Is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy connected to previous Mummy films? Timeline explained

by

It’s understandable if you’re a bit puzzled by the recent news surrounding The Mummy movies.

This week brings a new horror movie, ‘The Mummy,’ directed by Lee Cronin, to UK cinemas. Plus, Warner Bros. has confirmed they’re officially rebooting the classic ‘Mummy’ films starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

The second film is scheduled to come out in 2028. It will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known together as Radio Silence, and written by David Coggeshall, who also wrote the script for Orphan: First Kill.

However, the upcoming film from Evil Dead Rise’s writer and director, Lee Cronin, seems to be going in a different direction. It appears to focus more on genuine horror than the action-adventure style of the previous movies starring Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell.

The movie stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and May Calamawy, and tells the story of a journalist whose daughter reappears after being missing in the desert for eight years. While the family is thrilled to be reunited, the synopsis hints that their happiness quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal.

Ever wondered how Lee Cronin’s The Mummy connects to the previous films? Here’s everything you need to know.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission because it may use cookies. If you want to see the content, please select ‘Accept and continue’ to enable reCAPTCHA.

Is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy connected to previous Mummy films?

Simply put, no – this new Mummy film doesn’t connect to any of the previous movies in the series. There’s no story that carries over from the earlier films.

This new installment isn’t a continuation of the recent films; it’s a fresh take on the series, drawing inspiration from the classic horror movies that launched the franchise during Hollywood’s early days.

There was a rumor that the movie might be renamed “The Resurrected” to prevent confusion, but that turned out to be false. Claims that Warner Bros. was considering the change because they lacked faith in the film were also untrue.

Cronin recently explained to IndieWire that the title change sparked rumors the film was bad, but he clarified that studios often use alternate titles to shield movies from negative attention.

Surprisingly, Cronin initially said in the interview he wasn’t interested in working on a film in the series. However, he ultimately enjoyed the opportunity to reimagine a classic movie monster.

He explained that they have a unique opportunity to explore the backstory and mythology in a new way, and that the mummy character offers a lot of creative freedom. Unlike well-known monsters like Dracula, the mummy is a fresh start, almost like a clean slate for adding frightening details and developing its own identity.

Simply put, don’t expect this movie to feel like a typical blockbuster sequel, or to continue the story of Rick O’Connell – you’ll have to wait at least two more years for that.

Don’t anticipate a typical Mummy movie. This film will use familiar imagery from past films, but offer a new and inventive take on the story.

The Mummy timeline: All the previous films in the franchise

The Mummy franchise began nearly a century ago, and so far there have been 15 films. The upcoming movie starring Brendan Fraser will be the sixteenth installment.

Monster movies went through several phases. It started with the original Universal Classic Monsters, followed by the Hammer Horror films. After a significant period, the films featuring the creature from Fraser emerged.

Remember that 2017 attempt to revive the series with a new ‘Dark Universe’? The first movie, featuring Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe, wasn’t well-received by critics or viewers, and unfortunately, all future plans for that universe were cancelled as a result.

You can find the full list of films below:

Universal Classic Monsters

  • 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)

Hammer series

  • The Mummy (1959)
  • The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964)
  • The Mummy’s Shroud (1967)
  • Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971)

Rick O’Connell saga

  • The Mummy (1999)
  • The Mummy Returns (2001)
  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
  • Untitled fourth film (2028)

Dark Universe

  • The Mummy (2017)

Warner Bros reboot

  • Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (2026)

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is released in UK cinemas on Friday 17 April.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about films for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming services. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed all kinds of movies.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-04-15 18:36