All The Mummy Movies I’ve seen Ranked

 

  When it comes to classic movie monsters in the vein of “Dracula”, “Frankenstein” and even the Headless Horsman of “Sleepy Hollow”, they each have great literary source material to draw inspiration from. 

The Mummy however was a mostly original monster, created for Universals 1932 picture of the same name, and didn’t have any direct literary source material. This gives further movie adaptions of this creature freer range to get creative and do different things with each instalment, as they’re not bound to any set of rules. The Mummy itself has gone through many different names and appearances over its lengthy filmography. Imhotep is of course the most famous Mummy, while The Mummy Kharis has made the most appearances, and there are still other one-off Mummy characters. Personally, I’ve always felt a little more attached to The Mummy then most other classic monsters … so, for this October, I thought it would be fun to stop and rank each theatrical Mummy movie I’ve seen.

 Before I begin my List, there are some quick things to address. I won’t be including the 2002 movie “The Scorpion King” or any of its sequels, as they feel like a whole other topic. Also, this list is for movies only, so I won’t be including “The Mummy: The Animated Series” from 2001, which featured the Rick O’ Connell family, and featured Jim Cummings as the voice of Imhotep. 

Lastly, I haven’t seen every single Mummy movie, including the resent Warner Brothers picture from 2026 titled “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” … so this won’t be a complete list. I have, however, seen eleven different Mummy pictures, which gives me enough material to work with. Thus, here’s my own personal ranking of the Mummy movies I’ve seen … beginning with my absolute favorite … and ending with my least favorite.  

 

#1 “The Mummy” (1999) 

Thrill seeker Rick O’ Connell and inquisitive Librarian Evie set off to find an ancient Egyptian book, which is buried in the long-lost city of the dead. Amidst their search, they accidently resurrect the evil high priest Imhotep, who’ll bring about a new dark age across the land of Egypt. While not a traditional Horror movie, this was nevertheless the childhood experience that got me interested in viewing the classic monster movies like “Dracula”, “Frankenstein” and even the 1932 original “The Mummy”. As corny as it is to say, I view the 1999 remake of “The Mummy” as my own personal monster-movie fountain of youth ... as it's the one that started it all. 

All these years later, it's still just as enjoyable as when I was a kid. It embraces its own corny adventure elements without being either too silly or too serious, the characters are all memorable, the scary material is more fun than scarring, and there’s no shortage of general entertainment. Arnold Vosloo is very memorable as the Mummy Imhotep, and the design of the creature is very unique, as we watch its progression from a rotting corpse that gradually becomes more human. 

Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’ Connell is just as much an icon as the titular monster, and Rachel Weise’s Evie is still one of my biggest female movie character crushes. The film also had its own visual iconography to give it a personality separate from other remakes. Personally, I think this film has aged in just the right ways, as it’s modern but also has this enchanting old-fashioned innocence that makes it one of my all-time favorite adventure movies.

 

#2 “The Mummy” (1932) 

Going back to where it all started, we see the Mummy Imhotep resurrected, and spends several years in disguise, seeking the reincarnation of his long-lost Princess … and won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in his way. Surprisingly, this film is far more sophisticated than a movie about a cliched, bandaged mummy killing people. 

It’s all about an evil spirit that simply wants to bring back its long-lost love, and for an older 1930’s film, it boasts a spooky atmosphere and creates an eerie mood. Legendary horror icon Boris Karloff shines as the mummy Imhotep, and in my opinion, is even better here than he was as Frankenstein’s monster. He has such a hypnotic and creepy presence whenever he’s on screen, especially with him staring at you half the time with those lifeless eyes of his. 

The rest of the characters do a great job holding your interest, most notably the female lead named Helen, who’s easily the most attractive lead from any of these early monster films. This is all around a very unique horror movie that doesn’t rely on common horror movie conventions and instead treats the audience to a competently constructed film. It’s slower paced than many of its peers, even for the time, but it has a sophisticated craft that for me brushes aside any real shortcomings.

 

#3 “The Mummy Returns” (2001) 

Rick O’ Connell and family are back for another adventure, this time he and his wife Evie race across Egypt to rescue their son Alex, whose been captured by the newly resurrected Imhotep, and aims to raise an army of the dead. In some respects, “The Mummy Returns” succeeds as a larger, and more action-packed adventure picture. While this film is often described as a lesser sequel … it really isn’t that bad, especially when compared to everything else that came after. 

