Movie House at Paramus Park mall puts you in the middle of immersive film fun

You've gone to the movies. But never like this.

When you visit Movie House, opening Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the Paramus Park mall, you will walk into the movie itself. Ten themed rooms, with the latest interactive digital technology, will transport you into worlds inspired by "Harry Potter," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and other favorites.

"It's incredibly fun," said Justin Schwartz, founder of Christmas House, whose subsidiary Movie House is presenting this walk-through attraction through the end of August.

"We do our best to encompass the movies everybody loves," Schwartz said. "And even people who haven't necessarily seen the movies we reference here, the experience is so much fun that it doesn't really matter."

Room service at Movie House at Paramus Park

In the "Wizard of Oz" room," visitors will be surrounded by three 80-inch screens, recreating Dorothy's drab black-and-white surroundings. When you open the door — presto! Living color. And all your favorite Oz characters.

In the "Alice in Wonderland" illusion room, you'll have a wacky time — no explanations or mushrooms necessary. You can be 30 feet tall, while the person at your side is 3-foot-2. Then you can switch.

There's a room that conjures the spooky tunnel in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," an "Under the Sea" room that is a nod to all things aqueous, including "The Little Mermaid" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," and a "Christmas" room that is a mashup of "Elf," "A Christmas Story," "Jingle All the Way" and other holiday classics.

In the "Beach Movie" room, complete with wall-to-wall sand and a boardwalk, you'll be reminded of "Moana," "Castaway" and "Jaws." In the "Wizard's" Room, inspired by the Harry Potter franchise, there are talking paintings, and a "cloak of invisibility" that really works, Schwartz promises. "If you stand behind it, you are legitimately invisible," he said.

Movie House at Paramus Park has inspiration for all

All these rooms are, it will be noted, "suggested by" or "inspired by." There are no licensed characters or concepts — though "The Wizard of Oz" and "Alice in Wonderland" are, as books, in the public domain, and their characters can be used by anyone. "These are all our interpretations," Schwartz said.

Some rooms refer to the moviegoing experience itself. There is a Blockbuster Room (you can explain to your kids what a Blockbuster Video store was). There is a Movie in the Park Room. "Wall-to-wall grass, with a 20-foot movie screen with surround sound that is playing a movie any time you go into that room," Schwartz said.

Previously, the same company has done Halloween House and Christmas House environments at Paramus Park (and other places). This is its first Movie House. If it succeeds, it won't be the last.

"This is great for every age," Schwartz said. "It's perfect for a couple in their 30s going on a date. It's perfect for teens. It's perfect for a family of six, with kids 2 years old. Any and all ages."

Movie House at Paramus Park is part of the wave of the future

Such attractions are becoming more common, at a time when malls are being challenged to think outside the box store.

Aquariums, amusement parks, even hotels are starting to pop up in the empty retail spaces that have fallen victim to new consumer patterns. The relationship of Schwartz's company with Paramus Park, in both of its previous attractions, has been mutually beneficial. "We've had nothing but positive experiences," he said.

Movie House, unlike a movie, is not a passive experience. As you walk through the 10,000-square-foot attraction (accompanied by a tour guide), there all kinds of things to engage you in each room: scavenger hunts, escape room challenges, trivia games and photo ops galore.

"We have tasks to complete in every room," Schwartz said. "But you can experience it any way you want to. We don't put a time limit. You don't have to complete everything to go to the next room, if you don't want to."

So you can scoot through, and just enjoy the sights and sounds. Or you can go at it methodically, solving every puzzle and answering every trivia question. But take note: That's a 40- to 60-minute investment, Schwartz said.

"It takes our staff almost an hour to complete it, and they know what the tasks are," he said.

If you go ...

Movie House, Paramus Park mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, on the first floor. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (additional days during the summer) during mall hours. $24.99 for adults, $19.99 for kids 10 and under (kids 3 and under are free). Also available for parties and events. moviehouseparamus.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Movie House at Paramus Park NJ: Immersive experience in films