As the recent release of the latest Star Wars trailer proved, we all love a good movie franchise and get super-excited at the thought of new movies that take us back into that world. So today we are breaking down the longest running movie franchises. For this list we look at films that have at least five movies in the franchise, and kept the instalments fresh and relevant while also gaining huge box-office traction.
Rocky
This has to be one of the most iconic, American franchises of all time. Rocky celebrates the underdog and overcoming obstacles, and is an ode to Philadelphia, as some of the most memorable images are landmarks of the city. Even though some of the films did not receive critical acclaim, with the low point being Rocky V, Rocky has kept us entertained for decades.
Friday the 13th
The name Jason Voorhees has struck fear into the hearts of all for over 30 years. The horror franchise originated after its fellow horror franchise Halloween found success, but Friday the 13th has definitely become a legend in its own right. Jason’s hockey mask is a well-known image in pop culture. The first film spawned over a dozen movies, a TV series, a host of books and more. It is one of the most successful horror franchises in history, making over $465 million at the box office alone and earning new generations of fans all the time.
The Muppets
From the horrific to the super funny. Probably the biggest family franchise of all time, The Muppets have been stealing the hearts of children and adults alike since Jim Henson invented them in 1955. After the small-screen they took over the big screen as well. So why are they so popular? Well, they have a great mix of zany stories and characters, coupled with a host of celebrity appearances and light-hearted social commentary. When Disney bought them in the early 2000s, the movie simply titled The Muppets became the most successful film in the series.
The Fast And The Furious
The franchise began on a very simple premise: to drive fast cars really, really fast. The films are fun, visually pleasing and action packed. Not counting the latest, Furious 7, the films have made over $2 billion at the box office, making it Universal Studios' most successful franchise. Four different directors have helmed the project, with director Justin Lin doing three to six. While the film faced a setback with the tragic death of Paul Walker, an eighth film has already been announced.
Star Trek
To go where no man has gone before. With twelve movies released, this franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Based on the 1960s television show, the original feature film was cancelled, but we are so happy they changed their minds. Over the years, the films have been a mix of camp and serious, and although there have been some lacklustre titles in the franchise, the latest reboots of the franchise have breathed new life into it.
Star Wars
Sticking to space, this brainchild of George Lucas is an epic space opera franchise that seems to have no end in sight. After selling his rights to Disney in 2012, audiences will get to see more of this movie for years to come. Grossing over $4 billion alone, Star Wars is a Hollywood cash cow. With so much mythology and lore around it, Star Wars is definitely a pop culture mainstay that still excites 40-year-old fanboys and entice a whole new generation. We think it will do so for many years to come.
Harry Potter
Based on the wildly popular books by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter become a cultural event. Aside from audiences being able to watch their favourite actors grow up on camera, the films are rich in character, wonder and magic and every child that grew up watching it wanted to go to Hogwarts. The final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, broke records as the highest grossing midnight premiere, making $43.5 million.
Batman
The Caped Crusader has been around in comic book form since 1939, so it was no surprise that it was made into a series of films. This franchise has been able to reinvent itself, with such Hollywood greats as Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and now Ben Affleck, all donning the cape. It did reach a low with Batman and Robin in 1997, but it was brought back by Christopher Nolan’s version of The Dark Knight, and received critical acclaim.
Godzilla
Being the oldest franchise on the list, Godzilla has been reimagined many times, first by the Japanese and then by the US. Despite being a monster movie, the films have been an allegory for nuclear weapons, which were a new invention at the time the films were made, and very pertinent to Japan in the wake of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No matter how many times this monster appears on the big screen we just can’t seem to get enough.
James Bond
Was there any doubt that this would top the list? From 1962, it has had more than 20 films, and numerous actors playing the part. This franchise has thrived on change. Based on the Ian Fleming novels, the movies have transcended the source material. Everyone has their favourite Bond actor, and we all have fun debating the merits of each one. Two notable commercial successes are Thunderball and Skyfall. But no matter who is playing him, the film will be sleek, sexy and inspirational.
So which one of these franchises would you like to see continue?