8 Iconic Movie Franchises With a Perfect Track Record
Which movie franchise has consistently delivered top-notch films without any misses?
While movie franchises may be more common in modern cinema, it's still incredibly rare to see an entire film series that hasn't released at least one bad movie. Many modern movies are designed with a plan to build on the IP and expand the franchise. Film studios have seen great multi-billion dollar successes come from movie franchises that explore one specific universe and keep audiences coming back again and again. However, when the building of a franchise takes priority over the quality of individual projects, film quality can suffer drastically.
Creating a great movie requires a great level of care, attention to detail and often a large team of talented people to make something special. Of course, almost anyone who goes into making a film is likely to try to do their best and create something that will resonate with audiences, but a movie can be bad for numerous reasons, such as lack of communication between teams or too many changes and alterations to a finished product. Thankfully, there are some incredible franchises where everything worked together well and finished strong.
Back To The Future Trilogy
Bringing Time Travel Up To Date
The Back to the Future franchise, written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, played a key role in popularizing time travel in modern sci-fi. With its great music, young hero, and captivating storyline, the movies quickly gained a large following and received positive reviews. While the first film remains a standout, each entry in the series maintained high quality, making it a rare trilogy where every movie is enjoyable and deserving of a rewatch.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Back to the Future (1985) | 8.5 | 93% | 94% |
Back to the Future Part II (1989) | 7.8 | 62% | 85% |
Back to the Future Part III (1990) | 7.4 | 80% | 78% |
Jumanji
Fantasy Games Brought To Life
The original Jumanji film has achieved cult classic status over the years, largely due to the exceptional performance by the late Robin Williams. Released in 1995, the movie was a highly entertaining adventure that captivated audiences. The franchise expanded with a cartoon series that continued the story of Alan Parrish. However, it took more than 20 years for a sequel to be released, introducing Jumanji to a new generation. The modern films boast a star-studded cast, attracting audiences with their talent. With a clever concept and updates to the franchise, the subsequent entries are arguably better than the original.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Jumanji (1995) | 7.1 | 51% | 63% |
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) | 6.9 | 76% | 87% |
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) | 6.7 | 71% | 87% |
Toy Story
Pixar's Debut Film And Most Popular Series
Pixar originally started as a graphic design company affiliated with Lucasfilms, focusing on creating special effects for movies. After about 15 years, they transitioned into producing their own full-length animated films, with Toy Story as their first major success. Following the triumph of Toy Story, Pixar formed a strong partnership with Disney, leading to a successful collaboration. Despite their evolution, Pixar has maintained its focus on creating quality content, evident in their ongoing production of new Toy Story installments, including an upcoming fifth movie.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Toy Story (1995) | 8.3 | 100% | 92% |
Toy Story 2 (1999) | 7.9 | 100% | 87% |
Toy Story 3 (2010) | 8.3 | 98% | 90% |
Toy Story 4 (2019) | 7.7 | 97% | 94% |
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Christopher Nolan's Dark Take On Batman And Gotham City
Christopher Nolan's rise to fame was evident as he transitioned from Batman Begins to The Dark Knight Rises in 2012, solidifying his reputation as one of Hollywood's most skilled directors. Prior to Nolan's involvement, Batman adaptations had seen various changes over the years. However, Nolan's approach brought a darker, more realistic tone to the comic book hero, captivating audiences worldwide with exceptional performances, iconic costumes, vehicles, and thrilling action sequences throughout the trilogy.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Batman Begins (2005) | 8.2 | 85% | 94% |
The Dark Knight (2008) | 9.0 | 94% | 94% |
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) | 8.4 | 87% | 90% |
John Wick
Keanu Reeves Is The Master Assassin, John Wick
John Wick's success continues to grow with more movies and spin-offs planned for the future. Despite some mixed reviews for the spin-off show, The Continental, the main movie series starring Keanu Reeves as the iconic assassin has maintained a flawless track record up to the release of John Wick: Chapter 4. Unlike many franchises that decline over time, the John Wick series has consistently improved as the character's journey and quest for freedom from The High Table's control have become more defined.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
John Wick (2014) | 7.4 | 86% | 81% |
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | 7.4 | 89% | 85% |
John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum | 7.4 | 89% | 86% |
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) | 7.7 | 94% | 93% |
The Dollars Trilogy
AKA The Man With No Name Trilogy
