30 Best Movie Franchises to Binge Watch

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 the Star Wars saga. 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.

30

The ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Franchise

Nine Movies

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 Street is 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 of Wes 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 as A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare ensure the whole franchise offers plenty of horror fun and vibrant flourishes of creative enthusiasm.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Release Date

November 9, 1984

Runtime

91 minutes

• 

  Heather Langenkamp

  Nancy Thompson

• 

  John Saxon

  Lieutenant Thompson

29

The ‘Shrek’ Franchise

Six Movies

One of the defining titles in animated cinema, Shrek enchanted adults and children alike with its subversive fairy-tale story that 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 2 stands as one of the most hilarious and enjoyable animated movies of this century, while the two Puss in Boots spin-off films bolster the franchise’s status as well, with 2022’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish one of the more noteworthy highlights of animated cinema in recent years. A binge of the Shrek films is not only entertaining, but it may be a necessity as well, with Shrek 5 scheduled to release late next year.

Shrek

Release Date

May 18, 2001

Runtime

90 minutes

• 

  Shrek / Blind Mouse (voice)

• 

  Eddie Murphy

  Donkey (voice)

28

The ‘X-Men’ & ‘Deadpool’ Series

14 Movies

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 that came in the form of the X-Men movies. 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 Class saw the franchise expand exponentially though, while installments like The Wolverine and Logan introduced exceptional grit and the recent release of Deadpool & Wolverine saw the Deadpool films incorporated into the grander vision. The end result is a 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.

X-Men

Release Date

July 13, 2000

Runtime

104 minutes

27

The ‘Star Trek’ Series

13 Movies

Running for three seasons through the latter half of the 1960s, Star Trek transfixed audiences as a spellbinding science-fiction adventure voyaging to new worlds in an enchanting, expansive future. Ten years after the series concluded, the cast returned to make Star 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 Khan is widely regarded to be one of the best sci-fi blockbusters of all time, while the Star Trek: The Next Generation movies held a certain intrigue as well. With a new reboot launching in 2009 starring Chris Pine as 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.

26

The ‘Rocky’ & ‘Creed’ Movies

Nine Movies

While the franchise has never returned to the sensational heights of its first installment way back in 1976, the Rocky movies remain a largely entertaining spectacle of high sporting drama and inspiring triumph. The Rocky movies 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 the Rocky movies span from the scintillating to the shocking, the spin-off series Creed—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.

Rocky

Release Date

November 21, 1976

Runtime

120 Minutes

25

The ‘Terminator’ Franchise

Six Movies

A bombastic spearhead in the wheelhouse of sci-fi action that excels off the back of James Cameron’s visionary might, The Terminator made an immediate impression with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hulking, mechanical threat. Terminator 2: Judgment Day surpassed its predecessor to become arguably 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: Salvation employs an intriguing grit as it finally gives audiences a prolonged look at the apocalyptic war, while Terminator: Genisys and Terminator: Dark Fate have some redeeming traits amid their critical derision as well. Additionally, the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles would be a fine addition to a binge watch of the Terminator films.

24

The Hannibal Lecter Movies

Five Movies

To address the clear forerunner in the franchise, The Silence of the Lambs is 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 prequel Red Dragon an underrated gem of suspense and cerebral dread.

While 2007’s Hannibal Rising may not be up to scratch, 1986’s Manhunter is a fascinating watch, placing Brian Cox in 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 series Hannibal, which saw Mads Mikkelsen shine in the villainous role.

23

The ‘Mad Max’ Saga (1979–)

Five Movies

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), the Mad Max franchise is a goldmine of bingeable entertainment. The masterpiece of George 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 the Mad Max movies 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’s Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior introducing a frenetic, relentless intensity to the series. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is so over-the-top its endearing. Then the 2015 reboot Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the greatest action movies ever made, while Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga adds a touch more heart to the sterile, bombastic franchise. The end result is an endlessly rewatchable series that is incredibly easy to binge.

Mad Max

Release Date

March 21, 1980

Runtime

88 Minutes

22

The James Bond Franchise (1962–)

25 Movies

It may be a lengthy ordeal considering it contains 25 official movies (and two unofficial ones), but the James Bond franchise presents a fascinating and largely entertaining display of how action cinema has evolved over the decades. From Sean Connery’s debonair depiction of 007 to the ridiculousness of Roger 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.

With George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton also 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 discovering through a binge of the series.

Goldfinger

Release Date

September 20, 1964

Runtime

110 Minutes

21

The ‘Alien’ Franchise (1979–)

Seven Movies

In 1979, Ridley Scott released Alien, 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, Aliens saw James Cameron leave his mark on the saga, before David Fincher made his directorial debut with the now cult-classic Alien 3. While the ensuing pictures have ranged in quality, the allure of the Alien franchise remains, as evidenced by the critical and commercial success of Alien: Romulus upon 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 it Alien: Covenant’s overt horror vibe or Prometheus’ prequel premise. While many viewers may stop their binging when Sigourney Weaver departs the saga, the whole franchise is worthwhile as an all too rare spectacle of big-budget sci-fi horror.

Alien

Release Date

June 22, 1979

Runtime

117 Minutes