A film franchise can be a movie-lover's worst nightmare, but, on the other hand, it can also turn into the personification of their wildest dreams. Some movies just have more stories to tell beyond that of a breakout film. And here, we see the birth of a franchise. In popular media today, film franchises are a pretty common thing. As an audience, we feel an unavoidable sense of attachment to these characters and their stories as the franchise extends beyond a basic trilogy. How could we not?
Building a world that supports a plethora of characters and settings meant to make a film franchise special is a tall order for even the most experienced movie-makers. However, throughout film history, we have seen many franchises that grew into something that feels like it jumped completely off our screens. From the nostalgic feeling we get from the Jurassic Park franchise to the absolute pop culture takeover the Marvel Cinematic Universe achieved, here is our list of the 10 best film franchises that have four or more sequels.
10 Indiana Jones (1981-2023)
5 Movies in Total
The epic tales of Indiana Jones, which began in 1981 with the release of The Raiders of the Lost Ark, continues to be one of the best adventure film franchises in history. Played by the impeccable Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones is an archeologist and adventurer who finds himself in some sticky situations in the pursuit of some precious artifacts. From shiny treasures to snakes and even love, the Indiana Jones franchise will suck you in and take you on a roller coaster of ups and downs.
What Makes It Great
Indiana Jones is stocked full of wild action and adventure. The film franchise birthed our undying love for Harrison Ford and the legacy he built around this iconic series of movies. During the '80s, when Raiders of the Lost Ark first came out, the film world was in need of some fast-paced adventure and this one did the trick. The true depth of the franchise and its timelessness shines especially after the most recent film,
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, came out and still brought a sense of comforting nostalgia to our hearts.
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9 Mission: Impossible (1996-Present)
7 Movies in Total (So Far)
We are here to keep the Mission: Impossible train going. The giant blockbuster film franchise stars Tom Cruise as the agent Ethan Hunt who works for the Impossible Missions Force. If there is any franchise that captures modern-day action, Mission: Impossible does it best. The first film came out in 1996 and the most recent release, Dead Reckoning Part One, follows Cruise's Ethan Hunt as he tries to save the world from a new weapon that puts the entire world at risk of destruction.
What Makes It Great
For the Mission: Impossible franchise, consistency has been key. Mission: Impossible has managed the longevity it has by being consistently great at what it does: engaging plots, over-the-top action, and a dynamic lead in Tom Cruise. Cruise has brought Agent Ethan Hunt to life through all seven films (so far) and has become a face for the spy action genre and continues to deliver, as we saw with the release of Dead Reckoning Part One earlier this year. If there is any film franchise for high-intensity action and tension, look no further than Mission: Impossible.
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8 Jurassic Park (1993-Present)
6 Movies in Total (So Far)
The Jurassic Park franchise needs no introduction. It follows the out-of-control genetically engineered dinosaurs that have become the main attraction of a theme park in Costa Rica. The image of dinosaurs was brought to life on the big screen and this film franchise, directed by Steven Spielberg, captured our hearts with some tense moments, a fantastic score, and jaw-dropping special effects. The first Jurassic Park came out in 1993 and has since expanded into the Jurassic World franchise that, although it is not as popular as the original, keeps harboring a sense of nostalgia to keep us all interested.
What Makes It Great
The beloved Jurassic Park franchise holds the dinosaur movies of all dinosaur movies. There is no way to avoid Jurassic Park when talking about film history. Spielberg launched an empire when the first film came 30 years ago, and it is still continuing in this day and age with the expansion of the universe through the Jurassic World films. Rewatching the Jurassic Park universe feels like coming home and the captivating films still hold their own in the modern age as the best dinosaur films in history.
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7 X-Men (2000-Present)
13 Movies in Total (So Far)
X-Men follows a group of superheroes who look like your average people, except they were born with a genetic mutation that gives them a unique superpower. This group of enhanced beings comes together as a team to find their place in the world as well as fight those who threaten peace. Starring Sir Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, and more, these films have become staples in superhero film franchises, and with the possibility of the X-Men coming to the MCU, this franchise is worth every watch.
What Makes It Great
As far as superhero teams go, X-Men stands incredibly solid on its own. These days, any superhero team you hear about is the Avengers. However, never forget about the X-Men. Including what could be Hugh Jackman's most iconic role to date as Wolverine, this superhero film franchise paved the way for franchises like the Avengers to thrive. Watching the X-Men films is also a great way to prepare yourself for the Deadpool/Wolverine crossover that is bound to change lives in Deadpool 3.
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6 Fast & Furious (2001-Present)
11 Movies in Total (So Far)
If you are a fan of loud cars, racing, action, and guns, you probably know too much about the Fast & Furious franchise. What is now one of the most beloved action franchises in history, Fast & Furious released its first film, The Fast and the Furious, in 2001 and has since released 11 more films. The most recent one is Fast X, which follows Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, who is forced to face a new and formidable villain on the horizon that threatens everything he has ever built.
What Makes It Great
The Fast & Furious franchise has been criticized lately for just making more and more — and more — films. However, there is a sense of loyalty and camaraderie fans have developed with the series that does not seem to go away. Fast & Furious still continues to be front and center for high-octane, fast-paced car chase action that no other film has been able to replicate. The charm of these characters and where they have gone over the years is what keeps people coming back every single time.
