Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz had the kind of on-screen chemistry in The Mummy that rivaled the best romantic comedies, and it is why, even more than thirty years later, fans are ecstatic that Universal made a third sequel officially in the works. Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan worked because they were funny, stubborn and wildly capable in very different ways, with Evie refusing to be reduced to a damsel in distress. According to Fraser, it did not take long for Weisz to prove she understood Evelyn on a deeper level than the people in the room who were trying to cast her. In fact, there was one specific moment he knew ‘she was right’ for the role.

During a C2E2 panel (via Popverse) ahead of The Mummy 4, Fraser recalled doing a chemistry read with Weisz at Universal Studios and realizing she had already found the character’s spine. He explained:

The George of the Jungle star said the scene involved deciphering a treasure map. The real reveal came when the casting director gave the British actress a note about what Evie wanted. As the Whale performer tells it:

The scene did not ultimately did not make it into the finished 1999 movie, but it was pivotal for Weisz nabbing the role and Fraser understanding why she was perfect for it.

That is a fantastic little time-capsule moment because it explains why the character still works so well, even for new audiences, maybe just discovering it while streaming on their HBO Max subscription. She could have easily been written or played as the bookish love interest who gets swept into Rick O’Connell’s adventure, but instead, Weisz treated her as someone with her own hunger, her own ego and her own need to prove she belonged in rooms full of men who underestimated her.

I'm not sure how long it's been since you have rewatched 1999’s The Mummy, but if you'll recall, Evie is funny because she is brilliant and chaotic. She knocks things over, gets flustered, reads ancient texts, argues her case and occasionally unleashes ancient evil. The character always feels alive, usually one step away from either saving everyone or making the situation spectacularly worse. Undoubtedly, we owe that to the actress who brought her to the big screen.

Rachel Weisz’s Return Makes The New Mummy Movie More Interesting

Weisz is expected to return for the recently announced Mummy 4. Per reports, the untitled sequel is set to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. The franchise has tried to move forward without OG Evie in the role before, but the absence of The Lobster actress was hard to ignore in the much-maligned third flick, The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Honestly, I do feel her chemistry with Fraser helped define the original film and The Mummy Returns. To me, Rick and Evie worked because neither one felt like a passenger in the other’s story. He had the survival instincts, and she had the knowledge, drive and nerve to chase the impossible into a cursed city.

The Doom Patrol actor’s anecdote proves that the dynamic was present between the actors before cameras really started rolling, and that’s because Weisz wasn’t just trying to win the part, but was already defending Evie from being misunderstood. Man, I am so ready to see her back in this part in a fourth installment.

On a professional front, Brendan Fraser’s next big-screen outing is the 2026 movie calendar release Pressure. In the upcoming page-to-screen adaptation of the stage play, Fraser plays Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The film hits theaters May 29, 2026.

It’s official, Brendan Fraser is returning to his iconic role of Rick O’Connell for The Mummy 4, and I can’t wait. The movie is slated to come out in a year and a half, and the actor is getting ready to enter prep for the film – which sounds like it will include a lot of gym time.

When Fraser appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week to promote Pressure, which is among upcoming 2026 movie releases, The Mummy 4 came up. And he had this to say:

It’s been twenty-seven years since the first The Mummy movie came out and nearly twenty since the third movie, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. So the actor is a bit out of practice when it comes to starring in an action film. But as he shared on the late night show, he’s going to try his hardest to get in shape to reprise his beloved role.

For The Mummy 4, he’ll be reuniting not only with Rachel Weisz’s Evie but John Hannah – who played her brother Jonathan. He also said the movie will get the “band back together” as well, so we expect more returning actors. When asked about if he was expecting to play the role again, he said this:

Fraser has apparently been asked by fans for years about going back to the franchise, and was ultimately interested in going back to a role that’s “brought a lot of people together” over the years. The movie is in the hands of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, who previously revived the Scream franchise along with making the Ready or Not films. I'm so curious about how the horror-comedy leaning filmmakers will handle the sequel.

Fraser’s comments about what to expect from The Mummy 4 also heavily suggested he and the cast would be back in Egypt for this fourth installment. That’s in line with what we’ve heard previously about how movies are set to film in the UK and Morocco.

We expect Fraser will be in training mode after he’s had a chance to see through the press tour for Pressure, which has the actor playing General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the tense 72 hours before D-Day. Pressure comes to theaters on May 29 of this year and you can mark your calendars for The Mummy 4 for October 15, 2027.

Anyone who checked out last week’s box office numbers, when Michael Jackson told Mario to beat it, may be shocked to see just how much the Top 10 list has changed. Five of the movies that hit the 2026 movie schedule this weekend have claimed spots, giving the list below a major overhaul, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 slaying the competition as if it were a runway on fashion week. I’ll get into some interesting reasons why this debut was so significant, especially for Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt.

Despite relinquishing their previous box office spots, Michael crossed another milestone this week after moonwalking over records in its first three days, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie surpassed $400 million domestically after five weekends.

Check out the chart below, and then we’ll break down this week’s highlights.

Weekend Box Office: May 1-3, 2026

* denotes new release

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Makes That Box Office Crown Look Good

The Devil Wears Prada 2 didn’t need Crisco or fishing line to slide right into that No. 1 spot at the box office this weekend, earning $77 million domestically, per The Numbers, as it strutted right past the $66 million projections from last week. That gives Miranda Priestly and company the fourth-best start of 2026:

1. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: $131 million (April 1)
2. Michael: $97.5 million (May 24)
3. Project Hail Mary: $80 million (March 20)
4. The Devil Wears Prada 2: $77 million (May 1)

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway’s reunion picked up another $156.6 million from markets outside of the U.S. and Canada to earn a worldwide total of $233.6 million. Not only did that beat out the rest of the week’s movies, but it stomped all over its 2006 predecessor.

The Devil Wears Prada: Then And Now

This weekend’s $77 million premiere for the sequel eclipsed The Devil Wears Prada’s 2006 domestic box office pull of $27.5 million. In fact, the original movie that has had us quoting Miranda Priestly, Nigel Kipling and the rest of the Runway gang for 20 years ended its global run with $326 million. With The Devil Wears Prada 2’s worldwide opening of $233.6 million, it’s already 72% of the way to earning more than the original.

The current movie does, however, have a bigger budget to make back. The first movie was reportedly made for around $40 million, while The Devil Wears Prada 2 carried a much larger price tag of $100 million (most of which, according to The New York Times, went to cast salaries). Compare them all you like, but there’s no arguing they’re both box office wins.

No Marvel? No Problem.

There’s another interesting metric when it comes to this weekend’s box office winner. This is the first time a film marketed toward women has won the first weekend of May, Deadline points out, with the summer opener typically dominated by Marvel. The MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday was originally scheduled for this weekend before being pushed to December. Here are some past examples, per Box Office Mojo:

• Thunderbolts*: $76 million (May 2, 2025)
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: $118.4 million (May 5, 2023)
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: $185 million (May 6, 2022)
• Captain America: Civil War: $179.1 million (May 6, 2016)
• Avengers: Age of Ultron: $191.2 million (May 1, 2015)
• Iron Man 3: $174.1 million (May 3, 2013)
• The Avengers: $207.4 million (May 4, 2012)
• Iron Man 2: 128.1 million (May 7, 2010)
• Iron Man: $98.6 million (May 2, 2008)

The Devil Wears Prada 2 had no problem filling those big shoes, as its global $233.6 million also reportedly served as the biggest opening weekend ever for Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt, respectively beating Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again’s $90 million from 2018, and Oppenheimer’s $176 million opening in 2023.

Michael And Mario Are Still Going Strong

Michael and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie may have dropped a spot to the almighty Devil sequel, but there’s no reason for concern. The Michael Jackson biopic earned another $54 million domestically — falling just 44% from last weekend — for a domestic total so far of $183.8. Add an additional $240.1 million internationally to cross the $400 million mark with a worldwide total of $423.9 million.

Deadline reports that by the end of Monday, May 4, Michael will become Lionsgate’s biggest domestic title post-pandemic, knocking off John Wick: Chapter 4 ($187.1 million).

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie surpassed $400 million domestically this weekend, now standing at $402.7 million and nearing the $900 million mark globally with $894.2 million.

What Critics And Audiences Thought Of This Weekend’s Other Premieres

There were several other movies that premiered this weekend, and while they might not have been as big as The Devil Wears Prada 2, they certainly mixed things up in the Top 10. Hokum may have gotten a push from positive reviews for its 5th-place finish, so let’s take a look at how all of this week’s premieres scored on Rotten Tomatoes and CinemaScore:

Other than Animal Farm — Andy Serkis’ animated book-to-screen adaptation of the George Orwell classic starring Seth Rogen — audiences seemed pleased with the weekend’s offerings. We’ll have to see which ones can hang on with summer blockbusters on the way.

What Competition Will Next Week’s Releases Offer?

So what titles are coming next weekend that might challenge The Devil Wears Prada 2 or possibly break the stronghold that Michael, Mario and Project Hail Mary have on the Top 5? Mortal Kombat II, starring The Boys’ Karl Urban is on deck, as well as another book adaptation in The Sheep Detectives, which boasts a stacked cast and bonkers trailer.

The upcoming video game adaptation is expected to make between $40 million and $50 million, per Box Office Theory, which would have it competing for the top spot. The Sheep Detectives, meanwhile, is expecting $10 million to $16 million.

Of course, we’re also already looking ahead a couple of weeks to The Mandalorian and Grogu. The Star Wars spinoff is looking at anywhere between $71 million and $100 million when it arrives in theaters on May 22, and at face value that seems like a win. However, in a franchise that’s used to films that break into the billions by the end of their runs, will The Mandalorian and Grogu be seen as a failure?

Be sure to check in every Sunday so we can break down the box office and what the numbers all mean.

It was no surprise that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie maintained its stronghold on the box office this weekend, bringing in another $35 million in its third weekend in theaters. However, that doesn’t mean the milestones have stopped coming, as the video game adaptation sequel has officially become the biggest movie of the year worldwide. Mario, Luigi and the gang triple-jumped their way to global earnings totaling $747.5 million, surpassing the Chinese sports flick Pegasus 3’s $641.1 million.

Meanwhile, Project Hail Mary remains stellar after a month in theaters, and Lee Cronin’s The Mummy got a nice international boost but settled for a third-place opening in the U.S. and Canada. Check out the Top 10 chart below.

Weekend Box Office: April 17-19, 2026

LW = last week’s chart position; THTRS = number of screens; * denotes new release

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Continues To Trail Its Predecessor

No new release on the 2026 movie schedule was strong enough to dethrone our favorite Italian plumbers this week, as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued its domination of the box office. It now has a commanding lead over the rest of the year’s global releases, according to Box Office Mojo, with $392.2 million of its $747.5 million total coming from international markets.

We’ve been tracking the week-by-week comparisons with its 2023 predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and, unsurprisingly, the sequel failed for the third week in a row to rake in as much cash as its predecessor domestically. The breakdown is as follows (per The Numbers):

The 2026 sequel may not be seeing numbers as high as the 2023 blockbuster, but its success is nothing to sneeze at, particularly since The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary have combined forces to put the movie industry on track to surpass $9 billion in domestic ticket sales for the first time in nearly a decade.

That dynamic duo gives the box office a strong start with some big projects coming down the line, including upcoming Marvel movies like Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday; a new Star Wars flick, The Mandalorian & Grogu; Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey; Dune: Part Three; and more.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Settles For Third

The latest of the Universal Monster remakes performed as expected with its $13.5 million opener. While this movie isn’t seeing quite as much bank as Cronin’s previous directorial effort (Evil Dead Rise opened with $23.5 million, coincidentally premiering against The Super Mario Bros. Movie in its third weekend), it saw a nice international boost.

Totaling $34 million worldwide, The Mummy is already on its way to making back its reported $22 million budget (which is calculated without marketing and distribution costs). I’m interested to see how its second weekend goes and what kind of longevity the horror flick has, particularly with its mixed reviews.

The biggest complaint about Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is that it’s not really a mummy movie, which harkens back to last year’s Wolf Man interpretation, which — as we said in CinemaBlend’s review of Wolf Man — wasn’t really a werewolf movie. That flick finished its theatrical run with $34.1 million globally, with a similarly small budget, so The Mummy has already beat that.

Week 2 News: Faces Of Death Shows No Signs Of Life, And You, Me & Tuscany Is Barely Hanging On

After a disappointing debut in fourth place, You, Me & Tuscany fell another spot to No. 5 this week, dropping 51% weekend over weekend. It’s disheartening news for the rom-com — and for the genre in general — particularly since it has a 93% score from Rotten Tomatoes’ audience. How is word-of-mouth advertising not working here? Are moviegoers too good for Regé-Jean Page’s bare chest?

At least Halle Bailey’s movie didn’t drop off as much as Faces of Death. The meta remake premiered at No. 7 last week but dropped out of the Top 10 altogether after losing 82% of its weekend-to-weekend audience. It brought in just $300,000 domestically from Friday to Sunday for just under $2.5 million over 10 days. I don’t see it making back its reported $7.4 million budget.

The Drama continues a relatively strong run, with another $4.8 million contributing to its worldwide earnings of $81.8 million after three weekends.

I’m looking forward to seeing how next week shakes out, especially with the upcoming wide release of Mother Mary, which earned $168,000 from just five theaters this weekend. Reviews for Anne Hathaway’s psychosexual pop thriller have me excited for it and, hey, speaking of (the king of) pop and “Thriller,” next week will also see the release of Michael, the upcoming musical biopic about Michael Jackson. Stay tuned to see where the new releases fall.

The latest upcoming horror movie to hit theaters is a new take on a genre classic from producers James Wan and Jason Blum called Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. And whether you’ve been to theaters to see it, or are summoning up the courage, you might be curious to know how the heck the production pulled off all that skin flaying! CinemaBlend had to find out.

When Eric Eisenberg sat down with Wan of Atomic Monster, Blum of Blumhouse Productions and Cronin, he asked about what the horrifying skin in the movie is actually made of. It made for a hilarious little moment. Check out the clip below:

When asked about the “actual material” used to make the audience believe some of the characters’ skin is not A-OK, at first, Cronin answered by saying it was “human skin” with a completely straight face before getting serious. Here’s what he had to say candidly about the process:

So, when you’re watching The Mummy, and you’re terrified by all the body horror stuff, perhaps this conversation can help ground things a bit. But, I’m going to be honest, I still think this movie is going to haunt you in all the right ways.

The first reactions to Lee Cronin’s The Mummy have incited all sorts of strong reactions for “not hold[ing] back”, having “ghoulish scares” and “without question, the most terrifying and disgusting Mummy movie you’ll ever see”. The movie earned a high audience score on Rotten Tomatoes of 78%, too.

The movie was thought up by Lee Cronin after someone asked him about when there was a “really, really terrifying” version of the story that’s typically been either a campy slasher or more of an action-adventure. You can check out the stress-inducing The Mummy trailer below:

The movie centers around a couple whose young daughter goes missing in the Egyptian desert. Eight years after her disappearance, she comes back into their lives when she is found mummified in a sarcophagus, yet somehow still alive. Her parents decide to move her back home, but it’s not long before she starts behaving erratically and horrors start occurring. It’s playing in theaters now. And, while you’re here, you can check out the same filmmakers that talked about the comeback of body horror here on CinemaBlend.

Like many '90s kids, The Mummy with Brendan Fraser was a totally big deal. It’s basically my generation’s Indiana Jones. So when it was announced that he and Rachel Weisz are coming back for The Mummy 4 thanks to a reportedly “good script”, I got just as excited as one could get about a sequel and seeing Rick O’Connell back in action. But, then I remembered one thorn in my side about the original… its subpar Arab representation.

How The 1999 Movie Handled Its Arab Characters

Now, here’s the thing. Of all the things we know about The Mummy 4, we don’t know for sure where the story takes place, but per The Hollywood Reporter, it’s set to shoot in Morocco and London, which has me thinking it will take us back to the nostalgia of the original and perhaps be set in Egypt again. Another thing I want to bring up here, is the subject I’m talking about isn’t only a problem The Mummy has. A lot of Hollywood movies about the Middle East get it totally wrong. I’m just the one with an Arab-American dad who pointed it out my whole life, and who's raising my hand now that I have a platform to.

Looking back from a casting standpoint, not a single Arab actor is in 1999’s The Mummy, despite so many of the characters supposedly being native to Egypt. The leader of the Medjai warriors Ardeth Bay is played by Israeli actor Oded Fehr, the hilarious character of Beni Gabor is played by Kevin J. O'Connor (who is an American, apparently of Irish descent), Warden Gad Hassan is played by Persian actor Omid Djalili and so forth. I can go on, but to sum things up there’s not one to be found. Hey, maybe in the background?

But, it's not only that, the Egyptian characters of The Mummy are often used as a punchline or demoted to play stereotypes, too. It’s kind of frustrating given it was one of the few Hollywood movies I had growing up that actually was set in the Middle East, and could have taken the opportunity to cast the breadth of Arab actors who often don't get these kinds of opportunities.

What Needs To Change In The Mummy 4

If The Mummy 4 does end up being set in a Middle East country, I hope that over 25 years later Hollywood can show me (and the Arab-American dads and such of the world) that it’s actually grown when it comes to representing the people of the Middle East and does better by being set in this part of the world. How places are represented in movies really does make a more difference to culture and public perception than Hollywood producers probably think, and it’s harmful when the Middle East is minimized in the media.

And while the representation of minorities has clearly improved in recent years, there's been very little movement for actors hailing from the Middle East and North Africa. In a study done by UCLA last year for 2024 movie releases, there were literally zero Middle Eastern among the top theatrical movies, and I can honestly guess that 2025 and 2026 aren't much different.

So, while I’m very into The Mummy 4 and the movies bringing back more of the original actors like John Hannah, I’m also hoping it can become a platform to have more authentic representation of Arab characters within it as well. Right now the movie is expected to come out on May 19, 2028, so we’ll be getting plenty of updates as the production gets ready.

The opportunity to do a mummy movie that was a truly terrifying experience was what Lee Cronin says attracted him to the project, and now, hitting the 2026 movie release calendar, we’ve got the finished product in Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. This iteration centers around a girl, Katie, who has been found alive(?) eight years after being abducted. First reactions had moviegoers dropping a lot of F-bombs, so let’s see if critics can expound on those a little now that they’ve had time to process.

