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Top 10 Movie Franchises That Will Never End

Top 10 Movie Franchises That Will Never End
VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild WRITTEN BY: Michael Evans
These are the energizer bunnies of the film world. For this list, we'll be looking at movie franchises that will stand the test of time, due to their overwhelming popularity, evergreen concepts, or willingness to adjust to the times. Our countdown includes James Bond Franchise, Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Mission: Impossible” Franchise, and more!

#10: DC Extended Universe

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DC’s shared universe shows no signs of slowing down! Since its inception, the DCEU has had its ups and downs. It kicked off by building on the success of its Superman and Batman franchises - which might also last forever. But while “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman” were commercial successes, they didn’t hit it out of the park with fans and critics. Fortunately, the release of “Wonder Woman” in 2017 put the DCEU on firmer footing. “Shazam!” was another crowd-pleaser, adding a new lighthearted tone to the franchise. With “Wonder Woman 1984” awaiting release, along with “The Suicide Squad”, “The Flash”, and a host of other projects, this franchise looks to be in it for the long haul.

#9: “Halloween” Franchise

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John Carpenter’s original “Halloween” film is generally credited with starting the slasher/horror genre back in 1978. But over the years, low production values and changes in theme and tone made for a very muddy storyline. The 2018 reboot was instead a direct sequel to the first movie in the series. According to writer and executive producer Danny McBride, part of the reason for that was to clear up the timeline. Two upcoming sequels are planned at this time, so fans should have a great deal of tense slashing fun in their futures.

#8: “Transformers” Franchise

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The first live-action film in this franchise was a box office smash, picking up over $700 million. And director Michael Bay has never looked back, churning out sequel after sequel. Sure, they may be an exercise in diminishing returns, but they’re fun, switch-off-your-brain rides with impressive visual effects and action sequences. The 2018 spin-off “Bumblebee” was a hit with critics, and we guess that’s all the encouragement anyone needed to greenlight another batch of sequels and spin-offs, with at least two currently in production. It seems like now might be a good time to invest in more popcorn.

#7: “Fast & Furious” Franchise

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There will always be a market for movies featuring fast cars, beautiful people, and amazing action. And this franchise features truckloads of all of the above. Fans also give these films high marks for their diverse characters and the consistency with which they serve up the hallmarks of the series. Who knew that movies about driving really fast could also be about family? Of course, the star power involved doesn’t hurt either, with new big-names being added as the franchise continues. With three more movies currently in development, this ride is far from over.

#6: “Star Trek” Franchise

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Some fans love it for its spirit of discovery. Others for its diverse and compelling characters. Then there are just those who want to live in a world with teleportation, phasers, and spaceships. There’s plenty to love about Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi world. Star Trek came along at a time when America was first entering space, and this helped ignite public interest in the franchise. It’s continued on with multiple series, big-screen adaptations, and reboots. Given the number of real technological advancements in development that were dreamt of in Star Trek, this franchise is truly part of the zeitgeist.

#5: “Mission: Impossible” Franchise

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The hallmarks of this series are inexhaustible: spycraft, big setpieces, and a marquee star doing his own stunts. Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt has been described as “America’s Masochistic James Bond”. Based on the 1966 TV series, revived in 1988, these films feature intricate plotlines, glorious action sequences, and characters that it’s easy to root for. And judging by Rottentomatoes scores, the series just keeps getting better. With the seventh movie scheduled for release in 2021, and an eighth in 2022, there appears to be no end in sight for this movie world.

#4: “Godzilla” Franchise

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This series is immortalized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running movie franchise in history. It all began with Japan's Toho Studios in 1954, as a commentary on the use of atomic bombs at the end of World War II. It continues to this day, with Hollywood also getting in on the action and adapting the key message. With the advent of Legendary’s Monsterverse, there could be no end in sight for this King of Monsters. “Godzilla vs. Kong” is slated for 2021. That same year, we’ll also get Netflix’s new anime series “Godzilla: Singular Point”.

#3: “Star Wars” Franchise

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Whether it all started "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" or back in 1977, this series has definitely withstood the test of time, and should continue to do so. Writing for Wired in 2015, journalist Adam Rogers referred to Star Wars as "the forever franchise." With their sequel trilogy and anthology films, Disney, who bought Lucasfilms for over $4 billion dollars, have made their investment back and then some. Now that the Skywalker saga is complete, they’re intent on keeping the ball rolling with plans for more standalone films, another trilogy, and new TV shows to join “The Mandalorian” on Disney+. The Force still seems strong with this one.

#2: Marvel Cinematic Universe

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This series started a wave of superhero movies that looks like it might never end, and that’s a boon to fans of the genre. But these films go far beyond spandex and super powers, sometimes leaning into social issues, as in “Black Panther”, or straight-up comedy, as in “Thor: Ragnarok”. Building on other franchises, like “Spider-Man” - which might also last forever - the MCU has redefined the genre. And they definitely have the box office receipts to back that up. The series averages nearly $1 billion per release. With at least eight more movies in production or development, plus new TV series, this show is far from over. In the immortal words of one-time Marvel Comics creative leader and icon Stan Lee: “Excelsior!” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Scream Franchise Yes, We DO Like Scary Movies! Bourne Franchise This Adaptation of Robert Ludlum's Popular Novels Keeps Getting Reborn Friday the 13th Franchise Jason Is Just Unstoppable Rocky Franchise Still Going Strong, Thanks in Part to Creed Terminator Franchise Robot Overlords Will Always Be on Our Minds

#1: James Bond Franchise

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One of the longest-running and beloved franchises of all time, the stories of this suave British spy have thrilled fans for decades. Starting out on the pages of Ian Fleming's novels, the movies have moved beyond the original source material, while still featuring all the familiar tropes: memorable theme songs, gadgets, action, sex, romance, iconic villains, and of course, Bond. One of the main reasons this franchise tops our list is that it has proven, many times over, that it can survive a change in casting, both of the lead and other recurring characters. “No Time to Die” may mark Daniel Craig's final Bond movie, but the franchise still has a long future ahead of it!

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Actually, Fast and Furious is coming to an end.
I think that the land before time franchise will last till the end of time.
User
An Ice Age 7 is in development. So excited! I Hope Blue Sky gets reopened after Covid and they can work on it there. Hope its good
I love the MCU, but after Avengers Endgame, I feel like I've seen everything (not just in the MCU, but all Marvel movies in general). I'm more looking forward to the DC universe
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