7 Most popular movie franchises and their best movies

For generations, watching movies has given many people joy, yet it’s the excitement of spotting your same old beloved characters in a renowned franchise that makes you come back for more. The success behind the growth of a movie franchise depends on how much it makes at the box office, how critics rate it, and how loyal its fan base is.

From the magical world of Hogwarts and Harry Potter to the superheroic adventures of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these series have left a significant impact on pop culture. Each franchise seems to have its own charm and contribution towards cinema, all while striving to please the audience and their changing tastes. Here is a list of the 7 most popular movie franchises and their best movies.

Note: This article reflects the author's personal opinions

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The 'John Wick' franchise and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

The John Wick franchise was created by Derek Kolstad and is widely known for its four top-notch action thrillers. Primarily directed by Chad Stahelski and starring the handsomely intimidating Keanu Reeves in the titular role, the first film hit the theatres in 2014. We were introduced to a legendary assassin named John Wick, who was forced out of retirement and back into the criminal world after a gang of Russians broke into his house, stealing his car and brutally murdering his dog, which was gifted to him by his late wife.

The franchise is praised for its powerful action sequences, intense portrayal of the underworld, and Keanu Reeves’ phenomenal performance. And one of the most talked-about moments in the series has to be the infamous pencil kill: "I once saw him kill three men in a bar... with a pencil.”

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) takes the saga to a whole new level with an action choreography that is both visually appealing and emotionally impactful at the same time. The film follows John on a mission to exact revenge and break free from the High Table, facing ruthless enemies from every corner of the globe along the way. The iconic fight scene on the long staircase of Paris not only delighted longtime fans but also raised the bar for future action movies. Also, the bold and beautiful color grading in the fourth installment is another reason to become obsessed with this film.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe and Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, commonly called the MCU, is a whole different universe where superheroes like Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and many more fight against their enemies individually or together to save the world. It was first established with the premiere of Iron Man in 2008. Over the years, the MCU has grown into a vast franchise with more than 30 films and numerous shows on Disney+. From the Avengers’ first union to the stellar adventures of the Guardians, the MCU has enthralled fans with its first-class action, humor, and heartfelt moments. Moreover, the MCU has given us some of the most terrific villains to ever appear on the silver screen, such as Loki, Thanos, Ultron, and others.

After the release of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, fans grew increasingly impatient waiting for its sequel, that is, Avengers: Endgame. And honestly, it lived up to every bit of the hype upon its release in 2019. It was not just another average superhero film; the stakes were higher than ever, and the action was nonstop.

In the aftermath of Thanos’ destructive snap that wiped off half the Earth's population, including Peter Parker, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and many more, the Avengers joined forces to undo the chaos. The final battle had audiences cheering, crying, and everything in between, especially when Tony Stark, in an iconic moment, snapped his fingers with all the Infinity Stones and declared, “And I am Iron Man.” Avengers: Endgame (2019) is an experience you simply cannot miss.

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DC Universe and Joker (2019)

Inspired by the stories of DC comics, the DC Universe, or DCU, is a long-running movie franchise packed with distinguished superheroes, for example Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, as well as powerful supervillains like the Joker, Lex Luthor, and Reverse-Flash. It has evolved remarkably over the years, always aiming to create a lasting impact on the audience with its elaborate narratives and multi-dimensional characters. The DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which began in 2013, was developed to give fans a more varied experience in cinema. While some of the films managed to impress the crowd, others, like Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, didn't do so well at the box office.

The character of Joker has been played by Heath Ledger, Jared Leto, and Joaquin Phoenix over the years, remaining one of the most beloved anti-heroes in the history of cinema. However, amongst all the portrayals, the 2019 masterpiece directed by Todd Phillips received the most critical acclaim from both critics and viewers, earning more than $1.07 billion worldwide. In the movie, we get a glimpse of the struggles of Arthur Fleck, an unconventional man shunned by society, slowly descending into madness. His life takes a dark turn when his neurological condition of not being able to control his laughter causes problems for him. It led him to lose his job, get assaulted, and also discover shocking truths about his past. Phoenix bagged the Best Actor award at the 92nd Academy Awards for his raw and compelling performance as Arthur. Joker reminds us that the most unforgettable stories are often the most human.

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The 'Fast & Furious' franchise and Furious 7 (2015)

Fast and Furious movies have become known for providing lots of action and thrill in modern cinema. It all started with the underground racing world, which we saw in the first film of the franchise, directed by Rob Cohen, The Fast and the Furious, released in 2001. With the growing number of years, the film series increased its budget and covered a wider range of subjects across its 10 main films. But characters like Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, and Brian O'Connor, portrayed by Paul Walker, instantly became fan favorites.

