Mummies parents guide

Mummies Parent Guide

It's full of plot holes but the movie is funny and even the silliness is enjoyable for viewers of all ages.

Overall B+

Theaters: Three living mummies travel to modern London in search of a royal ring, which was stolen by an archaeologist.

Release date March 10, 2023

Violence B
Sexual Content A
Profanity A
Substance Use A-

Why is Mummies rated PG? The MPAA rated Mummies PG for mild action/violence and some rude material

Run Time: 88 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Deep under the sands of Egypt is a city where mummies live out their eternal afterlife. Princess Nefer (Eleanor Tomlinson) has reached the age where a husband will be chosen for her by a phoenix sent from the goddess Hathor, whether she wants it or not. Much to her dismay, the man brought to the palace is Thut (Joe Thomas), a cocky chariot racer with a desire to stay single for eternity. Stuck with each other, the two, along with Thut’s little brother Sekhem (Santiago Winder), find themselves on an adventure to the land of the living to retrieve their sacred wedding ring, which was stolen by an overzealous archaeologist (Hugh Bonneville).

Have you ever put a phrase through Google Translate multiple times just to see how incomprehensible it can become? That’s what seems to have happened to this script. Originally written and produced in Spanish before undergoing an English overhaul for wide distribution, some things seem to have been lost in translation. There are plot holes large enough to comfortably fit a pyramid, and the world-building makes absolutely no sense. There is no logic to the internal rules, and I found myself left with far more questions than answers.

The story needs a lot more work, though the premise is promising. Nefer’s dream to be a singer feels tacked on and never fully integrated into the main plot, while Thut’s character growth bounces around as the writers see fit. The mummies’ ignorance of the modern world is completely plot-dependent: they know stuff they shouldn’t understand to make things easier, while not knowing things when it can set up a joke. I also couldn’t get over the fact that the portal from which Hathor sends her phoenix is called a “Stargate” and looks suspiciously like a famous piece of 90s pop culture of the same name. I smell a lawsuit.

All of that said – and I can’t overlook the sub-par animation - I had a fun time watching this film. My 6-year-old loved it, and so did the other children in the theater if the near constant laughter is any indication. Yes, the story is deeply flawed and full of plot holes and anachronisms, but it’s funny and the characters are charming. I laughed out loud multiple times and had a blast with the silly adventure. The mummified crocodile sidekick is quite possibly the cutest animal sidekick this side of Disney and my son audibly squealed whenever he was on screen. There is also a wildly out of place Nickelback song at the emotional climax, which had me in fits of laughter, much to my son’s confusion.

For a fun romp for kids, Mummies is a lot better than I expected and I could see myself revisiting it at some point just for the silliness. It’s also appropriate for most audiences, as there’s little objectionable content outside of the requisite cartoon violence and one brief moment of innuendo. As a critic I could never say this movie is good, but sometimes you don’t need to be good to be entertaining. And a cute baby crocodile doesn’t hurt either.

Directed by Juan Jesús García Galocha. Starring Sean Bean, Joe Thomas, Eleanor Tomlinson. Running time: 88 minutes. Theatrical release March 10, 2023. Updated

Watch the trailer for Mummies

Mummies
Rating & Content Info

Why is Mummies rated PG? Mummies is rated PG by the MPAA for mild action/violence and some rude material

Violence: There is some cartoon slap stick violence, including falls, running into things, and getting hit on the head. Villainous characters shoot tranquilizer darts at characters, knocking them out. Characters discuss a punishment that consists of cutting out the tongue and plucking out the eyes.
Sexual Content: A couple kiss. A male mummy’s bottom bandages unravel (unseen by the audience) and his fiancé comments that there will be “no surprises on the wedding night”.
Profanity: Some mild insults including “moron”, “imbecile”, and “idiot”.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters act intoxicated while waking up from tranquilizer.

Page last updated

Mummies Parents' Guide

What is Nefer’s dream and how do the people in her life support or not support her?
What is Thut’s obstacle and how does he overcome it?

Loved this movie? Try these books…

Elementary school readers who are fascinated with all things Egyptian will want to read Mummies in the Morning, the third book in Mary Pope Osborne’s enduring Magic Tree House series. For more excitement, they can turn to Mystery of the Egyptian Mummy, written by Scott Peters. ‘

There are plenty of non-fiction books that can educate kids about ancient Egypt in general and mummies in specific. On behalf of National Geographic Kids, Elizabeth Curry has written Mummies, which provides spooky photos and lots of detail about the wrapped denizens of the pyramids. Less creepily illustrated, Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki also provide detailed information about the Egyptian practice of preserving the dead. Older elementary school readers who really want to dig into Egyptology will be intrigued by Mummy: Discover the Secrets of Mummies, which is written by James Putnam, lavishly illustrated, and published by DK Eyewitness Books.

Home Video

Related home video titles:

If it’s mummies you’re after, you can watch Under Wraps, an animated feature about two kids who need to undo a curse that has turned their archaeologist parents into mummies. Same title, different story Under Wraps (2021) is a Disney+ live action film in which three friends accidentally revive a mummy who needs their help. For more kid-friendly fun that is only mildly scary, you can try Hotel Transylvania, which features a mummy as part of the cast. If your kids are getting too old for these films and want to unwrap bigger scares, they can try The Mummy and its sequels. With over-the-top supernatural violence and ludicrous plots, these films nonetheless provide popcorn entertainment for teen viewers.