When we talk about films, big often means more fun. Yes, a cool plot and great acting are key, but size, show, and many follow-up movies make a series last. These are the series that made billions, grew huge fan bases, and left a mark on pop culture. Love wizards, heroes, or fast cars? There’s a huge series that kept you in your seat. Here are the 10 film series that changed it all.
10. Harry Potter / The Wizarding World
The kid with the lightning mark did more than beat Voldemort—he made a film empire. It started with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, spread over eight main films, and grew to include the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs. Together, they’ve made $9.6 billion around the world, as per Investopedia. And it’s not just movies—with theme parks, stage shows like The Cursed Child, and a new series coming, the magic is still strong.
9. Batman
From Adam West’s fun hero to Robert Pattinson’s dark sleuth, Batman has shown many sides but always kept his edge at the box office. He’s been in solo films, group films, and cartoons. The Dark Knight changes with each new film. IGN says just his North American take is over $2.7 billion. Dark or fun, Batman stays a film favorite.
8. Fast & Furious
This was a surprise. It started in 2001 as a street racing film and grew into a saga of heists, spies, and family with 11 films and more coming, making over $5.1 billion worldwide (Mental Floss). Furious 7 alone made $1.5 billion. It started with stolen DVD players and grew into a huge film series.
7. Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park made big moves in effects and grand films. Since then, five more films, including the Jurassic World trilogy, have brought close to $5 billion globally, says Mental Floss. Even after 30 years, a T. rex chasing people is still a hit.
6. James Bond
Shaken, not stirred—still a hit. James Bond has been on screen since 1962, the longest spy series in films. With 27 films and $7.9 billion made worldwide (Investopedia), 007 has changed with the times. From Cold War tales to today’s spy stories, Bond keeps it fresh. With Amazon taking over, what’s next could be big.
5. Spider-Man
Spider-Man has had more reboots than new suits. With both Sony and Marvel in play, Spidey has shown up in 17 films—cartoons, real life, and crossovers. His total take? A huge $8.9 billion (Investopedia). No Way Home almost hit $2 billion alone. Fans might have their favorite Peter Parker, but Spidey’s reach is still far and wide.
4. The Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit
Middle-earth is not just fantasy—it’s a box office giant. Peter Jackson’s take on Tolkien’s books made six big films (three each of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit), earning about $6 billion globally, as per Mental Floss. The Return of the King alone made $1.1 billion and won 11 Oscars. With new spinoffs like The Rings of Power, the journey continues.
3. Star Trek
More known for TV, Star Trek also hit it big in films with 13 movies. Since 1979, it has crossed decades and styles, reboots and new takes, always with hope for the future. Collider says it may not top money charts, but for cultural impact and fans, Star Trek stands apart.
2. Star Wars
Started by George Lucas in 1977 as a space tale, Star Wars is now a huge name. It has 12 movies, live-action and cartoon shows, books, comics, and loads of items. It made $10.32 billion globally (Investopedia), with The Force Awakens alone over $2billion. With Disney’s buyout, the Star Wars universe is growing fast.
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
On top is the MCU. With 35 films and more coming, Marvel’s linked world is a model for modern films. It’s made over $31.4 billion worldwide (Investopedia), with just the four Avengers films making $7.7 billion. When Disney bought Marvel in 2009, no one saw how big it would get. Now, with movies, TV shows, and more, Marvel rules the franchise game.
Love heroes, space, wizards, or just thrill and action. These film series have changed how we see—and talk about—films. They build worlds fans love and keep coming back to. Showing in Hollywood, a story can always get bigger when the crowd shows up.