Longest Running Movie Series (2025): 10 Franchises That Refuse To End

Some sagas don’t end—they reinvent, expand, and pull in the next wave of fans. This guide spotlights the longest running movie series, explains why they last, and points you to the best movie series for different moods. We ranked by timespan, film count, and continuity, then translated that into watchable picks. Think of it as a friendly tour of the longest movie franchises that shaped cinema—and still pack theaters.

• Clear criteria, zero gatekeeping.
  
  
• Every section ends with two quick takeaways.

Godzilla (1954–present)

The king of kaiju is the time-spanning champ of the longest running movie series. Across Showa, Heisei, Millennium, Reiwa, and the MonsterVerse, Godzilla updates the metaphor—nuclear dread, climate anxiety, techno-terrors—without losing the silhouette. Seven decades in, the ritual still lands: thunderous sound, city-stomping scale, and surprisingly tender human beats. New entries work because they honor the suit-actor spirit even when VFX leads the charge.

• Why it lasts: Flexible themes, unmistakable icon.
  
  
• Starter pack: One classic Toho + one modern MonsterVerse.

James Bond (1962–present)

Bond is reinvention in a tux: 25 official Eon films that shift style and tone without breaking the spine—spycraft, set pieces, and that theme you can hum. Each era casts its own 007, turning continuity into a feature, not a bug, and letting every generation claim “their” Bond. The brand ecosystem—cars, couture, title songs—keeps the world feeling premium. That balance makes it one of the longest movie franchises with mainstream pull.

• Why it lasts: Recast the lead, protect the formula.
  
  
• Starter pack: One Connery, one Craig—compare the vibe.

Batman (1943–present)

From the 1943 serials to the 1966 camp classic, Burton’s gothic revival, Nolan’s grounded trilogy, the DCEU crossovers, and Reeves’ noir reboot, Batman proves you can refresh tone without losing the emblem. The character bends to the times—pulpy, gothic, gritty, detective—while Gotham stays a mirror for real-world fears. Few heroes offer this much tonal range and still feel cohesive on screen.

• Why it lasts: Iconic silhouette, tone that flexes with each era.
  
  
• Starter pack: The Dark Knight for grit, The Batman (2022) for detective noir.

Detective Conan / Case Closed (1997–present)

A movie almost every year keeps this mystery machine humming. Conan balances cozy whodunit vibes with big-event climaxes, thriving on character familiarity and fresh puzzles. The formula is simple but elastic: same core cast, new danger, clever reveal. That rhythm makes it a leader on “longest by output” lists without feeling disposable.

• Why it lasts: Same core cast, new case every time.
  
  
• Starter pack: A fan-favorite entry + the newest release.

Pokémon (1998–present)

Games build the mythology; the films deliver the heart and scale. Event releases, upgraded animation, and generational handoffs keep Pokémon evergreen across theaters and streaming. Each film gives newcomers a clean entry while rewarding longtime fans with mythic callbacks. It’s a textbook example of longest movie franchises powered by transmedia loops.

• Why it lasts: Cross-media ecosystem, kid-to-parent pass-down.
  
  
• Starter pack: A classic Mewtwo-era film + the latest feature.

Planet of the Apes (1968–present)

Apes shows how to reboot with brains. From the landmark 1968 original to the acclaimed modern trilogy and the latest chapter, the theme—what makes a society humane—keeps paying off. Performance capture and grounded world-building turned reboots into prestige cinema, not just retreads. If you want depth with momentum, it’s one of the best movie series to binge.

• Why it lasts: Durable thesis, smart reinventions.
  
  
• Starter pack: The modern trilogy, then the 1968 original.

Star Trek (1979–present)

Trek endures because film and TV feed each other: characters migrate, themes evolve, and the ethos—curiosity, cooperation, optimism—stays firm. Movies swing from operatic (The Motion Picture) to crowd-pleasing (Star Trek 2009), giving multiple on-ramps for new fans. The coexistence of big-screen spectacle and small-screen nuance keeps the universe fresh. Together, they form a model for the longest running movie series ethos.

