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The Mummy Movies in Order: Trilogy, Spin-offs and Reboots
Start with Brendan Fraser's Mummy trilogy, place all five Scorpion King movies and separate the classic horror films, Tom Cruise reboot and 2026 film.
If you mean the Brendan Fraser adventures, watch The Mummy (1999) → The Mummy Returns (2001) → The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008). That is the three-film Rick O’Connell sequence, in both release order and the order of its main stories.
You do not need the Tom Cruise film, the older horror movies or Lee Cronin’s 2026 film before starting it. They reuse the mummy premise in separate stories. The Scorpion King is the related spin-off, but even that is optional for following Rick and Evelyn.
Looking for a particular version? Jump to The Scorpion King, chronological viewing, the 2017 and 2026 films, or the classic horror movies.
Which Mummy series are you looking for?
If the title looks familiar but the cast does not, check the year. These other films belong to separate stories:
| Film or cycle | Connection to the Fraser trilogy | Where to begin |
|---|---|---|
| Universal’s classic horror cycle | Earlier horror films, not prequels to Rick’s adventures | The Mummy (1932) |
| Hammer’s mummy films | A separate British horror cycle | The Mummy (1959) |
| The Mummy (2017), starring Tom Cruise | A reboot with different characters | The 2017 film on its own |
| Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (2026) | A separate horror story, not Mummy 4 | The 2026 film on its own |
The Brendan Fraser Mummy movies in order
| Order | Movie | What follows what? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mummy (1999) | Rick and Evelyn’s first adventure with Imhotep |
| 2 | The Mummy Returns (2001) | The O’Connell family faces another Egyptian adventure |
| 3 | The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) | A later family adventure set around a different ancient threat in China |
Rachel Weisz plays Evelyn in the first two films; Maria Bello takes over in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. It is the same character, not a reboot. That casting change is an easy reason to think you have selected the wrong sequel.
For a first viewing, keep these films together. Their ancient prologues provide background within each movie, not instructions to rearrange the entire series.
The Mummy and Scorpion King movies in order
The Scorpion King appears in The Mummy Returns. His 2002 solo film then explores an earlier adventure, away from Rick’s story. If you want the eight-film adventure collection in release order, use this list:
- The Mummy (1999)
- The Mummy Returns (2001)
- The Scorpion King (2002)
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
- 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)
Those are the three Mummy adventures and five Scorpion King films included in Universal’s eight-movie collection. “Eight movies” on that box does not mean eight Rick O’Connell sequels.
What about chronological order?
The Fraser trilogy already follows the order of its main adventures. If you also want the ancient Scorpion King stories first, begin with Rise of a Warrior → The Scorpion King, then keep Battle for Redemption → Quest for Power → Book of Souls in release order before moving to Rick and Evelyn.
Rise of a Warrior comes before the 2002 film because it follows a younger Mathayus. Beyond that, treat this as a practical prequel-first route, not a precisely dated timeline: the spin-offs have loose continuity, changing casts and ancient backstories. You do not need to split up flashbacks or finish all five spin-offs before enjoying the Fraser trilogy.
What to expect from the 2017 and 2026 films
The Tom Cruise film
The 2017 film introduces Nick Morton and the mummy Ahmanet. It is not about an older Rick O’Connell, and it does not continue Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. You can watch it without the Fraser films.
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy
The 2026 film is another separate starting point. Its horror story concerns a child who returns to her family after disappearing years earlier. It is distributed by Warner Bros., not a new installment of the Universal adventure trilogy.
Search using the director’s name if your service has several tiles simply labelled The Mummy. Expect a horror film rather than the same action-comedy tone as the 1999 adventure.
The classic Universal films in release order
- 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)
These form a classic film collection, not one uninterrupted character story. The 1932 film concerns Imhotep; the Kharis run begins with The Mummy’s Hand. Abbott and Costello’s film is a comedy offshoot. Release order is a useful way to explore the cycle without trying to connect it to Fraser’s Egypt.
Hammer’s four mummy films
For the Hammer cycle, watch The Mummy (1959) → The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964) → The Mummy’s Shroud (1967) → Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971). These are grouped by studio and subject, not by a single continuing hero’s journey.
Start with the 1959 film if you recognise Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. You do not need to watch the Universal classics first to follow it.
What about a new Brendan Fraser Mummy film?
Another Universal Mummy project is scheduled for 2027; it is not a released fourth adventure as of September 2026. Universal’s regional release schedule places it in that year. Older references to 2028 reflect an earlier schedule.
For a marathon now, stick with the three released Fraser adventures. The 2026 horror film belongs to a different story, so leave it for a separate viewing.
If it is the archaeological adventure side you enjoy, our Tomb Raider movie guide explains its original films and reboot.
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