Film franchises have become a defining pillar of blockbuster entertainment in the 21st century with the growing and ongoing interest in, and commercial viability of direct sequels coinciding with the financial juggernaut that is expanded cinematic universes like the MCU and theStar Warssaga.
In addition to being major box office drawcards, the rising popularity of such extended cinematic stories allows for fans to develop deeper bonds with the characters they love as they evolve over the course of such franchises.
Ranging from the annals of 80s horror to spy movie mayhem, fantasy adventure, and some of the definitive blockbuster titles of the modern era, these cinematic series have kept fans coming back for more time and time again.
Image by Federico Napoli
Some are great trilogies that have become enduring classics, others are ongoing odysseys that have weathered their fair share of ups and downs.All of them make for enticing binge-watching experiences for movie lovers looking for their next marathon.
28The ‘X-Men’ & ‘Deadpool’ Series
14 Movies
Movie
Year
X-Men
2000
X-Men: Days of Future Past
2014
Deadpool
2016
Logan
2017
Deadpool & Wolverine
2024
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may be the biggest superhero entity in film at the moment, and the DCEU probably stands as its major rival, but no one can forget the ignition point of such an idea thatcame in the form of theX-Menmovies.
While they started as a simple film series following the exploits of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and the rest of Charles Xaviers (Patrick Stewart) mutants in their fight against oppression from both fellow mutants and human extremists, they soon evolved to be so much more.
Image via Marvel Studios
X-Men: First Classsaw the franchise expand exponentially though, while installments likeThe WolverineandLoganintroduced exceptional grit and the recent release ofDeadpool & Wolverinesaw theDeadpoolfilms incorporated into the grander vision.
The end result isa sprawling display of superhero action that ranges from the thematically rich and brilliantly intense to the hysterical, resulting in a versatile binge experience that all lovers of superhero storytelling can enjoy.
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27The ‘Star Trek’ Series
13 Movies
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
1979
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1982
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
1984
Star Trek: First Contact
1994
Star Trek
2009
Running for three seasons through the latter half of the 1960s,Star Trektransfixed audiences asa spellbinding science-fiction adventure voyaging to new worlds in an enchanting, expansive future.
Ten years after the series concluded, the cast returned to makeStar Trek: The Motion Picture, and while that film was a bit of a misfire, it still launched a new filmic saga that continues to inspire wonder even today.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khanis widely regarded to be one of the best sci-fi blockbusters of all time, while theStar Trek: The Next Generationmovies held a certain intrigue as well.
With a new reboot launching in 2009 starringChris Pineas Captain Kirk, the wider franchise spans across five decades, presenting a total of 13 movies that make for an enticing binge-watch for all sci-fi film lovers.
Image via Paramount Pictures
26The ‘Rocky’ & ‘Creed’ Movies
Nine Movies
Rocky
1976
Rocky II
Rocky Balboa
2006
Creed
2015
Creed II
2018
While the franchise has never returned to the sensational heights of its first installment way back in 1976, theRockymovies remain a largely entertaining spectacle of high sporting drama and inspiring triumph.TheRockymovies document the rise of Rocky Balboa(Sylvester Stallone), an old-school brawler from working-class Philadelphia who becomes a phenomenonand eventually a world championwhen Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) offers him a novelty shot at the title.
While theRockymovies span from the scintillating to the shocking, the spin-off seriesCreedfocusing on Apollos son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) and his boxing aspirationshas found a greater consistency even if it hasnt reached the same illustrious heights.The films remain the gold standard of sports cinema, and the journey from Rockys humble beginnings to him mentoring his old adversarys son is terrific to watch unfold in quick succession.
Watch on Fubo
25The ‘Terminator’ Franchise
Six Movies
The Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
1991
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2003
Terminator: Salvation
Terminator: Genisys
A bombastic spearhead in the wheelhouse of sci-fi action that excels off the back ofJames Camerons visionary might,The Terminatormade an immediate impression withArnold Schwarzeneggers hulking, mechanical threat.Terminator 2: Judgment Daysurpassed its predecessor to becomearguably the greatest action movie of all time, swapping the T-800 from being the villain in pursuit to a hero assigned to protect John Connor (Edward Furlong).
While the ensuing films in the series dont quite match the first two, they are perhaps overly ridiculed for what they present.Terminator: Salvationemploys an intriguing grit as it finally gives audiences a prolonged look at the apocalyptic war, whileTerminator: GenisysandTerminator: Dark Fatehave some redeeming traits amid their critical derision as well.
Additionally, the television seriesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicleswould be a fine addition to a binge watch of theTerminatorfilms.
24The Hannibal Lecter Movies
Five Movies
Manhunter
1986
The Silence of the Lambs
Hannibal
2001
Red Dragon
2002
Hannibal Rising
2007
To address the clear forerunner in the franchise,The Silence of the Lambsis one of the greatest psychological horror / crime thriller movies of all time, one that finds a gripping central focus in the peculiar bond between FBI cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and detained serial killer and psychologist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).
Image via United Artists
Hopkins returned to the role on two occasions, with the 2002 prequelRed Dragonan underrated gem of suspenseand cerebral dread.
While 2007sHannibal Risingmay not be up to scratch, 1986sManhunteris a fascinating watch, placingBrian Coxin the role of Lecter as it serves as an adaptation of Red Dragon.The film series as a whole marks an exceptional chapter in horror cinema, while lovers of the artful though confronting violence can further satiate their appetite with the exceptional NBC seriesHannibal, which sawMads Mikkelsenshine in the villainous role.
