Hollywood has its fair share of mystical-themed adventure stories in its historical cinematic vault. And movies like The Mummy made a hilarious but endearing mark of such tales back in the ‘90s.
Brendan Fraser couldn’t be more perfect as the money-focused adventurer who clashes with Rachel Weisz’s nerdy librarian character. Together, they accidentally open ancient ways to let ancient troubles infiltrate the earth anew. And with a mummy no less, the adventure is heightened!
Want to know similarly-themed films? Check out my recommended movies like The Mummy and go for the ride while being entertained by unforgettable characters and scenes.
10 Mystical Adventure Movies Like The Mummy
1. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – Cradle of Life (2003)
Treasure hunter heiress Lara Croft finds herself unearthing a mysterious orb that leads to the existence of the mythical Pandora’s box. Meanwhile, enemies also want their hand on this powerful object.
Angelina Jolie brings Lady Croft to life again in this action-packed sequel, bringing her adventures to an international sphere yet again as she tracks the orb and follows leads to find the box. A pre-buffed Gerald Butler joins the fray first as a friend but later turns into a foe.
Movies like The Mummy that incorporate mythological elements with modern-day exploits end as blockbuster hits—as Lara Croft proved!
2. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008)
Professor-adventurer Indiana Jones finds himself discovering details about ancient crystal skulls that Russians want to retrieve to gain world dominance. With the help of a former lover and friends, he stops this menace from happening.
Harrison Ford reprises his iconic role for the fourth time to continue the exploits of this non-swashbuckling but endearing archaeologist. Cate Blanchett plays the Russian enemy in this installment, and Shia LaBeouf plays a greaser who is hinted at as someone who might play the lead.
 But will he? Let’s see when the scheduled 2022 fifth sequel arrives, with Harrison still reportedly in the reins.
3. King Solomon’s Mines (1985)
Adventurer and trader Allan Quatermain is hired by a woman to find her missing father, believed to have been looking for the mythical mines of King Solomon. The expedition leads him to encounter old and new enemies while uncovering potential treasure.
Richard Chamberlain brings to life the ‘80s version of Allan Quatermain from the famous English novels by H. Rider Haggard. Sharon Stone lends a helping hand in portraying the woman looking for her treasure-obsessed father.
Many movies like The Mummy tried to mix spectacular mythological wonders with modern-day action and romance elements, like this film. But sometimes, it flops.
4. Romancing The Stone (1984)
A successful romance novelist embarks on an accidental adventure when her sister is kidnapped by smugglers searching for a treasure map that leads to a mythical gem. She meets a brash but dashing smuggler who helps in her quest.
Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner try their hand at making one of these spectacular expedition films, which clinched for them a win at the box office. This early directorial work by Robert Zemeckis heightened the adventure factor of this romantic comedy more.
Look for a parallel adventure in its 1985 sequel entitled Jewel of the Nile, still with the same cast.
5. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
In ancient times, a Persian orphan grows up as one of the king’s adopted sons, but is later set up by his brother for a murder. In this conspiracy, he discovers a sacred dagger that makes the bearer travel back in time.
Jake Gyllenhaal parkours his way through this film adaptation of a beloved video game. The ancient adventure plays out like a game but focuses on the power struggle that humans have to control time and destiny.
These movies like The Mummy might tell tall tales, especially with the mystical elements. But they appear believable, thanks to great storytelling.
6. Red Sonja (1985)
A ravaged girl grows up to become a warrior out to avenge her family’s murder, and is later entrusted with destroying a mythical talisman that could destroy the world.
Brigitte Nielsen made her feature film debut in this sword-and-sorcery film that was popular during the ‘80s. She was supported by a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ernie Reyes, Jr. The mythical elements of this film focused on a fictional prehistoric age characterized by magic, tyranny, and heroism.
While this one was a box office flop during its release, plans of a remake have been going on in Hollywood. Wait what happens!
7. Night At The Museum (2006)
An unsuspecting guard working the night shift in a museum discovers that an ancient Egyptian artifact brings the museum exhibits to life every night, causing havoc and providing the guard with unlikely adventures as occupational hazards.
Ben Stiller uses slapstick to execute the mini-adventures his character faces each night with various museum creatures. It leads to an ultimate adventure when the ancient artifact is stolen, and everyone helps to retrieve it before the exhibits are destroyed by sunlight.
Similar to the other movies like The Mummy, this hit also spawned equally successful sequels. Enjoy the funny 2009 and 2014 installments!
8. National Treasure (2004)
An amateur cryptologist and historian discovers that a map at the back of the Declaration of Independence leads to ancient treasure hidden by America’s Founding Fathers. But evil hands also want a part of this treasure.
Nicolas Cage is the adventurer who takes the reins in this feel-good fantasy film that also supplies reinventions and improvisations of historical facts to fit the action-packed narrative. The film uses various American historical artifacts and elements to make the chase exciting.
If you like historical details being reinvented to fit a puzzling adventure, then this film—and its intriguing sequel—is for you!
9. Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones races against time—and the Nazi forces—to find the Ark of the Covenant, a religious relic that could give anyone extreme power over the entire world by making its possessor invincible to any threat.
Harrison Ford’s first foray as the courageous but careful archaeologist-explorer is exhibited in full scale in this film, which always throws in a mix of mythical or historical elements to make the plot more interesting to audiences of all ages.
Steven Spielberg hit the jackpot on this one—that’s why he can’t stop making sequels! John Williams’ identifiable trademark musical score helps, too!
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Pirate Jack Sparrow partners with Henry Turner to find the Trident of Poseidon, a mythical artifact that could break the curse that imprisoned Henry’s father. A young astronomer joins the search.
Johnny Depp reprises his iconic role in a film that references old characters and introduces new ones that could continue the franchise’s storyline. The Black Pearl gets restored, while Will and Elizabeth’s son leads the adventure that will reunite their family for good.
This fifth installment is very similar to movies like The Mummy due to its mythical themes. Despite the mixed reviews, it was still a global blockbuster.