With summertime on the horizon, many people are bound to begin returning to theme parks and amusement attractions across the globe (safety permitting). However, if unable to attend in person, one can always have fun by vicariously visiting such attractions on the big screen. After all, dozens of movies have been set and filmed at themed amusement parks since the dawn of cinema.
Carnivals, circuses, boardwalks, water parks, dinosaur attractions, Disneyland, Wally World, Pacific Playland, and more are among the thrill-seeking settings of the best movies that take place at a theme park.
Westworld (1973) - 7.0
Followed by Future World and the hit HBO series of the same name, Westworld is a sci-fi thriller set at an adult theme park where affluent patrons can pay money to live out their wildest fantasies.
Written and directed by Michael Crichton, the film finds two upscale vacationers being hunted by the Gunslinger (Yul Brynner), a Wild West robot that malfunctions and goes on a kill-crazy rampage inside the park. In addition to the American West, the film features Medieval World.
Jurassic World (2015) - 7.0
From one Michael Crichton world to another, based on the characters created by the late scribe, Jurassic World revolves around a newly minted theme park on Isla Nublar for tourists to interact with genetically cloned dinosaurs.
However, when the monstrous hybrid dinosaur known as Indominus Rex escapes and begins wreaking lethal havoc inside the park, a mad dash for survival ensues. Leading the charge are Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), who must find two missing boys while quelling the carnage.
Carnival Of Souls (1962) - 7.1
Herk Harvey's Carnival of Souls is a surreal horror movie set at a bizarre carnival that features some of the freakiest imagery imaginable. The story focuses on Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss), a woman who seemingly dies after plunging off a bridge in a car with her two friends.
When Mary mysteriously emerges from the water, she takes a job at a nearby church before finding herself attracted to a condemned carnival house, where a ghastly entity (played by Harvey) stalks and torments her at every turn.
The Way Way Back (2013) - 7.4
The Way Way Back is a nostalgic coming-of-age story about the life-altering summer 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) spent with his mother and her prickly boyfriend at his Cape Cod beach house.
Duncan spends most of his days working at Water Wizz, a local waterpark where he meets his boss Owen (Sam Rockwell) and a motley crew of teenage employees. As Duncan tries to appease his mother, he pursues an awkward romance with his neighbor, Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb).
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) - 7.4
Directed by Harold Ramis from a script by John Hughes, National Lampoon's Vacation is one of the most beloved comedies of the 1980s. While only the final 10-15 minutes take place at a theme park, nobody can forget the Griswolds' time at Wally World.
The story traces the Grisworlds' nightmarish road trip from Chicago to California, only to learn that their fun-filled destination Wally World (filmed at Six Flags) has been temporarily closed for maintenance. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) goes postal and forces a security guard at BB gunpoint to allow his family on the rides.
The Florida Project (2017) - 7.5
Sean Baker's The Florida Project takes place on the periphery of Walt Disney World near Orlando, hinting at the illusory fantasies of its main characters who live in nearby motels. Despite their close proximity to the magical land, it still seems so far away.
The drama concerns Moonee (Brooklynn Prince), a mature and mischievous six-year-old who goes on a series of misadventures with her friends on the outskirts of Disney World. With the guidance of maintenance man, Bobby (Willem Dafoe), and new friend Jancey (Valeria Cotto), Moonee's wish of attending Magic Kingdom is granted.
The Warriors (1979) - 7.6
Walter Hill's cult-classic fight film The Warriors opens and closes at the Coney Island Beach amusement park in Brooklyn, New York. The plot serves as one epic royal rumble, in which the warring gangs in the city agree to partake in one large clash to determine ultimate supremacy.
One of the gangs includes The Warriors, which has been blamed for the assassination of the rival gang leader, Cyrus (Roger Hill). With every other gang out for bloody vengeance, The Warriors make a valiant stand and prove their territorial dominance.
Zombieland (2009) - 7.6
While the coming-of-age comedy Adventureland narrowly missed the list, Jesse Eisenberg's other 2009 theme-park film, Zombieland, is included among the top three. The zombie apocalypse road film culminates in a deadly showdown at the Pacific Playland amusement park.
Columbus (Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) comprise a ragtag band of survivors seeking refuge in the gore-sodden landscape referred to as Zombieland. When the theme park they believed to be a safe haven turns out to be crawling with zombies, they make a heroic stand for survival.
Toy Story 4 (2019) - 7.8
Toy Story 4 is another road film that features a large subplot set at a carnival-themed attraction site. When Bonnie's friendly doll Forky escapes during a road trip, Woody follows in an attempt to convince him that Bonnie needs him.
Woody's chase leads the toys to a carnival attraction where Buzz gets lost and nearly sold as a game prize. In the process of trying to rescue Forky, Woody makes an eye-opening self-discovery that allows him to sacrifice himself for Bonnie's true happiness.
Jurassic Park (1993) - 8.1
Jurassic Park continues to be the best movie set at a theme park, according to IMDb. Written by Michael Crichton and realized by Steven Spielberg, the groundbreaking technical marvel provides genuine chills while tapping into childlike curiosity and wonderment.
When scientists find dinosaur DNA preserved in a fossilized mosquito, they decide to clone the material and bring dinosaurs back to life. Worse yet, the process is commodified by charging patrons to visit Jurassic Park and witness the awe-inspiring beasts. But when the T-Rex escapes and goes haywire, the entire park becomes a ferocious feeding ground.