The Oldest, Longest-Running Movie Franchises in America

The Love Bug (1968): Herbie, a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, becomes the beloved race car of an aspiring young driver named Jim. Together, they overcome obstacles and compete in thrilling races while mischievous Herbie adds charm and humor to their adventures.

Top Gun (1986): Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a talented fighter pilot, joins an elite United States Navy aviation school. He competes for supremacy in aerial combat while also navigating a complicated romance and dealing with the tragic death of a close friend.

Phantasm (1979): A young boy named Mike investigates a funeral home that harbors supernatural secrets, including an otherworldly undertaker known as the Tall Man. Mike, along with his older brother, battles terrifying creatures and enters a dimension of nightmares.

Fletch (1985): Irwin M. Fletcher, an investigative journalist with a penchant for disguises, becomes embroiled in a web of mystery and intrigue when he is approached by a millionaire seeking his help. Fletch uncovers a convoluted plot involving drugs and corruption while adopting various personas to uncover the truth.

The French Connection (1971): Two New York City detectives embark on a relentless pursuit of a French heroin smuggling ring in a story based on true events. Through intense surveillance and daring tactics, they aim to dismantle the criminal organization and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Sister Act (1992): Deloris, a lounge singer, witnesses a murder and is placed in a convent for her protection. While there, she transforms the church choir and brings joy to the nuns’ lives through her vibrant personality and uplifting musical performances.

First Blood (1982): John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran, becomes the target of a small-town sheriff who underestimates his combat skills. A cat-and-mouse game ensues as Rambo utilizes his military training to elude capture and fight back against his pursuers.

Ghostbusters (1984): A team of eccentric parapsychologists start a ghost-catching business in New York City. As supernatural occurrences escalate, they face off against an ancient Sumerian god and its minions in a comedic and action-packed battle to save the city from paranormal chaos.

The Transformers: The Movie (1986): Based on the popular toy line and animated series, the Autobots and Decepticons engage in an epic battle for control of the universe. Set in the year 2005, the film introduces new characters and features the heroic Optimus Prime fighting to save their world from the evil Unicron.

Children of the Corn (1984): A young couple finds themselves stranded in a small town in rural Nebraska inhabited solely by a malevolent cult of children led by their charismatic and sinister leader, Isaac. As they uncover the dark secrets of the town, they must fight for their lives and escape the clutches of the children, who worship a malevolent entity known as He Who Walks Behind the Rows.

The Shining (1980): Writer Jack Torrance takes a job as the caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel during the winter season. As he and his family become snowbound, the hotel’s supernatural forces gradually possess Jack, leading to terrifying consequences for his wife and son.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961): When the villainous Cruella de Vil kidnaps Dalmatian puppies with the intention of making fur coats out of their hides, their parents, Pongo and Perdita, rally a network of animals to rescue their offspring, embarking on a thrilling adventure across the English countryside to foil Cruella’s wicked plans.

The Toxic Avenger (1984): Melvin, a mild-mannered janitor, transforms into a mutated superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste. As the Toxic Avenger, he fights against crime and corruption in Tromaville, embracing his newfound powers and seeking justice in a campy and over-the-top manner.

The Karate Kid (1984): Daniel LaRusso, a teenager, moves to a new town where he faces bullying by a group of karate-trained peers. With the help of a wise and skilled mentor, Mr. Miyagi, Daniel learns karate and prepares for a tournament where he can confront his adversaries.

I Spit on Your Grave (1978): A young woman seeks revenge against a group of men who brutally assaulted her in the woods. She meticulously plans and executes her vengeance, subjecting her assailants to gruesome punishments in this controversial exploitation film.

The Evil Dead (1981): A group of friends vacationing in a remote cabin inadvertently unleashes demonic forces when they play an audiotape containing ancient incantations. They face a nightmarish battle against the possessed and fight for their lives in a gory and supernatural struggle.

Swamp Thing (1982): After a scientific experiment gone wrong, a government scientist transforms into a humanoid creature known as Swamp Thing. He defends the swamp’s ecosystem and battles against a ruthless scientist and his mercenaries, while forming a connection with a woman who becomes his ally.

The Muppet Movie (1979): Kermit the Frog embarks on a cross-country journey to Hollywood, aiming to pursue his dream of becoming a movie star. Along the way, he encounters a variety of memorable Muppet characters and faces comical challenges in this charming musical adventure.

Superman (1978): The iconic superhero story follows Clark Kent, an alien with superhuman abilities who fell to Earth and assumes the identity of Superman. He protects the citizens of Metropolis from the villainous Lex Luthor while navigating a dual life as a mild-mannered reporter.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Renowned archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to locate the religious artifact the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain it and wield its power. Indy embarks on a perilous journey across the globe, facing dangerous traps and enemies in his quest.

The Amityville Horror (1979): In this film based on a true story, a young couple moves into a house where a mass murder had taken place a year prior. They soon experience paranormal phenomena, including terrifying visions and escalating supernatural events that drive them to the edge of sanity.

