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Mummy movies reimagined: A modern take on an ancient tale

By Deepak Kumar

CAIRO, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 20: The statue of King Djoser, the oldest known Egyptian statue in life size, displayed for the first time. This statue was found in 1925 in a closed room near the Step Pyramid at the Egyptian museum on February 20, 2023 in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities unveiled a renovated wing within its 120-year-old museum, the first stage of a broader replenishment program for the palatial building.(Photo by Fadel Dawod/Getty Images)
CAIRO, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 20: The statue of King Djoser, the oldest known Egyptian statue in life size, displayed for the first time. This statue was found in 1925 in a closed room near the Step Pyramid at the Egyptian museum on February 20, 2023 in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities unveiled a renovated wing within its 120-year-old museum, the first stage of a broader replenishment program for the palatial building.(Photo by Fadel Dawod/Getty Images) /
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Mummy movies have been a popular subgenre of horror and adventure films for over a century, but it’s time for a fresh approach. This modern take on the ancient tale presents the mummy as more than just a cursed corpse brought back to life but as a symbolic representation of the struggles of contemporary society.

The story follows a team of archaeologists who make a groundbreaking discovery when they stumble upon an untouched tomb in Egypt. Inside, they uncover the mummified remains of a powerful pharaoh who was cursed by the gods for his arrogance. As the team begins to unravel the secrets of the tomb, they unintentionally awaken the mummy’s wrath.

However, instead of the typical storyline of the mummy seeking revenge on those who disturb its resting place, this story delves into the motivations and perspective of the mummy. As it rampages through modern-day Cairo, the mummy isn’t just exacting vengeance for its centuries-long imprisonment, but also trying to come to terms with the changes that have occurred in the world since its death.

Taking a new approach to the mummy movies genre, this modern retelling offers a refreshing take on an age old tale. Through exploring modern themes and delving into the psychological depths of ancient mythology, this story appeals to both horror fans and those interested in deeper meanings.

Mummy movies reimagined: A modern take on an ancient tale
Legacies — “There’s a Mummy on Main Street” — Image Number: LGC110b_0301b.jpg — Pictured: Cheetah Platt as Mummy — Photo: Jace Downs/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved. /

There have been many mummy movies made over the years

  • The Mummy (1999) – starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, this film follows a group of adventurers as they uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian priest who has been cursed.
  • The Mummy Returns (2001) – a sequel to the 1999 film, this movie sees the return of the cursed mummy and introduces new characters, such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the Scorpion King.
  • The Mummy (1932) – a classic horror film starring Boris Karloff as the mummy Imhotep, who is revived after 3,700 years and seeks to be reunited with his lost love.
  • The Mummy’s Hand (1940) – another classic horror film, this movie introduces the character of Kharis, a mummy who is brought back to life by an evil cult.
  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) – the third film in the Brendan Fraser series, this movie sees the mummy awakening in China and battling a new set of adventurers.
  • Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) – while not a traditional mummy movie, this film features a mummy who is brought to life in a nursing home and battles Elvis Presley (played by Bruce Campbell) and JFK (played by Ossie Davis).
  • The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964) – Hammer Film Productions’ take on the mummy genre, featuring a group of archaeologists who discover an Egyptian tomb and are plagued by a vengeful mummy.
  • The Awakening (1980) – a horror movie about a team of archaeologists who uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian queen, leading to a series of supernatural events.
  • The Mummy (1959) – another Hammer Film Productions’ entry in the genre, this film stars Christopher Lee as the mummy Kharis, who is brought back to life to seek revenge.
  • Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1971) – a horror movie loosely based on the Bram Stoker novel The Jewel of Seven Stars, about an archaeologist who uncovers an ancient Egyptian queen’s tomb and is haunted by her spirit.
  • The Mummy’s Curse (1944) – part of Universal’s classic monster movie series, this film features the mummy Kharis coming back to life and seeking revenge on those who defiled his tomb.
  • The Mummy’s Ghost (1944) – another entry in Universal’s mummy series, this film sees the mummy Kharis seeking out the reincarnation of his lost love.

These are just a few of the most well known mummy movies, but there are many others to choose from.

As we continue to grapple with the legacies of our past and the challenges of the modern world, this reinvented mummy movies genre offers a powerful lens through which to examine our complex relationship with stories and how they shape our understanding of the world around us.

Next. Terror in the MCU: Marvel horror characters you need to know about. dark

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