What movie has the most sequels: Top 10 film franchises that keep going

What movie has the most sequels? The Godzilla franchise roars ahead as the film series with the most sequels in cinematic history, with an incredible 38 sequels since its debut in 1954.  But it’s far from alone, as certain franchises such as the James Bond franchise and The Fast and the Furious just keep going, constantly reinventing themselves to stay fresh and profitable. Which others make this list?

Key takeaways

• The Godzilla franchise holds the record for the movie series with the most sequels, boasting 38 sequels since 1954.
• Several other long-running franchises, such as Carry On, Saw, and Batman, have also produced numerous sequels.
• These enduring film series have succeeded by continuously reinventing themselves, building expansive universes and iconic characters that keep audiences engaged.

What movie has the most sequels?

The Godzilla franchise holds the record for the movie with the longest sequels of any film series, with a total of 38 mainline entries. These films are divided into four distinct subseries, each representing a different era in the franchise’s long history. 

The Showa era includes the first 15 films, followed by the Heisei era with seven more. Then comes the Millennium era, comprising six films, and finally, the Reiwa era, which features Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One, and three animated titles. However, the latter are not considered part of the mainline series.

Interestingly, while the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras are named after the reigns of Japanese emperors, the release periods of the films don’t always match the exact timelines of those reigns. For instance, The Return of Godzilla, technically part of the Heisei series, was released during the final years of the Showa period. 

Likewise, Shin Godzilla, a Reiwa-era film, came out while Japan was still in the Heisei period. The Millennium era, meanwhile, was produced entirely during the Heisei era.

List of film franchises with the most sequels

In addition to Godzilla, several other film franchises have racked up an impressive number of sequels over the years. These cinematic movies with 3 sequels or more have long captivated audiences, building expansive universes, iconic characters, and enduring legacies that span generations. Below is a list of these top movie franchises.

1. Carry on

• Number of sequels: 31
• Year of debut: 1958

Carry On is a classic British comedy franchise that consists 31 films, making it one of the most prolific series in cinema history. Running from 1958 to 1992, the franchise also included four Christmas specials, a television series, and various stage shows. 

Produced by Peter Rogers and directed by Gerald Thomas, the Carry On films became known for their cheeky humour, slapstick comedy, and an ensemble cast of familiar faces like Sid James, Kenneth Williams, and Charles Hawtrey. 

2. James Bond

• Number of sequels: 25
• Year of debut: 1962

James Bond, another movie that has the most sequels, is a legendary fictional spy created by British author Ian Fleming in 1953. Since his first big-screen appearance, the role has been taken on by several actors, including Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and most recently, Daniel Craig.

The vast majority of these James Bond films were produced by Eo Productions, which owns the rights to all of Fleming’s original novels. The most recent entry in the franchise, No Time to Die, was released in September 2021.

3. Star Trek

• Number of sequels: 13
• Year of debut: 1979

Star Trek is an iconic American science fiction franchise that began as a television series created by Gene Roddenberry, originally titled simply Star Trek. It is now widely known as Star Trek: The Original Series. The film branch of the franchise, produced by Paramount Pictures, launched in 1979 with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 

This film, as well as the next five, featured the original series cast, bringing their space-faring adventures to the big screen. The seventh film, Star Trek Generations (1994), was the bridge between the original crew and the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The following three films starred the Next Generation cast exclusively, concluding with Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002.

4. Friday the 13th

• Number of sequels: 12
• Year of debut: 1980

Friday the 13th is a renowned American horror franchise that includes twelve slasher films, along with a television series, novels, comic books, video games, and a wide array of tie-in merchandise. At the heart of the series is the menacing figure of Jason Voorhees, a boy believed to have drowned at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff. The event fuels the blood-soaked vengeance central to the films.

The franchise has become one of the most commercially successful in American horror history, not just because of the enduring popularity of the films themselves, but also its vast merchandising empire. It has inspired countless references across popular culture.