Mad Max (1979): In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max Rockatansky, a former police officer, seeks revenge against a violent motorcycle gang who killed his family. He becomes a vigilante and engages in high-speed pursuits and explosive confrontations in this dystopian action film.

Halloween (1978): On Halloween night, psychopathic killer Michael Myers escapes a mental institution and returns to his hometown to continue his murderous rampage. As he stalks and terrorizes a group of teenagers, a young woman named Laurie Strode becomes his primary target.

Alien (1979): A crew aboard a commercial spacecraft, Nostromo, encounters a deadly extraterrestrial creature after investigating a distress signal on a distant planet. They must fight for their lives as the creature picks them off one by one in a terrifying battle for survival.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979): The crew of the starship USS Enterprise reunites to investigate a mysterious and powerful alien entity that is on a destructive course toward Earth. They embark on a thrilling adventure to intercept and understand the enigmatic force threatening their home planet.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Axel Foley, a Detroit detective, travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend. Operating outside the rules, he clashes with the local police and uncovers a dangerous network of criminals while using his street-smart skills to solve the case.

The Pink Panther (1963): Inspector Jacques Clouseau, a bumbling and inept detective, is assigned to solve the case of a stolen diamond known as the Pink Panther. Amid a series of comedic mishaps, he navigates the world of high society and attempts to catch the elusive thief.

A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969): Charlie Brown, the lovable underdog, decides to enter a spelling bee competition, hoping to prove himself and earn the respect of his peers. Through humorous misadventures and with the support of his friends, he learns valuable lessons about perseverance and self-belief.

Rocky (1976): Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer, gets a shot at the heavyweight championship when he is chosen to fight the reigning champion, Apollo Creed. Rocky trains rigorously and becomes an inspiration to the working-class community as he prepares for the fight of his life.

Shaft (1971): John Shaft, a smooth-talking private detective, takes on the task of finding and rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a crime lord. He dives into the gritty underworld of New York City, facing danger and corruption along the way.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): A group of friends encounters a family of cannibals while visiting an old homestead in rural Texas. They become the targets of Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding killer, in a relentless pursuit that leads to a horrifying fight for survival.

Planet of the Apes (1968): After crash-landing on a distant planet, an astronaut discovers a civilization where intelligent apes are the dominant species and humans are treated as slaves. He leads a rebellion against the oppressive ape society, revealing a shocking twist about the planet’s origins.

The Exorcist (1973): When a young girl named Regan becomes possessed by a demonic entity, her desperate mother seeks the help of two priests to save her. They confront the forces of evil in a harrowing battle to rid Regan of the demonic presence.

Star Wars (subsequently retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) (1977): Set in a galaxy far, far away, a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker joins forces with a group of rebels to battle the evil Galactic Empire. Together, they aim to destroy the Empire’s powerful weapon, the Death Star, and bring hope back to the galaxy.

Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965): Based on the popular British TV series of the same name, Dr. Who and his companions embark on an adventure through time and space in the TARDIS, a time-traveling spaceship. They encounter the deadly Daleks and work to prevent their plan for universal domination.

Night of the Living Dead (1968): A group of strangers takes refuge in a farmhouse as hordes of reanimated corpses – zombies – roam the area. The strangers must survive the night and find a way to escape the relentless onslaught of the cannibalistic undead.

Django (1966): A mysterious drifter named Django enters a town and into the middle of a battle between Mexican bandits and the Ku Klux Klan in this seminal spaghetti Western.

The Belles of St. Trinian’s (1954): Set in a fictional British girls’ boarding school, the film revolves around the misadventures of the rebellious and unruly students. They hatch a plan to steal a racehorse and outwit the authorities, resulting in comedic chaos.

Dr. No (1962): The first installment in the James Bond film series follows the iconic British spy as he investigates the disappearance of a fellow agent. His mission leads him to the Caribbean, where he uncovers a plot involving a sinister scientist named Dr. No.

Batman: The Movie (1966): Batman and Robin, the dynamic crime-fighting duo, must thwart the plans of a group of supervillains led by the Joker. They face numerous challenges and outlandish schemes in their quest to save Gotham City chaos.

Godzilla (1954): Godzilla, a prehistoric sea monster enlarged by the effects of an atomic bomb, emerges from the depths of the ocean and begins terrorizing Japan. A team of scientists and military personnel must find a way to stop its destructive rampage.

Peter Pan (1953): Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who never grows up, visits the Darling children and takes them on a magical adventure to the enchanted world of Neverland. There, they face the villainous Captain Hook and his crew, all while discovering the joys and challenges of eternal childhood.

Alice in Wonderland (1933): Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a whimsical world filled with peculiar characters and nonsensical situations in this film based on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. She traverses this strange realm, hoping to find her way back home while encountering memorable figures like the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts.

Wizard of Oz (1939): Dorothy, a young girl in Kansas, is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Alongside her newfound friends, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, she goes on a journey to meet the powerful Wizard of Oz and find her way back home.

King Kong (1933): A group of explorers travel to a remote island where they encounter a giant ape named King Kong. They capture him and bring him back to New York City, but he escapes and wreaks havoc before meeting a tragic fate.