A big, breezy adventure blockbuster with strong chemistry, spooky spectacle, and a playful sense of humor. It’s less about historical accuracy than pure pulp momentum, but the set pieces, star charisma, and monster-movie energy still land hard.
The Mummy
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Adventure · Action
Fri · 2h 4m
Director: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah
Overview
Dashing legionnaire Rick O'Connell stumbles upon the hidden ruins of Hamunaptra while in the midst of a battle to claim the area in 1920s Egypt. It has been over three thousand years since former High Priest Imhotep suffered a fate worse than death as a punishment for a forbidden love—along with a curse that guarantees eternal doom upon the world if he is ever awoken.
Director
Stephen Sommers
Cast
Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah
Curator Review
Verdict
A big, breezy adventure blockbuster with strong chemistry, spooky spectacle, and a playful sense of humor. It’s less about historical accuracy than pure pulp momentum, but the set pieces, star charisma, and monster-movie energy still land hard.
Best for
fans of 90s adventure movies
viewers who like action-comedy with supernatural stakes
people who enjoy charismatic, swashbuckling leads
audiences looking for a light, rewatchable blockbuster
Skip if
you want serious horror
you dislike campy humor
you need tightly grounded historical realism
you prefer modern action pacing and visual style
Overview
The Mummy is one of those studio adventures that understands exactly how to keep moving: chase, joke, flirt, escape, repeat. It has the old-school pleasure of a treasure hunt movie, but with enough monster-movie menace to give the whole thing a little bite. The result is glossy, funny, and surprisingly affectionate toward its own pulp roots.
Worth noting
Brendan Fraser gives it the kind of open-hearted, physical star turn that makes the whole movie feel bigger and looser than it has any right to be. Rachel Weisz is equally essential, bringing intelligence and comic timing to a role that could have been just a sidekick archetype. Their chemistry, plus John Hannah’s fast-talking comic relief, keeps the film buoyant even when the plot gets delightfully ridiculous.
Bottom line
It’s not subtle, and some of the effects and tonal choices are very much of their era, but that’s part of the charm. If you miss the days when a blockbuster could be a little horny, a little spooky, and completely committed to being fun, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Patrick Willems (3★) · 7418 likes
I like that the Mummy's #1 superpower is the ability to make his lower jaw like two feet long
David Sims (4★) · 5298 likes
Brendan Fraser is an all-time great movie yeller
sree (3.5★) · 4603 likes
i'd like to thank rachel weisz for playing an integral role in my sexual awakening
🦇rosie🦇 (5★) · 3929 likes
fellas is it gay to use your bro’s face to light a match
phoebe 💫 (3.5★) · 3398 likes
Brendan Fraser is BORN HIMBO. All he does in this is look hot, fight, and love and respect Rachel Weisz