Natalie Grace portrays the so-called monster in this iteration, but in addition to wondering if this even counts as a mummy movie, most critics seem to agree that at over two hours, the movie’s just simply too long. In his review of Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, Guy Lodge of Variety says there’s “no earthly (or unearthly) reason” for the upcoming horror movie to have a 133-minute runtime. Lodge writes:

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN rates it a “Good” 7 out of 10, writing that Lee Cronin’s The Mummy will be “one of the saddest, funniest, messiest, and above all, meanest horror flicks” you see this year. It’s so ugly that movie fans’ mileage for such horrors may vary, but genre fans are likely in for a decent ride. Adlakha says:

Dan Jolin of Empire gives it 3 stars out of 5, saying the “domestic chills, body horror, paranormal scares and gore-drenched action” should keep horror hounds happy, even as sticklers will likely agree this isn’t really a mummy movie. Jolin continues:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire grades the film a C-, writing that anyone who wants to see “a possessed child peel semi-congealed strips of rotten flesh off their leg” will have a blast at Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. But that may be it, Ehrlich says:

Johnny Oleksinski of the NY Post rates it 1.5 out of 4 stars, agreeing with other critics that it feels more like The Exorcist than a mummy movie and is both “diabolically long and determinedly uninteresting.” Lee Cronin’s effort made this critic yearn for the days of Dwayne Johnson’s rocky acting in The Scorpion King, and he found himself wishing Brendan Fraser would heroically swing in to save the day. Oleksinski writes:

While the critics seem to agree the mummy movie — if you can even call it that — doesn’t need to be over two hours, not all of the reviews are bad. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy has a 53% Rotten Tomatoes score as of this writing, so if you decide this sounds like an experience you need to see for yourself, you can catch the movie in theaters starting Friday, April 17.

Those who've followed some of the most buzzworthy horror movies to be released as of late may have noticed that body horror has been back in a big way. And that trend continues with the latest title on the schedule of upcoming horror movies, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. If you’ve been wondering why the subgenre (which had its heyday in the 1980s) is back, know that CinemaBlend talked to horror Cronin and producer James Wan to get their thoughts about why grotesque body transformations are all the rage right now.

James Wan is easily one of the most prolific horror filmmakers to have worked in the past few decades. Throughout his career, Wan has worked in directorial and producing capacities for franchises like Saw, The Conjuring, Insidious and M3GAN. This new The Mummy movie honestly feels on brand for him in the best possible way. In terms of the resurgence of body horror, here's what Wan shared with CB:

As Wan explained, much like fashion, different sides of the horror genre cycle in and out of interest among filmmakers and the audiences who watch them over time. In the past few years, body horror initially seemed to gain traction through more niche titles like Swallow, Possessor and Titane. And then The Substance became a cultural touchstone when it earned mass praise and awards buzz, including earning five Oscar nominations. (The Demi Moore-led film ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Makeup & Hairstyling.)

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy presents a lot of body-based scares and provides a off-kilter story as well. The film follows a family dealing with the fallout of their young daughter, Katie, going missing. Eight years after she mysteriously disappears in the Egyptian desert, she returns, but only after having been locked away in an ancient sarcophagi with 57 other individuals. The parents bring their child home to New Mexico but, as the film's trailer teases, it’s perhaps the most terrifying family reunion someone will ever have.

Cronin, who wrote and directed this new Mummy flick, found himself hooked into the project after being asked when there had ever been an adaptation of The Mummy that was “really, really terrifying.” During our interview, Cronin shared a thoughtful take on the reason for body horror's uptick in popularity:

The first reactions to Lee Cronin’s The Mummy have been quite visceral, with people using adjectives like "freaky" and "disgusting" to describe it. Of course, those sentiments were very much meant to be complimentary to the movie’s direction. This movie is definitely a far cry from Brendan Fraser's The Mummy franchise, which is getting a fourth installment. Still, horror hounds looking for body-based frights will surely want to see what Cronin's been cooking up.

Check Lee Cronin's The Mummy when it hits theaters this Friday, April 17. In the meantime, read up on other scary fare that's set to hit the 2026 movie schedule.

When looking at this year’s lineup horror movie offerings, you’ve got some flicks like Scream 7 and Send Help, where you can expect plenty of laughs to cushion a good amount of gore. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy does not look like that kind of movie. Eight years after Charlie and Larissa Cannon’s daughter Katie went missing, she’s found alive in a sarcophagus, and as you can guess, things are not OK. First reactions have arrived, and let’s just say the F-bombs are flying freely.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is set to be released on the 2026 movie calendar on April 17, so early screenings are underway. For some like Courtney Howard, the “sick and demented” premise of what happened to the girl was still bothersome hours later. The critic calls the movie “gruesome and gnarly,” writing on X:

Critic Brandon Davis also seems to have had quite the experience when screening the upcoming horror movie, dropping an F-bomb as he says The Mummy should appeal to fans of The Conjuring. His post reads:

The movie stars Jack Reynor and Laia Costa as Katie’s parents, with Natalie Grace getting lots of praise for her performance as the titular character/abducted girl. According to Bill Bria of SlashFilm, it seems like Lee Cronin’s The Mummy might have one-upped other disturbing films in the genre, and he has strong feelings about it, writing:

One scene in particular stuck out for X user anthakneee, providing a fresh dose of nightmare fuel. The movie fan posts:

Erik Nordgren has some great adjectives to describe the experience, saying it would fit right in with Lee Cronin’s 2023 Evil Dead offering. Nordgren says:

He isn’t the only one making the Evil Dead Rise connection, with others agreeing that if you liked that one, The Mummy should be a win as well. Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment posts:

Chris Killian of ComicBook.com also agrees, calling this is definitely a new brand of mummy movie. The critic posts on X:

If you saw the trailer for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy and said, “Wow, that looks terribly dark and nightmarish," I’d say you were right, given the amount of F-bombs and otherwise strong first reactions from early screenings. If this reimagined version of the classic movie monster via child abduction intrigues you, be sure to check the supernatural fun out in theaters starting Friday, April 17.

After years of desire and speculation around The Mummy 4, last month Universal made the sequel official, and with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz as its leads. While the return of Evelyn and Rick O’Connell is a big treat in itself, another big part of what makes the original movies so good has officially been added to the 2028 action horror movie. And thus, my excitement grows.!

The Mummy 4’s Latest Casting Update Just Made My Day

After I saw some rumors that John Hannah might be returning for The Mummy 4, The Hollywood Reporter just confirmed them to be true. The actor, of course, played Evie's brother, Jonathan Carnahan, across the past three Mummy movies, and this new movie honestly wouldn’t be the same without him. As you might recall, while Evelyn is all about the historical discoveries she can make as an Egyptologist, her brother is always scheming for fame and fortune.

He’s actually the character who starts the whole adventure of The Mummy when he presents his sister with an ancient map to the fictional and legendary cursed Egyptian city of Hamunaptra. The map leads them to Fraser’s Rick O’Connell and to uncover some spooky mummies.

Why I Think Jonathan Will Only Make The Mummy 4 Better

I don’t know how long it’s been since you rewatched 1999’s The Mummy, but if you have recently, you must know how pivotal John Hannah is to the film. Sure, Rick and Evie’s chemistry as blossoming lovers is just the best, but Hannah provides some really stellar comic relief to the original that really ties together the whole thing. I’ve always thought of The Mummy as having a perfect trio in Fraser, Weisz and Hannah’s performances, and whenever I’ve revisited the modern classic, I’m always laughing out loud over so many of Jonathan’s moments. It wouldn’t hit the same if he wasn't in the mix.

The Mummy 4 is being helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known as Radio Silence. They brought back the Scream movies with the recent sequels, along with the Ready or Not movies. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come just arrived in theaters last weekend, and it had us looking forward to how the filmmakers will handle a couple of specific things in The Mummy 4. Recently, the Radio Silence guys have said they knew they had to have a “good script” in order to entice Fraser and Weisz back, and clearly scriptwriter David Coggeshall met their expectations.

The Mummy 4 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. While we wait, there’s a completely different kind of Mummy movie among the upcoming horror movies set to be released on April 17. It’s apparently going to be a “really, really terrifying one” if you’re into that sort of thing. I gotta say, my interest in this action comedy has eclipsed any other Mummy iterations, and I cannot wait for more updates on the movie. The Mummy 4 reportedly set to film in London and Morocco this fall!

When it comes to the big mummy movies of the past, "adventure" has been a key part of the equation – especially when it comes to more modern titles. The blockbusters starring Brendan Fraser and Tom Cruise certainly have their freaky moments, but there was clearly more of an emphasis put on action than terror by the productions. That is most definitely not the case with the latest Mummy film, though. While audiences may have a certain idea of what to expect from a work with the titular monster, director Lee Cronin's principal reason for taking on the upcoming horror movie was taking the classic cinematic idea and crafting something that would properly capitalize on its scariness.

Cronin spoke about his vision for The Mummy during an on-set interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend (the new issue now on sale!), and he admitted that he never really thought much about telling a story with linen-wrapped corpses until he was approached about making his follow up to 2023's Evil Dead Rise. He was approached and given an idea to chew on, and that idea has blossomed into his third feature as a director. He explained,

While most past Mummy movies have centered on adventurers who make a mistake going into the wrong tomb, Lee Cronin's The Mummy has unique set up that begins when a family vacation in Cairo takes a horrible turn. Jack Reynor and Laia Costa play a pair of parents who experience a true nightmare when one of their two children, Katie (Natalie Grace), goes missing. Eight years later, Katie is miraculously found alive in a sarcophagus and returned to her loving family… but as you can probably guess, she's been through a few changes since she's been gone.

You can get a preview of the unholy reunion via the trailer for Lee Cronin's The Mummy below:

Katie is at the center of madness that unleashes once she is returned to her family, and while audiences will have to wait to see the movie to find out exactly what's going on, Lee Cronin makes it sound like he had a blast taking what audiences already know about cinematic mummies and changing things up to be a new experience. The scale of the production doesn't match the aforementioned Brendan Fraser and Tom Cruise titles, but it has its own scope and own ideas about how to approach something that feels very familiar in the horror genre. Said Cronin,

What mysterious dangers can we expect? Lips are sealed at the moment, but we are now just weeks away from getting all of the answers, as Lee Cronin's The Mummy will be arriving in theaters everywhere on April 17.

The Mummy franchise has been making headlines again in 2026 with the confirmation of another sequel, but many fans don’t need news of a fourth movie to want to revisit the classic 1999 film that started it all. In fact, as somebody who watched the The Mummy many times as one of the best movies of the ‘90s on VHS back in the day, leading man Brendan Fraser’s recent comments about his love for the franchise have me hyped to go back to the world that was introduced to viewers nearly thirty years ago… and it doesn’t hurt that I’d just rewatched the original with my Hulu subscription.

Brendan Fraser was joined by fellow franchise stars John Hannah, Oded Fehr, and Patricia Velasquez on the stage at Fan Expo Cleveland for a Mummy reunion. In front of a packed room of fans (who largely seemed to be my fellow millennials who had also watched Rick O’Connell and Co. running through the sands of Egypt in the late ‘90s), Fraser addressed the lingering fan love for the movie and the reason why he’s on board to reprise the role decades later:

As you can imagine, the room was full of cheers after Brendan Fraser credited fans for motivating him to return to playing Rick O’Connell for the first time since The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor released in theaters (without Rachel Weisz) in 2008, although the original 1999 version and the 2001 sequel remain the favorites among fans.

The Mummy 4 directors have confirmed Tomb of the Dragon Emperor won’t be considered canon for the new movie, with Weisz returning to her iconic role as Evie O’Connell. Weisz and Brendan Fraser’s reported requirement for signing on was that they love the script, and that seems to be the case. Suffice it to say that for fans of the original cast, the wait for The Mummy 4 in 2028 is going to feel very long!

I rewatched The Mummy for the first time in many years ahead of the cast reunion at Fan Expo Cleveland, and had just about as good a time circa 2026 as I did the all the times I watched it as a kid. It turns out that Rick yelling “Looks to me like you’re on the wrong side of the river!” at Beni is as funny in my 30s as it was as a youngster in the ‘90s, and the action still stands up… as does the horror of how the big bad killed the Americans by stealing all their organs.

All in all, it was a good time ahead of hearing Brendan Fraser’s emotional explanation for wanting to bring his character back to the fans. If you also want to revisit The Mummy, you can find the 1999 original streaming on Hulu now, along with The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. And if you want to see the 2017 version of The Mummy that starred Tom Cruise but failed to kickstart a new franchise, you can find it streaming with an HBO Max subscription now

A lot of franchises have that one installment that fans quietly wish hadn’t been made. For The Mummy, that movie is almost always The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. The 2008 sequel took the action out of Egypt, recast a major character and one of the series’ most beloved stars, and never quite captured the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that made the first two films so rewatchable. And now, as excitement builds for the upcoming The Mummy 4, it sounds like the filmmakers might be leaning into the same head canon many fans have held for years.

Directing duo Radio Silence, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about officially bringing Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz back for the long-awaited sequel. During the conversation, the franchise timeline came up, specifically whether Tomb of the Dragon Emperor still counts as canon in the story they’re telling. Bettinelli-Olpin’s answer was… pretty telling:

And just to make sure the message landed, Gillett left nothing to the imagination. He added:

If that sounds like a polite way of saying the third movie doesn’t factor into their plans, you’re probably not alone in thinking that. To be fair, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor has always been something of an outlier in the franchise. Rachel Weisz opted not to return as Evelyn O’Connell, reportedly due to issues with the script, leaving Maria Bello to step into the role. Recasting a franchise character, especially someone so beloved as Evelyn and in one of the best action movie franchises, is a thankless task. Bello is an incredibly talented performer, but taking over such a role was always going to be a tough assignment.

The film also shifted the series’ setting from Egypt to China and swapped out director Stephen Sommers, who had helmed the first two movies. The result wasn’t without its fans, but the tone felt noticeably different. For many viewers, the absence of the Fraser-Weisz dynamic left a pretty big hole at the center of the story.

That’s part of what makes the upcoming sequel so exciting. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz returning to the bigscreen together as Rick and Evie O’Connell feels less like a simple nostalgia play and more like a deliberate effort to reconnect the franchise with what worked in the first place. And honestly, it’s hard not to get a little sentimental about that.

As for The Mummy 4, many of the details are still being kept under wraps. The filmmakers have made it clear they want the movie to capture the spirit of the original two films, but there’s still no official word on which other franchise veterans might appear alongside Fraser and Weisz.

That said, fans are already crossing their fingers for a few familiar faces. John Hannah’s Jonathan Carnahan, Evelyn’s lovable con artist brother, delivered some of the franchise’s funniest moments. And Oded Fehr’s Ardeth Bay, the stoic Medjai warrior who helped guide Rick through the chaos, remains one of the coolest supporting characters the series ever introduced.

Whether those characters return or not, one thing seems clear from Radio Silence’s comments, and that is that The Mummy 4 is looking backward to move forward. And if that means quietly pretending the third movie never happened? I have a feeling a lot of fans will happily go along with that.

The fourth installment in the Fraser/Weisz Mummy saga is currently slated to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. In the meantime, you can revisit the original trilogy with a Hulu subscription.

A new chapter of The Mummy is in development, distinct from Lee Cronin's upcoming film, which is set to release on the 2026 movie schedule in April. This project is a follow-up to the beloved ‘90s movie that launched a trilogy. After nearly 30 years, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are officially reprising their roles as the O’Connells in The Mummy 4. That's right, the iconic duo from the original 1999 movie is returning to the big screen. However, before committing to the project, they had one specific requirement.

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence, recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly and discussed how they brought Fraser and Weisz back together for The Mummy 4 after all these years. Bettinelli-Olpin hinted at the script, saying:

There you have it. Two major Hollywood A-listers don’t sign on to a project unless they genuinely believe in the screenplay. And, if you’re skeptical about that, allow me to present Exhibit A: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

The franchise’s third installment remains notoriously polarizing among fans. By most accounts, the script simply didn’t measure up. In fact, that’s reportedly one of the key reasons Rachel Weisz chose not to return, leaving Maria Bello with the unenviable task of stepping in as Evelyn. Bello is a fantastic actress, but let’s be honest: filling Evie’s black knee-high riding boots was always going to be a near-impossible assignment.

Interestingly, in this same interview, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett gave an intriguing answer when asked if Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was canon in their minds. Bettinelli-Olpin answered, “Well, Rachel is in this one,” and Gillett followed up with, “That should answer the question for you.” Well, it would seem Radio Silence has the same head canon as much of the fandom.

It’s no secret that The Mummy franchise isn’t just one of the best action movie series out there but, for a lot of us ‘90s kids, it was a gateway movie. Sure, it leans more swashbuckling adventure than straight-up horror, but it was my first real introduction to the Universal Monsters. From there, it was a straight line back to the black-and-white classics of the 1930s and a lifelong obsession with those iconic characters.

As for The Mummy 4, or whatever title they end up going with since the third film is clearly not canon, there’s still no official word on who else might join the cast or whether longtime favorites will return alongside any new faces.

That said, it’s hard to imagine the creative team skipping over John Hannah’s Jonathan Carnahan. As Evelyn’s brother and Rick’s perpetually exasperated brother-in-law, Jonathan, delivered some of the franchise’s funniest moments. The same goes for Oded Fehr, who played Ardeth Bay in the first two films. When CinemaBlend’s Mick Joest spoke with Fehr in January 2026, the actor revealed he hadn’t been contacted about a return but made it clear he’d happily sign up for another adventure.

Let's hope the script for the next Mummy movie manages to impressive other franchise alums like it did Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The film is scheduled to land in theaters on May 19, 2028 and, in the meantime, use a Hulu subscription to stream the original three installments.

As Brendan Fraser’s The Mummy 4 gets off the ground at Universal, Warner Bros. is preparing to release its own reimaging of the franchise from director Lee Cronin. Many of the details regarding Cronin’s Mummy have been under wraps (no pun intended). However, the latest trailer now sheds a considerable amount of light on what horror hounds can expect from the film. I, for one, am downright horrified (as is surely the response the filmmakers want), and this footage seems to tease a truly terrifying family reunion.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy centers around a journalist (Jack Reynor) who – alongside his wife (Laia Costa) – has had to grapple with the loss of their youngest daughter, who’s been missing for eight years. So the couple are delighted when they learn their little girl has been found alive. Their elation eventually turns to discomfort, however, when they notice that their daughter, Katie, has changed – both physically and mentally. While I don’t know the exact source of the girl’s affliction, it seems evident that she’s become one of the undead.

