It’s no surprise—Hollywood adores a sequel. And truthfully, so do audiences. With established characters, rich worlds, and sweeping storylines, some movie franchises just keep on giving. From superheroes to space exploration to wisecracking animals, these megablockbuster franchises show that when done correctly, a sequel can be jaw-droppingly loved (and profitable) as the first film. Let’s examine 10 of the most successful motion picture franchises that have cashed in on repeat business at the box office.
1. Star Trek: From Small Screen to Blockbuster Status
What began as a 1960s cult television series has blossomed into one of the longest-running sci-fi epics in the history of cinema. In 14 movies, Star Trek has grossed $2.26 billion at the worldwide box office. The franchise reached warp speed again with the 2009 reboot by J.J. Abrams, bringing Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock to a whole new generation. As more films are in the pipeline, the Star Trek saga is not yet over.
2. Madagascar: Zoo Animals, Worldwide Fame
DreamWorks’ Madagascar franchise has grossed $2.27 billion due to its offbeat animal stars and world-traveling adventures. Though fans are patiently waiting for a fourth installment, the original trilogy and spin-off (Penguins of Madagascar) cemented the franchise as an animated success with worldwide charm.
3. Indiana Jones: The Original Action Hero
From ancient artifacts to Nazi-busting adventures, Indiana Jones has grossed $2.34 billion over five installments. Though Dial of Destiny fell short of the higher marks of previous entries, the series is a mainstay of movie adventure, and Harrison Ford’s fedora continues to draw attention.
4. Kung Fu Panda: A Hero with Heart (and Humor)
Po and his Furious Five friends have made $2.36 billion with their combination of kung fu and humor. Even a long hiatus couldn’t put the kibosh on Kung Fu Panda 4, which exceeded expectations and reminded everyone that people still enjoy a good underdog tale, particularly when it’s about a panda who eats dumplings and masters kung fu.
5. The Conjuring Universe: Scaring Up Serious Revenue
With $2.38 billion across nine movies, The Conjuring is the only horror franchise in the billion-dollar club. From haunted homes to evil objects, James Wan’s creepy universe has ballooned into a big horror anthology, with plenty of ghost stories left to tell.
6. Iron Man: The Spark That Started It All
Although Tony Stark’s solo trilogy concluded years ago, its legacy remains. The Iron Man series grossed $2.42 billion and spearheaded the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the behemoth that it is. Iron Man 3 alone passed the billion-dollar milestone, solidifying Robert Downey Jr.’s status as the face of contemporary superhero film.
7. The Dark Knight Trilogy: Grunge Meets Box Office Success
Christopher Nolan’s realistic, character-based interpretation of Batman grossed $2.44 billion and changed the formula for what a superhero film should be. The Dark Knight is still a cultural touchstone, with Heath Ledger’s Joker performance still shaping the genre years after release.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy: Space Misfits Strike Gold
Marvel gambled with an under-the-radar comic and made Guardians of the Galaxy a fan favorite. At $2.48 billion over four movies, the franchise’s blend of humor, emotion, and memorable soundtracks has made it one of the MCU’s greatest achievements.
9. MonsterVerse: Titans Take the Throne
Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, and Godzilla x Kong are but a few of the titles that pushed the MonsterVerse past $2.49 billion. They combined retro kaiju mayhem with state-of-the-art effects and brought in massive audiences, and demonstrated that giant monsters never fade away.
10. Planet of the Apes: Sci-Fi with Staying Power
With ten movies and $2.51 billion at the box office, Planet of the Apes is among the longest-standing sci-fi franchises. Its new reboot trilogy impressed both critics and audiences with a surprisingly introspective interpretation of evolution, survival, and man’s darker nature.
Why These Franchises Work
There’s a reason that these franchises continue to thrive. It all boils down to familiarity and inbuilt viewers, according to media scholars such as the University of Virginia’s Sean Duncan and Jack Hamilton. In the risk-averse theatrical environment today, established brands provide a safer option for studios than original, middle-budget releases, which are scarce on the big screen anymore.
Even when critics roll their eyes at another sequel, people continue to show up. Until that stops, franchises like these will keep raking it in at the box office—and pop culture conversation.