You remember that 1997 TV movie, right? The one where Steve Guttenberg is a disgraced journalist and Kirsten Dunst is his niece, and they're investigating a 1939 elevator disappearance? It was weirdly dark for a Disney movie. Honestly, it was the first time the company ever turned a theme park ride into a feature film. Before Pirates of the Caribbean made billions, we had a made-for-TV spookfest that actually filmed on-location at Disney's Hollywood Studios (back when it was still MGM Studios). People are still obsessed with it. But now, the Tower of Terror film is back in the headlines because Disney is finally moving forward with a big-budget, theatrical version starring Scarlett Johansson.
It’s been a bumpy road.
What Actually Happened with the Original Tower of Terror Film?
The 1997 movie is a total cult classic now, but at the time, it was just a "Wonderful World of Disney" special. It didn't have a massive budget. It didn't have CGI ghosts. What it did have was atmosphere. Director D.J. MacHale used the actual attraction's lobby for filming, which gave it this tangible, dusty authenticity you just can't fake on a soundstage. The plot was pretty straightforward: five people vanish from an elevator at the Hollywood Tower Hotel on Halloween night in 1939 after a lightning strike.
Decades later, Guttenberg’s character, Buzzy Crocker, tries to solve the mystery to save his career. It was charming. It was spooky. Most importantly, it respected the lore of the Twilight Zone-inspired ride without actually being able to use the Twilight Zone branding. You see, CBS owns the rights to Rod Serling’s iconic series, while Disney just licenses it for the theme parks. This is why the 1997 movie never mentions the "Fifth Dimension" or Rod Serling. It had to create its own mythology.
Fast forward to today. The new Tower of Terror film project is a completely different beast.
The Scarlett Johansson Legal Drama and the Project’s Resurrection
For a while there, it looked like this movie was dead in the water. Remember the Black Widow lawsuit in 2021? Scarlett Johansson sued Disney over streaming rights and breach of contract. It was messy. It was public. Industry insiders thought her relationship with the Mouse House was toasted. Since she was set to produce and star in the new Tower of Terror film, everyone assumed the project was scrapped.
Then, they settled.
Not only did they settle, but Disney’s then-content chairman Alan Bergman specifically mentioned how excited they were to keep working on Tower of Terror. It’s a huge priority for them now. Why? Because Disney is desperate for "cross-platform synergy." They want movies that make you want to go to the parks, and rides that make you want to watch the movies. It worked for Jungle Cruise, sort of. It definitely worked for Pirates. They’re hoping the Tower of Terror film can bridge that gap between nostalgia and modern blockbuster spectacle.
Who is actually making this thing?
The talent attached is actually pretty impressive. It’s not just a cash grab.
- Taika Waititi was initially linked to direct, which would have given it a quirky, comedic edge.
- Josh Cooley, the guy who directed Toy Story 4 and worked on Inside Out, was brought in to write the script.
- Scarlett Johansson is producing through her company, These Pictures.
The vibe they are going for isn't "kiddy horror." They want something that feels like an event. Think Knives Out meets The Shining, but Disney-fied. It has to be scary enough to justify the "Terror" in the title, but safe enough for a 10-year-old to buy a T-shirt afterward. That’s a thin tightrope to walk.
Why the Theme Park Lore Matters So Much
If you’ve ever waited in that 90-minute line in Orlando, you know the vibe. The cobwebs. The 1930s jazz music playing faintly through cracked speakers. The smell of old wood and ozone. Fans of the ride are protective. They don't want a generic haunted house movie. They want the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
The challenge for the new Tower of Terror film is deciding which version of the story to tell. Does it stick to the 1939 lightning strike? Does it go full anthology? In the California Adventure park, the ride was re-themed to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, which caused a massive uproar among purists. But the original Florida version, and the versions in Paris and Tokyo, still hold that classic "Old Hollywood" glamour.
The Tokyo DisneySea version actually has a completely different backstory involving an explorer named Harrison Hightower III and a cursed idol called Shiriki Utundu. It's fantastic. There’s been some speculation that the new movie might pull from this international lore to avoid the legal headaches of the Twilight Zone licensing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Reboot
People keep saying this is a remake of the 1997 movie. It’s not. Honestly, Disney is likely going to distance itself from the Guttenberg version entirely. That movie is a product of its time—low stakes, cozy horror. The new Tower of Terror film is being positioned as a tentpole release.
Another misconception? That it’s going to be a straight-up horror movie. It won't be. Disney doesn't do "R" rated horror for its theme park IP. Expect "PG-13 adventure-horror." Think of the way The Mummy (1999) handled scares—lots of jumping, some creepy visuals, but plenty of action and humor to keep it from being traumatizing.
The Stakes for Disney in 2026
Disney needs a win. Their recent live-action adaptations have had mixed results at the box office. The Tower of Terror film is a test case for whether they can still turn a "vibe" into a franchise.
If this succeeds, expect more. There are already whispers about a Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) cinematic universe. This is a secret society that connects various Disney rides like Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. The Tower of Terror—specifically the Harrison Hightower version—is a massive part of that. If the movie does well, we aren't just getting a sequel; we're getting a whole connected world of theme park movies.
How to Prepare for the New Release
While we wait for the first teaser trailer to drop, there are a few things you should actually do if you're a fan of the IP.
First, go back and watch the 1997 movie on Disney+. It’s dated, sure, but it’s the only way to understand the DNA of this project. It’s a time capsule of how Disney used to handle its own history.
Second, look up the lore of Harrison Hightower III. Even if the movie sticks to the 1939 Hollywood setting, Disney loves "Easter eggs." There’s a high probability that the new Tower of Terror film will reference the S.E.A. mythology. Understanding who Hightower is and how he "disappeared" in 1899 will make you the smartest person in the theater when those inevitable cameos happen.
Finally, keep an eye on the production notes regarding the music. The ride’s atmosphere is 90% sound design. If they don't get the "echoing trumpet in a lonely lobby" sound right, the whole thing falls apart.
The Tower of Terror film isn't just another reboot. It’s a high-stakes gamble on nostalgia, theme park history, and the star power of Scarlett Johansson. Whether it captures lightning in a bottle—or just gets struck by it—remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: people are ready to check back into the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Just don't expect the elevator to take you to your floor.
Check your local production listings or official Disney casting calls if you're in the Atlanta or UK areas, as high-budget projects like this often film in those hubs. Keep an eye on the D23 Expo announcements for the first look at the hotel's new "lobby" design. Knowing how Disney operates, the visual aesthetic of the hotel will be the first thing they market to ensure the fans feel at home—even if that home is haunted.