Blumhouse's R-Rated 'The Mummy' Sequel Hinges on Box Office Performance

Director Lee Cronin says the franchise's future depends on audience reception.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:51pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered glass lens reflecting a faint red light, conveying the dark, ominous atmosphere of the new 'The Mummy' movie.The gritty, high-contrast texture of the broken lens in Blumhouse's 'The Mummy' hints at the film's supernatural horror tone.Albuquerque Today

Lee Cronin's new take on 'The Mummy' for Blumhouse Productions has been released, and the director says any potential sequel will depend on how well the film performs at the box office. Unlike the previous Brendan Fraser-led 'Mummy' movies, Cronin's version is a supernatural horror film that aims to return the franchise to its Universal monster roots.

Why it matters

The Mummy is a classic horror property, and Blumhouse's R-rated reimagining represents an opportunity to reinvigorate the franchise for a new generation of moviegoers. However, the film's commercial success will ultimately determine whether the studio decides to greenlight a sequel.

The details

Directed by Lee Cronin and produced by Blumhouse, the new 'The Mummy' movie takes a darker, more horror-focused approach compared to the previous Brendan Fraser-led adventures. The film, which is set in modern-day Albuquerque, New Mexico, follows a family affected by the choices of another family in ancient Egypt 3,000 years ago. With a $22 million budget, the movie is projected to open in the $15-20 million range at the box office.

  • The Mummy is in theaters now.
  • The film has a runtime of 136 minutes.
  • It was released on April 17, 2026.

The players

Lee Cronin

The writer and director of the new 'The Mummy' film, known for his work on the horror movie 'Evil Dead Rise'.

Rich Brener

An executive at New Line Cinema who advised Cronin on the franchise's future.

Dave Neustadter

Another New Line Cinema executive who provided guidance to Cronin.

Jason Blum

The producer of 'The Mummy' through his company Blumhouse Productions.

James Wan

The producer of 'The Mummy' alongside Jason Blum.

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What they’re saying

“I'm gonna repeat the best advice I was ever given, by people that know how to make movie franchises work, which is the brilliant execs over at New Line, Rich Brener and Dave Neustadter, and they'll always say: we let the audience decide. I'm very audience focused.”

— Lee Cronin, Director

What’s next

If 'The Mummy' performs well at the box office, Blumhouse and New Line Cinema will likely have discussions about developing a sequel. However, the future of the franchise will ultimately depend on audience reception.

The takeaway

The success of Blumhouse's R-rated 'The Mummy' reboot will determine whether the classic horror property can be revived as a modern franchise. The film's box office performance will be crucial in deciding if a sequel moves forward.