The Mummy 2026: UK Release Date, Cast and What to Expect

The Mummy 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about horror films of the year, and it’s almost here. Directed by Lee Cronin, the man behind Evil Dead Rise, this fresh take on the classic monster franchise arrives in UK cinemas on 17 April. It’s darker, stranger and far more unsettling than anything the Mummy brand has delivered before.

What Is The Mummy 2026 About?

The plot centres on Charlie Cannon, a journalist whose young daughter Katie vanishes in the desert without a trace. Eight years pass, the family fractures, and hope fades entirely. Then Katie is found alive – inside a sarcophagus.

What should be a moment of pure relief quickly turns into something far worse. The girl who comes home isn’t quite the same child who disappeared. Cronin has described the film as a story about family grief that spirals into outright terror, citing Poltergeist and Se7en as key influences on the tone.

The Mummy 2026 Cast: Who’s In It?

Jack Reynor leads as Charlie Cannon, the desperate father at the heart of the story. Reynor has been quietly brilliant in films like Midsommar, and early word suggests he brings real emotional weight here. Laia Costa plays his wife Larissa, with Verónica Falcón as Larissa’s mother Carmen.

The real standout, according to early screenings, is Natalie Grace as Katie Cannon. Her performance has been compared to Linda Blair in The Exorcist – high praise for a young actress carrying the film’s most physically and emotionally demanding role. Shylo Molina and Billie Roy round out the Cannon family as siblings Sebastián and Maud.

May Calamawy, May Elghety and Hayat Kamille also feature, with Kamille playing a character credited only as “the Magician” – a detail that’s fuelling plenty of speculation online about the film’s mythology.

UK Release Date and How to Watch

The Mummy 2026 opens in UK cinemas on 17 April 2026, with IMAX screenings available from day one. Some international markets get it slightly earlier on 15 April, but UK audiences won’t be waiting long.

At 133 minutes and carrying an 18 certificate from the BBFC, this is clearly not a family-friendly popcorn film. It’s a proper adult horror that the censors felt warranted the strongest theatrical rating. If you’re a fan of what Cronin did with Evil Dead Rise, that probably sounds like good news.

If you’re looking for something to watch before it lands, our review of Sinners covers another bold horror release that’s been making waves this year.

Who’s Behind The Mummy 2026?

Lee Cronin writes and directs, building on the critical and commercial success of Evil Dead Rise (2023). The production brings together some heavyweight companies: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster (James Wan’s outfit), and Blumhouse Productions – three names that have collectively dominated the horror genre for the past decade.

The score comes from Stephen McKeon, a frequent Cronin collaborator. Principal photography took place across Ireland and Spain between March and June 2025, giving the film a mix of eerie landscapes that should look spectacular on an IMAX screen.

Early Reviews and Buzz

First reactions from advance screenings have been largely positive. Horror fans who attended early previews have called it the most unsettling Mummy film ever made, with particular praise for Natalie Grace’s physical performance and Cronin’s willingness to push boundaries.

That said, not everyone’s convinced. Some critics have flagged the runtime as an issue, suggesting the 133-minute length occasionally slows the pacing. It’s worth noting, though, that horror films with longer runtimes have performed brilliantly in recent years – look at Hereditary or The Witch.

For a look at what else is coming to UK cinemas soon, check out our piece on The Devil Wears Prada 2 and its confirmed UK release date. And if you’re after something lighter, the Ghosts film is another upcoming release worth keeping an eye on.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does The Mummy 2026 come out in the UK?

The Mummy 2026 releases in UK cinemas on 17 April 2026. IMAX screenings are available from the same date, with some international territories getting it from 15 April.

Is The Mummy 2026 a remake or a sequel?

It’s neither. Lee Cronin’s film is an entirely new story that reimagines the Mummy concept as a modern family horror. It has no connection to the Brendan Fraser trilogy or the 2017 Tom Cruise version.

What age rating is The Mummy 2026?

The BBFC has given The Mummy 2026 an 18 certificate in the UK. This means it is not suitable for viewers under 18. The film contains strong horror, violence and disturbing imagery throughout.

Who directed The Mummy 2026?

The film is written and directed by Lee Cronin, best known for Evil Dead Rise (2023) and The Hole in the Ground (2019). It’s produced by New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster and Blumhouse Productions.