Historically, a film is the form of leisure you may watch in a day. Two, possibly three hours if it is an epic, and also you’re executed. TV exhibits are extra extensively considered the form of visible tales that may take weeks or months to complete – even when binging – and years if the present’s watched whereas it is on the air. There are quite a few movies that buck custom by being a part of a wider collection, although, with some collection having a number of installments which are launched over years and even a long time.

Most of the longest of those give long-running TV exhibits a run for his or her cash. The next are ranked from lengthy to longest, however aren’t objectively the longest film collection of all time; simply among the many longest. All are price exploring for viewers who like getting immersed in a long-running, cinematic storyline. Moreover, as a result of many of those movie collection have not concluded but, the variety of movies inside every may all the time change dramatically inside the coming years or a long time.

17

‘Star Wars’ (1977–2019)

12 movies

The Star Wars collection has had 12 characteristic movies in roughly 40 years: three trilogies tied to the Skywalker household, two live-action anthology movies, and one animated theatrical launch in 2008. That hardly cracks the floor of all issues Star Wars, although, because of TV motion pictures, video video games, animated exhibits, live-action exhibits, and novels (a few of that are canon; some aren’t) that additionally contribute to the Star Wars world and its tales.

It is a gargantuan franchise, and even when a viewer have been to solely give attention to the Star Wars movies, 12 continues to be a reasonably excessive quantity (and there are certain to be extra within the coming years, whether or not they’re associated to the Skywalker household or not). It is one collection the place everybody goes to have disagreements over which Star Wars motion pictures are one of the best, making it probably the most widely-discussed – and maybe even contentious – movie collection of all time.

16

‘Gamera’ (1965–2006)

12 movies

As a collection, Gamera stands within the shadow of the Godzilla collection. That is partly on account of it having fewer movies, having began a decade after the Godzilla franchise made its debut (therefore being seen as a copycat collection by some), and likewise on account of it having had its final movie launched in 2006, with no phrase on when (or even when) we’ll be capable to see our favourite large flying turtle/guardian of Earth once more on the massive display. However, Godzilla has had each American movies and a Japanese movie that includes him since 2006.

Gamera is a worthy collection, although, and much from only a Godzilla knock-off. Most notably, three of the collection’ 12 movies – all made within the Nineteen Nineties, and comprising what’s been referred to as the Heisei Trilogy – are among the greatest large monster motion pictures of all time, even when the titular monster is not probably the most well-recognized.

15

‘Star Trek’ (1979–2016)

13 movies

Star Wars is likely to be extra standard than Star Trek general, however the latter has the previous beat on the subject of live-action motion pictures. A couple of decade after the basic authentic collection aired on TV within the late Sixties, Star Trek motion pictures started being produced from 1979 onwards. At first, they centered on the forged of the unique collection, however later movies have characters from Star Trek: The Subsequent Era, and the latest trilogy (2009-2016) served as a reboot greater than something.

It is also a collection that turns into a lot larger whenever you take all the opposite numerous TV exhibits under consideration, however even with out the TV aspect of issues, 13 continues to be a formidable variety of entries. Star Trek has simply turn into the second-most vital sci-fi collection in cinema historical past with a title starting with “Star,” and that is received to depend for one thing.

14

‘Halloween’ (1978–2022)

13 movies

Halloween is a textbook horror franchise that’s had some severe longevity whereas undoubtedly peaking with the primary film, and it’s not even shut. It’s a bit like The Exorcist, in that regard, with each collection having the excellence of being re-worked (and a few would say ruined) in the twenty first century by David Gordon Inexperienced, who – exterior maybe 2018’s Halloween – doesn’t actually appear to have what it takes to make good horror.

However John Carpenter actually has a knack for horror, and he made one thing so splendidly easy, direct, and persistently intense with the unique Halloween. He didn’t direct any motion pictures after that (as an alternative generally writing and/or composing the music), however the collection he mainly created has lived on as a persistently dependable one financially. There’s a man, he has a masks + knife, and he kills folks. Generally, that’s all you want.

13

‘The Muppets’ (1979–2021)

14 movies

Lengthy earlier than there have been any Muppets motion pictures, the characters created by Jim Henson appeared on tv, first on a present referred to as Sam and Buddies, then generally on Sesame Road, after which, finally, on their very own The Muppet Present. Because of the recognition of the final of these, The Muppets finally made the leap to the massive display, with the primary (and doubtless greatest) of their motion pictures, not so creatively referred to as The Muppet Film, popping out in 1979.

Since then, The Muppets have all the time remained standard sufficient to proceed getting motion pictures, updates/reboots, and TV specials, although not all the time persistently on the similar stage of recognition. However you’d must have a chilly coronary heart to withstand all their motion pictures outright, particularly when one among them is a Christmas basic as sturdy as The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).

12

‘The Ring’ (1995–2022)

15 movies

Should you depend tv motion pictures, the Ring movie franchise really started again in 1995, although it was 1998’s Ring (generally referred to as “Ringu”) that made it rise in recognition. After which, on a global scale, Ring entered popular culture exterior simply Japan in 2002, because of there being an English-language remake – and a not-at-all-bad one at that – launched that yr, referred to as The Ring.

