Captain EO was a 3D sci-fi musical film shown at Disneyland’s Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland from September 12, 1986, to April 6, 1997, and revived as Captain EO Tribute from February 23, 2010, to November 16, 2015. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, produced by George Lucas, and starring Michael Jackson, the 17-minute film followed Captain EO and his ragtag crew transforming an evil queen’s planet with music and dance. It closed in 1997 due to controversies surrounding Jackson’s public image but returned after his 2009 death for a limited engagement.
Below are 10 fun facts about Captain EO (1986–1997, 2010–2015) at Disneyland:
- Record-Breaking Budget: At $30 million, the 17-minute film cost $1.76 million per minute, making it the most expensive film per minute at the time of its 1986 debut.
- Dynamic 3D Effects: Shot in 70mm with polarized 3D glasses, the film made lasers, spaceships, and dancers appear to leap off the screen, enhancing the sci-fi adventure.
- In-Theater Innovations: Hydraulic seats moved up to four inches to match the film’s action, while smoke, lasers, and fiber-optic starfields created an immersive space environment.
- All-Star Production: Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, produced by George Lucas, and choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday, the film featured elite Hollywood talent for a theme park attraction.
- Michael Jackson’s Role: Jackson played Captain EO, a spaceship commander who used music and dance to defeat the Supreme Leader, with two original songs, “We Are Here to Change the World” and “Another Part of Me.”
- Unique Puppet Characters: EO’s crew included animatronic-inspired puppets like Hooter (an elephant-like creature) and Fuzzball, designed by Rick Baker, adding whimsy to the story.
- Strategic Premiere: The film debuted on September 12, 1986, exclusively at Disneyland, with Walt Disney World’s Epcot following a week later, capitalizing on Jackson’s global fame.
- 1997 Closure Reason: The original run ended in 1997 due to controversies surrounding Jackson’s public image, particularly legal and media scrutiny, prompting Disney to replace it with Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.
- Tribute Revival: After Jackson’s death in 2009, Captain EO Tribute returned on February 23, 2010, with updated hydraulics but fewer in-theater effects, running as a “limited engagement” until 2015.
- Frequent Showtimes: With a 500-seat theater, the film ran every 20–25 minutes to handle Tomorrowland crowds, drawing visitors near Space Mountain with its star power and spectacle.
