Think back to films that have had a profound influence on pop culture or, indeed, your personal life. Chances are, franchises feature on this list. They are the backbone of pop culture. Whether it is massive worlds to discover, exciting dystopias to explore, or eccentric little robots appearing spontaneously out of thin air, franchises feature everywhere. The success of franchises at the box office is fueled by their devotion to keeping such franchises on their feet. But their success is more than just box office conquests—so, what is their secret? Let us examine 10 of the most successful film franchises to date, the ones that have changed the face of entertainment as well as ourselves.
10. Transformers
Oversized robots, mind-boggling explosions, and a nostalgic toy franchise that mesmerized the globe worldwide, Transformers are pure blockbuster entertainment taken to an unbelievable extreme. Since Michael Bay released the franchise back in 2007, it has grossed an impressive $4.8 billion worldwide. The reasons behind its phenomenal success lie in nostalgia, mind-bending special effects, and an eternal fight between good and evil.
9. Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
Back in 1993, Jurassic Park didn’t just make the dinos jump off our screens and into our minds, letting us wonder whether science should cross certain boundaries. The franchise is still going strong after more than $5 billion at the worldwide box office, and the fourth film and the subsequent sequels have kept the excitement (and fear) alive with their amazement (and horror) of the prehistoric era. The Jurassic World series not only proved that the audience’s fascination stayed alive but also rekindled it by combining stunning visuals with reflective questions about human interaction with nature.
8. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is probably one of the few dystopian epics to ever resonate that much with the masses. The films, adapted from Suzanne Collins’ novels, moved beyond being mere cultural commentaries and became both signs and voices of the alert young audience. Entertainment-wise, it made nearly $3 billion globally. Symbol-wise, Katniss Everdeen’s fight against the oppression easily became the trigger for a huge number of debates about uprising, fairness, and the power of a single voice.
7. The Matrix
Red pill or blue pill? It has been over two decades since The Matrix came out, and yet it is still hailed as the revolutionary sci-fi that redefined the rules by brilliantly combining philosophy, hi-tech action, and innovative “bullet time” sequences into a genre-defining trilogy. Having made $1.7 billion in total, it is still a classic for anyone who either wants to ponder over the nature of reality or wants to look like a cool guy wearing a pair of sunglasses and a trench coat. The cleverly integrated storyline and tremendously improved technology of the time make it impossible for people not to acknowledge its influence on other filmmakers.
6. Planet of the Apes
Since its 1968 debut, the satire in Planet of the Apes has been consistent, from the very first movie to the modern critically acclaimed trilogy. The ape allegories have always been at its core and reflected society’s ridiculousness and possibilities. Besides being a blockbuster success with over $2.1 billion at the global box office, the mixture of deeply immersive world-building with the surprising emotional depth was a great step towards the fact that even storytelling around apes can be very telling about humans.
5. Star Trek
Far more than a movie franchise, Star Trek is an ideal of a more wonderful, more diverse future. With $2.2 billion in box office earnings (and performing strongly in TV, literature, and video games), it has inspired generations with its positivity and dedication to diversity. “To boldly go” is not just a slogan—it’s a cultural mandate.
4. Alien
Just one hissing of an Alien is enough to scare the life out of you. The Alien series has been setting the bar for incredible terror and sci-fi horror since Ridley Scott made the first one in 1979, and it has gone on to gross $1.6 billion. The scary situations, innovative female protagonist, and an array of the scariest monsters ever imagined are the main reasons that the series is considered to be a great icon of the genre.
3. Terminator
One of the coolest things about the Terminator saga is that it never really left the audience waiting for the next sequel – “I’ll be back” wasn’t simply a promise of return, but the core of the whole franchise. The series has hooked fans with this mixture of sci-fi/time travel, heavy-hitting action, and deep metaphysical questions, and so far, it has pulled in more than $2 billion at the box office. Besides that, it is also quite remarkable how the director’s concept of the mankind versus the machines scenario is still very much in play despite all the scientific and technological developments.
2. Star Wars
Few films have reached out to so many people as Star Wars. With $10.3 billion in ticket sales and a universe that overflows far outside the movies, it has influenced language (“May the Force be with you”), inspired generations of artists, and evolved into a common myth of culture. Its combination of grand storytelling, memorable characters, and universal themes perpetuates the Force through generations.
1. Avatar
What began as a single game-changing movie turned into a record-smashing sci-fi juggernaut. James Cameron’s Avatar franchise has raked in $5.4 billion to date, revolutionizing 3D filmmaking and transporting audiences to the rich planet of Pandora. Behind the imagery is a call to environmental responsibility and unity that speaks profoundly.
Why We Keep Coming Back
Franchises are Hollywood’s golden ticket—substantial returns with fewer risks, pre-existing fan bases, and the opportunity to grow worlds we love. They rely on known characters, connected storytelling, and the security of revisiting a favorite universe. But there’s a catch. With sequels, spin-offs, and reboots taking over, we stand to lose the excitement of new, untested ideas. Since 2010, the majority of the biggest-grossing movies every year have been within pre-existing franchises—sometimes making the big screen an echo chamber.
Nevertheless, the greatest franchises change. They bring new characters, new themes, and new boundaries to storytelling and technology. Some have become contemporary mythology, providing fans with a shared lexicon and a shared identity. And some tales are so good, they should be left alone—such as The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Back to the Future. Occasionally, one flash of genius is enough.
Here’s to the cinematic worlds that have shaped our culture. Whether you’re a lightsaber-wielding Jedi, a Trekkie, or just someone who loves a good action-packed adventure, there’s no denying the power of a great film franchise to inspire, unite, and entertain for decades on end.