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that “The Mummy Returns” works just fine as an entertaining, and mostly complete sequel. It develops the characters further, explores the universe more, and features some of the franchise’s best action sequences. This is also when the Rick O’ Connell universe really took off as franchise, with multiple spin-off material, and more representation at the Universal theme parks … including the indoor roller-coaster “The Mummy’s Revenge”, which is one of my absolute favorite rides based on a movie. 

While the sequel doesn’t accomplish anything remarkable, and is brought down by some noticeable problems, it’s by no means terrible, and for me is very easy to watch. If fun Saturday afternoon fodder is all you want, then this sequel delivers the goods, and is a mostly entertaining experience.

 

#4 “The Mummy” (1959) 

Next, we have the only non-Universal studio production to appear on my list. Through the late 1950’s and early 1970’s, Britain’s Hammer Film Productions remade most of Universals monster movie classics, which had their own string of sequels. Their 1959 remake of “The Mummy” is frequently cited as one of their best and has the distinction of being the monsters first remake. However, this is not a remake of the classic Boris Karloff Imhotep Mummy, but the spin-off mummy creature called Kharis (more on his original film in a moment). 

For this outing, archeologist Steve Banning and his family violate the buried temple of the Princess Ananka, which beckons the Mummy Kharis to kill all who disturbed the sacred resting place. While this isn’t the most fun or spooky creature feature, it’s undeniably one of the more sophisticated, with intriguing characters engaging in logical debates and a killer mummy on top. More than anything, it’s the cast that makes this remake a classic, with famed horror actors Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee dominating the scene in the lead roles of John Banning and The Mummy Kharis. 

This movie had three sequels, “The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb” in 1964, “The Mummy’s Shroud” in 1967, and “Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb”, none of which featured the lead actors from the first film. As such, I haven’t watched any of these sequels, so they won’t appear on my countdown.  

 

#5 “The Mummy’s Hand” (1940) 

A team of explorers set off to find the burial chamber of a long-lost Princess, only to discover a cursed tomb with a killer Mummy named Kharis. Following after the original 1932 classic, this marked the first spin-off film with a whole new undead villain. Tom Tyler portrayed the new Mummy Kharis, and unlike Imhotep, this corpse stayed in its bandages and lumbered at a slow pace … while not very scary, it’s still appealing in how basic and traditional it’s presented. The real threat comes in the form on an evil High Priest played by George Zucco, who easily delivers the most enjoyable performance. Also, while Imhotep isn’t present, this film unmistakably features the DNA for the Brendan Fraser series of the late 90’s, with an emphasis on adventure/action and a goofy sense of hummer. 

This movie also introduced the lead character Steve Banning to the series, although very different from Peter Cushing’s portrayal in the 1959 classic. Honestly, the characters of Steve and love interest Margrit look like the pre-cursers to Rick and Evelyn O’Connell from the 1999 film. While “The Mummy’s Hand” is not a classic, I’d recommend any fan of the 1999 remake of “The Mummy” to give this film a watch, just to see what laid the foundation for it.

 

#6 “The Mummy’s Ghost” (1944) 

Following after his success as “The Wolf Man”, Lon Chaney Jr. became a regular monster movie star throughout the 1940’s and portrayed the Mummy Kharis three times. His middle chapter titled “The Mummy’s Ghost” is the one that sticks in my mind the most, and for me is the most recommendable of his three films. This time the terror is set on a college campus, in which the Mummy Kharis stocks the grounds in search for the reincarnation of his long dead princess. Sounds like a familiar plot beat, but there’s one key difference in this instalment. The presence of the Mummy is forcing the young, reincarnated woman Amina to age rapidly, and throughout the film we see her get more decrepit. 

This culminates in this franchise’s most Gothic and melancholy ending, in which both the monster and the girl parish together. While most of this instalment repeats familiar beats from previous films, this darker ending makes it stand out. It’s also the film in which the Mummy shows off the most bruit strength, which gives the film a little more energy. Lastly, this movie features John Carradine, famous for his Count Dracula portrayal, as the secondary villain of the film, which also helps salvage this instalment.    

