The Mummy is one of the most enduring franchises in the history of the film industry. With its blend of horror, adventure, and mythology, it has captivated audiences for nearly a century. But when people ask, “How many of The Mummy movies are there?” the answer is more complex than you might expect.
From the original 1930s Universal Classic Monsters series to the 1999 blockbuster reboot starring Brendan Fraser, and the 2017 attempt at a modern cinematic universe, the Mummy’s cinematic presence has evolved greatly. This article explores each major installment and its place in the franchise timeline.
The Original Universal Mummy Series (1932–1955)
Classic Horror Begins
The original run of Mummy films began with the 1932 classic, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff. This film introduced audiences to Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian priest mummified alive for forbidden love. The film was steeped in eerie atmospheres and slow, creeping dread, setting the tone for what became a horror icon.
Its success led to a series of loosely connected sequels that featured different mummies, mostly named Kharis, and continued the theme of ancient curses and reanimated corpses.
List of Original Series Films
- The Mummy (1932)
- The Mummy’s Hand (1940)
- The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)
- The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
- The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
In total, there are six films in the original Universal Mummy series. These movies reflected the era’s fascination with exotic horror and ancient myths.
The Hammer Horror Mummy Series (1959–1971)
British Take on the Undead
Hammer Films, known for revitalizing gothic horror in vivid color, rebooted the Mummy mythos in 1959 with their own series. Unlike the Universal series, these films focused more on action, emotion, and vivid depictions of violence and revenge.
Hammer’s version starred Christopher Lee as the mummy and Peter Cushing as the archaeologist. The formula retained the ancient curse theme but presented it with a British sensibility and a dramatic flair.
List of Hammer Mummy Films
- The Mummy (1959)
- The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964)
- The Mummy’s Shroud (1967)
- Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971)
This series comprises four distinct films. Though not directly connected in storyline, they shared common themes and were part of the broader Hammer horror renaissance.
The Brendan Fraser Reboot Trilogy (1999–2008)
Adventure Redefined
After decades of dormancy, The Mummy was reimagined in 1999 as a sweeping action-adventure film starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Stephen Sommers, this version drew more from Indiana Jones than horror classics. It was rich in CGI, comedic timing, and epic set pieces.
This reboot took the franchise into a modern, blockbuster direction, becoming a favorite among fans of Adventure Movie Plots and thrilling action cinema.
List of Reboot Films
- The Mummy (1999)
- The Mummy Returns (2001)
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
This trilogy was a major commercial success and turned The Mummy into a high-grossing adventure saga. The films emphasized humor, romance, and action, creating memorable movie characters like Rick O’Connell and the resurrected villain Imhotep.
The Scorpion King Spin-Off Series (2002–2018)
From Villain to Hero
The success of The Mummy Returns introduced audiences to Mathayus, the Scorpion King, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The character became popular enough to warrant a standalone movie and several sequels.
Although not part of the main Mummy storyline, the spin-off series expands the universe and explores ancient legends and warrior tales. The tone shifts toward sword-and-sandal fantasy rather than horror or thriller.
Scorpion King Films
- The Scorpion King (2002)
- The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (2008)
- The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (2012)
- The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power (2015)
- The Scorpion King: Book of Souls (2018)
There are five films in this series, with varying levels of success and quality. Some were direct-to-video but still have a loyal fanbase due to their high fantasy elements.
The 2017 Reboot Attempt: Dark Universe
New Direction, Short-Lived Attempt
In 2017, Universal Pictures tried to launch the “Dark Universe” — a shared cinematic universe of classic monsters. The Mummy (2017), starring Tom Cruise, was the first (and only) entry before the project stalled.
This version combined horror, action, and a sci-fi edge but failed to resonate with audiences. Critics cited a lack of character development and an overemphasis on universe-building.
The Mummy (2017)
Though ambitious, the 2017 film struggled at the box office and was critically panned. However, it remains a notable part of the franchise history as a bold, if flawed, experiment to reinvent a beloved monster for a new generation.
Summary of All Mummy Films
Franchise Totals
- Original Universal Series: 6 films
- Hammer Horror Series: 4 films
- Brendan Fraser Reboot Trilogy: 3 films
- Scorpion King Spin-Offs: 5 films
- 2017 Reboot: 1 film
Total Films: 19
Across nearly a century, The Mummy has appeared in 19 films, evolving from silent horror to blockbuster action to fantasy spin-offs. Each era reflects the changing tastes of audiences and the adventure movie reviews that follow them.
Conclusion
The Mummy remains a powerful figure in pop culture. Whether it’s the chilling dread of Karloff’s original, the swashbuckling fun of Brendan Fraser’s reboot, or the fantasy spinoffs of the Scorpion King saga, the franchise continues to captivate audiences of all generations.
The blend of action, myth, history, and horror creates a timeless narrative that fits well within any movie genre. This explains why The Mummy keeps returning to our screens in one form or another.
