The Mummy (1999)
Dashing legionnaire Rick O'Connell stumbles upon the hidden ruins of Hamunaptra while in the midst of a battle to claim the area in 1920s Egypt. It has been over three thousand years since former High Priest Imhotep suffered a fate worse than death as a punishment for a forbidden love—along with a curse that guarantees eternal doom upon the world if he is ever awoken.
Details
Budget
$80,000,000
Rating
7/10 (9245 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Alphaville Films
About The Mummy
Set in 1920s Egypt, "The Mummy" follows American legionnaire Rick O'Connell, who, alongside an Egyptologist and her brother, accidentally awakens the ancient High Priest Imhotep. The film blends action, adventure, fantasy, and horror elements as the group races to stop Imhotep from bringing eternal doom upon the world. The narrative builds on the premise of a forbidden love that led to Imhotep's original punishment over three millennia prior.
This 1999 rendition distinguishes itself from earlier portrayals of the Mummy. While drawing on the classic monster movie premise, it incorporates a tone that leans into humor and swashbuckling adventure, reminiscent of the Indiana Jones series. The film navigates ancient curses, hidden treasures, and confrontations with supernatural forces, creating a fast-paced experience around its core good versus evil conflict. Themes of treasure hunts and archeological discoveries are central to the plot, as the characters navigate libraries, secret passages, and pyramids.
The movie has a runtime of 124 minutes. It holds an IMDb rating of 7.1 based on over 500,000 votes, and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%. Metacritic provided a score of 49/100, indicating a mixed reception among critics, though audience sentiment generally trends positive, with a 7.0 average from over 9,000 TMDb users.
Why you might be searching for The Mummy
People are often looking for the adventure, action, and horror blend, as well as the performances of its lead actors, particularly Brendan Fraser. Searches also reflect interest in its 1920s Egyptian setting, the specific creature — the mummy Imhotep — and its connection to treasure hunt themes.
What reviewers are saying
Despite combining multiple genres like action, adventure, fantasy, romance, comedy, and horror, "The Mummy" successfully delivers an entertaining experience, making it a standout Universal Monsters reboot.
Read the full reviewThis version of "The Mummy" is more action-adventure and comedy than traditional horror, differing significantly from the original film of the same name and offering many humorous moments.
Read the full reviewThe film effectively balances action, comedy, and horror, with the humor from actors like Brendan Fraser and John Hannah providing breaks from the monster encounters and undead hordes.
Read the full reviewThe film maintains its appeal across multiple viewings due to its blend of action, adventure, humor, and thrilling elements, with Brendan Fraser's charismatic performance being a particular highlight.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *The Mummy* (1999) on AMC+, Hulu, and Tubi TV. It's also available to rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. You can also buy the DVD or Blu-ray from retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. In some regions, it may be available on Netflix. For more options, check sites like [JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mummy-1999).
No, the 1999 film *The Mummy* is not based on a true story. It is a fictional action-adventure film, a loose remake of the 1932 film of the same name, and involves ancient curses and supernatural powers.
At the end of *The Mummy*, Rick, Evelyn, and Jonathan manage to defeat Imhotep in Hamunaptra. Evelyn uses the Book of Amun-Ra to make Imhotep mortal, allowing Rick to stab and kill him, causing Imhotep to decompose. Meanwhile, Beni, who was trying to steal treasure, accidentally triggers a booby-trap and is trapped in the collapsing city, where he is devoured by scarabs. The main trio, along with Ardeth Bay, escape the city as it crumbles, taking some of Beni's stolen loot.
*The Mummy* generally received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many describing it as an enjoyable and fun action-adventure film. While some critics noted an overstuffed plot or recycled elements, many found it entertaining despite not being a "meaningful cinematic achievement." [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_mummy) gives it a 64% approval rating, with a consensus calling it "undeniably fun to watch."