By all accounts, this is a great trailer (which can be seen above). It, of course, lays out the premise without giving away any major spoilers, which is much appreciated. And, of course, it also teases more than a few excellent scares, which seem to be seriously chilling, based on this compilation of shots. Honestly, a little part of me is still shaking just thinking about some of the images in this trailer. Cronin and the marketing team deserve kudos for that, even if I may have nightmares about this for a little while.

What’s particularly impressive here is that Cronin seems to be blending familial drama with horror, which is something he’s done exceptionally well before. A relatively recent example of that would be Cronin’s last directorial effort, 2023’s acclaimed Evil Dead Rise (which is streamable with an HBO Max subscription). The Irish director would be far from the first person to use a corrupted child as the focal point for a horror flick. Still, he seems to be making the most out of that tried-and-true premise for this twisted family reunion.

Digging a little deeper into the horror that’s at play here, it’s evident that Cronin is trying to make audiences squirm in a myriad of ways. There are obviously jump scares, but there’s also plenty of body horror here as well. (I definitely cringed at the sight of skin being pulled off someone’s flesh.) Also seemingly in the mix is psychological horror, which is also essential for a film such as this.

Needless to say, this is a far cry from the Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz-led franchise, which is set to return. I am indeed excited that The Mummy 4 is finally moving forward, as it’s been a long time coming. Still, I also appreciate that there can be variety when it comes to the media landscape, as the Fraser movie (which is being helmed by Radio Silence) will surely offer up something unique as will Cronin’s.

Anyone who’s looking for some truly gnarly moments, though, may want to check out Lee Cronin’s movie at some point, though. Now that concrete details on the story have been revealed via the new trailer, horror devotees have a better idea of what to expect. On that note, they may want to physically and mentally prepare themselves for the spooky, family-infused film that’s to come.

The Mummy is set to hit theaters on April 17 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, read up on other upcoming horror films that are set to grace the silver screen in the near future.

When it comes to '90s action-adventure movies, few have become as iconic over the years as 1999's The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. While it's been dormant for nearly 20 years, that's about to change thanks to some great news from Universal that has me jumping for joy.

Back in November we had heard rumblings about Brendan Fraser returning to The Mummy franchise for a fourth movie, but now things are official. Universal Pictures has confirmed it's in the works with Fraser and Weisz, and there's even a release date set for May 19, 2028, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The Mummy movie is set to be directed by Ready or Not and Scream filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence. The screenplay was written by David Coggeshall, who previously penned The Family Plan movies and Netflix's The Deliverance.

While we currently have zero details about the plot of The Mummy 4, as someone who grew up loving the original movies, I'm so happy we'll get to catch up with Fraser's Rick and Weisz's Evelyn after all these years. Their comedic and romantic chemistry was positively electric, and I'm eager to see what kind of adventure will bring them back together two decades later.

A few months back Brendan Fraser commented on his return to embody Rick O'Connell following the franchise previously ending with 2008's Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. In his words:

In recent years, Brendan Fraser has made a Hollywood comeback, most notably through his Oscar-winning performance in The Whale in 2022. We imagine The Mummy will be first action movie in quite a while, though it's perhaps too soon to call it an action movie when for as little as we know, it could take a different turn.

While we wait for more news on The Mummy 4, Blumhouse Productions/New Line Cinema have their own iteration on The Mummy among upcoming horror movies coming out this April. That version will be distinctly different than the adventure comedy tone of the movies starring Brendan Fraser.

Considering The Mummy 4's release date, it won't be too long before the movie goes into production. Knowing that in two summers we'll be seeing Rick and Evelyn back in action completely made my day, and I can't wait to follow its development closely here on CinemaBlend.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly reuniting for The Mummy 4, which is exciting. To this day, the duo is beloved by fans, who are itching to see them back on the big screen together as the O'Connells. Even with all the excitement, it seems like Fraser is taking a different approach to these movies than he did the previous films, especially with his safety. The Oscar winner has been candid about previous injuries sustained from filming the Mummy, flicks and more, and he has a funny take on how switching things up moving forward.

Fraser spoke with Josh Horowitz for an episode of the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, during which he addressed reports about the upcoming Mummy 4, which is apparently in pre-production. While he didn’t offer up a lot of specific information about the installment, Fraser did confirm that the stunts involved with those films were certainly a factor in his deciding to join the latest installment, saying:

Encouraging stunt performers to go for it is certainly a different approach than he had in previous movies. Fraser was once hellbent on doing his own stunts and being very risky in his approach, something he paid for later in injuries. The Mummy's director, Stephen Sommers, said Fraser only has himself to blame for at least the lynching stunt, given his tendencies back in the day. Fraser also had a run-in with a snake that could have gone the wrong way had he engaged with it. So, with all this previous danger, it’s understandable that Fraser is taking it easy this time around.

These injuries didn't just amount to a mild setback for Brendan Fraser, as they ended up having a huge impact on his career. The frequent hospital visits and chronic pain led to the George of the Jungle actor taking a step back from the spotlight for years. Thankfully, he's back and eager to work. He experienced a career renaissance that led to him winning an Oscar for his work in The Whale, and his new feel-good film, Rental Family, is faring well with critics. Now, it looks like he's jumping back into the blockbuster game, and I couldn’t be happier.

We still don’t know much about The Mummy 4 and, hopefully, further details will arrive soon. By bringing back the Fraser/Weisz partnership, it's possible that the directors -- the duo known as Radio Silence -- are aiming for the fun, adventurous tone that the films of the 2000s had. A Mummy reboot was attempted in the late 2010s with Tom Cruise, but it lacked the fun energy and wasn't well received by critics or fans. I'm excited to see Fraser and Weisz back in action and hope both remain safe when production eventually kicks off.

Check out Brendan Fraser in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, which are now streaming on MGM+. Also, go see Rental Family, which is playing in select theaters now.

It’s been more than 25 years since Brendan Fraser first swaggered onto the big screen as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy, the pulp-adventure classic that became one of the most beloved action movies of the ’90s. For years, the franchise has felt locked away in Universal’s sarcophagus vault, collecting dust like a forgotten relic—but that’s finally changing. After a long stretch of silence (and even longer fan speculation), The Mummy 4 is officially on the horizon. We’re heading back to the desert, back into the ruins, and back into the world the No Sudden Moves actor helped define—and now the actor is explaining why he’s been waiting 20 years to make this sequel.

In a new interview with the Associated Press, Fraser opens up about how the series diverged from his original vision for the sword and sandals adjacent series, after The Mummy Returns, and why the next installment is the one he’s been hoping to make for two decades. As he told the outlet:

Those comments will hit longtime fans hard. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was a major creative detour driven by corporate scheduling and broadcast rights. Fraser makes clear he respected the production and its crew, but it wasn’t the direction he envisioned for Rick O’Connell.

And yet, what stands out most is that he never let go of that vision. After years of career highs, lows, reinvention, and an Oscar win that capped off his heartfelt comeback lovingly called the Brenaissance, Fraser says the story he always wanted to tell is finally within reach. In his words:

Fraser’s long-held hope that The Mummy 4 would one day rise from the tomb is finally paying off—not just for him, but for everyone who grew up on his swashbuckling Rick O’Connell. The post-Whale chapter of the George of the Jungle star has been defined by vulnerability, and audiences are rallying behind him all over again for the Brenaissance 2.0. Returning to the role that helped define him for a generation feels like the most natural next step, especially since the School Times alum’s affection for O’Connell has never dimmed.

A fourth film built around the story Fraser originally wanted to tell has the potential to be both a nostalgic throwback and a genuinely new adventure. And if he already sounds this energized before a single camera has rolled, imagine what the finished movie could feel like. After 20 years, the stars have finally aligned.

As much as fans would love to see The Mummy 4 magically appear on the 2026 movie schedule, the odds aren’t in our favor. With production still in its earliest stages, casting underway, and next year’s release slate already packed—both for Universal and the industry at large—the franchise’s return is far more likely to land sometime in 2027. So, the adventure is coming, but we’ll need just a little more patience before the O’Connells ride again.

Brendan Fraser’s next project, the 2025 movie release Rental Family, will hit theaters on November 21, 2025, arriving the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Fans of the ‘90s/2000s film series The Mummy were hit with some big news this past week. Not only is a fourth film in the franchise now in the works, but franchise OGs Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly in talks to return for it. While a number of fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, it seems not everyone is pleased. Moon Knight director Mohamed Diab weighed in, and he takes issue with the production over the possibility of stereotypes being utilized.

Mohamed Diab – an Egyptian filmmaker with several writing and directing credits under his belt – took to Facebook to share his response to The Mummy 4. On his account, Diab, shared an article featuring the news itself and, based on his response, he’s displeased with the notion of no Egyptian talent seemingly being involved behind the scenes. The Clash writer said this exactly:

The Mummy series has historically relied heavily on Egyptian iconography, particularly when it comes to the first two films in the franchise. Both of those movies were helmed and written by Stephen Sommers, who’s of North American descent. According to reports, the fourth movie will reportedly be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who are collectively known as Radio Silence. As of this writing, neither Universal nor the filmmakers have formally acknowledged the legacy sequel or the work that’s being done on it.

Mohamed Diab’s comments seem to echo general comments that have been made by creatives and fans alike in regard to diversity. In recent years, many have been asking for authentic storytelling related to specific cultures. With that, there’s been a call for said stories to actually include the involvement of those who can speak to the cultures and/or experiences being depicted. Some movie and TV productions that utilize such creative forces have been well received.

Upon its debut in 2022, Moon Knight was well received by various fans for its comic book action and depiction of the titular character. At the time, however, it also received praise for depicting Egypt and its culture in a way that avoided certain cultural clichés. The TV show also introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first Egyptian superhero in Scarlet Scarab. What Diab ultimately did was flesh out various Egyptian locations, showing different sides of them as opposed to just having them serve as backdrops for his lead hero’s exploits.

It’s far from clear what Radio Silence is planning for this next Mummy installment as details are currently being kept under wraps (no pun intended). Also, for clarity, this film isn’t the Mummy reboot that’s being helmed by Lee Cronin and being released amid the 2026 movie schedule. Specifics on that movie are scarce at this point as well, though what is known as that Egyptian talent like May Calamawy and May Elghety are part of the cast.

Ultimately, we’ll just have to wait and see how Universal chooses to proceed with the latest chapter in the Mummy saga. I can imagine fans will have their thoughts on what they’d like to see in regard to action sequences and returning characters. Aside from that, though, I would hope many can agree with and understand the desire for the movie to avoid stereotypical archetypes.

When it comes to action/adventure franchises of the late ‘90s/early 2000s, very few generate as much nostalgia as The Mummy. That iteration of Universal’s classic monster-based IP was fronted by Brendan Fraser as well as Rachel Weisz, who starred in the first two films. In the years since the series went dormant, fans have wondered if there was a chance it might rise again (sorry, I couldn’t resist that joke). Well, it seems another installment is in the works, with Fraser and Weisz reportedly returning alongside some talented horror directors.

It’s been reported that Universal Pictures is officially moving forward with what could probably be referred to right now as The Mummy 4. Per Deadline, Fraser and Weisz are only in talks to return at this point and, should the A-listers sign on, it’s likely they’ll reprise their roles as husband-and-wife team Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, respectively. For right now, it remains unclear whether other franchise alums, like John Hannah (Jonathan Carnahan) or Luke Ford (Alex O’Connell), will return for the film.

What’s also exciting about this news is the reported involvement of filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett a.k.a. Radio Silence. Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin are reportedly set to direct the legacy sequel, for which David Coggeshall is writing the script. The two directors have proven themselves to be exciting filmmakers, thanks to their work on Ready or Not, Scream, Scream VI and Abigail. Given their horror expertise, they could inject some true scares into this new movie alongside the more adventurous elements.

The Brendan Fraser-led Mummy franchise began in 1999, with a first installment helmed and written by Stephen Sommers. A beloved blockbuster, it sees Rick, Evelyn (or “Evie”) and her brother, Jonathan, joining forces with a group of Medjai protectors and others to stop a resurrected Egyptian high priest known as Imhotep. The film became a box office hit and spawned two sequels – 2001’s The Mummy Returns and 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the latter of which saw Maria Bello play Evie.

In the late 2010s, Universal attempted to reboot the franchise as part of its failed Dark Universe franchise. Tom Cruise ultimately headlined 2017’s The Mummy, which was met with negative reviews and little fanfare at the box office. Earlier this year, Fraser commented on that film’s performance, acknowledging Cruise and co.’s efforts but noting that it lacked “fun” like the OG films (except The Dragon Emperor).

Over the years, both Fraser and Weisz have discussed their experiences making the supernatural action movies. That includes the physical struggles Fraser faced as well as how he, Weisz and the cast dealt with the challenges of filming in hot environments. Despite any challenges they faced amid production, in recent years, both stars, at the very least, seemed open to reprising their roles should the right opportunity arise.

What should be pointed out here is that this project isn’t connected to Warner Bros.’ Mummy reboot that’s set to debut amid the 2026 movie schedule. That film is directed by horror savant Lee Cronin and stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, Verónica Falcón and May Calamawy. Plot details on that film are still being kept under wraps (sorry) and, as a result, fans still have questions about it.

It’s definitely not uncommon for multiple iterations of the same IP to be produced around the same time. (Just look at how DC Studios is currently managing two versions of Batman.) So it’s not far-fetched that Universal would want to move ahead with The Mummy 4 and essentially keep the “Brenaissance” going. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on how this project develops under Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s leadership.

Some moviegoers are absolutely against, or simply exhausted by, the idea of remaking a classic film or rebooting a hit TV show, and I absolutely sympathize with that, given how many lackluster remakes Hollywood has delivered. However, I am open to the idea of reimagining a beloved title, as long as the new version offers some reason to justify its existence by not simply hitting "copy, paste" and calling it a day. See what I mean by taking a look at some of these cinematic remakes and TV reboots that either surprised audiences with something or at least managed to stand on their own.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

The Rat Pack-led original Ocean's 11 from 1960, which sees a group of World War II veterans reuniting to rob five Las Vegas casinos in one night, just for fun. Steven Soderbergh's remake reimagines the heist (involving only three casinos in one vault) as Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) act of revenge against casino magnate Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who is dating his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts).

Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Instead of following a high school student who inherits a family curse that makes him half-man, half-animal like the 1985 comedy, Teen Wolf, MTV's more earnest series adaptation starred Tyler Posey as a wolf bite victim who ends up using his lycanthropic abilities to protect his community from supernatural forces with the help of his friends, Buffy style

The Invisible Man (2020)

Considered one of the best horror movie remakes ever made is writer and director Leigh Whannell's reinterpretation of the classic Universal Monster Movie, The Invisible Man. The acclaimed Blumhouse thriller introduces a more plausible explanation for the eponymous villain's transparency and tells the story from the perspective of the victim, his tormented wife (played by Elisabeth Moss), resulting in a powerful and frightening commentary on gaslit abuse victims.

Westworld (2016-2022)

Michael Crichton's 1973 film Westworld was almost a precursor to Jurassic Park, taking place at a high-tech tourist attraction with an Old West aesthetic and highly realistic androids that go haywire. Decades later, an acclaimed HBO drama of the same name would expand on the concept in much darker, timely, and thought-provoking ways.

Scarface (1983)

Howard Hawks' 1932 gangster drama Scarface follows an Italian immigrant (played by Paul Muni) who rises to power in Chicago's criminal underworld. Director Brian DePalma's 1983 classic, which many may not realize is a remake, follows a Cuban immigrant (played by Al Pacino) and his rise to power in Miami's criminal underworld.

War Of The Worlds (2005)

There has never been a truly faithful adaptation of H.G. Wells' seminal novel, but the two best-known alien invasion movies it inspired could not be more different from one another. The 1953 version follows various residents of a California town and shows things from a governmental perspective, while Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds is told entirely from the point of view of a divorced father (played by Tom Cruise) and his two children as they travel the country searching for sanctuary. The remake even subverts expectations by having the evil extraterrestrials rise from the ground as opposed to coming down from the sky.

The Mummy (1999)

Universal's 1932 monster movie, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff, is an undisputed classic of the studio's seminal creature feature era. When the story was updated in the late '90s, it took a more action-adventure approach, with Brendan Fraser leading the cast as a stand-in for Indiana Jones.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Joss Whedon took the basic premise of his screenplay for the 1992 Kristy Swanson-led horror-comedy movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and revamped it (no pun intended) as a more earnest monster-of-the-week thriller, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the teen monster hunter, that became a cultural phenomenon.

A Star Is Born (1976)

Bradley Cooper's Oscar-winning 2018 directorial debut, A Star is Born, is a wonderful achievement in spite of its many similarities to the late '70s hit of the same name starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. However, that film is a wholly original take on two other synonymous dramas that came before it in 1937 and 1954, both of which revolve around the movie business instead of the music industry.

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

The main differentiator between Glen A. Larson's classic '70s sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica, and Ronald D. Moore's SyFy original reimagining is how it drops the campy tone. However, the contrast is unquestionably dramatic, resulting in one of the most celebrated cosmic TV shows of its time, or any time, and a benchmark for reboots done right.

The Thing (1982)

It is almost cheating to refer to John Carpenter's classic horror movie, The Thing, about an Arctic research crew that can't tell who among them is a shapeshifting alien, as a remake. It could more accurately be described as a far more faithful adaptation of its source material, a novella called "Who Goes There?" than producer Howard Hawks' 1951 thriller, The Thing from Another World, which is a relatively by-the-numbers creature feature.

Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)

Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman became a household name when Melissa Joan Hart portrayed her on the very lighthearted ABC sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Years later, Netflix released Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, in which star Kiernan Shipka's iteration faces mystical situations of a far graver matter.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In the original The Nutty Professor from 1963, Jerry Lewis plays the clumsy, unsophisticated, but brilliant Julius Kelp, who develops a serum that alters his personality, creating a more suave and well-kept alter ego he calls Buddy Love. In director Tom Shadyac's remake, Eddie Murphy plays the perfectly sophisticated, but vastly overweight Sherman Klump, whose revolutionary serum initially serves as a temporary, instant weight loss solution, and his thinner self, also named Buddy Love, eventually begins to take on his own persona over time.

