The Mummy Returns Is Coming Back To Theaters, And I Noticed A Pattern That’s Too Beautiful To Ignore

Here’s a fun story: on my last visit to Universal Studios Orlando, I overheard a conversation while in line for Revenge of The Mummy that made me wince. After someone had asked whether or not they had to see The Mummy Returns, the other party said, “Eh, not really.”

If I had the chance to speak with this random line occupant, right this very moment, I’d merely laugh in their faces. The cause for such bratty behavior is the news that this 2001 action hit is coming back to theaters. And after noticing a pattern that connects to 2028’s The Mummy 4, I think Universal is about to validate my feelings in an even greater way. 

The Mummy Returns Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary In Style

Obviously, this is the year where we’ll be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Rick and Evelyn O’Connell’s return to supernatural duty. So why wouldn’t Universal unleash The Mummy Returns upon the world once more? As of this very moment, you can purchase tickets through Fandango (or the vendor of your choosing), for this limited run bring back – which starts on March 27th.

What’s more, you can let this newly cut trailer sell you on the idea even more – complete with Alan Silvestri’s total banger “My First Bus Ride”:

After 25 years, I will now finally get to experience the wonder of Ardith Bey’s first bus ride, and the commotion that lead up to it, in an actual movie theater! That feels like enough of a reward that I’ll gladly overlook those dodgy CGI effects for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Scorpion King. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ve always given that scene a pass!

As any good horror fan will tell you, much like the Universal Monster movies of old, technical limitations shouldn’t spoil the enjoyment. Yes, Mr. Johnson’s face looks like it could use some digital work in his climactic appearance; but the jank is part of the warmth. Which is exactly the sort of thinking that leads to my theory on why Universal wants us to get hyped for The Mummy Returns’ theatrical return. 

Universal Wants The Mummy 4 To Feel Like The ‘Real’ Mummy 3

How much did I not care for 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor? With all due respect to the talented performers involved…I fell asleep watching this one, at home, on Christmas morning. Always the odd entry out in the franchise, it put an end to this era of Mummy movies – just as a villainous turn for Antonio Banderas was being planned. 

So what better way to overwrite that disappointment once and for all than to position it as the “real” Mummy 3? In two years, we’ll be seeing Brendan Fraser returning with Rachel Weisz to the movies they helped land in the pop culture firmament. That also places The Mummy 4 at the end of a three movie streak, including 2024’s theatrical re-release of The Mummy.

Which almost feels like the natural trajectory the series would have taken; seeing as The Mummy Returns arrived in that span of time after the original. That could also explain how the poster for the 25th anniversary, shown below, really hasn’t changed all that much from its awesome 2001 variant:

Call me crazy, but it feels like Universal had this all planned out for some time; leading up to one hell of a victory lap in another couple of years. And to truly bring back the magic, you need to include The Mummy Returns – which will return to theaters, on March 27th. Until then, keep a browser tab tuned to THS’ Movie News archives, and you’ll be keeping up with all developments new and exciting in the world of cinema.