There have been additional English-language and Japanese movies made within the collection, with a complete of 15 being made throughout 27 years. And the central thought on the core of the unique film, and a few of its follow-ups, stays an undeniably nice one so far as horror film premises go, with cursed videotapes placing an on the time trendy spin on supernatural/ghost-related horror, exploring a very eerie and lethal curse.

11

‘Spider-Man’ (1977–2023)

17 movies

It is likely to be shocking to some, however Spider-Man‘s existence as a movie collection didn’t start with Sam Raimi’s trilogy within the early 2000s. That was the primary blockbuster Spider-Man movie, certain, however the comedian e book character had been in a number of far smaller live-action movies earlier than then, relationship again to the late Nineteen Seventies (there was additionally an official Japanese movie that includes the character round this time, too).

Spider-Man’s all the time been a well-liked comedian e book determine, however within the twenty first century, he is turn into probably the most standard film characters, too. With three Raimi-directed movies, two Superb Spider-Man movies, three within the MCU, and an animated collection primarily based across the multiverse-hopping Spider-Verse collection, it is protected to imagine the famed web-slinger is not going wherever anytime quickly, and can proceed to reign supreme on the field workplace.

10

‘Batman’ (1943–2024)

18 movies

The character of Batman has been round for many years, each as a comic book e book character and as a live-action hero. He’s an everlasting superhero in so some ways, and regularly malleable so far as making movies of varied completely different genres go. Batman can participate in campy tales and extra grounded movies, and has confirmed well-suited to the format of animation, too. Additional, the Batman motion pictures are notably different by way of high quality, too.

Positive, to get the depend for Batman movies as much as 18, you do must depend some movies the place the character seems in a supporting capability, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good quantity even when you simply have a look at movies the place Batman has been the lead character. He additionally appears to be probably the most regularly recast superheroes of all time, maybe as a result of filmmakers wish to maintain placing completely different spins on him and his wealthy comedian e book world.

9

‘The Mummy’ (1932–2017)

19 movies

The Mummy collection won’t have essentially the most movie entries at a nonetheless respectable 19, however it might probably depend itself among the many longest-running franchises. With 85 years between the very first Mummy movie and the latest one, it is unlikely that anybody who noticed The Mummy in theaters in 1932 was additionally in a position to see 2017’s The Mummy in theaters.

Perhaps it is acceptable {that a} collection about an historical, undead, doubtlessly immortal mummy will outlive us all. Nonetheless, 2017’s infamous The Mummy movie (starring the normally dependable Tom Cruise) has not solely impacted the potential for extra Mummy motion pictures however the potential for extra trendy Common Monster motion pictures, as that movie was alleged to kick off a model new cinematic universe, had it been successful. As such, it is most likely greatest to maintain to the unique The Mummy collection, with numerous entries nonetheless holding up.

Watch on Hulu

8

‘Pokémon’ (1998–2020)

24 movies

24 motion pictures is a fairly large quantity simply taken by itself, however the magnitude of the Pokémon collection is even simpler to understand when one considers that these motion pictures all got here out inside a time frame underneath 23 years. Meaning there was, on common, simply over one a yr, with a lot of them being anime motion pictures launched throughout the 2000s.

Pokémon can also be a lot greater than only a film collection, given it started as a video-game collection, then there have been buying and selling playing cards, and, round that point, a manga collection after which an anime adaptation that added some extra story to issues general. There’s additionally some live-action stuff to contemplate, most not too long ago the 2019 movie Detective Pikachu, which was an adaption of the 2016 Nintendo 3DS sport of the identical identify. That is one franchise that’s, for higher or worse, seemingly unstoppable.

7

‘James Bond’ (1962–2021)

27 movies

The James Bond collection has endured for six a long time now and exhibits no signal of stopping any time quickly. It is a cleverly devised collection, because it maintains numerous tropes, characters, and formulation all through all movies, however has the liberty to forged a brand new actor within the lead function when wanted, in addition to the potential to push the collection in numerous instructions on the subject of tone and even style. No matter tone, the Bond movie collection nearly all the time delivers on the subject of motion.

It is why the usually foolish Roger Moore movies can stand alongside the grittier, Jason Bourne-esque Daniel Craig motion pictures. It is accepted that each approaches are James Bond, however every represents a distinct taste of the collection, in a means. Whereas it is led to some fairly dangerous James Bond motion pictures and some artistic misfires, it a minimum of all the time has a method to bounce again or redefine itself as a collection, which is likely to be the important thing to its enduring legacy and recognition over quite a few generations.

6

‘Zatoichi’ (1962–2010)

28 movies

The Zatoichi collection follows a blind masseuse who’s additionally a talented swordsman and his numerous adventures in Japan throughout the first half of the 1800s. 26 movies starred Shintaro Katsu, with two movies made in 2003 and 2010, every respectively that includes a distinct actor within the lead function (Katsu was so nice that neither felt fairly proper).