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Many of the best Western movies are reimaginings of classic Japanese action films. One of the best-known examples of this is The Magnificent Seven, which is merely an Americanized update of Seven Samurai, which trades swordfights for gunfights.

Pete’s Dragon (2015)

Co-writer and director David Lowery did not bother rewatching 1977's Pete's Dragon, which follows the friendship between an orphaned boy and a mystical creature that can turn itself invisible. He updated the Disney film into something that is not a musical nor a broad comedy, and goes for a more dramatic, atmospheric fantasy adventure for all ages, with great results.

Bel-Air (2022)

The classic NBC comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith as a young man taken out of his Philadelphia neighborhood to live with his wealthy California relatives after a violent encounter. This premise worked well as the set-up for a sitcom, but is also well-suited for a drama, as demonstrated in Morgan Cooper's 2019 short film that became the basis for Peacock's darker reimagining, Bel-Air, from producer Smith and starring Jabari Banks.

The Fly (1986)

The original 1958 adaptation of George Langelaan's short story, The Fly, involves an instantaneous transportation experiment gone wrong when an insect gets in the machine, causing a scientist (played by David Hedison) to come out the other end with a fly's head and arm. David Cronenberg's reimagining takes that same transportation device setup, but Jeff Goldblum's Seth Brundle comes out the other end seemingly fine, before his body slowly begins to deteriorate as a result of his DNA being fused with the fly.

Beetlejuice (1989-1991)

The animated series adaptation of 1988's beloved Tim Burton movie, Beetlejuice, is still a story told from a ghost's perspective and retains the same one-of-a-kind, maniacally macabre aesthetic. However, it reimagines the title character as a lovably goofy ghoul who, instead of manipulating Lydia Deetz into marriage, makes friends with her and takes her on various wondrous adventures in the afterlife.

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Jack Finney's classic alien invasion story has been adapted into multiple Invasion of the Body Snatchers movies, all of which are really no different in concept, but differ from each other in various stylistic and thematic ways. For instance, the original 1956 film is a commentary on fears of McCarthyism, while director Philip Kaufman's adaptation instead comments on blind consumerism and boasts not just a bleaker ending, but one of the most devastating endings in horror history.

A Fistful Of Dollars (1964)

At the time A Fistful of Dollars was released, few people realized the first installment of director Sergio Leone and star Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name Trilogy" was a remake. That is because, while the film is a Western-style, beat-for-beat reimagining of the 1961 samurai classic Yojimbo, which is also about a drifter who protects a village by playing two oppressive gangs against each other, Akira Kurosawa never received any credit for inspiring the story, leading production company Toho to file a lawsuit.

RoboCop (2014)

While some might say that José Padilha's RoboCop is a remake that should have never been made, it at least tried to be different in some respects. In particular, Peter Weller's Alex Murphy from the original has almost no memory of his life before becoming a hybrid of man and machine, but the version played by Joel Kinnaman is fully aware of the person he was before and forced to undergo his unusual procedure against his will, which is quite a bit darker.

Dragnet (1987)

One of the first films to honor the bewildering tradition of adapting earnest TV crime dramas into feature-length comedies was director Tom Mankiewicz's Dragnet. This slapstick parody of detective stories is set in the world of Jack Webb's seminal police procedural, featuring Dan Aykroyd as the nephew of Sgt. Joe Friday (who is also named Joe Friday) and Tom Hanks as his partner, Det. Pep Streebek.

Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)

Director Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage, boasts an entirely different story from Abel Ferrara's 1992 crime drama, Bad Lieutenant, starring Harvey Keitel, despite also focusing on the exploits of a corrupt cop.

Disturbia (2007)

Director D.J. Caruso's Disturbia is recognized as an unofficial reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It stars Shia LaBeouf as a teenage boy who suspects his neighbor is a murderer while confined to his home under house arrest, as opposed to a grown man (played by Jimmy Stewart) recovering from an injury.

Suspiria (2018)

Luca Guadagnino's reimagining of Dario Argento's 1977 Giallo-style supernatural thriller, Suspiria, has the same setting (a German ballet studio run by witches), but has none of the same eye-popping production design, incorporates a tangentially connected detective story B plot, and boasts a bleak twist ending.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

While also set in a mall this time, writer James Gunn and director Zack Snyder's take on the second installment of George Romero's revolutionary zombie movie franchise from 1978, Dawn of the Dead, makes the cast bigger, the zombies faster, the comedy more overt, and the subtle satirical nuances non-existent.

Death Race (2008)

Producer Roger Corman's 1975 B-movie Death Race 2000 takes place in a futuristic, totalitarian United States that holds an annual cross-country racing competition in which the object is to run over as many random pedestrians as possible. Paul W.S. Anderson's reimagining softens the dystopian angle, makes the race exclusive to incarcerated convicts on a single island, and challenges the racers to only kill each other, crowning the last person standing.

Velma (2023-2024)

In the HBO Max original animated prequel series, Velma, starring Mindy Kaling in the title role, the meddling kids from Mystery Inc. are nothing like who they used to be. There is also no Scooby-Doo, which was probably the last straw for all the haters.

When A Stranger Calls (2006)

The Camilla Belle-led update of When a Stranger Calls takes the first 20 minutes of the original 1979 suspense thriller, in which a babysitter discovers her unsettling phone calls are coming from inside the house, and extends that to its own 90-minute feature.

Beauty And The Beast (2012-2016)

From 1987 to 1990, CBS aired a modernized, crime drama-style take on the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, depicting a romance between a lion-man living underneath New York City (played by Ron Perlman) and a beautiful ADA (played by Linda Hamilton). When The CW developed its own version, the series dropped the mystical half-man, half-animal creature aspect in favor of making the Beast a normal man who goes feral when angered after being subjected to a government experiment.

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022)

The original title of the animated comedy Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, about a dog who becomes an unlikely hero to a village of cats, was Blazing Samurai, to reflect how Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles served as its structural inspiration.

Mockingbird Lane (2012)

Mockingbird Lane, which aired on NBC as a Halloween special, was developer Bryan Fuller's failed attempt at reimagining the spooky, silly sitcom The Munsters into a modern supernatural dramedy.

Looking back on the last decades or so of blockbusters, few disasters stand out quite like 2017's The Mummy. The film was made to help usher in a new, special era for Universal's Classic Monsters (with plans to build an MCU-esque continuity called The Dark Universe), and it was loaded with the extreme star power of Tom Cruise... but critics hated it, and it was ultimately judged a box office bomb.

So what went wrong? Many have contributed thoughts to the discourse, and that now includes Brendan Fraser – who memorably starred in the Mummy trilogy from 1999 to 2008. The actor was a part of a recent Mummy-centric panel at Fan Expo Denver, and according to Collider, he was asked for his thoughts on what went wrong with the Tom Cruise movie during the event. At first he demurred, saying that he didn't really have an answer and acknowledging that it's easy for any blockbuster to end up being a dud because the whole process is so difficult. Said Fraser,

Thinking more about it, the Academy Award-winner then suggested that it may have been a matter of tone. While perhaps suggesting a personal dislike for the last movie in his own Mummy trilogy, he suggested that the 2017 reboot from director Damon Lindelof didn't deliver what fans were really hoping for, which was a fun and thrilling adventure. In his words:

Co-starring Annabelle Wallis, Sofia Boutella, Jake Johnson, and Courtney B. Vance, 2017's The Mummy is arguably a darker take than what director Stephen Sommers crafted with 1999's The Mummy and 2001's The Mummy Returns – and there also wasn't exactly a great deal of expressed appreciation for the aggressive worldbuilding that saw Russell Crowe introduced as a version of Dr. Henry Jekyll / Edward "Eddie" Hyde who is part of a secret order dedicated to investigating dangerous supernatural matters around the world.

With a lot of fans at the time confused and upset that Universal Studios wasn't continuing the adventures of Brendan Fraser's Rick O'Connell, there was a bit of backlash (a sentiment that has continued with the development of the new Mummy reboot currently in the works), and when fans don't get what they are hoping for on the big screen, that can be a key ingredient to creating a flop. Or as Brendan Fraser put it,

After reading all of this, I don't suppose many of you are in the mood to revisit The Mummy starring Tom Cruise, but if you feel so inclined and wish to do so with a couple of clicks, all you need is an Amazon Prime subscription. As for those of you who want to revisit the Brendan Fraser movies, the first two (a.k.a. the better two in the series) are available to stream with an AMC+ account.

Is the upcoming Lee Cronin's The Mummy, which will drop on the 2026 movie schedule in April, a reboot or a reimagining? Well, it's definitely the latter. It's not part of the Universal Studios franchise started by Boris Karloff and company in 1932 and continued more recently, starting with actor Brendan Fraser in 1999 (who is also working on a fourth installment of that series). This one, from acclaimed horror director Lee Cronin, isn't under the Universal banner; this one comes from Blumhouse and Warner Bros.

The film was initially teased as an untitled upcoming Blumhouse movie written and directed by the filmmaker behind Evil Dead Rise, which was already enough to pique our interest, before Cronin revealed on social media that he and the studio were unwrapping something familiar. The first teaser trailer was released in January 2026, and the full trailer is finally out now, so here's what we know about the upcoming horror movie.

When Will Lee Cronin's The Mummy Be Released?

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is set to be released on April 17th, 2026, from one of the most talented horror filmmakers working today and one of the most popular studios specializing in the horror genre, Blumhouse. The film will be distributed by Warner Bros., which also brought us two of the best movies of 2025 in Weapons and Sinners.

The Mummy Trailer

The full trailer for Lee Cronin's The Mummy dropped in February 2026, and as CinemaBlend's Erik Swan wrote, it looks like the most terrifying family reunion ever!

This is definitely going to be a much scarier version than Brendan Fraser ever dreamed of! That's not really a surprise, though. While those movies are more action/adventure, this is obviously very rooted in horror. Hence why it's definitely a re-imagining. It seems to have nothing in common with any of the previous versions until the Mummy banner.

Lee Cronin Is The Director And Writer

As you can guess from the title, the film is written and directed by Lee Cronin, who is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the horror genre. His previous credits include Evil Dead Rise in 2023 and The Hole in the Ground from 2019. We were confident the idea was in good hands, and judging from the trailers, our confidence looks like it was be warranted.

Who Is Starring In The Film?

The cast of Lee Cronin's The Mummy is great, though not everyone will be familiar with all of them. As of yet, we still don't know what roles each will be playing, but we do have the list of cast of members:

• Jack Reynor
• Laia Costa
• May Calamawy
• Natalie Grace
• Verónica Falcón
• May Elghety
• Shylo Molina
• Billie Roy
• Hayat Kamille

What Will Lee Cronin's The Mummy Be About?

We're learning more and more about the movie, and we know it'll be nothing like the "other" franchise. Judging on the trailer alone, this one is going to be terrifying and, honestly, pretty graphic. We're no archaeologists, but we do know a thing or two about the horror genre here at CinemaBlend, and with someone like Lee Cronin involved, there is a chance that The Mummy could be one of the best Blumhouse movies in years. That being said, we still cannot help but be inquisitive about a few things.

The trailer does seem to reveal a couple of key plot details. The titular mummy appears to be a young girl who went missing some years before and was mummified. The movie seems like it will be about her parents trying to integrate her back into normal life...to horrifying results. It's spoken, gory, and tense, just how we love our horror!

In What Time Period Will The Mummy Reboot Take Place?

Lee Cronin released a statement about The Mummy to The Hollywood Reporter, which says that he is “digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening." That said, it certainly appears that the movie will take place in the present day, or at least in the not-too-distant past. How ancient the finds are is anyone's guess, but at least some of the mummies aren't that old.

Could There Be Any Cheeky Evil Dead References?

Fraser’s Mummy series is actually not the only hit franchise that could be fun to see Cronin reference in his reboot/re-imagining. As previously mentioned, in 2023, the filmmaker helmed Evil Dead Rise – the fifth installment of the Evil Dead movies, which have something in common with the Mummy movies.

Each installment of that beloved horror movie franchise created by Sam Raimi involves an ancient text (called the Necronomicon Ex Mortis) which, when read, has the ability to reawaken the dead, much like the book that unleashes the mummified corpse in the original Mummy and other iterations. Though if that plays into this version, we don't know

Considering this concept is shared between the two properties, it might be a fun idea for Cronin to sneakily pay homage to the franchise that brought him into the mainstream by bridging that gap. This might be a long shot, but hey, anything's possible!

It's still a couple more months until we finally see Lee Cronin’s new vision for this iconic tale hitting theaters and, of course, plenty of time to ask even more questions about it. In the meantime, the 1932 Universal Monster movie classic is available to rent online, and the most recent installment, 2017's The Mummy with Tom Cruise, is available with an HBO Max subscription, so there are plenty of ways to get your Mummy fix!

Life is full of choices, and there’s always pressure to choose the right option - no matter how small the matter. In the examples we're about to discuss, it only took one bad call to lead to unnecessary drama, and in some cases, death. While not all of them are tragic, beware of some old wounds that may be opened up in the process.

Mayor Larry Vaughn Keeps Amity’s Beaches Open - Jaws

Ok, let’s just get this out of the way: Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) should have never won re-election. Amity Beach’s big wheel politician should have been legislative dust after keeping the beaches open in Jaws. Yes, beach towns depend on revenues from summer tourists - but if there’s no surviving tourists that want to shop, is it really a win?

Dr. Mann’s Hasty Docking With The Endurance - Interstellar

Scientific minds are supposed to be among the smartest and most rational in the world, especially if you’ve been chosen to colonize a potential new home for Humanity. That fact just makes the manner of death that befalls Interstellar’s Dr. Mann (Matt Damon) all the more fitting. Perhaps one should check that the airlock seals are properly aligned before launching into a speech about “all mankind.”

Rose Leaves Jack To Freeze - Titanic

Ok, so Kate Winslet’s 2024 Titanic revelation that it wasn’t a door Rose DeWitt Bukater was clinging to for life kind of changes the equation of whether or not she could have saved Jack Dawson. That being said, it still doesn’t change the fact that people are going to argue there was still room on “the door” for old Jack.

Peter Quill Socks Thanos On The Brink Of Victory - Avengers: Infinity War

Every time someone watches the Marvel movies in order, this moment, in particular, is the definition of an "own goal." As Avengers: Infinity War almost saw the reason for a second half nullified by taking the Infinity Gauntlet away from Thanos, a moment of emotion from the ever-impulsive Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) allowed the Mad Titan to keep his magic glove, and get away.

Marty McFly Buys Gray’s Sports Almanac - Back To The Future: Part II

Oh Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox). Even when you’re greedy, you’re just trying to protect the future. While our lessons in how Back to the Future’s time travel works have taught us time and again that fooling with the past is dangerous, Marty’s decision to buy Gray’s Sports Almanac was one of the greatest mistakes in pop culture history. Who really wants to live in Biff Tannen’s alternate 1985?

Someone Read The Latin - The Evil Dead Movies

This is the movie most people think of when you hear the phrase, “Don’t read the Latin.” The Evil Dead series has seen Ash (Bruce Campbell) and many others learn that lesson the hard way, as a Deadite plague tends to result after this grievous error. What did they think was going to happen when reading from a book bound by human flesh?

Iosef Tarasov’s Gang Kill John Wick’s Dog - John Wick

Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) made two huge mistakes in the John Wick movies. The first was thinking that he could convince retired hitman John Wick to sell his 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. The second, and more costly mistake, was to kill John’s dog, Daisy. The criminal underworld still hasn’t recovered from the actions of that night, so yeah: we’re thinking that’s a bad decision.

Walter Donovan Chooses Poorly - Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

Who did you honestly put your money on when it came to winning Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’s game for the Holy Grail? A professor of archeology who has a similarly learned father, or an industrialist aiding the Nazis? If you bet on Walter Donavan (Julian Glover) winning the day, I think you know how the Grail Knight would comment on this particular choice.

Howard Ratner Can't Stop Winning - Uncut Gems

One has to wonder if A24 set up microphones during preview screenings of Uncut Gems if only to measure the decibel level of audience yelling. The moment when Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) makes what would be his final bet had to have been one where people shouted at the screen in terror - which would have only been outdone by shock at the picture’s fatalistic ending.

General Ripper Starts A Nuclear War - Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

If any of us normal people think something’s wrong with our bodies, we usually consult a specialist. But Dr. Strangelove’s General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) isn’t quite normal, as he decided to initiate “nuclear combat toe-to-toe with the Russkies,” using only a paranoid hunch as his basis. If only the internet had been invented, so WebMD could have debunked his theories.

Icarus II Goes To Visit Icarus 1 - Sunshine

You can almost always count on a bad day in space if you’re the second expedition to venture out on a mission, and you suddenly discover the wreckage of the first. Sunshine’s Icarus II crew is put through the wringer after making the decision to visit the Icarus I. On the literal bright side, at least Capa (Cillian Murphy) saved the day, despite being the deciding vote that caused a chain reaction of deadly events.

Vincent Kapoor Tells Mark Watney His Messages Are On Live TV - The Martian

Never tell a rabble-rouser they’re on live TV, they’re just going to use the moment to misbehave. The Martian’s Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) did just that as NASA’s Director of Mars Missions, and it led to astronaut Mark Watney being so creative with his swearing his colleagues had to look it up. Which led to a double whammy of regret, as learning what those phrases meant was quite a shock.

Don Kisses His Wife - 28 Weeks Later

Ok 28 Weeks Later fans, which is the bigger mistake made by our good friend Don (Robert Carlyle): abandoning his wife Alice in the wake of an Infected attack, or kissing her without reservation as she’s in medical quarantine? That second choice seems to be the greater error, as while their reunion did patch up their marriage, the act of kissing and making up turned Don into a very special victim of the Rage Virus.

Dr. Alice Krippin Cures Cancer With Measles - I Am Legend

To be clear: curing cancer is not the poor decision that kicked off I Am Legend’s horrific apocalypse. Not to mention, the idea of Dr. Alice Krippin (Emma Thompson) to use genetically modified measles was a pretty clever twist to this medical marvel. But something suggests that there were not nearly enough human trials, as it only took three years to decimate humanity with the Krippin Virus.

Preston Reveals His Wife’s Secret - Tales From The Darkside: The Movie

Here’s a loophole you could argue until the gargoyles come home: if you confess to your wife a near-lethal encounter with such a creature of stone, but she turns out to be the cryptid in question, is it really breaking your vow not to tell the world? It sadly doesn’t matter as the Tales from the Darkside: The Movie segment “Lover’s Vow” sees James Remar’s struggling artist losing his life - as in this case, it technically counts.