23The ‘Mad Max’ Saga (1979)
Mad Max
Max Max 2
1981
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
1985
Mad Max: Fury Road
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
An enrapturing action franchise that has defined two eras of action grit following the saga of Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson&Tom Hardy) while even expanding to explore one of the greatest heroines in cinematic history in Furiosa (Charlize Theron&Anya Taylor-Joy),theMad Maxfranchise is a goldmine of bingeable entertainment.
The masterpiece ofGeorge Miller, the epic saga finds an enthralling aesthetic in the grungy post-apocalyptic waste of the Australian outback, teeming with a feral energy that makes every conflict intense and immersive.
The great thing about theMad Maxmovies as a series is, while they are all pure action, each one can be distinguished.
The 1979 original is a relatively grounded revenge thriller, with 1981sMad Max 2: The Road Warriorintroducing a frenetic, relentless intensity to the series.Mad Max Beyond Thunderdomeis so over-the-top its endearing.
Image via Tri-Star Pictures
Then the 2015 rebootMad Max: Fury Roadis one of the greatest action movies ever made, whileFuriosa: A Mad Max Sagaadds a touch more heart to the sterile, bombastic franchise.The end result is an endlessly rewatchable series that is incredibly easy to binge.
22The James Bond Franchise (1962)
25 Movies
Goldfinger
1964
From Russia with Love
1963
Dr. No
1962
Casino Royale
Skyfall
2012
It may be a lengthy ordeal considering it contains 25 official movies (and two unofficial ones), butthe James Bond franchisepresents a fascinating and largely entertaining display of how action cinema has evolved over the decades.
FromSean Connerys debonair depiction of 007 to the ridiculousness ofRoger Moores era,Pierce Brosnans fantastic performance lost amid some lackluster movies, and, of course,Daniel Craigs coarse and combative turn that has re-defined the character in the 21st century, the saga is always intriguing even through its missteps.
WithGeorge LazenbyandTimothy Daltonalso having severely underrated turns as Bond, the saga invites viewers to revel in all the spectacle, from the camp and corny to the grounded and gritty, and discover their favorite 007.While Connery and Craig represent the sagas two golden eras, there are plenty of gems in between that are worth discoveringthrough a binge of the series.
21The ‘Alien’ Franchise (1979)
Seven Movies
Alien
Aliens
Alien 3
1992
Prometheus
Alien: Covenant
In 1979,Ridley ScottreleasedAlien, a film so advanced in its technical mastery and horror/sci-fi aesthetic that it remains a defining icon of both genres, one that has also launched a comprehensive franchise in its stead.
Pivoting to all-out action,AlienssawJames Cameronleave his mark on the saga, beforeDavid Finchermade his directorial debut with the now cult-classicAlien 3.
Image via Orion Pictures
While ensuing pictures have ranged in quality, the allure of theAlienfranchise remains, as evidenced bythe recent release ofAlien: Romulus.
While the franchise has never been able to completely recapture the brilliance of its first installments, it has persevered by focusing on different tones, be itAlien: Covenants overt horror vibe orPrometheus prequel premise.
While many viewers may stop their binging whenSigourney Weaverdeparts the saga,the whole franchise is worthwhile as an all too rare spectacle of big-budget sci-fi horror.
Watch on Hulu
20The ‘Die Hard’ Series (19882013)
Die Hard
1988
Die Hard: With a Vengeance
1995
Live Free or Die Hard
Die Hard 2
1990
A Good Day to Die Hard
2013
TheDie Hardmovies may have waned in their more recent outings, butthe original film remains one of the greatest action flicks of all time, while the two sequels are both underrated gemsthat suffer in the shadow of their mighty predecessor.
1988sDie Hardis obviously brilliant to watch as a standalone film, focusing on New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he fights to save his estranged wife and multiple innocent workers when a group of terrorist thieves attack the Nakatomi Plaza in L.A.
John McClane must save the day again inDie Hard 2when a rogue military squad takes over an airport, while the sneakily brilliantDie Hard with a Vengeancesees McClane working with Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson), an electrical shop owner, to respond to the riddles and threats of an enigmatic terrorist.
The last two films offer fun genre fare if nothing else, making for a rousing action franchise that is easy to binge time and time again.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
19’The Hunger Games' Film Series (2012)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
2023
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
Young adult dystopian fiction transcended from the page to the screen several times through the 2010s in the form of blockbuster film series, but none executed it as seamlessly asThe Hunger Games.
Set in a future where society is split into 12 categorized districts of vastly different economic value, the films revolve around Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she participates in the annual Hunger Games, a combat sport that sees two young contestants from each district fight to the death.
The first film is an engrossing dive into Katniss fight for survival, ending with her and district companion Peetas (Josh Hutcherson) unlikely victory.
The rest of the original franchise, consisting of four films, explores how Katniss uses her image of triumph and defiance to rebel against the Capitol.
2023 saw a prequel,The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, released to explore President Snows (Tom Blyth) origins, making fora well-rounded and expansive franchise with plenty of intrigue for lovers of dystopian world and adventure.
Image via MGM
Image via 20th Century Studios
Image via 20th Century Studios
Image via Lionsgate
