Top 10 Greatest Movie Franchises of All Time
David Mccullough updates
These franchises keep you wanting more! For this list, we'll be looking at the quality of the films, but also be giving considerable weight to their cultural impact, financial success and longevity. Our countdown includes "Fast & Furious", "Batman", "James Bond" and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Greatest Movie Franchises of All Time. For this list, we’ll be looking at the quality of the films, but also be giving considerable weight to their cultural impact, financial success and longevity. What movie franchise could you not live without? Let us know in the comments!
#10: “Fast & Furious” (2001-)
The original “Fast & Furious” film made a splash with its cool cars and solid action sequences, but the mediocrity of the first few sequels wouldn’t have had anyone calling the franchise “great.” But then came “Fast Five” and everything changed. With the fifth film in the series, they brought in the Rock and went from neat drag races to ridiculously amazing setpieces that would become staples of the franchise. While the first four films had been successful, they’ve hit new levels since, with two of the films breaking the billion dollar mark as of “F9.” They’ve even expanded the “Fast” universe with a “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” spin-off film, and there are more on the way.#9: “Planet of the Apes” (1968-)
Over the years, the “Planet of the Apes” franchise has created a lasting legacy - unfolding into its own world, containing a rich history, characters, and exciting storylines. The film that started it all, 1968’s “Planet of the Apes,” is a classic science-fiction film that still holds up all these decades later. And while the four sequels couldn’t match the commercial and critical success of that first film, they enjoy a cult status and upon rewatching are better than they often get credit for. Themes of racial inequality, morality, corporate greed, and technology sit above and below the surface of the franchise. There are universal themes that resonate with modern audiences as well, which we saw with the success of the franchise reboot beginning in 2011.#8: “Mission: Impossible” (1996-)
Creating an action film franchise that would span six films without a total dud in the bunch sounds like an impossible mission. But apparently it isn’t. That’s what the “M:I” series has done - at least so far. Brian De Palma set the foundation with the first movie, John Woo beautified the action in the second, and, according to Rotten Tomatoes, things have only gotten better. The first three films scored in the 57%-71% range, while the next three are all in the 90s! Sure, we keep coming back to see what crazy stunt Tom Cruise will do next, but we stick around for the solid writing, characters and engaging storytelling.advertisement
#7: Wizarding World (2001-)
When it comes to great movie franchises, the Wizarding World is one that definitely SHALL be named. Given the phenomenal success of the book series, some might have feared the movies wouldn’t live up to the hype. Well, needless to say, those people were wrong! Just like the books, the movies became a worldwide phenomenon, spawning a broadway show and even its own themed area at Universal Orlando Resort. “Deathly Hallows – Part 2” came out in 2011 and “Harry Potter” popularity remains, as evidenced by the many Potter-themed Halloween costumes one still sees every year. Yes, the “Fantastic Beasts” prequel series was cut short when the third film underperformed, but there’s no doubt that the Potter-verse will be back.#6: “Batman” (1943-)
The overarching DC Extended Universe has had some big hits and big misses and is still trying to find its footing. Superman has the nostalgia of the Christopher Reeve films, but their attempts at reboots have largely underwhelmed thus far. The one standout in the DC world, the one that has pretty much - except for a couple Joel Schumacher missteps - maintained a high quality throughout is “Batman.” Tim Burton and Michael Keaton set a high standard with “Batman” and “Batman Returns,” a standard that some would argue Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale surpassed with their trilogy. And if “The Batman” is any indication, Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson are going to leave their own quality mark on the character as well.#5: Middle-earth (2001-)
From 2001 to 2003, there was one movie franchise to rule them all. One franchise that brought us all into the darkness of the movie theater and bound us together. “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was what everyone was talking about and watching. And as financially successful as it was, it was also similarly acclaimed by critics and garnered thirty Academy Awards, winning seventeen of them - including Best Picture for “The Return of the King.” Reviews for “The Hobbit” prequel trilogy were more mixed, but the films were still a huge success, raking in over $2.93 billion - which is just slightly under the $2.99 billion take of the three “LOTR” films.#4: “Indiana Jones” (1981-)
The “Indiana Jones” movie franchise is a beloved classic that has captivated audiences since its debut in 1981 with “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Through the thrilling adventures of fedora-wearing and whip-wielding Dr. Indiana Jones, this series of films has earned a special place in the hearts of movie fans around the globe. While the fourth film in the series was a little more divisive, the first three are classics, with “Raiders” and “The Last Crusade” easily up there among the greatest action movies of all time. The films have a wonderful ability to mix action, comedy, story and classic pulpy goodness, and we can only hope the soon-to-be-released fifth film maintains the franchise’s dedication to quality and crowd-pleasing fun.advertisement
#3: Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)
With the release of the thirtieth movie in the series, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2022, the MCU closed out Phase Four of its timeline and once again proved its status as a truly great film franchise. Since “Iron Man” in 2008, the MCU has been putting out one hit after another at a rate and quality we’ve never seen before on this scale. In a world where box office numbers are declining, we’ll all still go to the theater for a Marvel movie. And with the foreseeable future lined up, the MCU isn’t slowing down. We should also mention “Spider-Man” and “X-Men” - two Marvel entities with very successful franchises that began before the MCU was a thing.#2: “James Bond” (1962-)
It’s been over sixty years since Sean Connery brought James Bond to life on the big screen in 1962’s “Dr. No,” and audiences are still as enthralled by the character as ever - maybe even more so. Given all the press and rumors surrounding casting, society sometimes seems to care more about who will be the next Bond than who will be the next President. 007, shaken martinis and the coolness of saying your last name first have all become ingrained in our popular culture thanks to Bond, James Bond. As of 2023, the twenty-five movies have grossed $7.6 billion (roughly $19.2 billion adjusted for inflation) and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight to our love for these action- and gadget-packed films.Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