 

#7 “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (2008) 

Third in the Rick O’Connell saga, we reunite with the now grown-up Alex, whose just as bad at accidently resurrecting undead villains as his parents. This time around, the family set out on a quest to stop the evil Dragon Emperor, and his rise to power. This film has the distinction of feeling the least like a Mummy movie, and more like any generic fantasy adventure, with three-headed dragons, Yeti’s and clay soldiers occupying the scenery as opposed to … well … Mummies! The new villain is played by Jet Li, a good actor, but he has nothing to work with and doesn’t command an ounce of the presence Imhotep previously had. 

This movie also commits the sin of recasting Rachel Weisz’s Evie with someone new … shameful … although Maria Bello’s is an okay talent in her own right, she’s just no Evie. For all the faults of this film, I can at least take some comfort from being with these characters, and there’s surface level enjoyment, including an awesome final battle, which has its place among the franchises stand-out set-pieces.       

 

#8 “The Mummy’s Tomb” (1942) 

Set 30 years after the events of the 1940 picture “The Mummy’s Hand”, the wicked high priests have salvaged the Mummy Kharis and set him loose in Mapleton Massachusetts to enact revenge on all who violated his tomb. This was the first time the series left Egypt for a contemporary setting, and it was Lon Chaney Jr.’s first time portraying The Mummy, after his Wolf Man debut. Intentional or not, it’s here that he set the groundwork for slow-moving slasher villains. While the Mummy doesn’t have a weapon, he goes through the motions of taking out one victim at a time. 

With a slow-moving killer, the films one hour run time feels like three, and the characters are even more stock than before. There are at least some highlights, including old-school spooky imagery, angry mobs, and a fiery climax in a burning house with the monster. In general, I can enjoy an early creature feature like this for what it is, but this instalment doesn’t really have an identity that makes it stand out, it just limps along with familiar beats and blends in with the crowd.    

 

#9 “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy” (1955) 

Next, we have perhaps the most outlandish entry in the whole series, and a pure comedy without a trace of horror. The famed comedy duo of Abbott and Costello actually got acquainted with a number of Universals classic monsters, including Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. To close out their theatrical Universal roster, they encountered The Mummy Klaris, now portrayed by Eddie Parker. For this comedy venture, Bud & Lou get themselves tangled in a frantic game of cat and mouse between villainess treasure hunters, local authorities in Egypt, and a mysterious group of Mummy worshipers. 

Longtime fans of the comedic duo may get their kicks with this outing, while the goofy antics may be an acquired taste for everyone else. The Mummy itself is barely featured and comes off like a last-minute addition. In general, these Abbott and Costello crossovers with Universals monsters are hit and miss, and this film is no exception. There are fun little highlights spread throughout, but it’s not on par with their best comedic work either.  

 

#10 “The Mummy’s Curse” (1944) 

After four movies, it’s become more obvious than ever that slow moving killer Mummies can only have so much traction and not much steam. This marked the third time Lon Chaney Jr. portrayed The Mummy Kharis, and it’s the final instalment in this continuity of films. At the end of the previous sequel, The Mummy and the Princess Ananka sank in the swamp together. At the start of this film, a working crew give the swamp a once over, and both Mummy’s rise from the ground. 

The scene in which the Princess slowly rises from the dead is a chilling moment, and one of the film’s genuine highlights. Her youth is also restored, and it becomes a fish out of water story, as she’s a stranger awoken in a strange land. This set-up had some great potential for an engaging character narrative … but instead it devolves into a prolonged chase, with the Mummy chasing the girl through the bog. At least the fogy swamp setting gives this film some personality, but there’s not much else beyond that. I’d almost call it my least favorite of the franchise … but there’s one left that I like a little less.

 

#11 “The Mummy” (2017) 

Landing at rock bottom on my list is the rebooted Mummy movie that came into being for one reason … launching a shared Dark Universe of classic monsters … and it failed miserably. Tom Cruise portrays a treasure obsessed Army sergeant named Nick, who stumbles upon the tomb of the evil Princess Ahmanet, who awakens with plans to unleash vengeance on the world. For some reason, this movie refused to be a simple standalone picture and spent most of its time setting up other famous creatures, including Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, played by Russell Crowe. 