Evelyn Reads From The Book Of The Dead - The Mummy (1999)

“No harm ever came from reading a book.” One of The Mummy’s funniest lines is also a statement that Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) should have known not to make. Then again, could it really be that bad of a decision if it led to a rollicking adventure that ended up with her falling for the dreamy Rick O’Connell? Oh, let us think…YES!

Dr. King Schultz Won’t Shake Hands - Django Unchained

Yes, Calvin Candie is a despicable slave owner, and one could hope he’s burning in Hell. But at the same time, Django Unchained’s big bad was in a position where a simple handshake would have allowed Django (Jamie Foxx) and his rediscovered wife to escape happily. Unfortunately, mentor/moral compass Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) couldn’t bring himself to do so…at least, not without taking his foe out with a hidden pistol.

Tony Stark Creates Ultron - Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Could we please put some more safeguards on genius billionaire philanthropist playboys using artificial intelligence to save the world? Avengers: Age of Ultron almost ushered in the promise of that dangerous title, as vindictive creation Ultron (James Spader) snipped his strings and almost destroyed humanity. Worse: his antics indirectly led to the Sokovia Accords, a set of laws so restrictive, yet so useless that all they could really do was set up a couple of Marvel sequels.

Batman Severely Underestimates Bane - The Dark Knight Rises

Bane (Tom Hardy) is a physically imposing villain so buff, that your dimension’s version of Superman might think twice before beefing with him. Perhaps the Batman of The Dark Knight Rises should have called the Kryptonian boy scout before tangling with the man in the mask, as he could have saved himself a lot of trouble, and all of the medical expenses incurred from a broken back.

Logan Nelson Misreads John Kramer’s X-Rays - Jigsaw

Do you want Jigsaw? Because this is how you get Jigsaw! Careless medical examiner Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) turned out to be the person who wronged John Kramer in the Saw franchise, which led to his place as one of the first victims turned apprentice to the criminal mastermind. As soon as Mr. Nelson made that mistake, one of the many movie retcon that confused us was born.

Daniel Hillard Creates Mrs. Doubtfire - Mrs. Doubtfire

Some people will create Scottish alter egos to avoid therapy. While Mrs. Doubtfire is still a bittersweet bundle of laughs, and though Robin Williams’ Daniel Hillard did create a fantastic children’s show host, Euphegenia’s creation should have never come from the need to see his kids. It’s kind of a case of the best intentions leading straight into legal hell, isn’t it?

Peter Parker Tries To Erase His Friend’s Memories - Spider-Man: No Way Home

If you’re a genius like Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Peter Parker (Tom Holland), you should probably know better than to bork up your request to a Sorcerer Supreme to erase that knowledge from everyone’s minds. This kid really is Tony Stark’s protege, isn’t he?

David Drayton Gets Impatient In The Apocalypse - The Mist

If David Drayton (Thomas Jane) had waited just five more minutes in The Mist, we may have seen a wildly different ending where everyone lives and learns a powerful lesson about the dangers of mob mentality. Alas, Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novella did teach us that lesson, but with much deadlier consequences.

Kay Takes Compound Z - Alien: Romulus

We’re not a bunch of medical experts here at CinemaBlend, and we’ll readily admit that. But 9 out of 10 writers would agree that if we were given the choice to take the sketchy and untested Compound Z, we’d pass it up. That didn’t stop Kay (Isabella Merced) in Alien: Romulus, and the results were as messy as you'd think.

Madeline Ashton Forgets To Ask About Potential Side Effects - Death Becomes Her

The first thing that Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) could think to ask after being propositioned with eternal youth is “How much is it?” But what she should have asked is “What are the side effects,” as Death Becomes Her sees the “fading actress” panicking after she drinks the mysterious glowing pink liquid that makes it possible. Oops.

Fuller And Lewis Get Flirty With Rusty Nail - Joy Ride

You never know who’s on the other end of a CB radio. While it’s an antiquated form of communication, it didn’t stop brothers Fuller (Steve Zahn) and Lewis (Paul Walker) from having some fun with a random trucker with the handle of “Rusty Nail” in Joy Ride. What began as a flirty prank turned into a game of death…so don’t forget to screen your calls, and watch who you lead on.

The Daltons Turn Back For Hoppy - Speak No Evil

Kids. At some point, they have to grow up, and we’d like to think that the events of the horror remake Speak No Evil helped young Agnes Dalton (Alix West Lefler) get wise pretty quickly. Her family was free and clear from the murderers trying to adopt her for their own, but since she convinced them to turn back for her stuffed rabbit Hoppy, salvation was delayed throughout a long, awkward night.

Paul Hackett Goes On A Date - After Hours

Who says Martin Scorsese doesn’t have a sense of humor? 1985’s After Hours saw the legendary director land one of the best dark comedies of history, thanks to the film putting poor office worker Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) through the night from hell. And it’s all thanks to a blind date, which leads to a tragic death, which only spirals further into a nightmarish farce across New York City.

Harry And Lloyd Get Involved In A Kidnapping - Dumb And Dumber

No one would mistake Harry (Jeff Daniels) and Lloyd (Jim Carrey) for being the most brilliant minds of any time. However, Lloyd’s love-sick quest to chase the woman he loves leads Dumb and Dumber’s dynamic duo into a dance with death. Stumbling into the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman, it never becomes a concern until Lloyd realizes the girl of his dreams happens to be that man’s wife.

Marty Bryce Goes Out For Pizza - Sneakers

Chance led to young Marty Bishop (Gary Hershberger) going out to pick up pizza for himself and his dear friend Cosmo (Jo Marr). If only Cos didn’t use his magic trick to force his friend to leave for dinner, he might have had a chance to save his friend from prison, and an eventual grudge.

General Brewster Activates Skynet - Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines

Artificial intelligence is dangerous, kids. But you have to give Skynet credit, as it used a computer virus to trick Lieutenant General Robert Brewster (David Andrews) into giving it full control of the United States’ weapons apparatus. And that is why Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines ends with the most shocking ending of the series, as Judgement Day is allowed to happen because the U.S. government wouldn’t spring for a Norton subscription.

Eli Sunday Begs For Help From Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood

Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) and Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) are a pair of foes for the ages. So when There Will Be Blood sees the young preacher begging his oil tycoon rival for financial help, the result is a monologue we could still quote by heart - and a fatal encounter with a bowling pin.

When it comes to franchise reboots no one asked for, few spark as much passionate debate as The Mummy. News recently broke that Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are teaming up for a brand-new Mummy movie slated for 2026, and social media quickly erupted with reactions. A large portion of fans? They’re still mourning the absence of Brendan Fraser, whose swashbuckling take on Rick O’Connell in the 1999 classic not only defined the film but secured its status as one of the best movies of the '90s. While Blumhouse is promising a fresh and terrifying approach to the ancient Egyptian horror, fans are making one thing crystal clear: without the original Mummy cast, it’s just not the same.

The reboot’s announcement was met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Lee Cronin, the director behind the bloody and critically acclaimed Evil Dead Rise in 2023, is at the project's helm. Cronin’s vision is set to dig deep into the franchise’s horror movie roots—a prospect that should excite genre enthusiasts.

However, for fans of the trio of Stephen Sommers-helmed action-comedy flicks, the pivot to straight horror feels like a far cry from what made The Mummy a beloved favorite. As one viral post on X (formerly Twitter) humorously illustrated with the perfect meme, this decision is not something they want to get behind:

Brendan Fraser’s portrayal of the charismatic adventurer made him a defining figure of the late 1990s and early 2000s action-comedy landscape. Fans haven’t forgotten that charm—and many are now calling for the George of the Jungle star to return in a new installment of the franchise. Another viral post from @SeanTaj reads:

Others echoed this sentiment, with some clamoring for not just Fraser but also the return of Rachel Weisz and other cast members from the original trilogy. As @Pat_Kc perfectly summed it up:

It’s not just nostalgia driving these sentiments—fans have a deep emotional connection to The Mummy trilogy. For many, those films struck the perfect balance between thrilling adventure, lighthearted humor, and dazzling spectacle, making them timeless classics–and what fans might not know is that a Mummy 4 almost happened. And with Fraser enjoying a major career resurgence in recent years (thanks to his Oscar-winning turn in The Whale), the timing feels perfect for him to reprise his role.

The original Mummy trilogy has only grown in popularity over the years, which is why fans are vocal about a sequel to those movies. One reply from @UJStrikesBack went as far as listing out the dream reunion cast:

Another fan perfectly encapsulated the frustration many feel about Hollywood’s obsession with reboots. User @kiana_weisz shared their thoughts, writing:

Blumhouse’s version may be more terror-oriented than adventure-oriented, but as history shows, fans are drawn to the heart and humor Brendan Fraser and his co-stars brought to the series, and Hollywood may want to take note. For now, fans continue to make their voices heard.

If you want to revisit the OG Mummy trilogy, they’re available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

When it comes to upcoming horror movies, we’re about to see a ton of classic movie monsters return to the fold. From Nosferatu hitting theaters on Christmas to Universal’s new Wolf Man movie, there’s a lot to look forward to. But now it’s also been announced that another Mummy movie is on the way in 2026, and I can’t stop thinking about the Brendan Fraser movies.

Blumhouse Is Making A New The Mummy Movie

Lee Cronin, who previously did 2023’s Evil Dead Rise, is behind the next Mummy movie, per an announcement from Atomic Monster and Blumhouse, which are producing it. It has an April 17, 2026 release date, and Cronin had this to say about the project:

Cronin is penning the script for the new Mummy movie, as well as directing. He’ll have James Wan of The Conjuring movies and Jason Blum on his side as producers, along with his Evil Dead Rise producer John Keville. Other than that, we just have this Instagram teaser:

I think it’s safe to say that the next The Mummy movie is going full horror. While the property has been around way longer than when Brendan Fraser gave off big movie star energy in the 1999 movie, that’s the next movie from the franchise I want instead.

I Think The Next Great Mummy Movie Needs Brendan Fraser

The Mummy movies go way back, from the 1932 Boris Karloff version to the 1959 one with Christopher Lee. Aside from The Mummy trilogy, there’s also the awful 2017 reboot with Tom Cruise that was supposed to help set up the Dark Universe. While I totally get that Hollywood feels that it needs to give the property another try, I would much rather see Brendan Fraser back as Rick O’Connell having a blast in a tomb somewhere than see a generic horror movie about a buried corpse from Egypt coming to life... again.

Over the years, Brendan Fraser has shared his interest in doing another movie from the franchise, and as fans, we’ve been hoping to see a fourth movie in the franchise resurrected. Here are Fraser’s latest comments about being in another sequel for The Mummy from 2023:

Of course, Fraser at the time was speaking from the standpoint of someone who’s surely been asked this for many years and has yet to see a script to show for it. The 2017 reboot really showed what not to do with the franchise (as director of the 1999 Stephen Sommers said he was even insulted by the remake). Blumhouse's reputation with horror lately has been up and down, so while they could strike gold, I know what I'd prefer.

I think the sooner Hollywood realizes that The Mummy’s legend status currently comes from Brendan Fraser, the sooner they’ll have another hit from the franchise. But hey, maybe I’m totally wrong and Lee Cronin’s version will be amazing! We’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend.

I love a lot of the best horror movies, and I feel like we’re in a true renaissance when it comes to the genre. Case in point, Leigh Whannell, who directed one of the most interesting horror movies in the past few years with his remake of The Invisible Man, which we gave a stellar review.

His next movie is the upcoming Wolf Man, and in a recent interview with Empire (via Syfy), Whannell disclosed which Universal Horror icon he would like to cover next if he got the chance. I won't spoil his answer here, but I will go over other possible Universal Horror icons I would love for him to handle next if he didn't get the opportunity to do his dream gig.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)

In my recent article where I discussed my love for the 2010 The Wolfman movie, I openly confessed that I had never watched the original, 1933 The Invisible Man with Claude Rains. That said, I have seen the 2020 remake by Leigh Whannell.

One thing I love about that movie is that it takes the basic premise (a man finds a way to turn himself invisible, and then torments people – I read the novel, you see) and modernizes it. It looks like he is doing the same thing with the upcoming Wolf Man (even adding in a touch of body horror for good measure).

Well, since modernizing horror classics seems to be Whannell’s jam, I’d love to see his take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which feels like it has to be rooted in its 15th century time period, but I’d love to see if Whannell could set it in a modern-day setting.

The story of a hunchback who aids a woman who’s being romantically pursued by the nefarious brother of the archdeacon, a version was produced during Disney's renaissance period, and it was pretty dark for a G-rated movie. So, I could only imagine what it would be like in Whannell’s hands.

I could imagine a Quasimodo-like figure being tortured, Saw-style, only for said figure to turn the tables on his captor. I don’t know. I just think it would be cool to get a modernized take on this classic story, and believe Whannell would be the perfect guy for the job.

The Phantom Of The Opera (1925)

Speaking of The Invisible Man, one thing I loved about Whannell’s approach was that he handled the subject of an abusive relationship, and wrapped it up in the narrative of a horror story.

I don’t want to see him retread familiar territory, but I would love to see how he could tackle The Phantom of the Opera, which is about the ultimate possessive relationship.

Except, unlike Whannell’s Invisible Man, where the protagonist’s boyfriend was as toxic as humanly possibly, the Phantom is an example of toxic reciprocity, in which the Phantom thinks he deserves the love of a young singer just because he’s been working to promote her career (by killing people). Not only that, but the young singer’s boyfriend tries to rescue her, and the Phantom traps him in a room and tries to kill him.

Can you see where I’m going with this? I would love to see a modern take where the singer gets captured, but fights back, just like Elisabeth Moss’s character in The Invisible Man. Not only that, but I could see the Phantom, who is often romanticized as a mysterious figure, being more of an incel creep in this version.

Not only that, but since Whannell helped create the Saw franchise, I could see the room where the Phantom tries to kill the singer’s boyfriend being really messed up, just like in Saw. Come on, Whannell. Please make THIS movie next. It’s begging to be made!

Frankenstein (1931)

I’m pretty sure that people who never even read the famous Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus are now perfectly aware that Frankenstein is the name of the doctor and not the famous monster.

But, how interesting would it be if we got a Frankenstien movie and never even got the monster, but instead, learned that the doctor himself was the monster by the way he intentionally killed people just so he could use their bodies for science?

Okay, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself here. For those who don’t know, Frankenstein is the story of a doctor who exhumes graves and cobbles together body parts to create a human being.

The creature escapes his confines, though, and accidentally hurts some people at first, before intentionally hurting some other people later. Citizens revolt and go after the creature. Classic stuff.

It’s been reinterpreted quite a bit, such as the recent Lisa Frankenstein, which some of our staff had very strong feelings about. I’d love a modern take on the story, and it could ditch the Frankenstein title altogether, and just stick with The Modern Prometheus. I think if people weren’t expecting “the monster,” to show up, then a similar, but vastly different story could be told. Plus, Whannell is a lot more creative than I am, so I’m sure he could come up with a far better idea for a new Frankenstein movie than I just came up with.

The Mummy (1932)

Now, The Mummy is interesting. The 2017 Tom Cruise version is infamously seen as both the start and the end of Universal’s proposed Dark Universe.

Not only that, but Whannell’s The Invisible Man is somewhat seen as the spark that reignited the Universal Monsters, with Wolf Man being another step toward bringing these characters back to the big screen (I for one, also enjoyed The Last Voyage of the Demeter, which our very own Mike Reyes thinks could have saved the Dark Universe if it had replaced The Mummy at the start).

But anyway, if anybody could bring back The Mummy, I’m pretty sure Whannell could. Because honestly, I think a lot of people still have the action-packed Brendan Fraser movies in their heads when they think of The Mummy, and the Tom Cruise movie didn’t help, as it was also an action flick.

However, how about we go back to the horror roots? The 1932 movie is essentially a love story, as a mummy is brought back to life, and he tries to bring back his love, and ends up killing people along the way. The modern versions have spun these off into adventure territories, but I want a good old fashion spooky version, with Whannell at the helm.

Make it gross, make it spooky, make it however you want. Just please make it, Mr. Whannell!

The Invisible Woman (1940)

Lastly, how great would it be if Whannell bookended his Universal Horror contributions with The Invisible Woman? Now, the original movie is more like a comedic romance film than a horror movie, but I’d really love to see him approach the subject matter.

In the original film, a woman gets fired from her job, and once invisible, goes back to teach her former boss a lesson (among other events). But, what if she kills him by accident? And, I don’t know, what if she liked killing him?

I love the idea of a woman on the loose who is killing people…just because. I don’t need her to get back at men who wronged her. I’d just like to see a female serial killer movie, but she’s invisible.

I think this could be an interesting counterpoint to his first Universal Monster movie. Again, Whannell is a lot more inventive than me, so I’m sure he could come up with a more interesting idea, but how great would it be if he turned this silly movie into something haunting and unforgettable, just like The Invisible Man?

For more news on other upcoming Blumhouse horror movies, be sure to swing by here often!

What’s harder to land than a hit movie? Try a hit series of movies. This list of titles is full of movies that, through one reason or another, we’re shocked haven’t become bigger franchises in the Hollywood landscape.

Master and Commander: Far Side of the World

Director Peter Weir’s seafaring epic starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany has become a fan favorite over time but somehow didn’t catch fire upon initial release. A Master and Commander reboot is in the works, but missing out on more of this pair is still a tragedy. 

Battlestar Galactica

How in the Frak did Caprica not catch on with people? We could have had even more answers into Ronald D. Moore’s reimagining of Battlestar Galactica, and yet people didn’t seem ready for it. Even with the defunct Peacock reboot and an attempted movie adaptation proposed in the past, this sci-fi landmark can’t seem to catch a break, which makes you wonder just what went wrong.

John Carter

The world failed John Carter, but somehow dug straight into Avatar without a question. Holding the record for the longest period of book-to-film adaptation, the legendary Edgar Rice Burroughs’ space opera of Mars finally found itself adapted into a 2012 cult favorite, but failed to turn into a franchise for director Andrew Stanton to call his own. 

Dredd

It’s a shame that Dredd’s story of going from a beleaguered production to a fan favorite never paid off with sequels or spin-off series capitalizing on Karl Urban’s time in the role. Even with streaming success boosting the picture’s profile, there’s still no sign of anyone following this 2000 A.D. comic’s second cinematic adaptation with another turn at bat. 

