The Scorpion King: Rise Of A Warrior May 2026

Let’s be honest. When you hear “The Scorpion King,” you probably think of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the 2002 original—a sweaty, sword-and-sorcery spin-off from The Mummy Returns that knew exactly what it was: a B-movie with an A+ physique.

So go ahead. Give it a chance. Just don’t blame me if you suddenly want to rewatch The Mummy trilogy immediately after. Have you seen The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior? Or are you a purist who stops at the Rock’s version? Let me know in the comments—just keep your scorpions to yourself. the scorpion king: rise of a warrior

The plot, such as it is, follows Mathayus as a mercenary haunted by past losses. He gets pulled into a power struggle involving a mad king, a forbidden book of the dead (because every Mummy -verse movie needs one), and a princess who can do more than just look decorative. Let’s talk about the antagonist: King Talus, played by Billy Zane . Let’s be honest

3 out of 5 golden scorpions. Watch if you like: Cheap swords, louder-than-life villains, and the specific thrill of watching a cast that includes both Ron Perlman and a pro-wrestler turned actor fighting a zombie army. Give it a chance

It’s the kind of movie you watch with friends, a few drinks, and the understanding that you’re allowed to laugh at it and with it. Billy Zane’s performance alone is worth the price of admission (or the click on Netflix). Does The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior rise to the level of the original? No. Is it better than the second film ( Rise of a Warrior is technically the third)? Debatable. But is it entertaining? Absolutely.

But today, we’re diving into the sequel no one asked for but everyone with a remote control and a Sunday afternoon has accidentally watched: (2012).

Known more formally as The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption , this direct-to-DVD entry is a glorious, unapologetic mess. And honestly? It’s kind of amazing. First, the elephant in the throne room: The Rock is gone. In his place is Victor Webster, a solid action TV actor ( Continuum , Mutant X ) who does a perfectly fine job as Mathayus. He’s got the jawline, the grunt, and the ability to stare intensely at distant explosions. He’s not Dwayne Johnson—but then again, who is?