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. 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.
30The ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Franchise
Nine Movies
A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
Freddy vs. Jason
When it comes to the pioneering slasher horror icons of the 70s and 80s, it is difficult to determine which ones are best to binge-watch as an entire series. However,with its innovative brilliance, its ceaseless appetite for experimentation, and its constant underline of twisted fun,A Nightmare on Elm Streetis truly one of the best picks for both horror lovers and general movie fans looking to dabble in the genre.
It revolves around the exploits of Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), once a child murderer, now an undead spirit that plagues the minds of his victims by stalking their dreams and killing them as they sleep. Spawned from the marvelous and macabre mind ofWes Craven, the saga uses the medium of dreams as a playground for striking horror visuals and great suspense. While it is propped up by its 1984 original film, installments such asA Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream WarriorsandWes Craven’s New Nightmareensure the whole franchise offers plenty of horror fun and vibrant flourishes of creative enthusiasm.
29The ‘Shrek’ Franchise
Six Movies
Shrek the Third
Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
One of the defining titles in animated cinema,Shrekenchanted adults and children alike with its subversive fairy-tale storythat sees the titular ghastly ogre sent to rescue a princess for a fable-hating lord so he can be left unbothered in his swamp. As the franchise goes on, Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) love story becomes the core focus, as well as the many misadventures they embark on with their litany of friends including Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas).
The first film is a shining light of inspired brilliance that remains as absorbing and fun-loving today as it was upon release in 2001. Additionally,Shrek 2stands as one of the most hilarious and enjoyable animated movies of this century, while the twoPuss in Bootsspin-off films bolster the franchise’s status as well, with 2022’sPuss in Boots: The Last Wishone of the more noteworthy highlights of animated cinema in recent years. A binge of theShrekfilms is not only entertaining, but it may be a necessity as well,withShrek 5scheduled to release late next year.
28The ‘X-Men’ & ‘Deadpool’ Series
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Deadpool & Wolverine
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 Xavier’s (Patrick Stewart) mutants in their fight against oppression from both fellow mutants and human extremists, they soon evolved to be so much more.
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.
27The ‘Star Trek’ Series
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek: First Contact
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.
26The ‘Rocky’ & ‘Creed’ Movies
Rocky Balboa
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 phenomenon—and eventually a world champion—when Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) offers him a novelty shot at the title.
While theRockymovies span from the scintillating to the shocking, the spin-off seriesCreed—focusing on Apollo’s son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) and his boxing aspirations—has found a greater consistency even if it hasn’t reached the same illustrious heights.The films remain the gold standard of sports cinema, and the journey from Rocky’s humble beginnings to him mentoring his old adversary’s son is terrific to watch unfold in quick succession.
25The ‘Terminator’ Franchise
The Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Terminator: Salvation
Terminator: Genisys
A bombastic spearhead in the wheelhouse of sci-fi action that excels off the back ofJames Cameron’s visionary might,The Terminatormade an immediate impression withArnold Schwarzenegger’s 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 don’t 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
The Silence of the Lambs
Red Dragon
Hannibal Rising
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). Hopkins returned to the role on two occasions, with the 2002 prequelRed Dragonan underrated gem of suspenseand cerebral dread.
While 2007’sHannibal Risingmay not be up to scratch, 1986’sManhunteris 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.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
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 Maxfranchiseis 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 1981’sMad Max 2: The Road Warriorintroducing a frenetic, relentless intensity to the series.Mad Max Beyond Thunderdomeis so over-the-top its endearing. 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–)
Goldfinger
From Russia with Love
Casino Royale
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 Connery’s debonair depiction of 007 to the ridiculousness ofRoger Moore’s era,Pierce Brosnan’s fantastic performance lost amid some lackluster movies, and, of course,Daniel Craig’s 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 saga’s 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
Prometheus
Alien: Romulus
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. While the ensuing pictures have ranged in quality, the allure of theAlienfranchise remains, as evidenced by the critical and commercial success ofAlien: Romulusupon release last year.
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: Covenant’s 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.
