A supernatural horror revival is rising for 2026!
A classic terror is awakening and this time, it’s far from the desert sands of yesteryear. Acclaimed horror filmmaker Lee Cronin, known for the blood-soaked success Evil Dead Rise, has officially wrapped production on his latest directorial endeavor: The Mummy. The spine-chilling reimagining is slated to hit theaters April 17, 2026, and horror fans should prepare for a very different kind of resurrection.
Shared via a hauntingly minimal Instagram post, Cronin confirmed the completion of principal photography with a cryptic photo of his director’s chair and the caption: “All wrapped up. #LeeCroninsTheMummy.” Filming began in late March in Ireland, hinting at a moody, atmospheric take on a story that has traditionally been steeped in exotic locales and ancient curses. But this isn’t your mummy’s Mummy.
A New Monster Emerges
Cronin’s The Mummy is shaping up to be a pure supernatural horror experience, departing from the adventure tones of the Brendan Fraser-led trilogy and the failed 2017 Tom Cruise reboot. This marks a significant evolution of the IP—formerly a staple of Universal Pictures’ Classic Monsters series—now under the banner of New Line Cinema, in collaboration with genre titans Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster.
In the lead is Jack Reynor (Midsommar), playing a husband and father who finds himself entangled with sinister supernatural forces. Arriving as an ominous tease that suggests themes of family, legacy, and the inescapable pull of the past. Rounding out the cast are Laia Costa, Verónica Falcón, May Calamawy, May Elghety, and Natalie Grace, adding both international gravitas and genre credibility.
The Cronin Effect
Lee Cronin has fast become one of horror’s most compelling voices. His 2023 breakout Evil Dead Rise proved his ability to revive iconic franchises with fresh terror and emotional depth, grossing $147 million globally on a modest $19 million budget. Though he won’t direct the upcoming Evil Dead Burn, Cronin remains creatively involved as executive producer—allowing him to fully focus his dark vision on this modern Mummy.
Now, as both writer and director, Cronin is free to reshape The Mummy in his own image—more psychological dread, less swashbuckling spectacle. And with a powerhouse production team that includes Jason Blum, James Wan, and John Keville, the film has horror royalty behind the scenes as well as in front of the lens.
The Death Of The Dark Universe—And the Birth of Something New
For decades, The Mummy was synonymous with Universal’s monster movie legacy. From Boris Karloff’s chilling 1932 portrayal to Brendan Fraser’s genre-blending adventures, the franchise has shape-shifted through generations. The 2017 reboot, meant to launch the studio’s ill-fated “Dark Universe,” fell flat. Proving that legacy alone isn’t enough without the right storyteller. Now, with The Mummy being reborn under New Line, it seems the franchise may finally find a pulse again through horror.