The characters aren’t very interesting, the narrative is non-existent, the mythology is a mess, there’s hardly an original idea present in the film, and it’s visually a bleak and ugly looking picture. The one good thing this film had going for it was Sofia Boutella as The Mummy Ahmanet, who has a distinct look and personality, but her motivations are just as convoluted as the rest of the film. It’s not a fun movie to watch, and its failure to launch any kind of series, it feels absolutely useless, and for that it’s my least favorite of the Mummy movies I’ve seen.

So, what’s in store for The Mummy next … well, there’s an announced fourth instalment in the Rick O’ Connell saga, which will bring back the original 1990’s cast. This has some potential, as the Rick O' Connell series is my favorite branch of The Mummy franchise. Otherwise, I’m always interested in new ways this distinct creature can appear in movies, and the Mummy itself has earned its place in the halls of classic monster icons.

That concludes my ranking, hope you found it an engaging read … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!        

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990 - 1996) (Series Review)

 

 Sitcoms have been around since the early days of Radio and Television, but the late 1980’s and early 90’s marked a special golden age, in which both comedy and family themed sitcoms like “The Simpsons”, “Family Matters” and “Full House” were titans of television and household names. My personal favorite series to come from the era, and by extent my most favorite sitcom of all was the hit 90’s series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. 

While fondly remembered for its iconic opening theme song, and obviously for launching Will Smith’s career, there’s still so much more to it. This was a monumental triumph for black television and a spear head for all-out comedy that reached a wide audience for its time. For my liking, not only does the show still deliver the laughs, but it still holds up thanks to the dynamite chemistry of the cast. Also, as corny as it is to say, but the show really had a soul beneath all the outrageous hummer … but let’s set-up the series itself first.  

 As eluted too in the opening, the show had an iconic opening, with a theme song that (for better or worse) paved the way for interest in hip-hop the following decade. 

This opening also helped set up the backstory, so any new-commers can be on board whenever they tune in. Will Smith (a fictionalized version of himself anyway) is the street wise, basketball playing teenager in West Philadelphia, and one day after a fight with a local bully, Will moves out to Los Angeles to live with his wealthy Aunt and Uncle, who can hopefully steer him in a better direction. Thus, we see the contrast of a carefree street kid’s lifestyle clashing with the upper-class status of his extended family.

It takes six seasons, 148 episodes of mishaps, and finally through all the ups and downs, his Uncle, Aunt and cousins all consider Will Smith one of their own. Back when I first watched this show as a kid, it didn’t even occur to me I was watching a series with an entirely African American cast … I was simply in the company of wonderful characters who simultaneously felt larger than life and exploding with personality, while also feeling down to earth and relatable. On that note, let’s talk about those characters …      

 

Will Smith as the Fresh Prince

It goes without saying that this series was a launching pad for Will Smith’s career, and to get right to the point … for all the movies I’ve seen Will Smith star in … I still look back on his Fresh Prince role with the most fondness. He just seemed to channel everything I love about the actor in this highly animated portrayal of himself. He had the energy, he had the quips, he had the charm, he brought the laughs and he delivered the heartfelt beats of personal drama when the show wanted to get serious. Even when he threatened to chew too much of the scenery with his antics, he always knew when to pull himself back and be his own chill, likable self. For a good first impression of Will Smith in this show, I’d recommend the season three episode titled “Just Say Yo”, which is noted as the most viewed episode of the whole series, with over 30 million viewers back in the day. 

For this outing, it’s prom night and the fatigue is getting to Will, to the point where he debates taking amphetamines to get the extra boost. He hesitates too long, and his cousin Carlton pays the price, accidently stumbling on the drugs in his locker and consuming the whole package. It leads to a very funny dance, but also serious repercussions, like an overnight stay in a hospital. In the end, Will has to man up and admit his mistake to everyone, resulting in one of Smiths best acted and emotional moments in the show.      

 

Uncle Phill (Philip Banks) (played by James Avery)

While Will Smith was the main draw to the show, Uncle Phill was the backbone that kept the series going strong. On paper, he was the grumpy and authoritative family member who’d be most put-off by Will’s goofy behavior … but in execution, he was so much more than that. Like all the cast members, he had his own flavor of personality, as well as his own personal journey of becoming a father figure to Will. They’d have their conflicts, and would comedically clash with each other, but the bond they shared as sergeant father and son was always at the heart of the show, and they’d frequently bring out the best qualities in one another. 