On prime of that, there was additionally a Zatoichi TV present starring Katsu that went for about 100 episodes, so the character is a vastly standard, influential, and prolific one. What’s superb in regards to the movie collection a minimum of is the way it usually stays so partaking while additionally having every film observe a comparatively distinct components. There’s all the time good motion, well-executed comedic reduction, Katsu’s charisma, and delightful Japanese surroundings to fall again on, even within the collection’ lesser entries. So far as long-running samurai collection go, it is exhausting to prime the quite a few and largely nice Zatoichi motion pictures.

5

‘The Marvel Cinematic Universe’ (2008–2024)

34 movies

With 33 movies in simply 15 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the fastest-growing (and the most well-liked) movie collection at this second in time. Burnout and viewers fatigue may properly be on the horizon, but when not, it is doable that inside a decade or so, the MCU may find yourself the largest movie collection of all time, a minimum of at its present charge of progress. It is inconsistent as a franchise, certain, however the MCU’s greatest entries make up a few of one of the best superhero motion pictures of all time.

This is not even factoring within the quite a few TV exhibits which are being launched to Disney+, beginning in 2021. There’s quite a bit to look at, and given the MCU is way youthful than many comparably-sized movie collection’, it already looks like a behemoth that simply retains rising. Nonetheless, the primary decade of the MCU was concluded excellently with Avengers: Infinity Battle and Endgame, so hopefully, there are issues on the horizon that the collection as an entire is presently working in direction of.

4

‘Godzilla’ (1954–2024)

38 movies

Funnily sufficient, the Godzilla collection could be in comparison with the James Bond collection, when exploring why every is so profitable. Like James Bond, the Godzilla collection has room to vary, develop, and blend up numerous tones and storylines inside the one collection, while retaining related characters, plots, and numerous tropes and logos that followers would count on to see.

In every franchise, some Godzilla motion pictures are foolish and extra comedic, and others get slightly extra violent, darkish, and intense. It is easy to name some very underrated and underappreciated, too. With Godzilla particularly, some movies prioritize fantasy, some are science-fiction heavy, some are horror motion pictures, some give attention to motion, and a few are slightly little bit of every part. It is also been a longer-running movie collection and has extra entries than James Bond, so sure, Godzilla may undoubtedly defeat James Bond in a one-on-one struggle; no query. Neglect Godzilla Vs. Kong; give us Godzilla Vs. Bond!

3

‘Doraemon’ (1980–2023)

42 movies

Whereas the Godzilla franchise is probably going essentially the most well-known long-running movie collection produced by Toho, it isn’t the one with essentially the most entries. It is because it is overwhelmed out by the Doraemon film franchise, which is a family-friendly sci-fi/fantasy/comedy/anime collection – a few of these animated motion pictures being higher than others – that follows a robotic cat from the longer term, and the best way he helps – and goes on adventures with – a younger boy and his pals.

It solely has a cult following exterior Japan, although the title character is iconic and sure recognizable to those that aren’t acquainted with the movies. In Japan, it is an enormous collection, and equally well-known is the long-running manga collection that originated the character, in addition to numerous anime collection which have aired on TV over the previous a long time. Doraemon is a big franchise, and so even watching all 42 movies continues to be arguably solely scratching the floor.

Watch on Netflix

2

‘Otoko wa Tsurai yo’ (1969–2019)

50 movies

The Otoko wa Tsurai yo (or It is Powerful Being a Man) collection stands because the uncommon movie collection that reached the milestone of fifty motion pictures. And impressively, it did so over 50 years, too, with all however the closing movie that includes Kiyoshi Atsumi as the unfortunate lead character, Tora-san, a lovable but flawed bachelor who may by no means correctly calm down with a romantic associate, irrespective of how exhausting he tried.

He sadly handed away within the late Nineteen Nineties, leaving the collection and not using a correct conclusion. However for the fiftieth anniversary of the primary movie, a closing, fiftieth movie was made in 2019, and it is the most effective Japanese movies in current reminiscence. Serving as a tribute for each Atsumi and his character, it celebrates the monumental, humorous, unhappy, persistently entertaining Japanese movie collection that is sadly criminally underrated exterior of Japan. It is an excellent comedy collection, and a tremendously prolonged one.Purchase on eBay

1

‘Wong Fei-hung’ (1949–2018)

123 movies

The Wong Fei-hung collection is probably going the longest film franchise of all time, with a staggering 123 movies belonging to a collection that is been operating for seven a long time now. Under no circumstances is it a collection that has a single creator or actor behind it, on account of its longevity, however every movie within the collection revolves across the similar central character.

That determine is the titular Wong Fei-hung, a Chinese language martial artist and people hero who lived all through the again half of the 1800s and handed away within the Nineteen Twenties. He is been immortalized in over 100 movies to this point, with essentially the most well-known of these probably being the films within the As soon as Upon a Time in China collection, the place he is performed by famous person martial arts actor Jet Li (in 4 out of the six entries). These are most likely one of the best locations to begin for these eager to discover this character’s cinematic historical past.

NEXT: Films That Are Good From Begin to End