Top 10 Must-Watch Mummy Films Ever Made, Ranked

The Mummy, like many classic horror movie icons, has appeared in numerous films, with some interpretations being more successful than others. As one of Universal's classic movie monsters, The Mummy character is recognized as an iconic figure in scary movies, branching out into various genres since its debut in 1932. While Egyptian mummies were real, the supernatural portrayal of a reanimated creature covered in sand has taken on different forms over time.

Following the popularity of the original The Mummy film, Universal released several sequels in the 1940s to capitalize on its success. The character was later revived in the '90s with a new action-adventure twist in The Mummy franchise, departing from the traditional horror genre. More recently, The Mummy was part of Universal's unsuccessful Dark Universe franchise revival attempt. Despite this setback, the bandaged monster has had more hits than misses, solidifying its status as a Halloween staple in popular culture.

The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

Director: Harold Young

The Mummy next to Lon Chaney in 1942's The Mummy's Tomb - Director: Harold Young - The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

The Mummy's Tomb is another sequel following the 1932 film The Mummy. Unfortunately, it doesn't bring much new to the table, sticking closely to the original script. The story revolves around the undead Kharis seeking revenge for the desecration of his lover's tomb, leading to a series of vengeful murders. The film follows a familiar pattern seen in early Universal monster movies, including the kidnapping of a beautiful woman. Some scenes are even reused from previous films, making it a typical monster movie.

The Mummy's Tomb even re-uses footage from The Mummy's Hand and Frankenstein, leaving it a literal stock monster movie.

The Mummy's Curse (1944)

Director: Leslie Goodwins

The cast of The Mummy's Curse - Director: Leslie Goodwins - The Mummy's Curse (1944)

The Mummy's Curse (1944)

The final installment of the original black-and-white series of Mummy movies from Universal's early days, The Mummy's Curse brings the series to a lackluster conclusion. The plot, which had already been recycled in previous films, borrows elements from The Creature From the Black Lagoon with its Louisiana swamp setting. While the inclusion of a female Mummy, Princess Ananka, is a unique concept, it is clear that this idea was influenced by The Bride of Frankenstein, released nearly a decade earlier.

Director: Reginal Le Borg

Lon Chaney Jr. as The Mummy in The Mummy's Ghost  - Director: Reginal Le Borg - The Mummy's Ghost (1944)

In 1940, Universal released The Mummy's Ghost, a sequel to The Mummy's Curse, featuring Lon Chaney Jr. as the main monster. The film steps up its game with improved presentation and cinematography, showcasing the spiritual possession and return of The Mummy in a stylish manner. Despite the lackluster human characters, the movie surprises viewers with a twist ending that compensates for its slower moments.

Director: Christy Cabanne

Andoheb controlling Kharis in The Mummy's Hand - Director: Christy Cabanne - The Mummy's Hand (1940)

The sequel to the original The Mummy, inspired by the success of other Universal monster sequels, The Mummy's Hand successfully brings back the chills of the first movie. It also introduces a touch of humor to the Mummy's story, with some jokes that have aged so poorly they circle back to being funny, albeit unintentionally. Despite not being the top Mummy film, the engaging characters and amusing humor of The Mummy's Hand make it a worthwhile watch even today.

Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy (1955)

Director: Charles Lamont

Abbott and Costello in Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy - Director: Charles Lamont - Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy (1955)

Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy fully embraces the comedic side of the mummy theme. As part of the Abbott and Costello series with Universal monsters, the famous comedy duo finds humor in their roles as treasure hunters in Egypt. However, despite the title, the Mummy itself doesn't get much screen time, as neither Boris Karloff nor Lon Chaney Jr. return to play the iconic role.

Scooby-Doo! In Where's My Mummy? (2005)

Director: Joe Sichta

Scooby-Doo In Wheres My Mummy - Director: Joe Sichta - Scooby-Doo! In Where's My Mummy? (2005)

The subject of mummies has made its way into a straight-to-video Scooby-Doo movie from the mid-2000s. The Egyptian backdrop adds a colorful twist to the usual Mystery Inc. adventures. Watching The Mummy chase after the gang brings back nostalgic memories that the film cleverly plays on. However, the storyline is filled with a surprisingly complicated and confusing villain plan that leaves viewers with more questions than answers.

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Director: Stephen Sommers

Rick, Alex, and Evie looking at something in shock in The Mummy Returns - Director: Stephen Sommers - The Mummy Returns (2001)

The Mummy Returns is the second movie in the Brendan Fraser The Mummy series. It brings back familiar elements from the first film and adds new twists to the story. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz continue to shine with their great on-screen chemistry. The introduction of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as The Scorpion King also leaves a lasting impact on the series and kickstarts his acting career. However, this time, the focus on action and outdated special effects overshadows the plot and characters, slightly diminishing the charm of the first film.

Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

Director: Don Coscarelli

Bruce Campbell as Elvis Presley in Bubba Ho-Tep - Director: Don Coscarelli - Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)

Bubba Ho-Tep is a uniquely bizarre film, with a storyline that has become legendary in the world of cinema. Bruce Campbell stars as Elvis, who is revealed to have faked his own death, facing off against a cowboy-styled re-animated Mummy. Despite its enjoyable weirdness and intentional cheesiness, the film also delivers a surprisingly thoughtful message about aging. While it may not be the easiest film to access, Bubba Ho-Tep is a sincere and well-crafted movie that holds its own among the top Mummy-themed works.

The Mummy (1999)

Director: Stephen Sommers

Brendan Fraser as Rick in The Mummy (1999) - Director: Stephen Sommers

Brendan Fraser's iconic action-adventure film, The Mummy, quickly became a fan favorite and paved the way for a successful franchise. Thanks to its clever humor and impressive special effects, the movie transformed The Mummy from a slow-moving zombie into a formidable supernatural villain with mysterious abilities. This groundbreaking take on the classic monster has set a high standard for any future films that dare to feature the Egyptian ghoul as the antagonist.

The Mummy (1932)

Director: Karl Freund

The-Mummy-1932 - Director: Karl Freund - The Mummy (1932)

...The Mummy holds up as a well-made creature feature that birthed a wholly new pop culture villain.

Without the original The Mummy, we might never have seen ancient Egyptian funeral customs become a part of pop culture. This movie came out just ten years after rumors of the Mummy's curse were all over the news. The film is full of spooky spirits, creating a tense atmosphere in black and white. Starring Boris Karloff as a Universal monster, The Mummy is a classic creature feature that introduced a new villain to pop culture.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Mummy franchise, highlighting its evolution from a classic horror icon to a multifaceted character featured in various genres. The author effectively showcases the different interpretations of the Mummy over time, from its supernatural origins to its action-packed adventures. The inclusion of images and detailed descriptions of each film adds depth to the analysis, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the franchise's history and impact.

Overall, the article is well-written and informative, providing valuable insights into the Mummy's enduring legacy in popular culture. It successfully captures the essence of the franchise while acknowledging its highs and lows. The inclusion of lesser-known films like "Bubba Ho-Tep" demonstrates the author's thorough research and appreciation for the Mummy's diverse cinematic representations.