For a good first impression of Uncle Phill, I’d recommend the Season One episode titled “Banks Shot”. Will is left alone with his uncle for the weekend, and he’s terrified of his Iron Fist. His nerves get him into trouble, and he loses One-Hundred Dollars and his uncle’s car to some ruff pool hustlers. Naturally, Uncle Phill arrives to aid his nephew, and acts chicken, only to show off he’s a total boss at pool. Despite all the trouble Will caused, the event turns out to be a great bonding experience for both of them, and it highlights Uncle Phill at his coolest.     

 

 Aunt Vivian (Played by Janet Gubert-Whitten in seasons 1-3) (played by Daphne Maxwell Reid in Seasons 4-6)

Aunt Vivian is an interesting case as she’s the only cast member with the distinction of being played by two different actresses. She was mainly meant to be at opposite ends with Uncle Phill as the more loving and supportive family member but also had her own drive and authoritative presence. Back in the early seasons, Janey Hubert-Whitten’s portrayal of Aunt Vivian certainly displayed her nurturing side but had just as commanding a presence as Uncle Phill, if not more so. In the latter seasons, Daphne Maxwell Reid gave the character a more comforting presence, as she still showed discipline when needed, but was usually very calm and wholesome in her approach. 

For me, it wasn’t a case of one being better than the other, as both actresses brought something special to the role. For a good first impression of Aunt Vivian number one, I’d recommend the Season Two episode titled “The Big Four-Oh”, in which she gets discouraged turning forty. Thus, to cope with the change, she takes dance lessons, succeeds in putting her all into one audition and comes out excepting that her life as a teacher has been fruitful. 

For a good first impression of Aunt Vivian number two, I’d recommend the Season Five episode “Soul Train”, in which Aunt Vivian and Uncle Phill celebrate their engagement, when he proposed to her on the series "Soul Train". Initially, Uncle Phill is hesitant to reappear on the titular show, as he’s a respected Judge now, but Vivian is insistent to go live on the show and celebrate the occasion. The moment when Uncle Phill arrives on scene to Aunt Vivian’s delight is sensational. The two actors have dynamite chemistry in this moment, and highlights that, while she’s played by a different actress, Aunt Vivian is still present on screen.

 

Carlton Banks (played by Alfonso Ribeiro)

While Will Smith and Uncle Phill were the show’s main leads, middle cousin Carlton Banks was the rare supporting player who took on a life of his own and became just as much a flagship mascot for the series. He’s equally funny as Will Smith, but his personality stems from being so eager to be the smartest one in the room, which he always blunders hilariously. As the seasons went on, he developed an “adult who never grew out of his childhood” attitude. His relationship with Will was a mix of being his biggest annoyance and his closest friend, which often resulted in both touching and funny arguments. 

For a good first impression of Carlton, I’d recommend the Season Three episode titled “The Alm Matter”, in which Carlton doubts he can make it in school and by extent in life by being himself, and emulates Will’s personality in hopes of achieving success. His method backfires horribly, but a visit from his guardian angel Tom Jones helps set Carlton back on the right path … by simply being himself. A signature trademark of Carlton is his love for Tom Jones and doing his own special dance … which is best highlighted here in this episode.     

 

Hillary Banks (played by Karyn Parsons)

The residential prima donna of the family, and oldest of Will Smith’s cousins is Hillary, whose two biggest loves are fashion … and herself. Her personality is a fine mix of cynical and dimwitted … just how cynical or dimwitted she behaves depends on what the funnier punchline will be. In lesser hands, this character could have been very one-note, but thanks to Karyn Parsons bubbly persona and giddy charm, she remained a mostly likable screen presence … and her colorful wardrobe certainly helped her stand out too. I’d say she had the least connection with Will, but as a result, the wholesome moments they shared together were all the more special for it. 

For a good first impression of Hillary, I’d recommend the Season Four episode titled “Take My Cousin – Please”, in which Will set’s Hillary up on a date with a young teacher in hopes of boosting his grades. It’s a very selfish move on his part, but he ends up helping Hillary move on after the passing of her fiancé, and resume dating again. The episode highlights the comedic chops of both players, and everything culminates in what’s arguably Will and Hillary’s most touching moment of family bonding.          

