Universal Pictures is digging up a fan-favorite blockbuster for its 25th Anniversary, and they’ve released a new trailer to get audiences ready. The Mummy Returns is heading back to theaters on March 27, 2026, giving fans a chance to experience the chaotic, creature-packed sequel on the big screen once again.
Directed by Stephen Sommers, who also helmed 1999’s The Mummy, the 2001 sequel arrived two years later and turned into a massive summer hit. It pulled in $202 million at the U.S. box office and leaned hard into the over-the-top action-adventure energy that made the first film such a blast.
As one description perfectly puts it: “A gleeful ode to the spirit of Saturday morning serials the PG-13 adventure was filled with bombast and eye-popping visual effects.”
Set a decade after the events of the original, The Mummy Returns reunites us with Rick and Evelyn O’Connell, once again played by Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
This time, it’s 1933, and the two are married, living in London, and raising their adventurous 8-year-old son Alex, played by Freddie Boath. Of course, domestic life doesn’t last long when ancient curses and world-ending threats enter the picture.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Set 10 years after the events of the first film, The Mummy Returns picks up in 1933 with the swashbuckling heroes now married and living in London. Parents to 8-year-old Alex (Freddie Boath), the couple brings the boy along to their Egyptian expeditions, where they inadvertently uncover a rare artifact, the Bracelet of Anubis.
“The piece once belonged to a fearsome warrior known as the Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson) and can be used to command his army of jackal-like fighters. In London, trouble begins after the bracelet locks onto Alex’s wrist, just as a cult planning to resurrect the powerful mummy Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) kidnaps Evelyn.
“Suddenly, father & son are forced on a dangerous rescue mission alongside Evelyn’s spoiled brother (John Hannah), one that pits them against Meela Nais (Patricia Velasquez). The physical reincarnation of Imhotep’s ancient Egypt lover, she hopes Imhotep will defeat the Scorpion King in battle.”
The sequel also famously introduced the world to Dwayne Johnson, credited at the time as The Rock, as the Scorpion King. The character would later spin off into 2002’s The Scorpion King, though that prequel didn’t quite reach the same heights.
Returning cast members include John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, and Patricia Velasquez, with new additions like Alun Armstrong, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Shaun Parkes joining the supernatural mayhem.
The film was produced by Sean Daniel and James Jacks, with a rousing score composed by Alan Silvestri that helped crank up the adventure factor.
I liked the sequel and it was fun,cheesy ride, but it’s not as good at the first movie.
If you grew up with this franchise or just want to relive the chaos on the big screen, this 25th Anniversary re-release will give you the opportunity to watch Fraser punch mummies and dodge ancient doom in a packed theater again.