• Why it lasts: Shared universe across screens.
  
  
• Starter pack: Wrath of Khan and Star Trek (2009).

Halloween (1978–present)

Slashers live on ritual, and Halloween owns October. Timelines reset, the mask remains, and Carpenter’s dread gets remixed for a new crowd. The franchise lets filmmakers experiment with tone—gritty realism to meta commentary—while respecting the icon. Seasonal marathons and 4K restorations keep the fandom active between films.

• Why it lasts: Annual hype, elastic canon.
  
  
• Starter pack: 1978 original + strongest modern reboot.
  
  

Carry On (1958–1992)

A British curveball on the longevity chart, Carry On ran 31 broad comedies over three decades. The recipe was dependable: a familiar troupe, predictable gags, and a tone audiences could settle into. While the humor is anchored in its era, the franchise remains a case study in volume and brand familiarity. It proves “longest” isn’t only action or sci-fi—comfort comedy can go the distance.

• Why it lasts: Ensemble chemistry, reliable fun.
  
  
• Starter pack: One 60s hit + one late-era entry.

Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008–present)

Newer than most here, but massive in film count and cultural footprint. The MCU cracked modern serialization with post-credit teases, crossover payoffs, and arcs that span years. Peaks and lulls aside, its playbook—planned payoffs, flexible rosters, streaming tie-ins—defined how longest movie franchises operate today. For shared-world bingeing, it’s among the best movie series to start with.

• Why it lasts: Planned payoffs, adaptable cast.
  
  
• Starter pack: Iron Man for origin, Avengers for ensemble.

Fast & Furious (2001–present)

What began as street racing evolved into a found-family heist saga that defies gravity and geography. Tone shifts, cast additions, and quotable one-liners turned it into global event cinema. The series understands escalation—bigger stunts, wider locales—while keeping the emotional core simple. Love it or meme it, it knows its audience and delivers.

• Why it lasts: Escalation, ensemble, worldwide appeal.
  
  
• Starter pack: Fast Five + your favorite modern set piece.

Longest Running Franchises for a Reason

The longest-running movie series don’t survive by accident—they guard an icon, welcome new fans, and adapt just enough. If you want history, pick Godzilla or Bond; if you want a sharp modern run, try Apes or the MCU. However you binge the best movie series, the rule holds for the longest movie franchises: adapt the wrapper, protect the core, and give fans a ritual worth returning to.

• Icons endure when they evolve.
  
  
• Come for history, stay for the craft.

FAQ: Longest Running Movie Series

Which franchise is the longest running movie series ever?

Godzilla—first film in 1954, still releasing new entries today.

What counts as a “longest movie franchise” in this guide?

A series measured by timespan (first to latest film), total film count, and basic continuity, including officially branded reboots.

Is James Bond the longest live-action franchise after Godzilla?

It’s one of them: 25 official Eon films since 1962, sustained by recasting and a steady formula.

Where does Batman fit among the longest running movie series?

Batman spans from 1940s serials to modern reboots, making it a top live-action long-hauler with huge tonal range.

Which franchises have the most films overall?

Godzilla, Detective Conan, Pokémon, and the MCU rank high by film count; Carry On is a classic volume outlier.

What makes a series last for decades?

A recognizable icon, flexible themes, and a ritual that invites each new generation while rewarding long-time fans.

Best movie series to binge for newcomers?

Start with James Bond (one Connery, one Craig), Godzilla (one classic, one modern), or Planet of the Apes (modern trilogy).

Do reboots and spin-offs “break” a franchise’s longevity?

No—if they’re officially branded parts of the same series, they show the franchise’s ability to adapt.

Why include animation like Pokémon or Detective Conan?

Annual theatrical features and multi-generation appeal make them legitimate long-run champions.

What’s the future of long franchises?

Hybrid theatrical/streaming strategies, careful pacing, and fresh voices that protect the core while updating the wrapper.

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