The 2003 American supernatural horror comedy film, “The Haunted Mansion,” is an Eddie Murphy vehicle and Murphy overshadows the eponymous theme park attraction. The film is not particularly good, but it’s a comforting Halloween family fare, even though it was released after Halloween (26 November 2003).

Murphy plays Jim Evers, who, with his wife Sara (Marsha Thomason), is a successful realtor. But ever ambitious, Jim often misses special occasion in order to begin or close a deal. In this case, he misses his wedding anniversary. In order to make it up to his wife, he suggests that they take a family vacation to a nearby lake. With their children, Michael (Marc John Jefferies) and Megan (Aree Davis), in tow, they head off, but on their way, they stop off at Gracey Manor outside of New Orleans. The owner, Edward Gracey (Nathaniel Parker), is eager to meet Sara and Jim is eager to make a deal because of the high commission that would be involved in this high rent district.

Unfortunately, once there, the butler, Ramsley (Terence Stamp), reports that the rainstorms have caused the nearby river to flood. The Evers are forced to stay over, with the servants, footman Ezra (Wallace Shawn) and maid Emma (Dina Spybey), helping them to settle in. Jim becomes separated from Sara whom Gracey gives a tour of the mansion. Sara learns that a woman, Elizabeth Henshaw committed suicide before she could marry. Sara bears a striking resemblance to Elizabeth and the Evers soon learn that the mansion is under a curse. Gracey and his servants are ghosts who cannot escape to the afterlife until Elizabeth and Gracey are reunited.

While Jim and Gracey compete for Sara, there’s a secret that must be revealed in order for the curse to be lifted and Madame Leota (Jennifer Tilly), the ghost whose head is encased in a large crystal ball, helps Jim unravel this mystery.

Directed by Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King” and “Stuart Little”) and written by David Berenbaum (“Elf” and “Strange Magic”), the film’s main focus is Murphy’s character, Jim, and his face-off with Parker’s dashing Gracey. Both Jim and his son Michael will redeem themselves. Jim will rededicate himself to his wife and family, and Michael will overcome his arachnophobia. This film is about a near perfect family facing ghosts, but death isn’t a specter in their lives as in the 2023 remake.

While the film wasn’t particularly successful when it originally was released, it has since become a popular Halloween film. The film was released on VHS and DVD on 20 April 2004. It was released on Blu-Ray on 17 October 2006. It is currently streaming on Disney+.