Stream on Prime Video
5 Middle-Earth (The Lord of the Rings & Hobbit) (2001-2014)
6 Movies in Total
The Middle-earth franchise consists of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy. Starting with The Fellowship of the Ring, followed by The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, this high fantasy franchise is centered around the One Ring that holds the fate of everything in its hands when it lands with Frodo Baggins.
In The Hobbit franchise of Middle-earth, the trilogy follows Bilbo Baggins as the fate of the universe is once again hanging in the balance, and war or peace could come at any time. The films in The Hobbit are An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies.
What Makes It Great
High fantasy, particularly fantasy book-to-film adaptations, is a genre that is rarely done right. The difficulty of developing a fantasy film series, from the intense world-building and out-of-this-world visuals to its compelling characters that need to feel as grounded as they are fantastical, is not lost in this fantasy film series to put all of them to shame. Middle-earth is a franchise built to suck you in and have you invested from beginning to end. If you are on the fence about starting this franchise, consider this your sign to give it a shot.
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4 James Bond (1962-Present)
27 Movies in Total (So Far)
Ian Fleming created the idea of one of the most iconic film characters to ever exist. Even without seeing a single film, James Bond, Agent 007, is a name known across the world. The character, consisting of a staggering 27 film installments, follows the various adventures of infamous spy and agent, who goes by the code 007. James Bond is able to exist in such a special place in the film industry where multiple actors are able to play the character and yet the films remain consistent. There is love, action, blood, and even more thrilling drama sequences.
What Makes It Great
Consisting of countless films and countless portrayals of the iconic 007, James Bond cannot be stopped. Most recently portrayed by the mesmerizing Daniel Craig, what started out as a true-to-itself crime, spy action film has turned into one of the most must-see cinematic experiences in film today. From Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan, every single representation of James Bond has kept the beloved badass alive throughout decades.
Stream on MGM+ and Prime Video
3 The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-Present)
33 Movies in Total (So Far)
If any movie franchise has changed the flow of pop culture in the last few years, it would be the MCU. The Marvel Cinematic Universe created a film franchise that changed the film industry. Beginning with Iron Man in 2008 to kick off Phase 1, Marvel has gone through over a decade of character arcs, interconnected storytelling, and epic battles and adventures to get to where we are now. From the moment the Avengers hit our screens, fans have been following their favorite Marvel heroes coming to life on the screen. With even more projects to be excited about in the coming year, Marvel is not slowing down any time soon.
What Makes It Great
The MCU has a chokehold on the superhero subgenre of film. No other superhero film franchise has shown up as great as Marvel has been. The way each film in the first 3 phases was structured so intentionally to lead up to the final battle with Thanos could not have been done better. Fans have grown an attachment to these characters and although the post-Endgame era of Marvel has lost some traction, Marvel's use of the multiverse is set up to keep us ready and excited for what's to come.
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2 Harry Potter (2001-2011)
8 Movies in Total
Perfect for the holiday season, time to revisit Harry Potter. The Harry Potter franchise is one for the record books. Based on the popular book series of the same name, Harry Potter follows the life of a young boy who survived an encounter with the most evil dark wizard of all time, with only a lightning scar on his forehead as proof.
The following films lay out the entire storyline of Harry's each year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the horrors he faces leading up to a final showdown with Lord Voldemort. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are a trio to be reckoned with, and the Wizarding World would not be what it is without every single character internal to this film franchise's story.
What Makes It Great
The Harry Potter franchise is such an iconic film series that it is difficult to put it into words. The intricate world-building and attention to detail in the stories are crafted meticulously to flow through the eight films. From the spot-on casting choices to the extensive merchandising that still holds up to this day, Harry Potter's story has been cemented as one of the best film franchises in history. Whether it be for Halloween or the holidays, there is a sense of nostalgia sewn into the fabric of each film that keeps all of us fans coming back for more.
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1 Star Wars (1977-Present)
11 Movies in Total (So Far)
Can anything top Star Wars? The science-fiction space opera is still one of the most talked-about and hyped franchises of all time. The original trilogy of films follows Luke Skywalker as he goes on a journey to become a formidable Jedi, while also taking part in a war between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. The next trilogy released is a set of prequels detailing the life of a young Anakin Skywalker and his fall into the Dark Side.
In this day and age, various films and series have captured the attention of Star Wars fans, new and old, and projects like The Mandalorian and the Ahsoka series just prove that Star Wars has not lost its touch over the years. Whether you see yourself in the dynamic villains or if you just want to imagine getting your hands on a lightsaber, this franchise will forever hang onto this throne.
What Makes It Great
From countless films, series, prequels, and sequels, Star Wars fans just cannot get enough. The amount of lore and dedication from fans is unparalleled in any other franchise. Star Wars has managed to create a world that audiences today can still fall in love with. The characters in these films are entirely unique and the story arcs are emotional, authentic, and compelling. Star Wars is the whole package and with each piece of the puzzle getting added to the franchise, the more invested we get.
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