Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe became the gold standard for interconnected storytelling, Universal Pictures had its own monster mash-ups. From Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man to House of Dracula, the studio's classic creatures were crossing paths decades before Thanos ever snapped his fingers. So when the 21st-century superhero boom made cinematic universes all the rage, Universal decided it was time to resurrect its iconic monsters in a grand, shared universe. The result? A spectacular misfire that's now found a new home on Prime Video.
That ambitious project was the Dark Universe, a planned franchise that was supposed to feature A-list stars like Javier Bardem as Frankenstein's monster, Angelina Jolie as the Bride of Frankenstein, and Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man. But the entire enterprise hinged on the success of its first installment: 2017's The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise as soldier of fortune Nick Morton. The film pitted Cruise's wisecracking adventurer and his sidekick Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) against Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), an ancient Egyptian princess with a serious grudge against the living.
The movie also introduced Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll, the head of a secret organization called the Prodigium—essentially a monster-fighting SHIELD. That setup was meant to tease a larger universe, but audiences and critics alike were less than impressed. The film was panned for its muddled tone and overstuffed plot, and the Dark Universe was quietly shelved. Now, as of September 2026, you can judge for yourself whether the movie deserved its fate, because The Mummy is now streaming on Prime Video.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Universal tried to launch a monster universe. In 2004, Van Helsing starred Hugh Jackman as the monster hunter battling Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and a werewolf—all in one film. Then came Dracula Untold in 2014, which attempted to kick off a new era with a post-credits scene that teased a larger world. Both failed to ignite, but the Dark Universe was the most ambitious—and most spectacularly unsuccessful—attempt yet.
For fans of fantasy and monster lore, the failure of the Dark Universe is a cautionary tale. But it also paved the way for a more grounded approach. Universal has since shifted focus to standalone monster films, and a new Mummy movie is in the works, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz returning for a sequel to the beloved 1999 action-adventure. That film, directed by the horror duo Radio Silence, is slated for an October 2027 release, with original cast members John Hannah, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Oded Fehr also confirmed to return.
If you're in the mood for a big-budget spectacle that didn't quite stick the landing, The Mummy is a fascinating watch. It's a reminder that even the biggest stars and most ambitious plans can stumble. And if you're looking for more fantasy content, check out our list of modern fantasy books that are flawless from start to finish or our ranking of the most joyful fantasy movies ever made.
For those who appreciate Russell Crowe's work, you might also want to see his Oscar-winning drama that's climbing the Apple TV charts this month. And if you're curious about other forgotten fantasy TV shows, we've got a list of forgotten fantasy TV shows that have aged like fine wine.
So, whether you're a Tom Cruise completist or just love a good cinematic trainwreck, The Mummy is now available to stream on Prime Video. Give it a watch and decide for yourself: was the Dark Universe really that bad, or was it just ahead of its time?
