Disney's latest cinematic spin-off of a theme park attraction is a vortex of boredom. The mansion itself looks great, but what happens inside is woefully uninspired.
Comment
11/26/03
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
13
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:133
Fresh:17
Rotten:116
Average Rating:4.2/10
Consensus: Neither scary nor funny, The Haunted Mansion is as lifeless as the ghosts in the movie.
Runtime: 88 mins
Genre: Childrens
Synopsis: THE HAUNTED MANSION comes alive like never before with incredible visual and special effects in this all-new, fun-filled comedy adventure. Shrouded in fog and mystery, the mansion was once a... [More]
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Wallace Shawn, Marsha Thomason
Director: Rob Minkoff
Reviews for The Haunted Mansion
The advertising slogan for The Haunted Mansion warns, 'Check your pulse at the door' -- pretty cheeky for a movie that flatlines for almost all of its 98 minutes.
11/26/03
The PG rating is purportedly for 'frightening images,' but the only thing frightening is the bland performance Eddie Murphy phones in.
11/26/03
With The Haunted Mansion, the second movie this year to be based on a popular Disney attraction Eddie Murphy may have finally brought his career back to life.
11/26/03
Let's face it: This is a movie based on a ride, so, really, how much entertainment can you expect? But at least it is a better bargain than the ride it is shilling.
11/26/03
It's true that last summer's hit Pirates of the Caribbean is one tough act to follow, but The Haunted Mansion falls short even without such comparisons.
11/26/03
It's not very scary, and it's not very funny. In fact, The Haunted Mansion isn't very anything except perhaps a very smart display of the production designer's art.
11/26/03
The Haunted Mansion is well made and acted with a kind of campy glee, but it doesn't scare up enough thrills or laughs to give it the kind of mass appeal of Disney's summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean.
11/26/03
The theme park attraction is actually better entertainment than the movie.
11/26/03
It's not all that boring, and very little children will like it, but the 'tween crowd will consider this beneath them, as would everyone older.
11/26/03
Foolish indeed is the mortal family that shells out the copious price of admission for this gobbler.
11/26/03
The Haunted Mansion is tame and witless enough to make me long for the ancient, dusty fright kitsch of The Munsters.
11/26/03
Really, there's nothing scary about this ... unless you're the Disney exec who authorized this big-budget specter unspectacular.
11/26/03
Top CriticThe Haunted Mansion is likely the exact movie Disney wanted. Why they, or anyone else, would want it is another question.
11/26/03
That thing going bump in the night? It was my head hitting the armrest.
11/26/03
Despite some imaginative designs, The Haunted Mansion just sort of lies there, as if -- like some of its characters -- it is waiting to be roused from eternal slumber.
11/26/03
Neither a laugh riot nor a first-rate chiller.
11/26/03
The Haunted Mansion is cheesy fun.
11/26/03
The Haunted Mansion won't much entertain older family members, but it might be fun for kids and seems headed for a long run on home video.
11/26/03
Top CriticDirector Rob Minkoff, mindful of his PG rating and young target audience, never tries to scare us to the marrow.
11/26/03
Latest News for The Haunted Mansion
August 25, 2006:
I'm Sorry Peter Jackson: Rob Minkoff to Direct Jet Li - Jackie Chan Collaboration
The most recent update in the speculation race surrounding Jet Li and Jackie Chan's planned co-starring venture names kid-flick helmer Rob Minkoff to direct, not the Lord of the... More...
November 17, 2005:
Oh It's Already Been Broughten (Part 3)
A fresh press release from Universal informs us that there will soon be a "Bring It On 3" to enjoy, but also reminds us that, hey yeah, there WAS a direct-to-video... More...
September 22, 2003:
I know I’ll take some sort of perverse pleasure in watching Eddie Murphy terrorized by dark spirits. 
More...
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