Mortal Engines

With the YA adaptation market being what it is, it’s rather surprising that Mortal Engines couldn’t capture the same readers and viewers who made The Hunger Games an enduring success. Even having the pedigree of producer Peter Jackson flexing his post-Lord of the Rings muscles wasn’t enough to lift this inventive dystopian tale into the consciousness. 

Akira

There have been several efforts to create a live-action adaptation of author Katsuhiro Otomo’s iconic manga Akira, stretching back for almost as long as the 1988 anime film brought the books to the world’s attention. With major directors like Stephen Norrington, Albert Hughes, and Taika Waititi being drafted over the decades to try and make it so, the reasons for its failure are just as frustrating as not seeing a more accurate portrayal of the manga’s extensive story. 

The Nice Guys

You’d think someone would slip writer/director Shane Black a Christmas present by putting The Nice Guys back on the board as a potential franchise. Alas, not even Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s comedic chemistry has made it easy to revisit this fan favorite. Plus, a potential female-led TV reboot has also gone MIA, depriving us all of more clever mysteries punctuated by witty, R-rated punchlines.

Warcraft

Much like Pacific Rim, Legendary co-production Warcraft was a long-legged box office success with modest enough results to keep people asking for a sequel. While one could understand why it never happened, it’s baffling that a reboot or even an adaptation of other Blizzard franchises like Starcraft weren’t attempted to try and get people revved up all over again. 

Sahara

Even Matthew McConaughey understood that Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels could have been something truly cinematic. With follow-ups intended to continue past Sahara’s 2006 theatrical release, that was indeed a possibility. But even with that film failing to catch fire, how has someone not tried to get this potential American James Bond competitor back on the market? 

Alita: Battle Angel

With solid box office at its back, a vocal fanbase still pulling for a sequel, and the likes of James Cameron producing, Alita: Battle Angel was always born to be a franchise. Sadly, despite Cameron seeming to confirm an Alita sequel in development, nothing has been set in stone. 

Eragon

YA and Fantasy are two realms that always seem to be fresh for mining in show business. Author Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, kicked off by the novel Eragon, is one such property that touches both of those bases; seemingly destined for future greatness. At least, that seemed to be the case before the 2006 movie adaptation was released, much to the chagrin of fans of the text. 

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The Fast Saga has never been quiet about its aspirations to become a huge and healthy franchise. That’s practically why Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw was greenlit in the first place. But somehow the Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham spin-off hasn’t been given much priority, even with its main-line franchise due to say its last farewell at some point. 

Tron

While a Tron threequel is in motion, and with a clear finish line in sight, the failure to see this saga entrench itself further in pop culture is a crying shame. Considering how well Tron: Legacy did at the box office, and how Tron: Uprising’s ambitious storyline still remains unfinished, we should have returned to the grid a long time ago. 

Bridesmaids

Admittedly, director Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids wasn’t built for a sequel. That hasn’t stopped lightning-hot comedies in the past, and considering this movie was a lightning bolt hit akin to The Hangover films, one wouldn’t be mistaken in thinking that we missed out by not spending more time with Kristen Wiig and the rest of the insanely stacked ensemble from this laugh riot. 

Interview With The Vampire

Writer Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels eventually saw justice done by them with the start of the AMC series adaptation of Interview with the Vampire. Tom Cruise’s shock at the lack of a sequel proves that he would have been up for more madness as Lestat, and knowing that someone prevented this from happening in the decision-making process really bites. 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Considering Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actually landed a TV series that went beyond its source material, you’d think that the John Hughes/Matthew Broderick hit could have secured at least one more movie in its canon. Alas, the closest we’ve ever gotten to such a prospect is a Paramount+ spin-off film, and the Honda Super Bowl ad that returned Broderick to the role in 2012. 

Fear Street

Saved from the clutches of non-existence, Netflix snagged director Leigh Janiak’s Fear Street trilogy after the Fox/Disney merger, making the films a streaming hit. And yet, only one follow-up seems to be on the books at the time, even in a world where author R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps saga has turned into a streaming TV hit. 

The Baby-Sitter’s Club

Whether you’re thinking of the 1995 film adaptation or either of the TV projects that author Ann M. Martin’s iconic book series spawned, the fact that The Baby-Sitter’s Club never caught on is something that’s perplexing. With the popularity of the long-running series’ literary incarnation as its foundation, there’s still a potential for someone to figure out how to keep Dawn, Mallory, and the rest of the girls telling their stories for generations to come.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is more than likely the movie that’s helped actor Henry Cavill continue to associate his name as adjacent to the James Bond franchise. This light-hearted and funny action crusher could have been a competition to 007 himself, and still could be if the right studio executives set their minds to making it happen.

The Last Starfighter

It’s almost amazing how The Last Starfighter’s long developing legacy-quel, with Rogue One writer Gary Whitta attached, can’t seem to escape the atmosphere of development hell. If you ask us, we blame the Ko-Dan Empire for this serious lack of progress. 

The Mummy

“Lack of effort” isn’t the primary cause that killed The Mummy’s potential third sequel. But at the same time, it doesn’t feel like there was never enough hustle to try and get the series back on the rails with Brendan Fraser and company involved. At best, all Universal has to show for things is a failed reboot with Tom Cruise, and a lot of fans hoping Rick O’Connell and his family will return. 

Wanted

Director Timur Bekmambetov still likes to talk about the potential sequel to his 2008 hit Wanted, but that talk seems to be going nowhere. This James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie starring hit still has its fans, but apparently none of them are in positions of power to get a second picture into the works. 

District 9

One of Neill Blomkamp’s most promising sequel pitches has to be the follow-up he was planning to continue the story of his breakout hit District 9. As the 2009 sci-fi movie left off on a huge cliffhanger, further exploration of the worlds occupied by Wikus (Shartlo Copley) and “Prawn” Christopher (Jason Cope) just might have expanded this hard-hitting story across the galaxy. 

Edge of Tomorrow

If Tom Cruise wants to do something, he tends to get his way on the matter at hand. A potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel is one of the rare cases that, at the moment, proves this isn’t always the case. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time before Tom makes this seemingly impossible feat a reality. 

Galaxy Quest

Across the spectrum of movies and TV, the potential continuation of 1999’s Galaxy Quest has been a subject of great work and much promise. While potential successor efforts seem to have mostly halted after the death of Alan Rickman, it’s still somewhat surprising that there weren’t more attempts made closer to the release of the original. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy

While there’s not a “definitive” version of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the places the 2005 cinematic incarnation could have gone were numerous. That unfulfilled promise could have been realized through the more recent Hulu series that was pitched, but the radio silence on that front speaks volumes about the possibility. 

The Rocketeer

Despite its initial box office troubles, The Rocketeer has continued to thrill audiences young and old. There’s been quite a bit of talk over the years involving legacy-quels pitches, but as it currently stands all that’s actually happened is a Disney Junior series that ran between 2019 and 2020.

James Bond

Over 60 years of history is pretty amazing with any film franchise, especially the James Bond series of movies. But with so many potentials for spin-offs and book-accurate adaptations, the most the powers that be have done to branch out this particular brand is the Prime Video exclusive reality series 007: Road to a Million.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington’s exploits in trying to take over Christmas are legendary, even with The Nightmare Before Christmas’ rocky start in theaters. While there is a video game sequel, as well as adjacent adventures in sagas like Kingdom Hearts, no cinematic continuation to Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s perennial favorite has been made.

National Treasure

What’s tougher than stealing the Declaration of Independence? Try making a theatrical sequel to the National Treasure movies. Ending on a cliffhanger that seemed to set up a natural continuation with a third movie, the short-lived Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History is the closest we’ve gotten to re-entering the world of Nicholas Cage’s iconic treasure hunter Benjamin Gates. 

Sherlock Holmes

There could be hope for a third Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie, especially with his Young Sherlock series potentially reinvigorating interest in the IP. The wait for such a prospect has certainly been a killer, but fans of Steven Moffat’s modern adaptation of Sherlock would probably fight for the title of “most disappointed fans on Baker Street,” as that BBC series stopped after four rounds of adventure. 

Hocus Pocus

We understand that Hocus Pocus has a sequel movie, and there’s another round that’s looking to get underway. But to be completely honest, it’s surprising that there wasn’t a larger scrum to dig up the Sanderson Sisters a lot earlier, especially when the old days of Disney direct-to-video sequels would have eaten this prospect up, and asked for more.

Sally Albright and Harry Burns, Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, Anna Scott and William Thacker — the best romantic comedies of all time have given the world some of cinema's most beloved pairings. But what about those movies that aren't classic rom-coms? Plenty of sci-fi classics, adventure epics, soaring musicals and heartrending dramas have introduced movie lovers to twosomes worth rooting for. Here are the 32 best movie couples from outside the rom-com genre. 

Han Solo and Princess Leia (Star Wars)

"I love you!" "I know!" And there you have the famous dynamic between Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) throughout the entire Star Wars franchise. The good-natured bickering, palpable tension and lasting love through both ups and downs between the rakish captain of the Millennium Falcon and the regal Jedi-turned-general make theirs one of the best couples in any galaxy. 

Joel and Clementine (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind)

Not even a Lacuna memory erasure procedure could make Joel Barish (Jim Carrey, in one of his best performances) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) forget each other in the 2004 Michael Gondry-directed classic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Though both characters initially wanted to dissolve their relationship, getting to relive all of their moments together — both good and bad — made them, and us, want to see their romance rekindled. 

Jackson and Ally (A Star Is Born)

The love story between an established Hollywood star and a plucky aspiring singer has been told across several film versions of A Star Is Born — though the duo is known as Norman and Esther in previous iterations — but Bradley Cooper's Jackson and Lady Gaga's Ally reinvigorated the cinematic romance in the 2018 romantic musical, thanks to their electrifying chemistry and incredible duets. That devastating ending wouldn't hit nearly the same way without them.

Rose and Jack (Titanic)

James Cameron's Titanic does so much as a movie: one part historical drama, one part disaster epic, and one part onscreen romance for the ages. And guiding moviegoers through all of it is the instantly iconic pairing of scrappy third-class artist Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and sheltered high-class debutante Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). 

Chiron and Kevin (Moonlight)

In the 2016 Oscar winner for Best Picture, we get to see Chiron and Kevin together through three periods of their lives in Miami, from their childhoods to teendom to adulthood. Their sweet connection turns sultry when the pair (now played by Trevante Rhodes and André Holland, respectively) reunites as grown men at a Florida diner, with Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger" crooning over the jukebox. 

Rick and Ilsa (Casablanca)

It's ironic that arguably the greatest cinematic romance of all time is actually between exes. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) may not be together anymore in the 1942 masterpiece Casablanca, as she has since moved on and married Czechoslovak Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). But they'll wistfully "always have Paris," and we'll always have them. 

Marianne and Héloïse (Portrait Of A Lady On Fire)

This subtle yet stirring 2019 drama from Céline Sciamma tells the story of a slow-burn romance between two young women in late 18th-century France: a young aristocrat named Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) and the painter commissioned to paint her portrait, Marianne (Noémie Merlant). Together, the LGBTQ+ movie couple crafts a connection as singular and stunning as anything found on a canvas. 

Tish and Fonny (If Beale Street Could Talk)

Director Barry Jenkins composes a stunning cast for this film adaptation of James Baldwin's 1974 novel, including Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bryan Tyree Henry and Regina King. But the heart of the story beats with its core couple Tish and Fonny, portrayed by KiKi Layne and Stephan James. The film is told in a non-linear fashion, jumping from highs (the birth of a child) to lows (wrongful incarceration), but the heart-wrenching love between Tish and Fonny threads it all. 

Ennis and Jack (Brokeback Mountain)

One of the best LGBTQ movies of all time, Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain broke hearts the world over with its beautifully rendered romance between Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), two Wyoming cowboys whose intense but repressed passion stretches across decades. The realities of early-'60s America meant that the men couldn't be publicly open with their relationship, which made their time together both savored and tragic. 

Elizabeth and Will (Pirates Of The Caribbean)

Although Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Swann has several love interests throughout the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, including Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and James Norrington (Jack Davenport), even casual fans know that her one true love is none other than blacksmith-turned-pirate Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). Spanning five Pirates movies, the swashbuckling duo takes on everything from arrests and kidnappings to ghost captains and mysterious curses. 

Neo and Trinity (The Matrix)

To say that love changes the world in The Matrix films is an understatement: it literally is what brings Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) back to life and frees them from the confines of simulated reality. A true fusion reaction, the connection that they generate throughout the seminal sci-fi franchise is enough to power them through hardships both human and machine.

Reynolds and Alma (Phantom Thread)

Not every movie romance is a happily-ever-after breeze. For controlling couture designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and clumsy but calculating country waitress Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), things aren't entirely smooth sailing after they meet-cute at the restaurant she works at and marry shortly thereafter, especially because the bride has taken to micro-poisoning her husband to render him sweet and submissive. Her actions are twisted, no doubt, but Reynolds ends up finding it all weirdly endearing, and so do we. 

Rhett And Scarlett (Gone With The Wind) 

One of the most iconic pairings ever on the big screen, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) weather a lot throughout this four-hour 1939 Oscar winner, from civil war to typhoid fever to the loss of a child. Ironically, it's their very own natures that they can't outrun, from Rhett's ruthlessness to Scarlett's stubbornness. When the Southern belle finally realizes that she's really loved Rhett all along, it's too late, as he harshly leaves her with one of the movie's best parting lines: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Clarence and Alabama (True Romance)

In sickness and in health, until arrest do us part — those could basically be the vows of Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) and Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette), a pair of newlyweds on the run from the Mafia after stealing a shipment of drugs. Things get unsurprisingly dark for our brazen bride and groom, but the sheer devotion that the two have for each other is a welcome bright spot. 

Gomez and Morticia (The Addams Family)

Who would have thought that one of pop culture's healthiest onscreen couples would be the exceedingly odd, decidedly macabre Morticia and Gomez Addams? Though incarnated by numerous performers on screens big and small, the portrayals by Anjelica Huston as Morticia and Raul Julia as Gomez in 1991's The Addams Family deliciously embody the characters' endless enthusiasm for each other. Madly in love, indeed!

Jesse and Céline (The 'Before' Trilogy)

It's incredibly rare to follow a beloved movie couple for years — in Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy, you movingly get to follow Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) across decades, from the star-crossed travelers who meet on a Eurail train and later fall for each other while playing tourist in Vienna in 1995's Before Sunrise, to the long-together older versions we find summering in Greece with their children in 2013's Before Midnight. 

Albert and Armand (The Birdcage)

Sure, stereotypes abound in Mike Nichols' 1996 comedy The Birdcage, especially surrounding Armand (Robin Williams, in a classic performance) and Albert Goldman (Nathan Lane), a gay couple whose son (Dan Futterman) is set to marry the daughter (Calista Flockhart) of a very conservative senator (Gene Hackman) and his wife (Dianne Wiest). But in the middle of all of the flamboyant hijinks, Armand and Albert prove to have the film's most stable relationship, one marked by compassion, communication and acceptance. 

Peter and Mary Jane (The 'Spider-Man' Trilogy)

Along with giving moviegoers a rain-soaked, upside-down lip lock we won't soon forget, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst's take on Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson imbued some palpable real-life chemistry into the beloved comic-book couple. In keeping with Spider-Man tradition, the actors briefly dated offscreen as well, though Dunst joked that filming that epic smooch was far less pleasurable than it looked.

Noah and Allie (The Notebook)

Let's be real, it would take a very special gentleman to have us rooting for anyone other than James Marsden to get the girl. It's good, then, that director Nick Cassavetes cast Ryan Gosling at his dreamiest opposite Rachel McAdams in this 2004 melodrama, widely considered one of the best romantic movies of all time. The actors' off-set connection (they dated IRL from 2005 to 2007) is passionately felt in the characters' constant bickering and bantering, not to mention those intense rainstorm smooches. 

Edward and Bella (Twilight)

Neither age (she's 17-year-old and he's a cool 104) nor species (she's a human and he's a blood-drinking, sparkly-skinned vampire) could keep them apart. No, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) remained astonishingly loyal to and protective of each other throughout the entire Twilight Saga film franchise, despite jealous werewolves, vampire armies and creepy half-vamp babies trying to get in their way (though Stewart hilariously does not agree with her character's infatuation). 

Katniss and Peeta (The Hunger Games)

Surviving tough times is a given in any relationship but few movie couples have been tested by as much hardship as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). The characters first bond as "tributes" in the government's annual Hunger Games — which require them to fight to the death until only one person is left alive — and despite the odds, they're able to parlay that trust and partnership into the franchise's best romance. (Sorry, Gale.) 

Emma and Adèle (Blue Is The Warmest Colour)

Much has been made about the physical intimacy between Léa Seydoux's Emma and Adèle Exarchopoulos's Adèle in the 2013 French drama Blue is the Warmest Color, but their connection goes far deeper than the film's explicit sex scenes. The feelings between the two young women are so raw and fierce that when they meet again at a restaurant after years of separation, we absolutely believe Emma when she says she will always feel "infinite tenderness" for what they had. 

Ron and Hermione (Harry Potter)

Some of the best romances come out of friendships, and the coupling between Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) is no exception. For years, Harry Potter fans watched as the young wizard and witch danced around their feelings for each other — granted, they were busy fighting the Wizarding World's darkest forces at the time — so when the longtime pals finally locked lips in Deathly Hallows — Part 2, the big moment felt completely earned. 

Jamal and Latika (Slumdog Millionaire)

It's the intense love and loyalty that Jamal (Dev Patel) has for Latika (Freida Pinto), who he first met as a kid in the slums of Mumbai, that fuels his every move in this Danny Boyle-directed musical drama. Whether he's stealing shoes at the Taj Mahal, taking a job as a chaiwala at a call center or winning India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Jamal is doing it all to get back to Latika. And when he does, it's only fitting that his whole world breaks out in song and dance. 

Romeo and Juliet (Romeo + Juliet)

They are the O.G. star-crossed lovers and in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 retelling of the Shakespearean classic, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes beautifully lead the Romeo + Juliet cast as our eponymous pair and capture all of the intensity of first love. Yes, with family feuds, fatal duels and friar mix-ups aplenty, this relationship was doomed to fail, but at least it pulsed with youthful verve and captivating chemistry while it lasted. 

