Opinions
You Decide: The Most Powerful Movie Franchise in History?
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 30, 2007
Yesterday I gave you my personal list of The Ten Most Powerful Movie Franchises in History, so today it is time for you to give me yours. Supposedly, there were tons of great movie franchises that I left off my list; I let personal bias get in the way of including Star Trek, complete forgot to include The Godfather and I am almost ashamed that I overlooked the Terminator series. But alas, as many commenters have pointed out, my list was a bit subjective. So let’s throw objectivity way out the window and take it to a vote.
There you go, 26 choices based on your feedback. If you think of any others that should be included, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line at neil@filmschoolrejects.com. Also, don’t hesitate to fight it out in the comment area below…
Enjoy!
PS - And don’t forget to vote in last week’s poll and tell us what you think is The Best Third Installment of All-Time.
Read more articles by Neil Miller
28 Comments
May 30th, 2007 at 8:32 am
[…] Don’t like my list? Tell me what you would pick in this week’s poll: You Decide: The Most Powerful Movie Franchise in History? […]
May 30th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Apart from Godzilla, you don’t have any non-Anglophone films and precious few films from before the 80s/late 70s. Most of the films are mid 90s and up. Nice “history.”
May 30th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
You insulted him for lack of history and yet you offered no examples?
Offer an example of something from prior to Star Wars that even comes close as a “powerful movie franchise” and your comment will have credence.
May 30th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
It’s pretty hard to say anything other than “Star Wars.” It by far has the most non-movie pull through toys, games, television, books, etc.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Frankenstein! The Mummy! Creature from the Black Lagoon! Wolfman! Dracula!
May 30th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Star Trek actually had more impact on society in our daily life. But star wars is still the best trilogy ever made.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
As much as I like Star Wars, the only reason it’s blowing away the other movies is that this is linked on THEFORCE.NET. I can almost gaurantee if the other franchises fan sites had a link, the numbers would be more competitive!
May 30th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Even though Theforce.net has a link, there isn’t any franchise that comes close to the clout of Star Wars. As tMax said, the numbers would be more competitive, that doesn’t make those franchises powerful. Karl says there’s no history, but name one single franchise that not only has endured, but has the power of Star Wars. Laurel and Hardy had several films, but I don’t recall fan magazines, conventions that draw tens of thousands, merchandise that makes billions and a religion (see census responders listing ‘Jedi’)
May 31st, 2007 at 12:04 am
I think your poll is not good enough, choosing just 1 movie is not a good idea it gives advantage and actually I’m not a fan of just one movie, besides fan sites will screw up the poll (see starwars votes), I would be better if you can choose at least 3 so there is more balance to the (fan quote here) overall results…. by the way, you forgot to add Michael Jackson’s Thriller :p
May 31st, 2007 at 12:37 am
Can anyone honestly say Star Wars didn’t have the most impact on the modern movie franchise, from the movies on that list?
If so, explain.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:40 am
i dont think the above statement is refutable in any way. even coming from the studio heads during the release of star wars in 1977, the ones that had nothing to do with the film at all, state that Star Wars, more than any other film changed the course of movie going. the Top grossing films before star wars im pretty sure were God father 2, followed by God father 1, you can see just from that the impact star wars had. it enabled film makers to use their imaginations rather than just rehashing what society had already done, and thats why it is the greatest franchise of all time
May 31st, 2007 at 3:40 am
Star Wars of course ^^
May 31st, 2007 at 6:34 am
As a *movie* franchise I would have to agree with Star Wars (for many of the aforementioned reasons) but I think the most powerful contribuor to our society is Superman in all his many and varied forms. While the movie franchise may not be the most powerful, I think the character Superman is one of the most powerful franchises in history (this is refering to all forms of media). He keeps getting reincarnated–usually successfully–every generation. Today it’s Smallville and Superman Returns. A decade ago it was Lois and Clark, tweny years before that it was the Christopher Reeve. Not to mention the comics, etc. Since his introduction in 1932, Superman basically started the superhero genre, and has become a cultural icon.
Oops, sorry for being long winded–I think I’ll step off my soapbox now
May 31st, 2007 at 10:16 am
Curious that no one has mentioned perhaps the most venerable franchise in movie history: Tarzan!
Tarzan, the original action-hero.
Tarzan films span virtually the entirety of moviemaking history, from silent-film to the modern era. Can’t say how “powerful” the franchise is; and it has most definitely had its ups and downs; but taken as a whole, the longevity speaks for itself. Tarzan remains the single most filmed character of all time.
I’m sorry to see Tarzan omitted from the list…
May 31st, 2007 at 12:38 pm
“Tarzan remains the single most filmed character of all time”
Actually according to numerous sources that honor belongs to either Sherlock Holmes or Dracula. The 2004 Guinness Book of World Records lists Holmes as most filmed character.
