Movies

The 20 Best Movie Franchises of All Time, Ranked by Box Office

The 20 Best Movie Franchises of All Time, Ranked by Box Office
Image credit: Legion-Media

In today's movie world, it seems like every film is just the starting point for a whole universe of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs – you can hardly find a movie that's just a stand-alone story anymore.

But this trend of cinematic universes and never-ending franchises isn't something new; it's been around for ages, and what's more interesting is how those old-school franchises are often outperforming the flashy, big-budget series that Hollywood keeps churning out now.

So, we're diving into the 20 best movie franchises of all time, ranked by their box office clout, which is like measuring superheroes by their superpowers – it tells you who's really ruling the roost.

This list is a trip down memory lane, reminding us that before every movie was trying to set up a sequel or a crossover, there were franchises that simply kept us coming back for more, their appeal measured not just in ticket sales but in the kind of lasting impact that has us still quoting lines and wearing the t-shirts decades later.

These are the franchises that didn't just make a splash at the box office; they became a part of our cultural fabric, proving that sometimes, the originals can teach the new kids on the block a thing or two about staying power.