Movie Review: Disney’s “Muppets Haunted Mansion”

Muppets Haunted Mansion

This Muppets/Disney Park ride crossover is definitely a thing it feels like none of us knew we needed, at least not until it arrived on our screens. If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch this delightful crossover, it really is worth it!

Muppets Haunted Mansion, of course, does absolutely wonderful things with both the Muppets and the Haunted Mansion setting. If you’re a fan of the ride, there’s so much in here to delight you, and plenty of fun Easter Eggs to discover – honestly, if you haven’t ridden Haunted Mansion or one of the other versions for a while, I’d suggest a quick ride-through watch. They are fun, but it’s worth it just to spot more of what’s going on in the background.

Looking to prove himself, Gonzo agrees to an interesting challenge – he will spent one night in The Haunted Mansion. Arriving on Halloween, Gonzo is full of excitement, and remains upbeat as he comments on the ‘special effects’ in the Mansion itself, until he and Pepe realise there really is something else going on.

The cast is excellent, with some familiar celebrities providing some excellent cameos, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and of course, Statler and Waldorf. Plus there’s some other cool people popping up as characters you’d recognise from the ride – Alfonso Ribeiro, Darren Criss, and Taraji P. Henson, with Will Arnett playing the…Ghost…Host…

Honestly, as someone who loves The Muppets, and is mildly obsessed with The Haunted Mansion (which I’ve never actually ridden!) and The Phantom Manor (which I have – Disney Paris’ excellent, slightly darker version) I absolutely adored this, and they weave in the ride elements really well, without being too much, and give a few nods to the direct experience, including Gonzo and Pepe entering via a room with no windows and no doors, to the moment when Statler and Waldorf appear. It’s a really enjoyable, fun special, and one that can definitely be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

By Elle Turpitt
Twitter: @ElleTurpitt
Website: www.elleturpittediting.com