The Dollars Trilogy, despite not being initially planned as a trilogy, became a significant part of film history. Clint Eastwood's portrayal of a nameless character in each film, combined with Sergio Leone's direction, created a connection that led many to see the films as a series. This unintentional trilogy played a pivotal role in the rise of the Spaghetti Western genre and catapulted Eastwood's career to new levels. Each entry in the trilogy was highly influential and enjoyed immense popularity during their release.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
A Fistful of Dollars (1964) | 7.9 | 98% | 91% |
For a Few Dollars More (1965) | 8.2 | 92% | 94% |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) | 8.8 | 97% | 97% |
The Hunger Games
Teenage Dystopian Thriller Starring Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson
When The Hunger Games was released in 2012, it entered a market saturated with young adult fiction and fantasy novels being adapted into films. Despite the mixed success of other franchises like Twilight and Harry Potter, The Hunger Games stood out by producing four successful films based on Suzanne Collins' original trilogy, along with a prequel story. These films managed to impress both critics and audiences, with each entry showcasing its own unique strengths and qualities.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
The Hunger Games (2012) | 7.2 | 84% | 81% |
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) | 7.5 | 90% | 89% |
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (2014) | 6.6 | 70% | 71% |
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015) | 6.5 | 69% | 66% |
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) | 6.8 | 64% | 89% |
Before Trilogy
Ethan Hawke And Julie Delpy's Epic Love Story
The Before trilogy successfully released three films with nine-year intervals between each, yet managed to remain captivating throughout. Richard Linklater and Kim Krizan collaborated closely with the actors, delving into the progression of the narrative for each movie. This resulted in an epic love story spanning multiple decades, with each film unfolding events within a single day. Each installment in the trilogy feels significant, innovative, and deepens the connection between the audience and the characters on screen. Furthermore, the extended time gaps make this series inclusive across generations, uniting younger viewers with long-time fans of the earlier films.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
Before Sunrise (1995) | 8.1 | 100% | 93% |
Before Sunset (2004) | 8.1 | 94% | 92% |
Before Midnight (2013) | 7.9 | 98% | 82% |
Middle-Earth
J.R.R. Tolkien's Epic Fantasy Brought To Life By Peter Jackson
J.R.R. Tolkien's intricate world of Middle-earth was brought to life by the talented writer's imagination and meticulous craftsmanship. Although previous attempts to adapt his stories had moderate success, it was Peter Jackson's involvement that truly propelled the franchise to new heights. The initial trilogy from 2001 to 2003 was a massive hit, followed by The Hobbit prequels just over a decade later. While some entries may outshine others, each manages to deliver visually stunning, captivating content that stays true to Tolkien's original vision.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) | 8.9 | 91% | 95% |
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) | 8.8 | 95% | 95% |
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) | 9.0 | 94% | 86% |
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) | 7.8 | 64% | 83% |
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) | 7.8 | 75% | 85% |
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) | 7.4 | 59% | 74% |
The Godfather
The Original American Crime Movies
The Godfather franchise, particularly the first two installments, is consistently ranked among the greatest films of all time. Francis Ford Coppola's series brought a sense of innovation to cinema, pushing boundaries with its groundbreaking scenes. The narratives are captivating, filled with drama, and showcase the exceptional talent within the Corleone family. While the third installment may receive criticism in comparison to its predecessors, it still stands out as a remarkable film in the realm of crime dramas. Overall, The Godfather franchise remains impeccable, with no weak entries.
Movie Title | IMDb Score | RT Critic Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|
The Godfather (1972) | 9.2 | 97% | 98% |
The Godfather, Part II (1974) | 9.0 | 96% | 97% |
The Godfather, Part III (1990) | 7.6 | 66% | 67% |
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an insightful exploration of movie franchises that have consistently maintained high quality throughout their installments. It highlights the rarity of such achievements, where each film not only meets expectations but also enhances the overall experience for the audience. By showcasing examples like the "Back to the Future" trilogy, "Jumanji," and "Toy Story," the article demonstrates the importance of prioritizing quality over franchise expansion.
The article also emphasizes the significance of creative vision and close collaboration in producing exceptional film series. Directors like Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Nolan, and Peter Jackson have played pivotal roles in shaping iconic franchises, bringing their unique styles and dedication to their projects. The result is a collection of films that transcend time, captivating audiences with their timeless appeal and enduring legacy.
