Disney.com to stream "The Haunted Mansion" for free

As reported in Variety this week, Disney plans to start streaming full-length, broadcast-quality movies online this week as part of a rethinking of their television/online broadcasting model. "The Haunted Mansion," which stars Eddie Murphy as well as our favorite spook house, will be shown from June 30 through July 4, following its broadcast on "Wonderful World of Disney."

Though the film was eventually a financial success, Mansion attraction fans are torn about the film. Most fans enjoyed the production quality and set design, while remaining on the fence about the screenplay, and questioning the decision to cast Murphy in the staring role. Writing for BoxOfficeMojo.com, critic C.S. Wolski said "the real star of the flick, of course, is the mansion itself with its secret passages, graveyard and monumental rooms, which is probably what the Disney honchos wanted. After all, this is a terrific advertisement for the amusement park ride. And, like the ride, the scenery is awfully cool, but there isn't enough substance to linger with you beyond the theatre."

Other popular titles that will be screened are "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc.," "The Princess Diaries 2," "Freaky Friday," "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," and "Peter Pan." The new model of online broadcasting is intended to find a way to keep the younger viewing demographic immersed with Disney.com for as long as possible. Future plans entail providing means for viewers to interact with each other while watching movies on Disney.com.

"The Haunted Mansion," which was directed by Rob Minkoff, has a worldwide box office gross of over $182 million.