 

Ashley Banks (played by Tatyana M. Ali)

Of Will’s three principal cousins, Ashley was the most open and loving to him and quickly began to view Will as the cool and fun big brother she always wanted. In return, Will took her in as the wholesome and cheerful little sister he never had. Being the youngest of the family (at the start of the show anyway), Ashley showed the most growth and change over the course of the series. Definitely a highlight across the show was watching this sweet little girl grow into a lovely young woman. An overarching narrative in the show is Will accepting that his little cousin is gradually growing into an adult, and that she’s capable of making her own choices. Even though their relationship was never as concrete as with Uncle Phill or even Carlton, I still felt they had the sweetest connection. 

For a good first impression of Ashley, I’d recommend the season three episode titled “That’s No Lady, That’s My Cousin”, in which she dresses up to entice guys at school. However, she discovers there’s nothing of value in simply being an object to these women obsessed guys. This leads to one of Will and Ashley’s most wholesome moments, and highlights just how great Will is at being a big brother figure for Ashley.  

 

Geoffrey Butler (played by Joseph Marcell)  

Rounding up the main cast is the family’s sarcastic and often cynical Butler named Geoffrey. He’s a man who’s clearly stuck in a place he doesn’t want to be in, but makes the most of it, and helps raise the family, at least as a second priority. His first priority is mocking the family at any chance he gets, with his trademark wit and bedside manner. In the early seasons, his dry wit was a much-needed cleanser to the more over the top theatrics of the cast. For a good first impression of Geoffrey, I’d recommend the Season Two episode titled “Hilary Gets a Life”. 

As the title suggests, it’s a Hilary episode, in which she finally puts shopping aside in favor of getting a respectable job … a process that brings about a good deal of stress and mishaps. Everything culminates into my favorite Geoffrey Butler moment, in which he has a heart to heart with Hillary, giving her the confidence to see this new direction through. He confides that he along with her parents helped raise Hillary … “and Geoffrey Butler raises no fools”.

 

Jazz (played by DJ Jazzy Jeff)

Lastly, while not an official main cast member, I couldn't imagine leaving out Will's best friend Jazz. Of the many reoccurring characters on the show, Will’s buddy Jazz was unmistakably the most popular, appeared all through the show, and had two iconic traits … flirting with Hillary and getting thrown out of the house … a lot! For a solid first impression of this character, I'd recommend the Season One episode titled “Working it Out”, which was actually the season finale. For this outing, Hillary gets a new job assisting a successful actress named Marissa Redman, who’s played by quest star Queen Latifah. 

While Hillary is clumsy, she’s determined to do her best, but all her efforts are in vain, as her new mistress is verbally abusive, and arranges a forced date with her cousin Will. It’s a rough night for both Will and Hillary, but it's Jazz of all people who saves the day. While he’s genuinely a nuisance, this episode highlights him at his best, as he confronts Hillary’s abusive boss, gives her the support she needs, and Hillary even repays him with a Kiss ... it’s the characters shining moment of the show.      

Now that all the main characters have been established, I’m going to keep things simple and count down my own personal Top 10 favorite episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, which isn’t meant to be any kind of objective "best of" ranking … just the episodes that have stuck with me the most as a longtime fan …    

 

#10 “Vying for Attention” (Season 2 – Ep. 46) 

Another reoccurring character through the series is Will’s mother Viola Smith – “Vy” for short - (played by Vernee Watson-Johnson). She loves her son, and the two are always there for each other, even when their living several states apart from one another. My favorite of her Episodes comes in season two, in which Vy introduces a new boyfriend named Robert (played by Bill Overton), and his daughter Claudia (played by Raven-Symoné). Even though they don’t live together, Will is still very protective of his mother, as she’s his only parent (we’ll talk about his dad later), and he doesn’t want to lose her. 

The two naturally bond over this, and Will accepts that his mother has to live her own life, which means inviting new people in. This episode also stands out for guest star Raven-Symoné, who at the time was best known for her role on “The Bill Cosby Show”. She’s only present in this episode, but she and Will Smith share great chemistry, and I could have easily seen her as a long-term stepsister for Will.

