I ducked into a near-empty multiplex and felt the film hit me like a memory that won’t quit. Halfway through a familiar chase I realized the thing I wanted most was not fresher effects but that old, absurd charm. You can feel how eager everyone is to visit Hamunaptra again.
I’ll walk you through what’s happening, where to buy tickets, and why Universal is banking on nostalgia—and yes, I’ll be blunt about the CGI. This is my take; yours will matter in the comment threads and at the concession stand.
Theater listings already show a March 27 start date. What Universal announced and how long it runs.
Universal has slated a limited theatrical re-release of The Mummy Returns beginning March 27 to mark the film’s 25th anniversary; tickets went on sale immediately after the studio’s post. ([dreadcentral.com](https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/558621/the-mummy-returns-will-rerelease-in-theaters-this-march-watch-the-new-trailer-1now/?utm_source=openai))
Chains and specialty venues from AMC to independent houses are carrying dates through the end of the week, and services like Fever and other ticket platforms already list showtimes—so if you want a particular screen or an early evening seat, book now. ([feverup.com](https://feverup.com/movies/en/movie/45755-the-mummy-returns-25th-anniversary?utm_source=openai))
The movie’s original box office still matters in 2026. Where the numbers sit today.
The Mummy Returns earned about $435 million worldwide during its original run—an old-school blockbuster payoff that made it the biggest grosser in the Sommers trilogy. ([the-numbers.com](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mummy-Returns-The?utm_source=openai))
To give that a fresh frame: $435 million is roughly €368 million using today’s exchange rate. ([currency-converter.org.uk](https://www.currency-converter.org.uk/currency-rates/convert/USD-EUR-rate.html?utm_source=openai))
That haul explains why Universal still treats these titles like vault gold; reissues carry low risk and a nostalgia tax that pays off at the box office and in catalogue streaming.
You can’t talk about Returns without the Scorpion King. How a single scene launched a franchise.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s turn as the Scorpion King was brief but magnetic; it proved to be a launchpad. Universal spun that appearance into the 2002 prequel The Scorpion King, which put Johnson in his first leading role. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_King?utm_source=openai))
Those moments age oddly: the spectacle still thrills while the early-2000s CG shows its age. Dwayne Johnson’s early CG is a papier-mâché dinosaur on a museum shelf—charming and slightly embarrassing at the same time.
When is The Mummy Returns in theaters?
It hits theaters March 27 for a limited run; Universal’s announcement and early listings confirm the date, and ticket platforms already have showtimes. ([dreadcentral.com](https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/558621/the-mummy-returns-will-rerelease-in-theaters-this-march-watch-the-new-trailer-1now/?utm_source=openai))
Will there be special features or cast appearances?
So far Universal appears to be treating the reissue as a standard theatrical screening—no new cast intros or exclusive interviews have been promised in the announcement. If you’re hoping for a post-screening Q&A with Brendan Fraser or a Rachel Weisz cameo, don’t hold your breath. ([dreadcentral.com](https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/558621/the-mummy-returns-will-rerelease-in-theaters-this-march-watch-the-new-trailer-1now/?utm_source=openai))
Why re-release now instead of waiting for the new movie?
Studios often stack nostalgia runs to prime audiences: a rerelease refreshes the brand, reminds people of the characters, and builds goodwill right before new installments and competing takes arrive. Universal’s move comes as Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reported to be returning for a new sequel down the line, while a very different, horror-forward The Mummy from Lee Cronin lands in theaters on April 17. ([people.com](https://people.com/the-mummy-4-everything-to-know-11844028?utm_source=openai))
Think of the reissue as a tiny marketing engine that runs on fan memory and curiosity; for some it’s an excuse to revisit Fraser’s goofy heroics and Weisz’s chemistry, for others it’s a reminder that the franchise can wear very different faces. The reissue gives you that jolt before the next, darker take arrives in April. ([warnerbroshorror.com](https://www.warnerbroshorror.com/leecroninsthemummy/?utm_source=openai))
If you’re going, bring the right expectations: this is a nostalgia play, not a remake. The movie still moves with the bright confidence of early-2000s studio adventure, and if you love Fraser and Weisz together, that outshines a few dated effects. The re-release is a cinematic time capsule—worn edges and all—that will feel bigger on an IMAX or a good Dolby screen.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Go if you want to remember why you enjoyed the series the first time, or go if you’re curious how early-2000s spectacle reads against modern horror and modern effects. Either way, who gets to claim the better remake: the glossy blockbuster or the grim new horror take—are you team Fraser or team Cronin?