Captain EO Disneyland: The Cult Classic 3D Show You Forgot About

In honor of the release of Michael (and the massive hit we all knew it was going to be), I thought it would be fun to revisit the lost attraction, Captain EO, the short film that starred Michael Jackson as Captain EO, which premiered at Disney parks in 1986.

The 3D science-fiction musical was about Captain EO and his crew of mythical space creatures - Hooter, Fuzzball, the Geex, Major Domo, and Minor Domo. They discover a planet with no color, where they come face to face with the Supreme Leader. Using the power of music, dance, and light, Captain EO and his crew turn the black-and-white planet into one filled with color.

Courtesy of Disney || Captain EO Poster

The film was produced by George Lucas and choreographed by Jeffery Hornaday (Teen Beach Movie, Teen Beach 2, Geek Charming) alongside Michael Jackson.

Although it was marketed as a 3D film, Captain EO may have been one of the first (if not the first) 4D experiences. It featured in-theater effects: lasers, smoke, and moving chairs that were synchronized to the movement in the film.

This film ran in Disney Parks from 1986 to 1998. After Michael Jackson’s passing in 2009, Disney brought back Captain EO for a limited time in honor of his legacy. It returned to Disneyland on February 23, 2010, Disneyland Paris on June 12th, 2010, Tokyo Disney on July 1st, and Epcot on July 2nd, 2010.

However, many of the original in-theater effects were missing during its return. Disneyland reused the theater that previously housed Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!. Some effects, such as the smoke and lasers, were removed and replaced with exisiting left over element from the previous show.

Fans have expressed interest in seeing Captain EO added to Disney+, but Disney has not announced any plans to release it on the platform.

Given Jackson’s deep admiration for Walt Disney and the Disney parks, it’s easy to imagine that bringing Captain EO to life was both meaningful to him and an honor.