Some treasures are meant for museums. Others should be buried so deep that even Indiana Jones would think twice. But if we did that, we'd miss Brendan Fraser sprinting across the desert, dual-wielding pistols while an ancient priest morphs into a sandstorm—and honestly, who wants that?
Fraser, fresh off his Oscar-nominated turn in The Whale, is back in the spotlight as his iconic 1999 adventure The Mummy officially began streaming on Peacock on October 1. The timing couldn't be better, as the actor is currently in London filming the long-awaited next chapter of the franchise, slated for a 2028 release.
The Adventure That Started It All
Set in 1920s Egypt, the film follows Rick O'Connell, a dashing legionnaire who stumbles upon the lost city of Hamunaptra during a skirmish. But this isn't just any archaeological dig—it's the resting place of Imhotep, a high priest cursed 3,000 years ago for a forbidden love. If awakened, he'll unleash a plague of biblical proportions. Spoiler: he gets awakened.
The cast is a who's who of late-'90s cinema: Rachel Weisz shines as the determined Evelyn, Arnold Vosloo brings menace to Imhotep, and John Hannah, Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jonathan Hyde, and Erick Avari round out the ensemble.
Why It Still Works
Critics were lukewarm back in 1999—the film sits at a modest 62% on Rotten Tomatoes—but audiences embraced it wholeheartedly. The blend of horror, comedy, romance, and CGI spectacle shouldn't gel, yet it does, thanks largely to the undeniable chemistry between Fraser and Weisz. Even when flesh-eating scarabs are burrowing under skin, the movie keeps its charm.
That charm translated to box office gold. Produced for roughly $80 million, The Mummy raked in over $417 million worldwide, spawning two sequels. Fraser returned for The Mummy Returns (2001) and Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), though Weisz sat out the third. Fortunately, she's confirmed to reprise her role in the 2028 sequel.
If you're in the mood for more streaming adventures, Peacock is also adding other gems this October, like Train to Busan and its sequel, and Jeff Goldblum's body-horror classic The Fly. For those who love fantasy, check out low fantasy shows with logical magic systems or dark fantasy films that are flawless from start to finish.
So grab some popcorn, fire up Peacock, and relive the magic—or the curse—before Rick O'Connell rides again in 2028.