Oliver and Elio (Call Me By Your Name)

Some relationships may be short in span but sweeping in their impact. In Luca Guadagnino's 2017 masterpiece Call Me by Your Name, the romance between 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and graduate student Oliver (Armie Hammer) — who is assisting Elio's father (Michael Stuhlbarg) for the summer — only lasts a few short, sun-soaked weeks. But the after-effects of their coupling ripple through both young men long after the cold settles in. 

Rick and Evelyn (The Mummy)

One of the best things about the romance between adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) is that it subverts that tired beauty-and-brawn stereotype. Evelyn is obviously lovely but she's no distressed damsel — she's as capable of deciphering hieroglyphics as she is sword-fighting the undead. And Rick is fittingly valiant but needs to be rescued himself every now and then. Together, they make the perfect mummy-fighting pair. 

Tony And Maria (West Side Story) 

Taking inspiration from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, there was always an undercurrent of tragedy between Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), two Upper West Side teens tied to rival NYC street gangs. The relationship between the young lovers remains pure and passionate — iconically portrayed in that famous "Tonight" balcony scene — even as they get caught up in prejudice, violence and societal divides.

Mia And Sebastian (La La Land)

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have teamed up several times onscreen, including 2011's Crazy, Stupid, Love and 2013's Gangster Squad, but it was 2016's La La Land that best used their fizzy, years-honed friendship and produced their most iconic pairing as struggling jazz pianist Sebastian Wilder and aspiring actress Mia Dolan, who meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. 

Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie And Clyde)

Just because a couple is doing bad deeds doesn't mean we can't root for them, right? Yes, Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) and Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) were up to all sorts of criminal mischief in the 1967 neo-noir Bonnie and Clyde, from bank robberies to gang kidnappings, but their actions were powered by a passion so intense, it was deadly. 

Rocky and Adrian (Rocky)

Yo, Adrian! The relationship between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire) — who first meet over turtle food at a Philadelphia pet store — is one of the connecting threads of the Rocky film franchise. Despite her misgivings about Rocky's dangerous career, Adrian is a supportive, steadfast presence for Rocky both inside the ring and out, so much so that even when he loses, he still feels like a winner. 

Maria and the Captain (The Sound Of Music)

How do you solve a problem like Maria? You fall in love with her, of course! And who could blame Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) for catching feelings for the effervescent governess to his seven children, especially when she's played by the incomparable Julie Andrews? Watching his gruff, widowed military officer soften under Maria's care is, simply, one of our favorite things. 

Universal’s 1999 reboot of The Mummy and its 2001 sequel The Mummy Returns are full of high adventure, sweeping romance, and absurdly quotable dialogue. And if you’ve ever wanted a guide to the best lines that still crush from one of the best horror movies, look no further. 

“Hey Beni! Looks like you’re on the wrong side of the ri-ver!”

If there was going to be one line that we single out from one of the best ‘90s movies of all time, it has to be this one. Every time Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) calls out his frenemy Beni (Kevin J. O’Connor) for being in the wrong place at the right time, it’s one of the star attractions. 

“YOU!”

The Mummy Returns moves pretty fast as a follow-up to its meteoric successor. With Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) returning to the field of play in an accelerated fashion, he throws out this one-liner calling out Rick and company as the thorns in the side of his dastardly plans. 

“Look, I... I may not be an explorer or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker or a gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am. … I... am a librarian.”

Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) knows how to keep her wits about her, even a couple of drinks into the night. Her pride in being a purveyor of knowledge is infectious; as is Weisz’s performance. To be able to look this cool during The Mummy’s infamously hot filming temperatures, is certainly a feat.

“My girl, when Rameses destroyed Syria, that was an accident. You are a catastrophe!”

As the Cairo Museum of Antiquities’ curator, Dr. Terence Bey (Erick Avari) knows a thing or two about patience when getting to the bottom of ancient riddles, puzzles, and history. But even that is tested in moments such as when Evelyn accidentally trashes the museum’s library, in one massive domino effect. It’s an insult on par with director Stephen Sommers’ feelings on 2017’s The Mummy; only this time we’re supposed to laugh.

“If I were to say to you, "I am a stranger traveling from the East, seeking that which is lost...”

Introducing a new wrinkle to The Mummy Returns’ contribution to the canon, Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr) throws out this challenge phrase to Rick after seeing his very special tattoo. Acting as a source of wisdom and heroic knowledge yet again, the Medjay warrior gave Mummy fans a phrase to throw at their friends at the right time. 

“Would you like to know what heaven looks like?”

One of the purest romances in the history of cinema has to be that of Evelyn and Rick O’Connell. The Mummy Returns only reinforces that point, with another moment of love between the couple helping to close out the sequel’s story. Which, of course, makes onlookers like Jonathan Carnahan and Alex O’Connell a bit grossed out.

“For the record, if I don't make it out of here, don't put me down for mummification.”

To survive in The Mummy universe, you’re going to need a wit as quick as your ability with a weapon. Rick O’Connell has both, and after Evelyn informs him of the gruesome way a body is mummified, he keenly opts out as only a moment in one of the best Brendan Fraser movies could.

“Lady, I don't behave for my parents. What makes you think I'm going to do it for you?”

If anyone needed proof that The Mummy Returns’ Alex O’Connell is the child of Rick and Evelyn, his moment of mouthiness with Meela Nais (Patricia Velásquez), the physical reincarnation of Anck-su-namun, says it all. Of course, his ability to put on dangerous bracelets without a second thought is also a pretty good sign. 

“Know this: this creature is the bringer of death. He will never eat, he will never sleep, and he will never stop.”

The Mummy isn’t just comedic one-liners or intense romance. Sometimes, things get deadly serious; and Ardeth Bay has no problems reminding the crowd of the stakes. Imhotep is a formidable foe, and lines like this are where his threat is truly commemorated. This could also be adopted as the motto for those fans with plenty of reasons to make a new Mummy sequel.

“Honey, whatcha doing? These guys don't use doors.”

As The Mummy Returns moves into one of its earliest action set-pieces, Evelyn tries to stop Imhotep’s mummy guards from pursuing their group by blockading a door. And for a change, Rick is the one that drops the knowledge, as his lovely wife springs into action.

“This was my first bus ride.”

Putting a perfect button on The Mummy Returns’  spectacular double-decker bus chase, heroic Medjay Ardeth Bay takes a second to let his compatriots know that he’s achieved a personal milestone. His pride is actually quite adorable.

“You better think of something fast, because if he turns me into a mummy, you're the first one I'm coming after.”

Evelyn’s gambit to save herself, and her companions, by temporarily surrendering to Imhotep is a bold move on its own. But giving this ultimatum to Rick, in order to ensure her survival, shows the witty guts our favorite librarian has at her disposal. 

“You, lighten up. You, big trouble. You, get in the car.”

As Ardeth Bay, his son Alex (Freddie Boath), and his brother-in-law all present little challenges to his patience in short order, Rick O’Connell handles all three with this series of commands. It only allows The Mummy Returns to glide like a charm, never wasting a moment, but always packing a punch.

“No! You must not read from the book!”

Dr. Allen Chamberlain (Jonathan Hyde) may be a supporting character on The Mummy’s opposing treasure-hunting faction, but even he gets one of the series’ most stand-out moments. Shouting that phrase of foreboding once awoken from his sleep, the movie’s energy automatically shifts into a countdown to Imhotep’s arrival. 

“Yeah, right, and no harm ever came from reading a book. You remember how that one went?”

Slyly referencing the events of The Mummy during the early moments of The Mummy Returns, Rick reminds his dear wife that some of the most innocuous things can unleash ancient evil. And, as always, he does it with an attitude that’s firm, but supportive and ready to defend those he holds dear.

“Death is only the beginning.”

Not only does Evelyn get to drop one of The Mummy’s taglines in conversation, but it’s also a key line for the villainous Imhotep. Its context in the movie, and the delivery in both instances, kind of make it one of the best cases where the marketing department had its work cut out for them. 

“That I learned from your father.”

Fighting off attackers in the early moments of The Mummy Returns, Evelyn is asked by her son how she learned to fight so well. And as anyone who saw The Mummy could have told him, good old Rick O’Connell helped her learn some of the moves they don’t teach you in training to become a librarian. 

“Can you see...Can you believe...Can we just…”

Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah) is a coward, but he’s also a good-natured, humorous, and gre-ee-dy coward. Even in the midst of escaping the crumbling ruins of Hamunaptra, his eye is caught by untold riches. What’s very much told is that he should just keep moving, and leave the shiny stuff where it is.

“Oh no, not these guys again!”

With lines that acknowledge a sequel’s existence, there’s a fine line between self-reverential and very well-played entertainment. When Rick sees Imhotep’s soldier mummies again in The Mummy Returns, his reaction falls into the more entertaining bucket, as we could all probably identify with the sentiment expressed. 

“Here I come, laddies!”

A moment of silence for the late Captain Winston Havelock (Bernard Fox). Out of all of the heroes in The Mummy, all Winston wants is a great conflict that’ll allow him to die a hero’s death. And he gets it when helping Rick and Jonathan in their quest, while also getting in this triumphant battle cry. 

“If you see anyone come running out screaming, it's just me.”

Jonathan Carnahan doesn’t become a bigger hero or coward in The Mummy Returns. Rather, he just learns some new ways to show what he will and won’t do in the name of defeating Imhotep and his associates. Trust us, he’s not as useless as you’d think; just really funny. 

“It's a sarcophagus. Buried at the base of Anubis. He must have been someone of great importance. Or he did something very naughty.”

You can’t just be knowledgeable in The Mummy universe, as personality goes a long way on such an adventure. Evelyn Carnahan’s delivery of this exposition involving Imhotep’s burial reminds the audience of the epic opening of our tale while moving things along with the wit we love these movies for possessing. 

“Folks, knowing my brother-in-law, he probably deserves whatever you're about to do to him, but this is my house, I have certain rules about snakes and dismemberment.”

The Mummy Returns doesn’t forget what made director Stephen Sommers’ Universal monsters reboot a hit in the first place. And while Rick O’Connell probably took a second to imagine what life would have been like without his brother-in-law Jonathan there to gum up the works, he surely wasn’t going to let him die at the hands of the enemy. And that’s why he’s a true hero. 

“Take that Bembridge Scholars!”

Throughout The Mummy, Evelyn Carnahan acknowledges a long-held grudge between herself and the Bembridge Scholars. So it’s only natural that she takes a moment of vindication while doing something they’d never dreamed of…fighting an actual mummy. 

“O'Connell, if you give me that gold stick there, then you can shave my head, wax my legs, and use me for a surfboard.”

Adding some more comic relief to The Mummy Returns is Izzy Buttons (Shaun Parkes), a former associate of Rick’s who contributes two important skills to helping rescue Alex from captivity. Not only is Izzy a cracker jack dirigible pilot, but he also has an eagerness to serve…so long as there’s a reward. 

“I loved the whole sand wall trick. It was beautiful.”

It has to be asked if Kevin J. O’Connor ad-libbed this line, or if it was just a really good line read in The Mummy; because this moment feels so natural. Always loyal to whomever is paying/keeping him alive, Beni never wavers in his fickle nature.

“A broken bottle. Glenlivet, twelve years old! Well, he may have been a stinky fellow, but he had good taste.”

Jonathan Carnahan has never met a drink or treasure that he didn’t like. Even after the untimely loss of Warden Gad Hassan (Omid Djalili), the ever-opportunistic Jonathan doesn’t let a bit of breakage ruin some fine Scotch.

“Ah. I know. You're wondering... what is a place like me doing in a girl like this?”

After imbibing in some liquor found by her brother Jonathan, Evelyn finds herself in high spirits. So much so that she adorably scrambles her words on this unique spin on an old saying.

“Apparently, he had a very good time.”

The warden Gad Hassan (Omid Djalili) isn’t exactly someone the audience of The Mummy is supposed to identify with. But he still gets some pretty memorable laughs, especially when filling us in on the vague circumstances that led to Rick’s initial incarceration. 

“My friend, there is a fine line between coincidence and fate.”

Ardeth Bay once again shows off his wisdom in The Mummy Returns, when trying to convince Rick that he’s a descendant of the Medajy order he also serves. This moment also just happens to be a very good piece of everyday knowledge, blurring the line between dialogue that moves along a story, but also sticks with us in life. 

“I can't figure out this last symbol! ... It's a bird, a stork!"

One of the best callbacks shared between The Mummy and The Mummy Returns is the deciphering of the symbol of Amenophus in the Book of the Dead. And once again, in the heat of battle, when everything is deadly serious, Jonathan Carnahan doesn’t let the moment get in the way of a little bit of proud learning. 

“Be quiet Alex! If there's going to be any hysterics, they'll come from me!”

Is it a Mummy movie if Jonathan isn’t in hysterics? Case in point: this The Mummy Returns quote was something he actually told his young nephew Alex. Say what you will about his bravery, but at least Mr. Carnahan is honest about his strengths and weaknesses. 

“Oh, your strength gives me strength.”

Beni Gabor isn’t a brave man, nor is he a strong man. But he certainly knows how to toady up to someone like Rick O’Connell with the greatest of ease; even if he ends up abandoning his friend just moments after making this proclamation.

Did anyone else have “The 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy returning to theaters” on their 2024 movie schedule bingo card? I certainly didn’t, but considering this year was the 25th anniversary of Stephen Sommers’ horror/adventure/rom-com starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, it was the perfect time for that throwback. 

What’s better is that thanks to another fun blast from the past, Weisz’s recollections of the intensely hot experience of making that first Mummy movie have resurfaced from the depths of entertainment journalism. Fellow fans of this beautiful “adventure romp” should take a moment to rejoice with me, as ET Online released a rare reel of interview footage from The Mummy’s 1998 on-location shoot. 

With those clips came stories of how the production was quite taxing, including Rachel Weisz’s story about the heat of the moment: 

I’m kind of feeling the heat after reading Rachel’s description of getting through The Mummy experience, which is totally valid as the film did hit up the Moroccan desserts to capture its tale of the cursed afterlife. Or, to piggyback off of how Brendan Fraser put it in this very same clip, a guy who wakes up and misses his girlfriend, but decides to throw a tantrum of Biblical proportions to get her back. Even supernatural beings like Arnold Vosloo's Imothep don't want to hang around the desert for longer than they have to.

Looking back at this vintage Mummy coverage also shows a bit of Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser’s uncertainty that the 1999 blockbuster would perform even half as well as it did. However, that skepticism understandably came from a history of development hell that saw this project move through around a decade of changing hands, as well as story treatments. 

With that in mind, going through all of that heated history to make a potential box office dud would have been painful. However, it does sound like Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and even John Hannah did have a lot of fun during that experience. So maybe they'd still have told these stories fondly if The Mummy Returns wasn't guaranteed to happen.

As some would tell you in their analysis of the late ‘90s, a cultural shift was happening at the box office that didn’t know what audiences wanted. I believe we’re in the middle of another sort of shift of that order right now, as reports of Furiosa’s complicated opening weekend seem to have indicated that the film had missed its money mark. With that in mind, I'm kind of further convinced that maybe it’s time for The Mummy’s potential resurrection after all.

Surely this year's theatrical rollout made enough money to show the enduring power of this property, right? Should we be lucky enough to see that come to pass, let’s hope that there’s a proper mix of practical shooting locations and select backlot shoots. If only so the magic touch that made those movies so perfect to behold can be maintained while keeping Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser in a comfortable level of danger and heat. 

Mummy fans, don’t fret. While there’s no official news of any sort of continuation of the adventures of Rick and Evelyn, we still have those first two films to treasure and enjoy. And if you’ve got a Peacock subscription, you can do just that, as that platform is the current home to The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, at the time of this publication. 

There are stories all over Hollywood about the major movie roles that famous actors almost took. For instance, it's relatively well known that Will Smith was almost Neo in The Matrix. For his part, Tom Cruise has turned down many big roles over the years that we know of. However, it turns out that reports that he turned down 1999's The Mummy, before he starred in the 2017 reboot, are apparently untrue.

25 years ago, Stephen Sommers' The Mummy premiered in theaters, and it launched a franchise. It also solidified Brenden Fraser as a bonafide action star. Fraser might have seemed an unlikely choice to lead a potential summer blockbuster franchise, but Sommers tells The Daily Beast that he was always the first choice for the role, despite what he himself has read over the years. He explained… 

While Tom Cruise has certainly shown his skills as an action hero, it’s hard to imagine anybody other than Brendan Fraser in the role of Rick O’Connell in The Mummy. Fraser certainly had a willingness to have fun with the role and poke some fun at himself, something that was key to the character and a tendency that we don’t often see from Cruise. 

The series' eponymous charactor is one of the classic Universal monsters, so it’s not surprising that the idea at the studio was to let the title be the major selling point. Universal had apparently been trying to make a new Mummy movie for the better part of a decade when Stephen Sommers made his pitch. And the director admits he feels that part of the reason he got the job was simply because the studio wouldn’t have to work on it anymore.

The corporation also helped out with the production of the film by being equally disinterested in it. Stephen Sommers says that due to a changing of the guard at Universal amid the start of filming, the new bosses were largely uninterested in a movie greenlit by the previous leadership. And, based on Sommers' comments, it sounds like he had a lot of creative freedom:

Of course, Tom Cruise would eventually headline a movie that's part of the brand. It was meant to launch the Dark Universe, which was to be an interconnected universe featuring iconic monsters, with big stars playing them. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. 

Since then, largely thanks to Brendan Fraser's Oscar win in 2023 and increased notoriety, there have been calls for yet another true sequel to the '99 flick. With that, Fraser has indicated he'd be up for such a production. Honestly, if there's any question about who was the right man to lead a Mummy movie, only one of them is in a ride at Universal Studios.

Anyone who'd like to stream The Mummy and The Mummy Returns can do so using a Peacock subscription.

Having long been part of the Hollywood ecosystem, the action genre truly took off with blockbuster verve during the 1980s, leading to many of the best movies in the 1990s serving as timeless action-packed romps. It was the decade when Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage became bona fide mega-stars, when Jackie Chan’s stunt work became internationally renowned, and when the world met Robert Patrick’s T-1000. Truly a golden age of badassery. (Those interested in more modern flicks can check out CinemaBlend’s take on 2023’s best action movies, as well as the best examples from 2022.)

While laying out such definitive lists is never easy, here are arguably the best of the best action movies that came out during the 1990s, with all the harrowing car chases, pulse-pounding heists, and deadly shootouts that audiences could hope for. And yes, a whole lot of Michael Bay, explosions, and Will Smith one-liners. 

