Lee Cronin’s The Mummy recorded a solid debut at the Nigerian box office, earning N18.1 million during its opening weekend (April 17–19, 2026), according to cinema distribution data.
The supernatural horror film ranked third overall for the weekend, trailing behind The Return of Arinzo (N28.8 million) and You, Me & Tuscany (N20.7 million), both of which continued to attract strong cinema audiences, Nigerian Box Office reported.
Released on April 17 by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is a darker reimagining of the Mummy franchise, shifting away from its traditional action-adventure roots into psychological and family-driven horror. The project is directed by Lee Cronin and produced by James Wan and Jason Blum through Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster.
A breakdown of the box office performance
Globally, The Mummy has already shown early commercial strength, grossing approximately $34 million in its opening weekend against a reported $22 million production budget, putting it on track to break even quickly.
- The performance aligns with Blumhouse’s strategy of producing low- to mid-budget horror films with high return potential.
- The film features a diverse international cast led by Jack Reynor, who plays investigative journalist Charlie Cannon, alongside Laia Costa as his wife, Larissa. May
- Calamawy takes on the role of Detective Dalia Zaki, while Natalie Grace portrays Katie Cannon, the family’s daughter whose mysterious return drives the film’s central conflict.
Supporting performances include Verónica Falcón as the family matriarch Carmen, and Hayat Kamille as the enigmatic Magician. May Elghety also features as Layla, whose storyline connects events between Egypt and the United States.
About the film
Set across Aswan and Cairo in Egypt, as well as Albuquerque in the United States, the film follows a family dealing with the return of their long-missing daughter, whose reappearance is tied to an ancient demonic entity sustained through ritual mummification practices. The storyline blends supernatural horror with themes of grief, trauma, and familial bonds.
In Nigeria, the film’s performance underscores a steady appetite for international horror titles, even as local productions and romance-driven films continue to dominate the box office. Its third-place debut highlights moderate traction for the genre, particularly among younger cinema audiences.
What you should know
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy currently holds a 46% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience rating stands higher at 77%, indicating stronger viewer reception than critical response.
- Director Lee Cronin previously helmed Evil Dead Rise, which earned an 85% critics’ score and delivered strong commercial performance, opening to $24.5 million in North America before grossing $147.1 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
- With a $22 million production budget and a $34 million global opening, The Mummy is already positioned for early profitability, consistent with the low-cost, high-return model of Blumhouse Productions.