5. The Fast and the Furious

• Number of sequels: 11
• Year of debut: 2001

Is Fast and Furious the longest movie series? Even though it is not, this high-octane American action franchise with 11 sequels is built around a series of films that explore the worlds of street racing, daring heists, and global espionage. The franchise kicked off in 2001 with its first film. This film was inspired by a 1998 Vibe magazine article titled "Racer X" by Ken Li.

The early films formed an original tetralogy focused on illegal street racing, culminating in Fast & Furious (2009). With Fast Five (2011), the series shifted gears into a more action-packed, heist-driven narrative, embracing globe-trotting missions and spy-thriller elements. The most recent entry, Fast X, raced into cinemas on 19 May 2023, continuing the saga’s reputation for explosive stunts, fast cars, and family-driven drama.

6. Star Wars

• Number of sequels: 11
• Year of debut: 1977

Star Wars is a groundbreaking science fiction franchise that includes a mix of live-action and animated films. Originally conceived by George Lucas, the saga began with a trilogy set in medias res before eventually evolving into a trilogy of trilogies, now collectively referred to as the “Skywalker Saga.”

The franchise began in 1977 with the release of Star Wars (later retitled A New Hope). It was followed by two iconic sequels: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). These three films form the Star Wars original trilogy and laid the foundation for a cultural phenomenon that would span decades and redefine science fiction in cinema.

7. Batman 

• Number of sequels: 10
• Year of debut: 1943

The Batman franchise centres on the iconic superhero Batman, a character originating from American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman first appeared on screen in two serial films during the 1940s: Batman and Batman and Robin. 

The character gained further popularity with the 1966 Batman feature film. This was an adaptation of the hit 1960s television series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, both of whom reprised their roles in the film. In the late 1980s, Warner Bros. revived Batman for the big screen with a fresh series of feature films, starting with the critically acclaimed Batman in 1989. 

Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton in the titular role, this film set the tone for a darker, more serious take on the Caped Crusader. This would later influence numerous sequels and adaptations in the years to come.

8. Saw

• Number of sequels: 10
• Year of debut: 2004

Saw is an American horror series created by Australian filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell. It all began with the original Saw film released in 2004, which rapidly gained global recognition and became a significant pop culture phenomenon. Known for its intense psychological thrills and inventive, often gruesome traps, the franchise has left a lasting mark on the horror genre and spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise worldwide.

9. Rocky 

• Number of sequels: 9
• Year of debut: 1976

The Rocky films, created by Sylvester Stallone, are an American sports drama series that follows the life and career of the boxer Rocky Balboa in Philadelphia. The original film, written by Stallone, debuted in 1976. It was then succeeded by five sequels released between 1979 and 2006: Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, and Rocky Balboa.

Stallone took on both writing and directing responsibilities for four of these sequels. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer distributed all six films. Subsequently, the franchise expanded with the Creed series, which centres on a new generation. The movies include Creed (2015), Creed II (2018), and Creed III (2023).

10. Harry Potter

• Number of sequels: 8
• Year of debut: 2001

Harry Potter is a film series adapted from the novels by J.K. Rowling. Produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the franchise consists of eight fantasy films. It began with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001 and concluded with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.

The series was primarily produced by David Heyman. It stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson as the central trio: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. The success of these films paved the way for a spin-off prequel series, starting with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016.

Final word

What movie has the most sequels? The Godzilla franchise stands unrivalled as the movie with the most sequels, boasting a remarkable 38 instalments that have spanned decades. Yet, it shares the spotlight with other enduring film series like Carry On, James Bond, and The Fast and the Furious, each continuously reinventing itself to captivate audiences worldwide. These franchises demonstrate the power of longevity in cinema, building expansive universes and iconic characters that keep fans coming back for more. 

Tuko.co.ke also published an article about the top 25 best movies featuring lions of all time, listing must-watch films that capture the strength, bravery, and majesty of these iconic creatures. From beloved classics like The Lion King to gripping documentaries and thrilling dramas, this list covers a wide range of genres, showcasing lions in all their glory.

Read on to discover detailed insights on each movie, including IMDb ratings, runtimes, and why these films have captivated audiences worldwide.

Source: TUKO.co.ke