All 5 The Mummy Movies in Order

The film that brought the Mummy story back to life. Brendan Fraser shines as Rick O'Connell, a brash adventurer with a good heart, while Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, an eager librarian, brings brains and charisma. Together they battle the curse of the priest Imhotep, who is accidentally brought back to life. A perfect mix of action, humor and horror with a touch of classic Hollywood glamour, still seen as the high point of the franchise.

Two years later the beloved duo returns, now with a child. The adventure is bigger, the stunts wilder and the mythology deeper, introducing the iconic Scorpion King. The effects are spectacular, though not always well aged, and the pace is high. Despite the fun, the sequel lacks some of the magic and surprise of its predecessor.

Instead of Egypt's familiar sands, this film chooses the frozen plains of China. Rick and Evelyn, now played by Maria Bello, are joined by their grown son in the fight against a cursed emperor played by Jet Li. The setting and the Terracotta Army offer a fun twist, but the film feels more generic, with less heart and a less playful tone.

Tom Cruise was brought in to launch a new 'Dark Universe', Universal's ambitious plan to revive classic monsters in modern blockbusters. The Mummy was meant to be the kickoff but ended up a confusing mix of action spectacle and muddled mythology. Sofia Boutella impresses as the evil princess Ahmanet, but the film lacks the charm, lightness and focus of the earlier films, and the Dark Universe was quickly abandoned.

This new take, from director Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise) with Blumhouse and James Wan's Atomic Monster, returns to the essence: pure horror. No bombastic franchise-building, but a dark, gruesome retelling with a fresh cast, aiming to finally restore the balance between scares and story.