Opened: November 26, 2003

Directed by: Rob Minkoff

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Wallace Shawn, Dina Spybey, Aree Davis, Marc John Jeffries, Deep Roy, Jeremy Howard, Clay Martinez, Corey Burton & Rachael Harris

Though The Haunted Mansion is an entertaining lightly scary story for kids, a rewatch when you’re older will remind you that it’s neither scary nor funny.

Realtor Sara Evers (Marsha Thomason) is invited to look at a mansion going up for sale and is joined by her husband Jim (Eddie Murphy) and kids (Aree Davis & Marc John Jeffries). Upon arrival, they soon realize they were brought there under darker circumstances.

The script is weak, especially with Sara’s severe underdevelopment despite her importance. Many of the jokes are aimed at adults but fall flat. And then, the ending dabbles a bit too much into religion with talks of Heaven and Hell.

Murphy greatly overacts, while Terrence Stamp leans too heavily into his creepy butler voice, which makes his character less threatening.

Final say: You’d rather be haunted. ★★☆☆☆