Hot Air Balloons in Pop Culture

By Travel Tunica on Wednesday October 17, 2012

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Hot air balloons are going to brighten up the sky in Tunica next month when forty float in for the Tunica Balloon Bash. They’re fun to watch from the ground, but they also add pizzazz in movies, TV and when celebraties appear in them.

Here are a few appearances hot air balloons have made in pop culture that you may have forgotten about:

• Before Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” realized she could go home by tapping her heels together, a balloon almost took her back to Kansas.
• In the movie “Up,” Carl and Russell travel in a house lifted by helium balloons. Disney promoted the movie in Europe with a hot air balloon inspired by the characters’ balloon-lifted home.
• In “The Great Muppet Caper,” Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo fly in a hot air balloon during the opening credits.
• Richard Branson, a famous English adventurist and businessman, was one of the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon, rather than a helium/gas filled balloon. He later became the first to cross the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon.

On the flip side, many hot air balloons have taken inspiration from figures in pop culture: 

• Darth Vader
• Spongebob Squarepants
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Mr. Peanut

What’s your favorite hot air balloon appearance by a celebrity or in TV or movies?

The Tunica Balloon Bash is November 9-11, and will include tethered rides, a balloon glow and $12,000 hot air balloon competition. Participate in the Balloon Bash on social media using #TunicaBalloonBash. 

For more information about hot air balloons, check out these other blogs:

A Hot Air Balloon History Lesson

1st Annual Tunica Balloon Bash

Boost Your Balloon IQ

Our Favorite Pins, Projects and Time Passers to Prepare for the Tunica Balloon Bash