The best movie franchises of all time have given us some incredible films and even billion-dollar blockbusters. And guess what? Many of these franchises are still producing timeless classics. Now, it’s your chance to have your say and share your thoughts on what you believe is the greatest movie franchise ever. Let’s see how your favorite movie franchises stack up against the choices of other film enthusiasts.
When it comes to ranking these franchises, opinions may differ. Some folks judge a franchise solely on its best parts (ahem, Star Wars), while others consider the entire series as a whole. So, don’t be offended if you see The Lord of the Rings ranked lower than you expected. It’s all a matter of perspective. It’s worth noting that for a franchise to make the cut, it must have at least three movies under its belt.
Feel free to share your thoughts based on the series as a whole or simply because one or two movies hold a special place in your heart. And don’t worry if you don’t spot your favorite movie franchise on the list – you can add it yourself to see where it stands among the greatest movie franchises of all time. Once you’re done, check out the best television franchises for even more expanded universe goodness.
1. Harry Potter
Here are the titles of the Harry Potter books in order of release:
– Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
– Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
– Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
– Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
– Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
– Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
– Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
– Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
2. Marvel Cinematic Universe
Here are some of the Marvel movie series that have been released over the years:
– The Iron Man Series (2008-2013) kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with its first installment in 2008. It introduced us to the charismatic Tony Stark and his high-tech suit.
– The Incredible Hulk (2008) also came out in the same year, bringing the iconic green superhero to the big screen.
– The Thor Series (2011-2022) began in 2011, showcasing the powerful Norse god and his adventures in both Asgard and Earth.
– The Captain America Series (2011-2016) also started in 2011, following the story of Steve Rogers and his transformation into the super soldier.
– The Avengers Series (2012-2019) brought together all these heroes and more, as they joined forces to protect the world from various threats.
– The Guardians of the Galaxy Series (2014-2023) introduced a whole new set of characters, including Star-Lord and Gamora, as they embarked on cosmic adventures.
– The Ant-Man Series (2015-2023) brought a smaller-scale hero to the forefront, with Scott Lang taking on the mantle of Ant-Man.
– The Doctor Strange Series (2016-2022) explored the mystical side of the MCU, as we followed the journey of Dr. Stephen Strange and his discovery of the mystic arts.
– The Black Panther Series (2018-2022) celebrated African culture and introduced us to the technologically advanced nation of Wakanda.
– The Captain Marvel Series (2019-2023) introduced Carol Danvers as a powerful superhero with cosmic abilities.
– The Spider-Man Series (2017-2021) showcased the friendly neighborhood hero, Peter Parker, as he balanced his life as a teenager and a superhero.
3. Indiana Jones
There are several movies in the Indiana Jones series. The first one is called Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it was released in 1981. The second one is Temple of Doom, which came out in 1984. Then we have The Last Crusade, which was released in 1989. The fourth installment in the series is called Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and it came out in 2008. Lastly, we have Dial of Destiny, which is the upcoming movie set to be released in 2023.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) was followed by Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2011), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).
These are the names of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies released between 2003 and 2017.
5. John Wick
John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).
6. The Lord of the Rings
The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) The Two Towers (2002) The Return of the King (2003)
7. The Dark Knight
Batman Begins (2005) The Dark Knight (2008) The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
8. Star Wars
Here are the titles of the Star Wars movies in chronological order:
– Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
– Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
– Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
– Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
– Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
– Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
– Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
– Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
– Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
– Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
– Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
These movies have captivated audiences for decades with their epic storytelling and iconic characters. From the original trilogy to the prequels and the latest installments, the Star Wars saga continues to capture the imagination of fans around the world. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for an intergalactic adventure!
9. Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001), Jurassic World (2015), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) are the movies that make up the Jurassic Park film series. These films have captivated audiences with their thrilling dinosaur adventures over the years.
The first installment, Jurassic Park, was released in 1993 and introduced us to the concept of a fully functioning dinosaur park. It became an instant classic, with its groundbreaking special effects and gripping storyline.
In 1997, The Lost World: Jurassic Park continued the excitement as a team of experts ventured to a remote island filled with dinosaurs. This sequel kept the franchise alive and left fans hungry for more.
Jurassic Park III hit the screens in 2001, taking us back to Isla Sorna, the setting of the second film. This time, a group of individuals embarks on a dangerous rescue mission, encountering new species of dinosaurs along the way.
Fast forward to 2015, and Jurassic World took us back to Isla Nublar, where a fully functional dinosaur park had finally become a reality. This reboot of the franchise introduced new characters and showcased the park’s catastrophic breakdown when a genetically modified dinosaur wreaks havoc.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom arrived in 2018, delving deeper into the consequences of the previous film. In this installment, the remaining dinosaurs face an imminent threat as a volcanic eruption threatens to wipe them out once and for all.
The upcoming film, Jurassic World: Dominion, is set to be released in 2022. It promises to bring together the characters from the original Jurassic Park trilogy and the new Jurassic World films. Fans eagerly await this epic conclusion to the dinosaur saga.
The Jurassic Park film series has become a beloved franchise, captivating audiences with its thrilling adventures and awe-inspiring dinosaurs. From the original 1993 film to the most recent installment, these movies have left a lasting impact on popular culture.
10. Iron Man
Iron Man (2008) Iron Man 2 (2010) Iron Man 3 (2013)
11. The Terminator
The Terminator came out in 1984, followed by Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991. Then we got Rise of the Machines in 2003, Salvation in 2009, Genisys in 2015, and Dark Fate in 2019. These are all different movies in the Terminator franchise. So, if you’re a fan, you’ve probably seen them all! Each film has its own unique storyline and characters, but they all revolve around the theme of killer robots from the future. It’s pretty cool to see how the series has evolved over the years!