 

#9 “Will Steps Out” (Season 5 – Ep. 110) 

It’s mid-season five, and Will is having his first long-term relationship with a girl named Lisa. Although, he’s beginning to wonder if she has feelings for someone else. Meanwhile, Uncle Phill is at the mercy of fitness guru Susan Powter, who is determined to make him lose weight. The two plot threads collide when Will makes one fat joke too many, and is placed in a fat suit, and experience how Uncle Phill feels. Everything culminates in a hilarious meeting at a grocery store, in which Will confesses his Love for Lisa … all while wearing that silly body suit. 

Full disclosure … this was the episode that introduced me to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, it’s the one that started it all, and hooked me in. I distinctly remember flipping through channels and was halted at the sight of Will Smith in a fat suit … “and it sure wasn’t fat Albert”. For all the highs of the show, I always think back on this as the event that hooked me in, and it’s still one of the funniest visual highlights of the series.

 

#8 “Not with My Cousin You Don't” (Season 6 – Ep. 131) 

For this outing, Ashley is dating a new boyfriend named Derek (played by Jaleel White of “Family Matters” fame), and the two get to a point where they want to take their relationship to the next exciting level … before marriage. Will and Carlton accidently overhear Ashleys plans for imminent times, and Will gets especially protective of her. In the end, Will has to trust that his cousin is mature enough to make the right choices, and after a heated argument, Ashely admits that it’s not the worst thing to have a cousin who cares too much. 

As noted, I loved the dynamic between Will and Ashley, and this episode felt like the finale of their big brother, little sister connection, as they ran the gambit of intense feelings and wholesome bonding. Also, this episode features my favorite moment of Hillary and Ashley bonding as sisters, which didn’t happen that often, and was very welcomed here. Lastly, seeing Steve Urkil … or at least his actor … as the boyfriend made this a novel crossover of sorts.   

 

#7 “Will Goes a Courtin” (Season 4 – Ep. 79) 

Uncle Phill sues both Will and his cousin Carlton for defying his demands about not hosting a “pool party” after failing to pay rent. Will and Carlton retaliate on the grounds that Uncle Phill didn’t repair the A/C in the pool house. What follows is a very funny court room case in which both sides relay their own fabricated versions of the unsanctioned pool party events. 

It’s an exceptionally fun and funny episode and highlights the cast at their most theatrical. While not a heartfelt episode for Uncle Phill, it sure showed off James Averys range of comedic chops and best highlighted him as a towering presence in the show. It’s also a great episode of Hillary as she takes the witness stand. It’s a simple episode, but exceptionally well executed, and very entertaining.

 

#6 “Did the Earth Move for You?” (Season 2 – Ep. 26) 

For the premier episode of Season 2, things kicked off on a hilarious high note, and a unique three-way situation for our cast. The family receive tickets to the People’s Choice Awards, but a freak earthquake halts their plans, leaving everyone trapped in different spots. Will and his new girlfriend are trapped in the basement of the house, the parents are sealed in Uncle Phill’s office, and everyone else is stuck in traffic. 

While some quiet time with a girlfriend seems pleasant, the longer Will spends with his new crush, the uglier things get, resulting in a hilarious barrage of back-and-forth quips and remarks. On the flip side of the situation, Uncle Phill and Aunt Vivian make the most of the moment and have a special romantic evening together. Sometimes, all it takes is a freak act of nature to bring out the best and worst of these characters … and it certainly delivered a fun and memorable outing.    

 

#5 “The Baby Comes Out” (Season 3 – Ep. 69) 

Early at the start of season 3, Aunt Vivian reveals she’s pregnant, and from there, Will (and obviously the rest of the family) anticipates the arrival of his new bouncing baby cousin. As the title of this episode suggests … it’s finally delivery day … and right from the start, it’s a hectic yet hilarious venture just getting to the delivery room. Most of the family are split up, Will and Uncle Phill are trapped in an elevator, Hillary and Carlton are obliviously hanging out at a beauty salon, Ashley is forced to drive her mom, even though she’s only thirteen, and there’s one funny blunder after another as everyone races for the delivery room. 

The newest member of the family is Little Nicky, who’d become an official main cast member in season five, portrayed by Ross Bagley. He’d have his share of funny moments, but for me … nothing surpassed his touching and humorous arrival in the delivery room.      