Goldeneye

The James Bond franchise’s current level of prestige can make it easy to forget how buoyed optimism was for Pierce Brosnan’s debut as the secret agent for 1995’s GoldenEye, but Martin Campbell’s action-packed spy caper was just what Bond fans were looking for after years without a new film. Starting with that jaw-dropping bungee jump in the opening sequence, GoldenEye delivers one thrill on top of the next, from close-up fisticuffs between Brosnan and Famke Janssen’s Xenia Onatopp to the large-scale wreckage of the tank scene. Really, it just took the words “tank scene” to sell me, but “boss fight inside a giant satellite dish” didn’t hurt.

Blade

A decade before the MCU’s arrival, Wesley Snipes and director Stephen Norrington delivered what remains one of Marvel’s darkest live-action tales with Blade, one of the most action-packed vampire movies of any decade. The 1998 hit remains beloved amongst fans in part due to the A+ fight scenes that cemented Wesley Snipes’ legacy as genre fave, from the blood-soaked battle in the night club to Blade’s final act battle with Stephen Dorff’s Deacon Frost. 

Heat

Regardless of what happens with Michael Mann’s plans for Heat 2, his 1995 opus’ reputation can never be tarnished. While technically more of a crime drama, Heat is long enough that a tight action movie could feasibly be crafted through clever editing. With a stellar cast headed up with Godfather panache by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Heat keeps the high-stakes intensity going from beginning to end, and Val Kilmer delivers another one of his many too-cool performances.

Point Break

Kathryn Bigelow’s fourth feature, 1991’s Point Break, was crafted around an unmistakably 1990s action movie formula: an undercover cop experiences Stockholm syndrome for a zen criminal guru leading a group of skydiving bank-robbers, with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze starring as the respective cop and robber. The Hot Fuzz-inspiring Point Break is full of cool shoot-outs, hectic robberies, chases and more, but the skydiving scenes and POTUS masks take it to the next level. Did I mention Reeves’ character name is Johnny Utah? 

The Rock

Michael Bay’s 1996 romp The Rock is the epitome of the “Michael Bay 1996 movie” concept, centering on a team headed up by Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage that has to break into the infamous island prison Alcatraz in order to stop a terrorist plot. It really serves as a greatest hits reel for the director, with tons of gorgeously shot set pieces that keep the tension and manic energy flowing throughout, and without ever tipping over into complete farce. 

Speed

Jan de Bont’s directorial debut Speed is an action movie so inspirational with its high-concept formula that movies years afterward were sold as “Speed on a ___.” Watching Keanu Reeves’ Jack Traven attempt to get one step ahead of Dennis Hopper’s bomber antagonist would be a joy even without the rest of the ensemble featuring Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels and Alan Ruck, but they help keep the stakes palpable. From the elevator to the bus to the subway, Speed zips from one giant sequence to the next, and the fact that Speed 2: Cruise Control was so bad helps prove how special this one is.

Mission: Impossible

With more than a half-dozen entries, the Mission: Impossible franchise is currently quite distanced from Tom Cruise’s 1996 debut as Ethan Hunt. But that doesn’t stop Brian de Palma’s spy flick from standing out as one of the best action movies of the decade, as it serves up mystery thrills on top of its pulse-pounding stunts, while helping to set the groundwork for its star’’s persona as a risk-embracing star. And part of what makes M:I’s action great is the fact that Cruise wasn’t yet in polished superhero mode, adding to the stakes. 

Hard Boiled

Despite being released in 1992, Hard Boiled remains a genre classic whose action sequences remain as impressive as ever, both within director John Woo’s filmography and among cinema as a whole. His final Hong Kong film ahead of Woo’s transition to Hollywood, Hard Boiled stars Chow Yun-Fat as a cop whose solution to getting bogged down in a gang war is basically to fuck up everyone else’s shit. From the tea house carnage to the hospital shootout to the one-shot warehouse stunt-show, the critical darling paved the way for Woo’s Face/Off. 

Starship Troopers

Even if Paul Verhoeven possibly went a bit overboard with the satirical propaganda at the heart of 1997’s Starship Troopers, causing some critics and audiences to completely misunderstand its messaging, his adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein’s 1959 novel is every bit as destructive and intense as one could expect from a Verhoeven alien invasion movie. Though the huge budget meant it was considered a bit of a financial bust at the time, so much money going into the CGI of the Arachnid aliens means the visuals hold up way better than some other sci-fi films of the time. 

Face/Off

A movie that at times feels like a stuffed-to-the-gills trailer stretched out to nearly 140 minutes, Face/Off is a roller coaster ride on a track made entirely out of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage’s performance energy. (And the strength of the villain moniker Castor Troy.) Based on the bonkers-proof concept of a cat-and-mouse chase involving a federal agent and criminal swapping faces, Face/Off boasts director John Woo, whose excellence went a long way in keeping the 1997 flick from becoming an instant punchline. 

Last Action Hero

While viewed as a disappointment upon its 1993 release, John McTiernan’s genre-aping comedy Last Action Hero has gained a more proper following over the years, even if it still remains underappreciated amidst star Arnold Schwarzenegger and screenwriter Shane Black’s respective filmographies. As much an ode to the movies as an action-adventure itself, Last Action Hero makes fictional detective Jack Slater’s universe as familiar as real-world franchises, and I’m still mad we never got any sequels. 

Con Air

Con Air is one of those movies where there’s no half-assing one’s fandom of it, in that you either don’t like Con Air, or you know with all your mind and body it’s a goddamned treasure. Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich are in perfect form as the respective hero and villain Cameron Poe and Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom, with an all-star cast backing the Jerry Bruckheimer production. To pinpoint Con Air’s best moments is to take time away from enjoying the entirety of the thing. Beware the Marietta Mangler.

Independence Day

Roland Emmerich’s 1996 smash hit Independence Day falls more clearly into the action genre than his other disaster-laden films, while still adhering to his signature over-the-top mayhem. Featuring some of the ‘90s best on-screen explosions in any capacity, the alien invasion epic helped solidify Will Smith as a blockbuster action star in the wake of Bad Boys, while also bringing the laughs with Jeff Goldblum and Judd Hirsch among others. 

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Widely considered to be one of cinema’s biggest and best sequels of all time, Terminator 2: Judgment Day also holds the distinction of being one of the best action films of any era. Director James Cameron set the film’s nuclear stakes from the jump, and introduced an impressively frightening (and oft-parodied) villain in Robert Patrick’s liquid metal T-1000. Add in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s protagonist turn as T-800, the endless badassery of Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor, and the further nightmares of Skynet, and T2 remains a daunting genre entry.  

True Lies

The Matrix

It’s hard to think of any ‘90s movie that inspired the whole of culture (not just pop culture) the way that The Matrix did, from the fashion choices to the slow-mo bullet time to the electronica soundtrack and beyond. And amidst all the “red pill or blue pill?” debates and conversations about perspectives on reality, the Wachowskis weaved together a masterful action movie that broke new ground for martial arts combat and gunplay. In Neo we trust, but give me Trinity any day. 

The Long Kiss Goodnight

Lethal Weapon screenwriter Shane Black spent the ‘90s penning a trio of underrated genre faves, including 1996’s The Long Kiss Goodnight, which paired superstars Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson as an amnesiac schoolteacher and a struggling P.I., respectively, who stumble into a deadly conspiracy. With plenty of laughs and eye-popping explosions to go around, The Long Kiss Goodnight’s action is made all the more enjoyable with co-stars such as Brian Cox and David Morse. 

The Mummy

Rather than aiming for the creeping and dread-tinged horror of the Universal Monsters’ heyday, Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy is a rollicking big-budget action-adventure headed up by the always affable and fun to watch Brendan Fraser. The first film of the spinoff-sparking franchise seemingly came out of nowhere in 1999, despite a lengthy development process, and took over the box office with its s goofy one-liners, big battles and video game logic. There isn’t a mummy army out there that I wouldn’t watch watch Rick O’Connell fight off.

The Legend Of Drunken Master

1994’s The Legend of Drunken Master, a sequel to 1978’s Drunken Master, remains as endlessly impressive as much of star and martial arts master Jackie Chan’s fight-tastic career. So many different fighting styles and techniques were utilized throughout the film, as well as a variety of different weapons and physical props, but it’s the Drunken Fist maneuvers that truly make this stand out among the bulk of ‘90s action romps, and the consistent sense of humor only helps. 

Total Recall

Arnold Schwarzenegger kicked off the ‘90s with one of the decade’s wildest and twistiest sci-fi thrillers, teaming up with Paul Verhoeven for the effects-filled mindbender Total Recall. Even when most of the action is happening squarely on the hulking lead’s face (which is only barely hyperbole), this is an action fan’s quease-inducing dreamscape. From Sharon Stone kicking ass in pink spandex to Schwarzenegger blowing baddies away with ease, Total Recall is a relic whose magic can't be replicated through any kind of modern remakes.

Die Hard With A Vengeance

So many ‘80s and ‘90s hits spawned instantly forgettable sequels, but Die Hard with a Vengeance is one of the rarities, with much of that credit going to returning Die Hard director John McTiernan, as well as the additions of Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons. This third outing for Bruce Willis’ terrorist-dropping John McClane is arguably the last must-see within the franchise, as it’s a total blast to see him and Jackson’s Zeus following a wave of destruction throughout New York City. 

Bad Boys

Boasting one of the genre’s best partnerships in Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, 1995’s franchise-sparking Bad Boys is partly unhinged Michael Bay at his best, and is the rare action movie that’s as hilarious as it is exciting. It perfectly set the stage for the madness to come in 2003’s Bad Boys 2, and it’s all the more ridiculous to reflect on Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz being two of the original actors pitched. For my money, the shootout-turned-chase alone would make Bad Boys worthy of inclusion here.

Check out everything coming to theaters soon to see if any upcoming 2024 movie releases will stand tall against all the excellence listed above!

There are a surprising number of classic movies that have served as the basis for some truly great TV series — some of which would go on to match or even surpass their feature-length predecessor. However, for every Buffy the Vampire Slayer (originally a 1992 horror-comedy with Kristy Swanson) or Fargo (FX’s anthology from one of the Coen Brothers’ best movies), there is also a Ferris Bueller or My Big Fat Greek Life. 

Did you not realize those existed? Well, there are plenty more forgotten TV shows based on movies, below.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995-2000)

Given the actor’s cartoonish style of comedy, it actually makes a lot of sense that more than one of the best Jim Carrey movies wound up being reimagined as cartoons. One example was the animated series adaptation of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which, according to J1 Studios, would run for a total of three seasons — two on CBS from 1995 to 1997, with the final run airing on Nickelodeon after an extensive break.

Alienators: Evolution Continues (2001-2002)

One of the more underrated movies directed by the late Ivan Reitman is Evolution, where X-Files star David Duchovny tries lighter sci-fi. In the same year the hilarious alien invasion movie released, an animated series continuing the story debuted on Fox under two different titles — Alienators: Evolution Continues and Evolution: The Animated Series in other regions — during its one-season run.

Back To The Future: The Animated Series (1991-1992)

Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s adventures in, arguably, the best time travel movies ever ended on the big screen with their franchise’s third installment, but they would explore plenty more significant events in history on the short-lived cartoon spin-off. While David Kaufman and The Simpsons’ Dan Castellaneta voiced the main duo, Back to the Future: The Animated Series did feature a few original cast members — including Thomas Wilson as Biff, Mary Steenburgen as Clara, and — as MovieWeb recalls — Christopher Lloyd as Doc in live-action segments.

Bad Teacher (2014)

Director Jake Kasdan’s raunchy 2011 comedy, Bad Teacher, is best remembered today as one of Cameron Diaz’s last movies before her retirement, which she is pausing to film the action-comedy, Back in Action. Not as well remembered is the CBS sitcom of the same name -- produced by Diaz, with Ari Graynor as the lazy, foul-mouthed, reluctant middle school educator -- that lasted one season, despite a solid review from us and a cast of more big names like Sara Gilbert, Ryan Hansen, and David Alan Grier.

Benji, Zax & The Alien Prince (1983)

Mixed-breed stray, Benji, is the titular star of some of the most beloved dog movies of all time — the most recent premiering exclusively on Netflix in 2018 — but as some TikTok users have discovered (or rediscovered), he once had a very bizarre TV show. Produced by Hanna-Barbera and lasting 13 episodes, Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince follows a young, royal extraterrestrial (Christopher Burton) pursued by dangerous hunters who escapes with his android companion (Ric Spiegel) to Earth, where he befriends the famous dog.

Beyond Westworld (1980)

Despite its sudden cancellation by HBO in 2022, Westworld is considered to be a series better than the movie that inspired it, but it is not the first time Michael Crichton’s 1973 favorite about a high-tech theme park gone haywire was adapted for the small screen. Ignoring the 1976 sequel, Futureworld, the Emmy-nominated Beyond Westworld — which also suffered cancellation after three of its five produced episodes aired on CBS — followed the security chief for the titular theme park trying to prevent dangerous, realistic androids from infiltrating society.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992)

The animated series adaptation of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (for which Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter initially returned to voice the titular California dudes from 1990 to 1991) is remembered by many as one of the best cartoons based on a movie. It is the eight-episode, live-action spin-off starring Evan Richards and Christopher Kennedy that saw the destined rockers indulge in more time-traveling and other bizarre circumstances — as All Your Screens mentions — that most fans do not remember much at all.

Blade: The Series (2006)

With Marvel Studios’ upcoming Blade reboot on its way, I imagine there will be many fans revisiting the original trilogy starring Wesley Snipes as the titular, superhuman vampire hunter in anticipation. Checking out the TV show led by rapper Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones that ran for one season on Paramount Network (when it was still called Spike), and is only available for purchase on Apple TV or on DVD, is optional. 

Casablanca (1955-1956, 1983)

The romantic, 1940s-era Best Picture Oscar winner, Casablanca, is such a beloved and highly influential classic, it is not too surprising to learn there were two attempts to adapt it for the small screen, as Pop Culture Retrorama details in their retrospective. The first was part of a rotation of shows that aired on ABC in the mid-1950s as part of Warner Bros. Presents and ran for 10 episodes, while the second from the early ‘80s — starring Starsky & Hutch’s David Soul as Rick Blaine and Ray Liotta — only managed to last half as long.

Clueless (1996-1999)

Writer and director Amy Heckerling’s hilariously quotable modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma from 1995 was originally pitched as a TV show — according to an oral history by Vanity Fair — meaning it technically counts as the pilot for the sitcom it inspired just a year later, starring Rachel Blanchard as Cher Horowitz in place of Alicia Silverstone, as Deadline recalled. While the series would last three seasons (first on ABC before UPN picked it up for its final run) and it featured some of the original Clueless cast (including Donald Faison and Stacey Dash), it never lived up to its feature-length predecessor.

The Crow: Stairway To Heaven (1998-1999)

Following the death of Brandon Lee, sequels to 1994’s masterful non-DC-or-Marvel-based comic book movie, The Crow, would take the anthology route, but The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, acted as a direct reimagining of the original during its one-season run. It starred John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’s Mark Dacascos as a version of murdered musician Eric Draven, tasked with restoring the balance between good and evil in order to be reunited with his girlfriend in the afterlife.

Damien (2016)

As a reverse on TV shows exploring the origins of some of the scariest movie villains — like Bates Motel and Ratched — this drama developed by former Walking Dead showrunner, Glen Mazarra, aimed to reimagine the life of Damien Thorn following the events of one of the all-time best horror movies, 1976’s The Omen. However, the 30-year-old title character (Bradley James) had only just accepted his destiny as the Antichrist in the Season 1 finale when A&E pulled the plug and damned the series into obscurity.

Delta House (1979)

Just a year after it became the highest-grossing comedy of all time in 1978, Animal House — one of the best movies of the 1970s — spawned a spin-off series that would continue the rowdy adventures of Faber College’s Delta Tau Chi fraternity. Despite several notable cast members from the original movie (and Michelle Pfeiffer in her first acting role, as SlashFilm mentions), Delta House was cancelled by ABC after just one season.

Dirty Dancing (1988-1989)

It probably comes as no surprise that the series adaptation of romantic 1987 classic Dirty Dancing was not as successful as the film, with the show’s Baby actor, Melora Hardin, chalking up its cancellation after one season to “bad timing” when speaking to TV Store Online. In addition to the future The Office cast member, the series was a noteworthy early acting gig for stars like George Lopez’s Constance Marie as Penny Rivera and successful writer and filmmaker Paul Feig as a new character named Norman Bryant.

Dumb And Dumber (1995-1996) 

The second animated series based on a hit Jim Carrey movie on our list is Dumb and Dumber, which is based on the wonderfully childish Farrelly Brothers classic that would also spawn a 2003 prequel and a direct sequel in 2014 — neither of which were received quite as well. SpongeBob’s Patrick Star actor Bill Fagerbakke recalled to ComicsBeat in 2022 that he voiced Harry alongside Matt Frewer as Lloyd in the show, which was popular enough to air in reruns on Cartoon Network despite ABC’s cancellation after one season.

Ferris Bueller (1990-1991)

One of the most essential and quotable coming-of-age comedies of all time is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which was yet another ‘80s classic to be given the series adaptation treatment for a brief moment. Following the fourth-wall-breaking troublemaker’s early high school days before the events of John Hughes’ hit, Ferris Bueller starred Charlie Schlatter (who even poked fun at Matthew Broderick’s performance in the pilot’s cold open) in the title role and future Friends cast member, Jennifer Aniston, filling in for Jennifer Grey as Jeanie.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1997-2000)

Bringing items down to microscopic size was apparently just the beginning for the Szalinski family, who would go onto much crazier adventures over the course of three seasons on the series adaptation of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Taking place between the events of the original and 1992’s Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, the late Peter Scolari filled in for Rick Moranis as brilliant but accident-prone scientist, Wayne, on the show, which — as a Chicago Tribune article reported — was also executive produced by John Landis.

A League Of Their Own (1993)

One of the more recent examples of a successful TV series adaptation of a movie is Amazon Prime’s A League of Their Own, which also dramatizes the rise of women’s baseball during World War II. However, the first attempt to bring the 1992 sports movie classic to the small screen — for which Penny Marshall returned to direct the pilot, according Primetimer — never even aired all six episodes that were produced before cancellation.