Movie Franchises That Just Won’t Quit
Some movie series just refuse to fade away—and honestly, we’re glad they don’t. From horror icons to superheroes and space operas, these franchises have been around for decades and still know how to grab our attention.
The Universal Monsters – 117 years
First movie: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1908)
Most recent movie: Wolf Man (2025)
Think of them as the original cinematic universe before Marvel made it trendy. Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Wolf Man—they were the blueprint for movie monsters. These creepy icons dominated theaters in the early 20th century and keep creeping back into pop culture. Universal has tried to reboot them multiple times, proving people never get tired of a good scare.
Universal Pictures, Wolf Man (2025)
King Kong – 92 years
First movie: King Kong (1933)
Most recent movie: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Kong first wowed audiences in 1933 with effects that were groundbreaking at the time. Since then, the giant ape has gone head-to-head with dinosaurs, planes, and even Godzilla. He’s been rebooted again and again, but his massive presence always makes an impact. Even nearly a century later, Kong’s roar still gets cheers in theaters—and he’s expected to hit the big screen again in 2027 with Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Superman – 84 years
First movie: Superman (1941)
Most recent movie: Superman (2025)
Superman first hit the screen in the 1940s, and he’s been the poster boy for superheroes ever since. He’s gone through highs (Christopher Reeve’s inspiring take) and lows (some questionable sequels), but the cape always comes back.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Superman (2025)
Batman – 82 years
First movie: Batman (1943)
Most recent movie: The Batman (2022)
Batman might be the most versatile character in cinema. One decade he’s goofy with Adam West, the next he’s dark and brooding with Christian Bale or Robert Pattinson. That’s the secret: Batman adapts with the times. Whether he’s fighting the Joker or dealing with his own demons, Gotham’s protector always keeps fans hooked. We should see him on the big screen again soon in the The Batman: Part II (2027).
Warner Bros. Pictures, The Batman (2022)
Godzilla – 71 years
First movie: Godzilla (1954)
Most recent movie: Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Since 1954, Godzilla has been stomping cities and taking on rivals. He started as a metaphor for nuclear destruction, but over the years he’s also been campy fun, a hero, and even a wrestling-style fighter. The franchise spans more than 35 films worldwide, and thanks to the MonsterVerse, Godzilla is still a global superstar.
Toho Co., Ltd., Godzilla Minus One (2023)
James Bond – 63 years
First movie: Dr. No (1962)
Most recent movie: No Time to Die (2021)
007 has been saving the world (and looking good doing it) since 1962’s Dr. No. Each Bond actor—from Sean Connery’s suave style to Daniel Craig’s gritty realism—has put a unique spin on the role. Explosions, car chases, high-tech gadgets, and globe-trotting adventures keep audiences coming back. Bond is proof that spies never go out of style.
Universal Pictures, No Time to Die (2021)
Planet Of The Apes – 57 years
First movie: Planet of the Apes (1968)
Most recent movie: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Starting in 1968 with a mind-blowing twist ending, Planet of the Apes became a cultural phenomenon. The series has been rebooted multiple times, most recently with the acclaimed prequel trilogy. Its ability to balance action with social commentary keeps it relevant. Talking apes shouldn’t work—but somehow it always does.
20th Century Fox, Planet of the Apes (1968)
The Exorcist – 52 years
First movie: The Exorcist (1973)
Most recent movie: The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
When The Exorcist came out in 1973, people fainted in theaters—it was that intense. Since then, sequels and spin-offs have tried to capture the same magic (with mixed results). But the brand name alone is still enough to grab attention. Demonic possession stories don’t get more iconic than this.
Warner Bros., The Exorcist (1973)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre – 51 years
First movie: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Most recent movie: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1974 changed horror forever with its gritty, low-budget realism. Leatherface became an instant horror icon, and the franchise has been rebooted countless times. Some movies leaned into gore, others into suspense, but the raw, chaotic energy always draws fans back. The chainsaw rev alone still gives chills.
Bryanston Distributing Company, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Rocky – 49 years
First movie: Rocky (1976)
Most recent movie: Creed III (2023)
Rocky Balboa went from small-time boxer to world champ in 1976, and he’s been inspiring audiences ever since. The sequels took him through epic rivalries, while the Creed spinoffs introduced a new generation to his legacy. At its core, it’s about heart, perseverance, and proving underdogs can surprise everyone. Few sports movies punch this hard.
Star Wars – 48 years
First movie: Star Wars (1977)
Most recent movie: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
From the moment the opening crawl rolled in 1977, Star Wars became a pop culture giant. The saga has expanded with sequels, prequels, spin-offs, animated shows, and streaming hits like The Mandalorian. Fans might debate which trilogy is best, but no one can deny its staying power. The Force is still strong after nearly five decades, with another movie (Star Wars: Starfighter) expected in 2027.
Walt Disney Studios, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Halloween – 47 years
First movie: Halloween (1978)
Most recent movie: Halloween Ends (2022)
Michael Myers first terrorized Haddonfield in 1978, creating the slasher template everyone copied. Over the decades, there have been sequels, remakes, and reboots—some better than others. But no matter how many times he’s defeated, Myers always comes back. That creepy mask and silent stalking make him one of horror’s most enduring villains.