The franchise has become a symbol of popular culture after earning more than $7 billion all over the globe. Directed by James Wan, Furious 7 (2015), also known as Fast and Furious 7, offers not only high-octane action but also a touching emotional arc. Apart from fighting against the evil Deckard Shaw seeking revenge for his brother's defeat, the crew also had to protect an important program from being seized by a dangerous terrorist named Mose. The production team suffered heavily when Paul Walker tragically passed away during the shooting of the film. But somehow they managed to honour his legacy through script adjustments, body doubles, and CGI. The final scene where Walker’s character Brian takes a symbolic ride towards the sunset remains an emotional moment for the fans to date.

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The 'Mission: Impossible' franchise and Mission: Impossible - Fallout' (2018)

Mission: Impossible is one of the most celebrated franchises that has aged like fine wine, much like the ever-charming Tom Cruise himself. The movies drew their inspiration from Bruce Geller’s 1966 TV show of the same title, which first aired on CBS. The first film, directed by Brian De Palma, was released in 1996, giving birth to a franchise that instantly became a global hit with Cruise’s daredevil stunts making us wonder if he's secretly immortal. The bar just keeps going higher with each new installment. You get to see bolder action, new advanced gadgets, and more stamps on Ethan Hunt’s passport. With the final chapter released in 2025, the Mission Impossible franchise boasts a total of eight movies.

But when it comes to crowning a king of the series, Mission: Impossible – Fallout undoubtedly snatches the throne. This 2018 film by Christopher McQuarrie is not just the best M:I thriller, but also the peak of action cinema. Be it the intense bathroom showdown or the epic HALO jump, Fallout keeps the excitement coming through all the chaos, rising suspense, and flawless plot twists. As agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team race against time to stop relentless terrorists plotting a nuclear attack, they encounter deception, treachery, and face off against old rivals. It's one of those movies you can't help but fall in love with.

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The ‘James Bond’ franchise and Casino Royale (2006)

For more than six decades, James Bond has been one of the most famous secret agents on the silver screen. From the first film in 1962, Dr. No, up to the last one in 2021, No Time to Die, the franchise created 25 successful movies based on the novels penned by Ian Fleming. Throughout the series, seven different actors have flaunted the legendary tuxedo of 007, namely Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and finally Daniel Craig. And each of them had a unique approach to the role. The franchise managed to grow in spite of facing some setbacks and improve with the changing times.

Martin Campbell’s 2006 take on Ian Fleming's 1953 novel, Casino Royale, brings forth a raw, untamed Bond who has been newly promoted to the 00 rank. Daniel Craig’s intense and powerful portrayal delves deep into Bond’s psyche, exploring his intimate connection to Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green. However, it is Mads Mikkelsen who truly steals the spotlight with his singular performance in the role of the formidable antagonist, Le Chiffre. The nail-biting poker game, the harrowing torture scene, and the epic face-off inside a sinking house in Venice had fans glued to their seats throughout the movie.

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The Wizarding World franchise and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

What is known as the Wizarding World franchise today is entirely J.K. Rowling’s brainchild, beginning with the publication of her first book in 1997. It has become a cultural phenomenon all over the world. It all started with the Harry Potter series, consisting of 8 movies, and continued with the Fantastic Beasts saga, consisting of 3 movies. They immersed fans in a secret world of magic, friendship, and daring journeys. Be it Daniel Radcliffe’s legendary performance as 'the boy who lived,' aka Harry Potter, or Eddie Redmayne’s outstanding portrayal of the quirky magizoologist Newt Scamander, the rich lore and majestic visuals have encouraged fans to remain deeply committed.

Within the Harry Potter series, the fourth chapter, Goblet of Fire, is the best of them all. It takes us through Harry’s unexpected entry into the Triwizard Tournament, a competition between three wizarding schools, where fans were left stunned by the complex and exhilarating tasks each of the contestants had to overcome. It gave us literal goosebumps when Harry had to battle the fierce Hungarian Horntail or rescue his friends trapped underwater. The hurdles not only showed what a brilliant wizard Harry is, but also revealed his brave and compassionate nature, which made him save others’ lives, risking his own. Even though we were left heartbroken with Cedric Diggory’s death, the return of Lord Voldemort had us feeling terrified for the dangers that awaited ahead. Having to grow up with such extraordinary things happening to him was Harry’s challenge, and that's exactly what makes Goblet of Fire special to fans.