The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Rick O'Connell heads back into danger when a long-dormant ruler from China's Han dynasty is reawakened, bringing with him an army of animated terracotta warriors and a hunger for domination. The resurrection is tied to artifacts and rituals unearthed by archaeologists, and when O'Connell's son Alex becomes entangled with the relics, Rick and his wife Evelyn return to help. Alongside allies both new and familiar they race to stop the Dragon Emperor before his supernatural reach spreads. The film keeps its focus on nonstop action and set-piece spectacle, balancing family dynamics with globe-spanning peril while avoiding deep detours into mystery or romance.

Directed by Rob Cohen, the movie arrived in 2008 as the next installment in The Mummy series created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. It shifts the franchise's geography to East Asia and leans into large-scale production design and effects.

Produced on a major studio budget near $145 million, the film earned roughly $403 million worldwide, giving it solid commercial returns despite mixed critical reaction. Its global box office kept the franchise financially viable for merchandise and theme park tie-ins.

The switch to a Chinese setting and the use of the terracotta army as a visual motif stand out as the film's most recognizable contributions. It prompted conversations about how Hollywood handles international stories and casting, and a number of action sequences and creature designs have stuck in the public memory among franchise fans.

Critical response landed between praise and criticism, with many reviewers noting impressive visual effects and blockbuster scale while pointing to a thin script and uneven tone. Audience scores were similarly divided, but viewers often single out the family dynamic between Rick, Evelyn, and Alex as the emotional through-line amid the film's emphasis on action and spectacle.