon they learn that the mansion is haunted by a host of ghosts who will continue to haunt them even if they leave the four walls of Gracey Manor. 

 

Along with Father Kent, Gabbie and Travis recruit Ben, a ghost tour guide, Harriet, a psychic who can touch the other side, and Professor Bruce, a haunted house historian, to help free themselves from the haunting and from the grips of the worst ghoul of all: the Hatbox Ghost. 

 

From the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to 2021’s Jungle Cruise, Disney is no stranger to transforming its park rides into big screen adventures. And this isn’t the first time that Haunted Mansion has had the cinematic treatment with the Eddie Murphy helmed adaptation hitting theatres twenty years ago (available to stream on Disney Plus). This version of Haunted Mansion breathes new life into the ride’s story, building on its foundation, with little Easter eggs from the ride to be discovered, without leaving those in the audience who haven’t experienced the ride behind. 

 

What makes Haunted Mansion works so well is the motley crew of assembled characters, from all walks of life, and some with a bit of emotional baggage. They’re just all so likeable. And as they come together, to defeat the evil that haunts them, becoming a chosen family, you can’t help but root for them. 

 

Haunted Mansion doesn’t take itself too seriously, it knows that it’s a family flick and it brings tons of laugh out loud moments with Danny DeVito stealing every scene. If there’s a sequel, more DeVito please. LaKeith Stanfield brings an emotion filled performance and young Chase Dillon who portrays Travis is a great discovery. One to watch. Also, Jared Leto, buried deep beneath a ghoulish CGI mask, makes for a thrilling and terrifying villain. 

 

For a ghost filled ruin Haunted Mansion is packed with life. With mystery and the supernatural around every corner, there are changing portraits, armour that comes to life, portals, secret passages and endless hallways. A perfect family spooky adventure. 

 

Haunted Mansion is a fright filled, fun fest with intriguing characters and a cracking tale. Sure to be a family Halloween classic.