Move Over Wizarding World These 23 Franchises Deserve Their Own Immersive Experiences
These franchises need their own real-world experiences.
Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. have all gone above and beyond to bring major franchises to stunning life through interactive attractions such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and Marvel's Avengers Campus. But there are plenty of other major franchise properties that are equally, if not more, deserving of their own respective museum, theme park, or immersive attraction. Giphy/Disney / Via media.giphy.comCheck out my list of franchises that deserve their own attractions!
1. Saturday Night Live Alamy/AtlasPixOne of the longest running comedy programs in the history of television, Saturday Night Live is not only defined by its countless incredible performers but by the generations of people that the show has made laugh over the years. With there being endless memorabilia from each gut-busting era of SNL, an interactive museum of some sort could pay tribute to each wave of comedic geniuses, provide a behind-the-scenes look at the series through the decades and even allow people to get a selfie with some of the show's most iconic sets and props.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas Buena Vista Pictures / Courtesy Everett CollectionIt's no secret that The Nightmare Before Christmas has been one of Disney's most endearing properties, gaining new fans with each passing year and selling more merchandise than you could ever believe. That said, it's still somewhat of a shock that Disney's only testament to the film in their parks is a seasonal revamp of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction, considering an interactive Halloweentown area would not only bring in waves of Nightmare fans but also provide a sanctuary for attractions related to some of Disney's darker properties, like Hercules, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Black Cauldron.
For a large number of moviegoers, the first film to really shine on the big screen and bring people back to the theater was Godzilla vs. Kong, which proved to be the most beloved chapter in Legendary's Monsterverse yet. But with three Godzilla movies, two Kong movies and even Legendary's other monstrous properties (namely, Pacific Rim), Legendary has more than enough to bring a theme park based on their Monsterverse to stunning life, from an animatronic-loaded walk-through of Skull Island to a screen coaster that puts you in the middle of the biggest cinematic throwdown ever.
Still considered a benchmark in television storytelling, Breaking Bad's ancillary materials have been few and far between, given the villainous nature of the lead character and the subject matter on display. That said, Breaking Bad's fandom has still endured through the success of Better Call Saul, the show's availability on streaming and Netflix's cinematic sequel El Camino. Perhaps a Breaking Bad Museum showcasing the show's most memorable props, behind-the-scenes content and walk-through exhibits could both serve the show's fandom while creating a new revenue stream for charities dedicated to supporting addiction recovery.
If you're a Stranger Things fan, chances are you've seen the numerous pop-up events or haunted attraction spin-offs in a city near you. However, Stranger Things is a full-blown cultural phenomenon, and should Netflix ever decide to get into the theme park game, an interactive Hawkins (with its Upside-Down counterpart) would certainly be the first order of business for almost every visitor. Speaking of, it's kind of a shock that Netflix hasn't had their own theme park yet, given what attractions they could whip up with such properties as The Umbrella Academy, Squid Game and Lost in Space, to name only a few.
A true no-brainer of a theme park attraction, the dystopian Los Angeles of Blade Runner (and its 2049-set sequel) feels like an immersive attraction come to life. While the franchise likely doesn't have the worldwide fanbase to justify a solo park, a section in Warner Brothers expanding global theme park footprint would absolutely bring in sci-fi fans in droves.
As much as one could assume Mission: Impossible would work as a great inspiration for a thrill ride, the fact is that the sensational franchise has a rich history beyond the Tom Cruise-starring film. If Paramount ever decided to take the IP off of the big screen, a Mission: Impossible museum with props from the original television series, breakdowns of the incredible stunts and set pieces over the years, and perhaps a stunt show in the vein of the screen-enhanced Bourne show at Universal Studio Orlando.
With a rich number of imaginative and surreal properties to their catalog, Adult Swim could offer a more mature-leaning theme park with an opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the worlds of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Tim & Eric, The Venture Bros. and more. Though any Adult Swim attraction would likely be of a smaller scale than Disney or Six Flags, there's little doubt that an immersive Rick and Morty area alone could bring in a huge audience.
With the cult of Scott Pilgrim grown over the past ten years, a real deal theme park for the beloved film and comic would still not necessarily make much financial sense. However, some kind of museum or immersive pop-up attraction would absolutely become a destination for Scott Pilgrim die-hards, especially if there was a musical element offered or interactive sets for participating ticket holders.
One of the true household names in the field of literature, Stephen King's work has been iconic in almost every medium, from the big screen, little screen and more. In fact, a Stephen King museum or theme park feels odd in its non-existence, considering all of his creepy creations have an element of spectacle that could be brought to life, such as a Christine, The Shining, IT and much, much more.
