The Films About Mummies subgenre resides within the Horror and Fantasy genres and overlaps with other film subgenres including Action-Adventure Films, Films About Zombies and Contemporary & Urban Fantasy Films. Mummy films also are generally part of the “Big 5 of Classic Monsters” which includes Dracula (Films About Vampires), Frankenstein & The Creature from the Black Lagoon (Films About Monsters) and The Wolfman (Films About Werewolves).
Unlike Vampire and Werewolf films, Films About Mummies lack an exhaustive list of films over the past century. The Mummy (1932) was one of the first true classic Horror and Monster films released and was followed by The Mummy’s Tomb (1942) and the comedy Abbot and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955). It wasn’t until the late 1950’s that another Mummy film tapped into the Horror aspects of the original with The Mummy (1959).
The 1960’s and 1970’s included a few subpar Mummy film efforts with The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964), The Mummy’s Shroud (1967) and Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971).
The 1980’s saw an increase in Mummy films that were split between Horror-themed Mummy films and Suspense and Mystery films with Mummies as part of the narrative. The Awakening (1980) and Sphinx (1981) were two films that fell into this latter category while Time Walker (1982) and Waxwork (1988) explored more Horror-focused Mummy themes. This decade also saw one of the best films of the subgenre with The Monster Squad (1987).
The 1990’s was filled with a few Films about Mummies with Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990), Under Wraps (1997), Tale of the Mummy (1998) and The Eternal (1999). However, this decade is most well known for the launch of the most well-known and popular Mummy franchise with The Mummy (1999). This franchise would launch additional Mummy-inspired films with The Mummy Returns (2001) and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008).
The 2000’s and 2010’s saw a few classic and notable films of the Mummy subgenre with Bubba Ho-tep (2002), The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010), The Cabin in the Woods (2012), The Pyramid (2014) and The Mummy (2017).
The 2020’s have only produced one Mummy film to date – a Disney remake of the 1997 Mummy film with Under Wraps (2021).
Our list of Films About Mummies includes over 26+ films from 1932 – 2021. The vast majority of Mummy films suffer in quality, so our list focuses on films that have a rating of 4/10 or higher. For our list of Top Films About Mummies You Haven’t Seen, there were a few honorable mentions that did not make our list including The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964), The Mummy’s Shroud (1967) and Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Films About Mummies You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Plot: A group of fashion models disturb a tomb of a Mummy and revive an ancient curse.
KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off by saying this film is not very good – in fact, it’s horrible. It’s more of a Zombie film than a Mummy film, but it’s worth watching the film for the last 20 minutes. Like other Italian Zombie flicks of the early 1980’s, this film goes all out with mayhem and gore in the final act. If you are into Splatter & Gore films or the Italian Zombie film subgenre, then you’ll likely enjoy this flick – at least the last 20 minutes of it.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XNkEFJ
Plot: A group of archaeologists break the seal of a tomb unleashing a Mummy.
KBZ’s Take: This is a Mummy / Whodunit film that is held back by its poor CGI but elevated by a few things. First, The Mummy design and abilities are a bit unique to what you’re used to seeing with standard Mummy fare. Second, it has a Mummy killing people for body parts. Enough said. Third, though it’s a minor role, Christopher Lee is in the film. Recommended only for fans and completists of the Mummy subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B3pxAR
#8
Time Walker
Plot: Professor receives a coffin with only five diamond crystals inside, but the Mummy is missing…or is he?
KBZ’s Take: If you grew up in the early 1980’s, there’s a good chance you’ve seen this film on television and it was one of your favorites growing up. It’s best to leave that as a memory. This film is very dated with some very cheap SFX. It’s an uneven film that tries to mesh together Mummies/Slashers/Aliens while throwing away any and all logic. With that said, it does have the interesting “Mummy-view” you’ll likely remember as well as the WTF ending.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gVpIr6
#7
Under Wraps
Plot: A few 12-year-old friends befriend a Mummy and try to get him back to his resting place.
KBZ’s Take: This has recently been remade as Under Wraps (2021), but the original is the better film of the two. This is a Kids film with more adventure and comedy than any actual scares. It’s also a good film to introduce your younger children too on Halloween if they want to watch a Mummy film that is lighthearted but not scary.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XR9krY
#6
The Eternal
Plot: Alcoholic American couple traveling to UK, stay with their crazed Uncle who is reviving a centuries-old witch.
KBZ’s Take: This film doesn’t have typical Mummy film tropes or even a Mummy design and would be more accurately described as a Film About Witches & The Occult. With that said, it’s still a decent film of the subgenre and stars both Jared Harris and Christopher Walken. It’s a somewhat confusing film with some decent atmosphere that’s only recommended for fans of either subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UmSVJ1
#5
The Pyramid
Plot: Archaeologists become lost in a tomb and are hunted by…something.
KBZ’s Take: While this is a film with standard Mummy film tropes, it utilizes a “Found Footage” format that increases the claustrophobic atmosphere of the film. It also has some great Mummy designs and passable CGI. It’s an above average film of the subgenre and recommended for any subgenre fans who have not yet seen it.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EVOwHc
#4
Bubba Ho-tep
Plot: Elderly residents of a nursing home including Elvis Presley and JFK (who didn’t die) have to stop a Mummy who is sucking the souls out of the home’s residents.
KBZ’s Take: If you’ve seen other Don Coscarelli films like Phantasm (1978), then you likely know what you’re in for with this film – complete weirdness. However, this Coscarelli film also adds humor with hilarious performances by Bruce Campbell (Elvis) and Ossie Davis (JFK). It’s not a typical Mummy film but rather a very original B-film that meshes laughs with weirdness to great effect.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3uhLng0
Plot: Female archaeologist in early 20th Century, seeks out a mummified doctor who she plans to resurrect to heal her sister.
KBZ’s Take: One of Luc Besson’s lesser-known films but also one of his better ones. This has the feel of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1982) with many Action-Adventure set pieces, a Pterosaur, and of course Mummies. It’s based on a comic book of the same name, and is one of the better Adventure / Fantasy films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gSavH7
#2
The Mummy
Plot: Mummy brought to life seeks revenge on those who desecrated his tomb.
KBZ’s Take: While Boris Karloff and The Mummy (1932) is the most well-known classic rendition of The Mummy, we actually prefer this version with Christopher Lee as the Mummified Killing Machine. It’s one of Hammer’s better Horror movies and still holds up well after 40+ years. Your common Mummy film tropes are present in this film, but there are some genuinely scary moments as well. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FeKydd
Plot: Count Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, The Mummy and The Gillman are in search of an amulet to rule the earth with the Monster Squad the only thing standing in their way.
KBZ’s Take: Other than Waxwork (1988), this is one of the only films that brings all of the “Big 5 Classic Monsters” together. Though it’s aimed at a teen male audience, it was (and still is) a classic film of the subgenre. This is a film that transcends generations and will elicit the same excited reaction whether it’s a teenage boy from the 1980’s or 2000’s. It has equal amounts of comedy and scares for younger audiences and is a great “Introductory Monster Film” on Halloween for the youngsters.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H2lXdS