Universal Pictures, Halloween Ends (2022)
Star Trek – 46 years
First movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Most recent movie: Star Trek Into Darkness (2016)
Star Trek made the jump from TV to film in 1979 and never looked back. The franchise’s movies have explored space battles, time travel, and big moral questions. From the original cast to the Kelvin timeline reboots, Trek always finds a way to boldly go where fans want it to. It’s a sci-fi institution.
Paramount Pictures, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Alien – 46 years
First movie: Alien (1979)
Most recent movie: Alien: Romulus (2024)
Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) was the ultimate ‘haunted house in space.’ It introduced the terrifying Xenomorph, one of cinema’s scariest creatures, and Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, one of the best heroes ever. Sequels like Aliens turned it into an action franchise, while prequels explored its origins. Either way, it’s still nightmare fuel.
20th Century Fox, Alien (1979)
Tron – 43 years
First movie: Tron (1982)
Most recent movie: Tron: Ares (2025)
Tron (1982) was ahead of its time, dropping audiences into a computer world with neon visuals that blew minds. It went quiet for decades but came back with Tron: Legacy in 2010. Fans still hope for more, and with today’s tech, the digital world of Tron could look cooler than ever. It’s a true cult classic.
Walt Disney Studios, Tron (1982)
Beverly Hills Cop – 41 years
First movie: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Most recent movie: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley showed up in 1984 and immediately redefined action-comedy. The Detroit cop fish-out-of-water story mixed laughs with explosive action and became a huge hit. The sequels kept things rolling, and with a new entry on the way, it’s clear Axel still knows how to work a case—and a punchline.
Paramount Pictures, Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Predator – 38 years
First movie: Predator (1987)
Most recent movie: Predator: Badlands (2025)
The Predator first hunted humans in 1987, and he’s been terrifying audiences ever since. Sequels, spin-offs, and even crossovers with the Alien franchise have kept the creature busy. The last entry, Prey, proved there are still fresh stories to tell. This alien hunter isn’t done yet, with Predator: Badlands hitting theaters in November.
20th Century Studios, Predator: Badlands (2025)
Child’s Play – 37 years
First movie: Child's Play (1988)
Most recent movie: Child's Play (2019)
Chucky, the possessed killer doll, has been cracking jokes and stabbing victims since 1988. The mix of campy humor and genuine scares makes the franchise unique. It’s spawned sequels, reboots, and even a hit TV series. Love him or fear him, Chucky refuses to stay dead.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Child's Play (1988)
The Naked Gun – 37 years
First movie: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Most recent movie: The Naked Gun (2025)
Leslie Nielsen turned slapstick comedy into gold with The Naked Gun in 1988. The jokes were fast, silly, and timeless. Even though the franchise only had a few movies, it left a huge comedy footprint. Fans still quote it, proving good parody never gets old.
Paramount Pictures, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Home Alone – 35 years
First movie: Home Alone (1990)
Most recent movie: Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Home Alone (1990) became an instant holiday classic. Kevin’s traps, the Wet Bandits, and that mix of laughs and heart make it endlessly rewatchable. The sequels (and reboots) may not all hit the same, but the original two remain seasonal must-watches. Kevin McCallister is forever the king of Christmas mischief.
20th Century Fox, Home Alone (1990)
Jurassic World – 32 years
First movie: Jurassic Park (1993)
Most recent movie: Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
Jurassic Park (1993) changed cinema forever with its realistic dinosaurs. The franchise roared back with Jurassic World in 2015, balancing nostalgia with modern blockbuster spectacle. It’s still thrilling to see humans running for their lives from a T. rex. Dinosaurs never go out of style.
Universal Pictures, Jurassic Park (2015)
Bad Boys – 30 years
First movie: Bad Boys (1995)
Most recent movie: Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
When Bad Boys dropped in 1995, it had everything—explosions, car chases, and nonstop banter between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The sequels doubled down on the chaos, and the 2020 comeback proved the duo’s chemistry is still fire. It’s pure action-comedy comfort food.
Columbia Pictures, Bad Boys (1995)
Jumanji – 30 years
First movie: Jumanji (1995)
Most recent movie: Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Jumanji (1995) started with Robin Williams and a magical board game. Decades later, the reboot switched gears with a video game twist—and it worked. The new films kept the spirit of adventure alive while adding humor and star power. Jumanji keeps reinventing itself and winning over audiences, and rumor has it we can expect another entry in 2026.
Sony Pictures, Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Mission: Impossible – 29 years
First movie: Mission: Impossible (1996)
Most recent movie: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (2025)
Tom Cruise has been defying death as Ethan Hunt since 1996. Each movie ups the ante with bigger stunts and crazier action sequences. From dangling off airplanes to motorcycle chases, it’s pure spectacle. Nearly three decades later, it’s still the gold standard for action franchises.
Paramount Pictures, Mission: Impossible (1996)
Scream – 29 years
First movie: Scream (1996)
Most recent movie: Scream VI (2023 )
Scream reinvented horror in 1996 with its meta approach. Ghostface wasn’t just a killer—he was a commentary on horror itself. Sequels and revivals have kept it fresh, playing with new fears while honoring the classics. The mix of scares, satire, and shocking twists keeps fans guessing every time. Scream 7 will hit theaters in 2026.
Dimension Films, Scream (1996)
You May Also Like:
Cast Feuds That Nearly Ruined Entire Franchises
Movie Quiz: Can You Name The Franchise From These Actors?