Much like the works of Stephen King, The Conjuring has spawned a beloved, multifaceted horror franchise with an unparalleled international appeal. If New Line Cinema and Warner Brothers wanted to explore the Conjuring IP with attractions, it appeals both on a small scale, as a museum of props and sets could rival that of the Warrens themselves, or on a big scale, as The Conjuring, Annabelle and The Nun all could make for seasonal scary additions to the Six Flags parks or work as a full-time addition to WB's impressive Abu Dhabi theme park.
Though there have been pop-up parks and attractions over the years, the resurgence in popularity for Pok?mon following the release of Detective Pikachu and Pok?mon Go has made the demand for a live-action, tangible Pok?mon theme park louder than ever. There are rumors that Universal Studios Orlando may introduce a Pok?mon attraction in their flagship park following the opening of Super Nintendo World with Epic Universe, which would certainly go far with keeping Pok?mon relevant for future generations.
With the longstanding popularity of Thomas Harris' Hannibal books and subsequent adaptations, few franchises are more museum-ready as this elegant horror property. Between the amazing props and faux corpse art from the Hannibal series to the potential of interactive locations inspired by the film franchise, a Hannibal attraction could be a horror fans haven.
Though the series' conclusion has been considered a disappointment by many fans, Game of Thrones still remains a popular franchise with plenty of potential for new beginnings through House of the Dragon and the upcoming novels from G.R.R. Martin. A Game of Thrones museum could absolutely bring in fans, especially as an interactive exhibit, but a Game of Thrones walkthrough area at a theme park acting as an adult-oriented spin on The Wizarding World could be an equally lucrative gamble.
Perhaps the only strictly horror property that could carry an entire theme park on its back, A Nightmare on Elm Street and its many sequels could serve as an inspiration for myriad awesome attractions, whether it be walkthroughs of his immersive dream sequences or thrill rides based on his iconic twisted horrors. However, horror fans could be a little demanding; if the legal waters could be navigated, a theme park rooted in slasher franchises such as Nightmare, Friday the 13th, Halloween and Hellraiser, among other horror franchises, could change the game.
16. Star Trek Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett CollectionIt's a shock that such a long-running property with a vocal, rabid fanbase as Star Trek has yet to have its own interactive live action attraction. With so much history to the franchise, a Star Trek museum or theme park in the vein of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge doesn't seem far from reality.
"It belongs in a museum!" While Indiana Jones has multiple rides to its name at Disney theme parks worldwide, a tried-and-true Indiana Jones museum or exhibit feels like an opportunity to strike gold with the franchise. From the countless props and set decorations that could be on display to the numerous behind-the-scenes treasures that could be uncovered, the possibilities seem endless.
Another no-brainer for an IRL attraction, there are more unforgettable episodes of The Twilight Zone than not, and an opportunity to live ever so briefly in its world would be a boon decades in the making. Whether it be the chance to see some of its iconic costumes or walk onto its eerie sets, a Twilight Zone museum seems criminally overdue.
While a QT Museum or traveling attraction could do more than enough to celebrate his films and their legacy, a Quentin Tarantino section at a theme park makes a surprising amount of sense. A Kill Bill stunt show? Hateful Eight-themed restaurant? Death Proof and Reservoir Dog-themed thrill rides? It may not be family friendly, but people would show up in droves to see their favorite Tarantino films come to life.
Not only would a Lord of the Rings theme park do boffo business, but it feels like it should have happened 10 years ago to beat the Wizarding World to the punch. With so many memorable locations and characters in the series to the exclusive merchandising opportunities, a Middle Earth theme park could be another opportunity to make billions from LOTR.
Though there are plenty of Batman theme park attractions around the globe, a museum or installation celebrating the many adaptations of the character seems like the final frontier for the franchise. From the dozens of bat-props to concept art and even rejected costumes, a Batman museum could properly give fans of the character an inside look at everything from Adam West to Zsasz.
Any amusement park enthusiast can tell you that there have been a number of close calls with an Alien theme park attraction, including the infamous Extra-TERROR-estrial ride at Magic Kingdom and the brief Alien section in the sadly-defunct Great Movie Ride. That said, Alien remains one of the few major franchises out there beyond the gates of Marvel, D.C. and Disney, and an immersive experience with rides, shows and walkthrough attractions would be a perfect place for everyone to hear you scream.
The White Whale of theme park attractions, there have been many museum exhibits and pop-up events centered around the world's most famous secret agent, but fans of the 60-year-old film franchise and its even-older source material have wondered when (or if) we will ever get an immersive James Bond experience. The inspiration is there, the global audience is there and the financial interest is there; the question now is what more would it take for EON to pull the trigger on a James Bond resort and park?
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