Enter, foolish mortals and… meet some A-list celebrities?! That was the surprise that greeted guests last month at Disneyland Park in Anaheim when they were stunned to meet the stars ofHaunted Mansion, the new film from Disney based off the attraction of the same name.Lakeith Stanfield, Owen WilsonandJamie-Lee Curtisdonned the uniforms worn by Disney Cast Members at the famous dark ride and welcomed guests before they took a ride on the ‘doom buggies’ inside.The movie is directed byJustin Simien(known for his work onDear White Peopleand 2020’s horror satireBad Hair) andthe plot sees a young boy and his mother seek assistance from alleged “spiritual experts"when they come to learn that their large manor home has been invaded by supernatural spirits. The cast also includesTiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Dan LevyandJared Leto, who takes on the fan-favourite role of the urban legend,the Hat-Box Ghost.The Haunted Mansionattraction first opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on August 12, 2025, having long been a goal ofWalt Disneyto incorporate a “haunted house” for guests to the park to visit. Disney wanted a family-friendly experience that could combine spooky elements with humour, frights and whimsy. The Imagineers, Disney’s team of creative designers, drew inspiration from different sources, such as the Winchester Mystery House, the Shipley-Lydecker House, and the Gothic Revival style of architecture.RELATED:Rosario Dawson and Owen Wilson Go on a Delightfully Scary Ride in New ‘Haunted Mansion’ Trailer
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Taking the lead from one of Disney’s iconic theme park attractions,the upcoming film holds the promise of incorporating the beloved ride’s rich lore into an all-new storyline. Disney has previously explored their park’s immersive experiences for theatrical projects, including the well-known 2003 adaptation ofThe Haunted Mansion.
Additionally, they successfully transformed theirPirates of the Caribbeanattraction into a highly lucrative franchise, while also bringingThe Country Bears(2002),Tomorrowland(2015), andJungle Cruise(2021) to the big screen. News has also surfaced about an upcoming film based on the thrillingBig Thunder Mountain Railroad ride, which will be overseen by the directing pair of Bert & Bertie, known for their work on theHawkeye(2021) series for Disney+.
Check out the trio having some spooky fun with the guests at Disneyland via the embedded tweet down below.
