For avid fans of Disney films, nothing beats the thrill of exploring an attraction based on a cherished movie. Whether it’s “Ratatouille” or “Star Wars,” diving into your favorite fictional universe has never been easier.

But did any of Disney’s park attractions spawn their own movie franchises? Your most-loved ride could very well have an accompanying film that you might not be aware of.

Here’s a rundown of attractions at Disney World that served as inspirations for their respective films, ideal for binge-watching before your next theme park adventure.

The Tower of Terror

Disney’s inaugural film inspired by a ride takes us into the eerie world of the Twilight Zone.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a thrilling dark ride at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, transporting guests on a spooky elevator journey to another dimension. Narrated by Rod Serling of the Twilight Zone, he recounts the story of a “gloomy Halloween night in 1939,” when hotel guests mysteriously vanished during a fierce storm, never to be seen again.

The 1997 television film closely follows this storyline, diving deeper into the fates of the hotel guests who disappeared. It centers around a tabloid journalist (played by Steve Guttenberg) investigating the haunted hotel and what really led to the elevator’s catastrophic failure.

The cast also includes Kirsten Dunst, Melora Hardin, Alastair Duncan, John Franklin, and Nia Peeples.

Where to Watch ‘The Tower of Terror’

As of 2024, “Tower of Terror” isn’t available for streaming on any service, including Disney+.

Mission to Mars

Longtime visitors to Disney World may recall the “Mission to Mars” attraction at Magic Kingdom.

Initially titled “Flight to the Moon,” it opened on December 24, 1971, simulating a space trip to either the Moon or Mars. According to Disney Wiki, it featured guests boarding a “circular theater with stadium-style seating and round screens on the ceiling and floor.”

The attraction closed in October 1993 to pave the way for newer experiences.

Eight years later, a film inspired by the ride was released. Featuring Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle, and Tim Robbins, it tells the story of a rescue mission to Mars after a previous expedition ends in tragedy.

Where to Watch ‘Mission to Mars’

You can stream the movie on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home for $3.99.

The Country Bears Jamboree

This year, The Country Bears Jamboree has been a hot topic. This beloved show, one of the last attractions personally developed by Walt Disney, made a comeback this summer with a modern twist and refreshed songs.

Have you seen “The Country Bears” film? The 2002 movie is set in a world where humans live alongside anthropomorphic bears. It follows a teenager named Beary Barrington trying to reunite the grumpy former members of his favored band, the Country Bears, for a benefit concert aimed at saving Country Bear Hall.

Where to Watch ‘The Country Bears’

You can watch this movie on Disney+ or rent it on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime for $3.99.

The Pirates of the Caribbean

Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise is incredibly successful, with box office earnings exceeding $4 billion across five films. The stories follow Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp) and his escapades as one of the ocean’s most renowned pirates.

Although the initial film was released in 2003, the Magic Kingdom ride had already established itself as a park favorite. Opened in 1973, the attraction was originally inspired by pirate lore and literature. In 2006, the ride was revamped to incorporate elements and characters from the movie series.

Where to watch and stream ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ films

All five Pirates of the Caribbean films are available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, or you can rent them on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.

The Haunted Mansion

The “Haunted Mansion” attraction has inspired two film adaptations over the years.

The ride itself gives visitors a journey through a spooky setting in “doom buggies,” where they glide through haunted rooms, including Madame Leota’s eerie séance chamber and a lively graveyard filled with singing ghosts.

The first movie, released in 2003, featured Eddie Murphy as a realtor trapped in the haunted house with his family, trying to escape. Two decades later, Disney released a reboot starring Lakeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, and Danny DeVito.

Where to watch and stream ‘The Haunted Mansion’

Both movies can be streamed on Disney+ or rented on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.

Tomorrowland

<p”Tomorrowland” in the Magic Kingdom is not just an attraction but a themed area of the park.

The 2015 film “Tomorrowland” features George Clooney as an inventor who travels with a young girl, played by Britt Robertson, into an alternate dimension. Filming took place along Florida’s eastern coast, from the Kennedy Space Center to New Smyrna Beach.

This film draws inspiration from both the themed land and Walt Disney’s forward-thinking vision for EPCOT.

Where to watch and stream ‘Tomorrowland’

You can stream the movie on Disney+ or rent it through Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.

Jungle Cruise

The “Jungle Cruise” at Magic Kingdom recently became the latest ride to be transformed into a film.

Set against the backdrop of World War I in 1917, the 2021 film stars Emily Blunt as Lily Houghton, a British scientist on a quest to find a legendary ancient tree, rumored to have petals with extraordinary healing powers that could revolutionize medicine. She teams up with Frank Wolff (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), a riverboat captain with financial troubles, as they embark on a comedic adventure filled with elements from the ride, like Trader Sam and the Jungle Navigation Company, and the classic “backside of A fun joke about water.”

Where to Find and Stream ‘Jungle Cruise’

The film can be streamed on Disney+ or rented through Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.