Jungle Cruise is a media franchise based on the Disney theme park attraction of the same name which consists of a feature film, an upcoming sequel, and various merchandise. The franchise is set in the early 20th century and follows the adventures of riverboat captains and explorers who encounter various dangers and mysteries in the jungles of South America, Africa, and Asia.
Feature films[]
The first film installment of the franchise is the 2021 film Jungle Cruise, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. The film is inspired by the Disneyland ride and tells the story of Captain Frank Wolff, who takes Dr. Lily Houghton and her brother McGregor Houghton on a perilous quest to find the mythical Tree of Life while competing against a German expedition and cursed conquistadors. The film was released on July 30, 2021, simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $221 million worldwide against a production budget of $200 million. A sequel is in development, with Johnson and Blunt set to reprise their roles.
Merchandise[]
The franchise also includes various merchandise, such as toys, books, clothing, accessories, and collectibles. Some of the merchandise is based on the film or the game, while others are inspired by the original ride or its spin-offs. Some examples of merchandise are:
- Jungle Cruise Adventure Game: A board game that recreates the experience of the ride, where players have to navigate their boat through various events and encounters while collecting points.
- Jungle Cruise Funko Pop!: A series of vinyl figures that depict the characters from the film or the ride.
- The Making of Disney's Jungle Cruise: A book that gives a behind-the-scenes look at Jungle Cruise, the live-action film based on the theme park attraction.
Reception[]
The Jungle Cruise franchise is one of Disney's latest attempts to create a successful media franchise based on its theme park attractions. It follows the footsteps of other franchises, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Tomorrowland, and The Country Bears. The franchise aims to appeal to fans of adventure, comedy, fantasy, and nostalgia. It also showcases Disney's diversity and inclusion efforts, as it features characters from different backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. The franchise has been praised for its fun and entertaining tone, its charismatic cast, its stunning visuals, and its homage to classic adventure films such as Indiana Jones, The African Queen, and Romancing the Stone. However, it has also been criticized for its clichéd plot, its lack of originality, its historical inaccuracies, and its cultural appropriation.
External links[]
Jungle Cruise (franchise) on Facebook
Jungle Cruise (franchise) on 𝕏
Jungle Cruise (franchise) on Instagram
