Published Oct 25, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT

The action-adventure genre was never the same

Brendan Fraser’s best ‘90s blockbuster had a secret 2 two reboots couldn’t copy

Image: Universal Pictures/Everett Collection

No one really knows why a movie works. After a century of Hollywood, the industry is still trying to understand and adapt to an ever-evolving audience. As we enter an era of peak remake and IP-grab filmmaking, stories from decades ago have become the studios’ easiest bets to make money. It’s not fertile ground for creativity, but we movie fans have to take our wins where we can.

One such concept primed for a big return is The Mummy, which itself is more focused on a somewhat generic horror character with a long cinematic history. In 1999, a fun and romantic interpretation of The Mummy redefined the core concept for a generation of viewers. Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, the film launched a franchise and became a gateway into the action-adventure genre.…