If Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is too much for you, try Mummies Alive!
Lee Cronin’s new “The Mummy” film is a gruesome, terrifying horror adaptation that brings a contemporary sensibility to the classic mummy genre. For viewers who find the film’s intensity overwhelming, Polygon recommends revisiting “Mummies Alive!”, a lighter animated series from 1997 that offers an entertaining alternative rooted in mummy mythology.
“Mummies Alive!” originally aired in syndication across the United States, following Presley, a San Francisco kid who discovers he is the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh named Prince Rapses. The series’ central plot kicks off when Presley visits a museum exhibit about Rapses, where an evil living mummy named Scarab uncovers the boy’s connection to the ancient ruler. The ’90s animated series represents a family-friendly approach to mummy-based storytelling, contrasting sharply with the gore-heavy sensibilities of Cronin’s film.
The article suggests “Mummies Alive!” is overdue for reappraisal, positioning it as a gateway for audiences interested in mummy mythology but seeking content less intense than modern horror films. This comparison highlights how the same source material—ancient Egyptian legends and mummy lore—can be adapted across different genres and age demographics, from straightforward horror to adventure-oriented animation.