May 31st, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Tarzan ? Superman ? are you kidding?
why dont u include flash gordon and phantom while you are at it? they are all dead horses (well maybe except supes - he’s still out there , sometimes literally)
Star Wars as an franchise is unbeatable, with new 3D cartoons and live action TV show, this isnt going away, and if lucas bites it, maybe there will be studio sponsered star wars film sequels or new stories …who knows
May 31st, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Star Wars is unbeatable because of it being around so long and popular so long…but dont think for ONE SECOND that if this website put up a poll….favorite movie series…..that star wars would beat LOTR…in fact I would personally love to see that poll!!!…FAVORITE MOVIE FRANCHISE!!! LETS SEE IT! LORD OF THE RINGS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO TOWN!
May 31st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I agree with most of these picks and you could easily replace one or two with a few not on the list etc etc……but what about taking a stab at some of the horror movie franchises?? Some of them have been around for a loooong damn time…FRIDAY THE 13THs, HALLOWEENS, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREETS, HELLRAISERS etc etc….OK, a few are pushing it a bit but a few have been around for a looong time, have HUGE fan bases, haven’t made as much money as your top ten but have made a lot of damn money with all of them combined. Just a thought……and I can’t believe ALIEN is not in there somewhere or atleast mentioned….that was a very important movie……
May 31st, 2007 at 10:31 pm
In America we had film series centered around a single character since before there was color film or sound. Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin ring a bell?
How about The Three Stooges? Roy Rogers’ westerns?
In france: Francois Truffaut’s 4 films centerered around a character named “Antoine Doinel” and then there’s Jaques Tati, France’s equivalent to Buster Keaton, but with sound and in color.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:24 am
Yes, Star Wars (along with Harry Potter and LOTR) are the most popular franschise today. But Star Wars is a mix of Flash Gordon, Memphis Belle (the 40´s documentary) and Kurosawa´s Hiden Fortress, these movies have an incredible lack of originality, even the special effects apear before in Kubrick´s Odissey 2001. James Bond, Mickey Rooney´s Andy Hardy and Richard Dooner´s Superman set the standard of what today we can call “Movie Franchise” (Note: Star Trek is a TV phenomenon without competition in that arena, the films are just extensions)
June 1st, 2007 at 12:40 am
Yeah considering Star Wars effect on culture, that ranking is deserving.
Although I do think Indy is a bit low. I would have him higher then Shrek.
But that’s just me
June 1st, 2007 at 2:04 am
It’s not really possible to argue against Star Wars. It was one of the first “trilogies.” It was one of the first blockbusters. It was technologically groundbreaking. It birthed ILM which to this day is one of, if not the best Post houses on the planet. It birthed THX certification, the absolute standard in audio and video quality. It turned Harrison Ford into a star. It pushed Sci Fi into the realm of respectability.
When the question is “what is the most powerful in history” no other series has had as much of an impact. Star Wars reigned from 1977 to 1983 and people dreamed of it and wrote books about it and bought toys and lunch boxes. They bought laser discs and VHS. Then in 1997 Star Wars, unlike any other franchise before it, came back and said “I’m still the best.” Despite the movies sucking, all three of the new ones made bank. Star Wars games are still huge sellers. Star Wars is a money making franchise that wields the most power, period.
Indy was good, but doesn’t have nearly the power. Lord of the Rings? Great. Is it a powerful movie franchise? Not yet. It doesnt sell games and toys and lunch boxes the way star wars does. Plus, it’s only been out a few years. 20 years from now will it still be revered?
Star Trek is close, but still less popular and less profitable. James Bond, while awesome and I love it, doesn’t sell toys or lunch boxes and all 20 of the Bond movies added up are still less than (price adjusted) any 3 Star Wars movies. I didn’t actually research that, but I’m almost certain it’s true.
Most people seem to be answering “What franchise do I like best?” Lets be honest, Back to the Future and Aliens? I LOVE those movies. They should not even be close to being considered on the same level as Star Wars in terms of ‘power.’
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Harry Potter of course! If not now, then definately after all 7 movies are out.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Here’s my list on the top fifteen based on money made, tickets sold, and influence on culture:
1. Star Wars
2. Harry Potter
3. James Bond
4. The Lord of the Rings
5. Spider-man
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
7. Jurassic Park
8. Shrek
9. Indiana Jones
10. Batman
11. The Godfather
12. X-Men
13. Supernam
14. The Matrix
15. The Terminator
16. Back to the Future
17. Star Trek
18. Jaws
19. Planet of the Apes
20. Toy Story
July 17th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I mean top twenty! Anyway, respond to my post!
August 15th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
after thoroughly reviewing most of the preceeding comments, i would have to agree that SUPERMAN, ALIENS, DRACULA and TARZAN should have made the list.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I consider myself a genuine film buff and thought that you overlooked the “ALIENS’ series of films. Another Alien sequel could be produced tomorrow and make some real money. I would think you could even include Alien Vs Predator in the series. These films continue to be very entertaining and have stood the test of time. I think that you should consider other factors besides the box-office. I am not sure Shrek will ever be considered a classic. I think critical acclaim should be part of your list. The ‘Die-Hard’ seres seems to be still going strong as well.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 am
There are other genre’s besides Science Fiction ya know! What About Sylvester Stallone “Rocky” and “Rambo” doesn’t longevity count? How about “Planet of the Apes”? Does anyone remember the Dean Martin “Matt Helm” Series? They may not have much impact today, but if your talking historically I believe there were 4 or 5 films in that sereis during the ’60’s and ’70’s