23. The Mummy
Original Release — May 7, 1999
Before Tom Cruise attempted to launch the Universal franchise into the 21st century in a disastrous retelling, this Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz starrer knew the heart of this story lied in its origins — 1920s Egypt. With tongue-in-cheek humor and dashing, old school action, 1999’s The Mummy constantly treats its audience to a rip-roaring good time.
With a famous franchise name behind it, it would be easy for the film to slog to a grinding halt, churning out the same type of action beat again and again — but director Stephen Sommers continues to give the tomb plunderers new and exciting ways to face down their formidable, undead foes. It is popular to comment that Hollywood doesn’t make ‘em like they used to — The Mummy nearly proves that right, showing that digging into the yesteryear of Tinseltown can produce incredibly exciting results.
Image Source: IMDb