25 of the longest-running movie franchises that are still active today

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … another sequel dominating the box office.

Movie franchises have been the backbone of the movie industry for over 100 years. Some of our favorite, most enduring characters have been gracing the silver screen since the silent movie era.

There are two long-running franchises with movies in theaters right now, with more on the way later this year.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” is the seventh movie in 32 years that takes place in a universe where dinosaurs have been brought back from extinction. On the other hand, James Gunn’s “Superman” is the first in a new universe, but it’s far from the first film to feature the Man of Steel. He’s been flying across movie screens since 1941.

In honor of these films, we’ve compiled a list of the longest-running active movie franchises. We’ve limited this list to live-action films (sorry, “Shrek” and “Toy Story), and implemented a few other ground rules.

To be considered “active,” a film franchise needed to have released a film in the last 10 years and shown signs that the story will continue, which eliminates things like “The Terminator,” which seems to be definitively over.

A franchise also needs to have at least three films to make this list. Otherwise, a “series” like “Top Gun” would be on here, even though “Maverick,” for now, is just a legacy sequel.

We also aren’t counting TV series, which is why things like “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible” aren’t as high up.

So without further ado, here are some of the longest-running movie franchises in Hollywood right now.

The Universal Monsters — 117 years

First film: “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in 1908

Most recent film: “Wolf Man” in 2025

“King Kong” — 92 years

First film: “King Kong” in 1933

Most recent film: “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” in 2024 — though “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova” is coming in 2027

“Superman” — 84 years

First film: “Superman” in 1941

Most recent film: “Superman” in 2025

“Batman” — 82 years

First film: “Batman” in 1943

Most recent film: “The Batman” in 2022 — though “The Batman: Part II” is set for a 2027 release

“Godzilla” — 71 years

First film: “Godzilla” in 1954

Most recent films: “Godzilla Minus One” in 2023 and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” — though “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova” is coming in 2027

“James Bond” — 63 years

First film: “Dr. No” in 1962

Most recent film: “No Time to Die” in 2021

“Planet of the Apes” — 57 years

First film: “Planet of the Apes” in 1968

Most recent film: “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” in 2024

“The Exorcist” — 52 years

First film: “The Exorcist” in 1973

Most recent film: “The Exorcist: Believer” in 2023

“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” — 51 years

First film: “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” in 1974

Most recent film: “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in 2022

“Rocky” — 49 years

First film: “Rocky” in 1976

Most recent film: “Creed III” in 2023

“Star Wars” — 48 years

First film: “Star Wars” in 1977

Most recent film: “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019 — though “Star Wars: Starfighter” is expected in 2027

“Halloween” — 47 years

First film: “Halloween” in 1978

Most recent film: “Halloween Ends” in 2022

“Star Trek” — 46 years

First film: “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979

Most recent film: “Star Trek Into Darkness” in 2016

“Alien” — 46 years

First film: “Alien” in 1979

Most recent film: “Alien: Romulus” in 2024

“Tron” — 43 years

First film: “Tron” in 1982

Most recent film: “Tron: Ares” in 2025

“Beverly Hills Cop” — 41 years

First film: “Beverly Hills Cop” in 1984

Most recent film: “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” in 2024

“Predator” — 38 years

First film: “Predator” in 1987

Most recent film: “Predator: Badlands” in 2025

“Child’s Play” — 37 years

First film: “Child’s Play” in 1988

Most recent film: “Child’s Play” in 2019

“The Naked Gun” — 37 years

First film: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” in 1988

Most recent film: “The Naked Gun” in 2025

“Home Alone” — 35 years

First film: “Home Alone” in 1990

Most recent film: “Home Sweet Home Alone” in 2021

“Jurassic World” — 32 years

First film: “Jurassic Park” in 1993

Most recent film: “Jurassic World Rebirth” in 2025

“Bad Boys” — 30 years

First film: “Bad Boys” in 1995

Most recent film: “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” in 2024

“Jumanji” — 30 years

First film: “Jumanji” in 1995

Most recent film: “Jumanji: The Next Level” in 2019, though an unnamed sequel is set for a 2026 release

“Mission: Impossible” — 29 years

First film: “Mission: Impossible” in 1996

Most recent film: “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” in 2025

“Scream” — 29 years

First film: “Scream” in 1996

Most recent film: “Scream VI” in 2023 — though “Scream 7” is coming in 2026

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