Lee Cronin's 'The Mummy' Leads New UK and Irish Cinema Releases This Weekend
Irish horror director Lee Cronin's reimagining of The Mummy leads a diverse slate of new cinema releases across the UK and Ireland this weekend, with early reviews describing it as a visceral and genuinely terrifying experience that marks a bold departure from the franchise's adventure-oriented past, while Jude Law stars in the political drama The Wizard of the Kremlin.
Background
Lee Cronin has established himself as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary horror cinema, having previously directed Evil Dead Rise to considerable critical and commercial success. His return to the genre with a new take on the classic mummy mythology has been one of the most anticipated horror releases of 2026 for UK and Irish audiences. Cronin, who is from Cork, turned down the opportunity to direct a sequel to Evil Dead Rise — reportedly titled Evil Dead Burn — to pursue what he considered a riskier and more creatively challenging project. The decision was driven by a desire to reinvent the mummy concept entirely, moving away from the cursed pharaoh archetype to focus on the horrifying process of mummification itself and themes of family trauma and demonic possession.
The film was produced by horror titans James Wan (Atomic Monster) and Jason Blum (Blumhouse Productions), with New Line Cinema handling distribution through Warner Bros. Pictures. The title Lee Cronin's The Mummy was a suggestion from Blum, designed to clearly distinguish it from previous iterations of the franchise and to signal its unique authorial vision. Principal photography took place between March and June 2025 in Ireland and Spain, with Cronin emphasising authenticity by casting several Egyptian actors, including May Calamawy, and incorporating significant Arabic dialogue.
Key Developments
Lee Cronin's The Mummy opened in UK and Irish cinemas on 17 April 2026, having premiered in Los Angeles on 9 April. The film stars Jack Reynor as an investigative reporter whose family is torn apart when his daughter is abducted and later returned, possessed by an ancient demon called Nasmaranian. Early reviews from Irish outlets described the film as a nauseating Irish horror film but also an absolute blast, with critics praising its juicy gore, visceral body horror, and strong performances. The film holds a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics finding the plot somewhat derivative, but audiences have responded more favourably with a 74% audience score and a C+ CinemaScore. Against a production budget of $22 million, the film grossed approximately $70 million worldwide, making it a clear financial success.
Also opening this weekend is The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas and based on Giuliano da Empoli's bestselling novel. Jude Law stars as Vadim Baranov, a television producer who becomes the chief spin doctor for Vladimir Putin's Kremlin. The film has attracted attention for its timely subject matter given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, though reviews have been mixed, with some critics finding the political drama somewhat clunky in its execution despite Law's commanding central performance.
Why It Matters
Lee Cronin's success represents a significant moment for Irish cinema, demonstrating that Irish directors can compete at the highest level of international genre filmmaking. The film's production in Ireland and Spain, combined with its Irish creative leadership, underscores the growing confidence of major studios in Irish talent. The film's release also provides a boost to UK and Irish cinemas, which continue to benefit from a strong slate of new releases to attract audiences back to the big screen. Cronin's willingness to take creative risks — turning down a guaranteed sequel to pursue a more challenging project — has paid off both critically and commercially, and sets a compelling example for the next generation of Irish filmmakers.
Local Impact
For Belfast and Northern Ireland's cinema industry, the opening of a major horror film directed by an Irish filmmaker carries particular resonance. Northern Ireland has a strong tradition of horror filmmaking, and the success of Irish directors like Cronin on the international stage helps to raise the profile of the island's creative talent. Local cinemas across Belfast, Derry, and beyond are reporting strong advance bookings for The Mummy, with horror fans eager to see what Cronin has delivered. The film's Irish production credentials — shot partly in Ireland — also mean that local audiences can take a degree of pride in its success on the world stage.
What's Next
Box office results for the opening weekend will be closely watched, with industry observers keen to see whether Cronin's film can build on its strong second-weekend performance in the United States, where it dropped only 59% — a solid retention rate for a horror title. The film's international release is expected to continue rolling out in the coming weeks. For more, see Rotten Tomatoes: The Mummy First Reviews and Screen Daily: UK and Ireland Cinema Releases 2026.
