93 Years Ago Today, This Classic Franchise Started & It’s Now Getting The New Entry We’ve All Been Waiting For

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Horror continues to be a beloved genre, but it’s evolved significantly over the years. A key moment in its development occurred nearly a century ago with a film about a resurrected monster. However, this wasn’t a simple scare-fest; it told the story of an Egyptian priest brought back to life after centuries, fueled by a complex mix of love, revenge, and a thirst for power. The film aimed to be more than just horror, blending in elements of adventure, romance, and fantasy. Every detail, from small expressions to the way fear itself was presented, was carefully crafted, creating a captivating experience even in black and white.

A new, unforgettable character emerged in 1932, quickly becoming as famous as Dracula and Frankenstein. From the start, he was defined by being frightening, captivating, and unsettling. Many modern horror characters who impact audiences through their appearance, actions, and manipulation owe a debt to this classic film. It’s a stunning example of suspense, remarkable for its time and still effective today.

The Mummy Revolutionized Horror Cinema in 1932

Most people know The Mummy from the recent remakes, but the original story started in the 1930s. Directed by Karl Freund and starring Boris Karloff as Imhotep, it tells the tale of a priest sentenced to death who comes back to life to find his beloved. The plot centers on archaeologists who discover his tomb, accidentally waking him and making him pursue anyone who gets in his way. Surprisingly, even though it’s an older film, many viewers still find the original Mummy genuinely creepy. Beyond just scares, the movie is captivating and shows how, even before horror films focused heavily on emotional depth, it successfully combined suspense and a hint of romance, setting a precedent for what would come later.

The original The Mummy is famous for creating one of cinema’s most iconic villains and helping to establish the classic Universal Monsters. Imhotep was a new kind of monster – not just scary, but driven by intense desires, and full of emotion and intrigue. The film also proved that horror movies could be more complex and rely on suspenseful atmosphere and a well-told story.

During the 1930s, many horror movies relied on cheap thrills, silly monsters, and basic special effects. The Mummy showed that real fear could be built through atmosphere – using shadows, set design, lighting, and music to create a sense of unease. It also proved a strong story and well-developed villain were key. Essentially, the film demonstrated that horror didn’t need to depend on jump scares or over-the-top monsters; it could come from the story itself, the characters, and how everything was carefully crafted together.

These days, complex monsters and villains feel commonplace, and that’s because they are. Take Pennywise from Stephen King’s IT and the IT: Welcome to Derry series – the character has a lot of depth, but that kind of detailed creation wouldn’t be possible without earlier films like The Mummy paving the way. That classic movie has had a huge impact, and you can still see its influence in modern adventure films with supernatural themes, like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It essentially set the stage for many of today’s franchises, and it’s a big reason why the 1999 Mummy remake became so popular and launched a whole series of films.

The recent The Mummy movie succeeded by cleverly blending classic adventure elements with just enough modern updates to become a huge hit. Brendan Fraser’s character, Rick O’Connell, is a naturally likable hero – humorous, self-assured, and always finding himself in trouble without feeling predictable. Rachel Weisz as Evelyn isn’t a typical helpless character; she’s a capable and compelling archaeologist. Their on-screen chemistry keeps viewers hooked, and the film offers a great mix of action, impressive effects for its time, and a story that’s both entertaining and captivating. It struck a perfect balance that subsequent films struggled to match.

Following the success of the first film, The Mummy Returns arrived in 2001, introducing the Scorpion King and a more imaginative style. The third movie in 2008 took the story to ancient China, but it didn’t capture the magic of the original two. In 2017, a reboot starring Tom Cruise tried to completely revamp the series as part of a larger, unsuccessful shared universe, and it wasn’t well-received. The clear takeaway is that making too many changes loses what made the 1932 The Mummy so special – the core element that still makes the title appealing today. Luckily, the upcoming The Mummy 4 appears to recognize this.

The Mummy 4 Is Exactly the Movie Fans Have Been Waiting For

A fourth Mummy film is officially happening, with a release planned for next year – 26 years after the popular remake. Fans are excited, especially because Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are returning, as they’re considered the heart of the series. Fraser has even said this is a project he’s dreamed of for years. He recently told the Associated Press that while he enjoyed making The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, it wasn’t the story he truly wanted to tell. He’s been waiting two decades for this opportunity and feels it’s finally time to deliver what fans have been hoping for.

Details about the story are still scarce, but the filmmakers have promised the new movie will follow the events of the first two films, essentially disregarding the third one – a good sign they understand what resonated with audiences before. It seems the fourth film intends to fix the disappointing ending of the third movie. Lately, many franchises have been harmed by unnecessary reboots and overly ambitious shared universes that prioritize profits over good storytelling. This project, however, aims to recapture audience interest and provide a satisfying conclusion to The Mummy series, featuring beloved characters, genuine stakes, exciting action, humor (which was missing from the 2017 film), and a truly intimidating villain. While it may seem simple, getting these fundamental elements right is surprisingly rare in modern movies.

This new film has the potential to revitalize the franchise and appeal to today’s viewers. Modern audiences crave exciting action, but also want stories with emotional depth and believable characters. The best Mummy films, like the original from 1932, always struck that balance, and this new movie aims to do the same. It’s a respectful nod to the past, offering something both familiar and new, without going overboard. The Mummy 4 seems poised to deliver exactly what fans have wanted for years.

Do you enjoy The Mummy? We’d love to hear what you think about the upcoming new film! Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum below.

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2025-12-23 00:45