 

#3 “Boyz in the Woods” (Season 3 – Ep. 57) 

While the show wasn’t afraid to tackle serious issues, it could also make light and even hilarious outcomes out of dire situations. Case in point for this outing … Will, Carlton and Uncle Phill drive off for a camping trip, but heavy snow and car trouble strand them in the wilderness. Thus, they take refuge in a cave, wondering if they’ll make it out of this situation alive, and somehow for me … it results in one of the shows funniest and even touching episodes. Hillary also has a funny sub-plot, in which her date night at home is interrupted by Jazz. 

This is personally one of my favorite events in which all three boys are together, as their banter, quippy remarks and on-screen chemistry is an absolute joy to behold. Carlton gets some especially fun remarks, as well as a running gag about making log entries “Star Trek” style. Log entry Zillion is too much for Will, resulting in one of my favorites of his outbursts – “Will’s log … is about to connect … to Carlton’s head!”

 

#2 “The Butler Did It” (Season 2 – Ep. 36) 

When both the parents and even the butler leave for the weekend, the kids are responsible for keeping things nice and tightly at home … let’s see how quickly they muck it up. Everything is set in motion when Carlton hosts a music video in the house, which is performed by Bell Biv De Voe, who guest star in the episode. The shoot is a disaster, and like dominos, everything falls apart, the furniture gets ruined and the parents elect to return home early … leaving the kids in a mad scramble to put the house back together. 

Not only is this an exceptionally funny episode, but it’s a real joy to see all the kids working together to get out of this humorous situation. Uncle Phill and Aunt Viv’s romantic vacation is also very funny, with a number of goofy antics. Sometimes, just a really funny situation with these wonderful characters is all I need, and this for me is one of the most memorable and humorous.  

 

Before I reveal my number One favorite episode, here are some quick Honorable Mentions …

“M is for the Many Things She Gave Me” (Season 4)

“Eye, Tooth” (Season 6)

“Fresh Prince After Dark” (Season 4)

“Mistaken Identity” (Season 1)

“Not, I Barbecue” (Season 6)

 

#1 “Papa's Got a Brand-New Excuse” (Season 4 - Ep. 97) 

After 14 years of abandonment, Will’s deadbeat dad Lou Smith (played by Ben Vereen) appears out of the blue and aims to start a new life with his son. While Will is very happy to be bonding with the dad he never knew, his Aunt and Uncle don’t trust him, and believe he only has his own selfish interests in mind. As they feared, Lou’s selfish side comes out, and he walks out on Will once again, prioritizing his own needs first over his sons. 

It all culminates in the shows most powerful and emotional moment, as Will breaks down in tears, and is comforted by his Uncle Phill, who’s the one man more deserving to be his father then his real dad ever was. Of course, the drama of this episode hits home when you know it parallels some of the real-life drama Will Smith went through. When Uncle Phill brings Will in for a warm embrace, it’s not acting, it’s someone sincerely being there for emotional support. 

For all the funny antics and charming character highlights this show provided … this moment here always cemented that “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was more than just a funny diversion, it had a soul with characters I felt attached too, and an occasion heart felt lesson or touching moment that would stick with me. In truth, this is not a very fun episode to watch, but in my view, it’s the absolute best of what this series delivered, and it gets my highest recommendation.    

 

In general, this show meant the world to me when I was in my early teen years, and I always returned to cherry-pick favorite instalments … especially the holiday themed episodes, which I’ve made a tradition of watching around Holiday season. Truthfully, it had been a good minuet since I last watched the show in full, and for me … it still holds up great, with a Legacy that’s endured well after its initial popularity. There have been cast reunion specials, and most recently a reimagined drama series in 2022 called “Bel-Air”. As for the original series ... to say it was a smashing hit for its time would be underselling it … this show raised the bar for sitcoms, is a staple of 1990’s pop culture, and is still personally my favorite TV sitcom that I grew up with. While there was the occasional bad episode, the majority of them are still a joy to watch and re-watch. If you're fond of Comedy shows, or a fan of Will Smith in general ... I'd say this series is required viewing. 

Thanks for reading my review of the 1990’s comedy series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” … and continue to enjoy the shows you Love!