# The best and worst movie franchises **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 22, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985 "2013-10-22T23:57:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/21 "2013-10-23T15:05:23Z")
> [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](#): > > If Star Wars can be split up, why can’t James Bond be split up based on the lead actors? I’d make the case for the Sean Connery era, and give an “almost” to the Timothy Dalton era. I guess if you want to, that’s fine. I just look at the James Bond situation as different. It has been going on for decades, and it has two fail criteria for me: the main character has changed actors, and the next movie is not based on the previous movie. Star Wars has two clear three part trilogies. Episodes 4, 5, and 6 stand alone, and so do 1, 2, and 3. And they were separated by decades and have completely different casts. And the biggest test is that you can watch 4 and never miss 1, 2, and 3… And since 4 is where the franchise started, it’s easy to see why. I grew up on the first trilogy. I was mildly interested in the backstory, which is why i went to see 1. But since I thought it sucked, I never wasted my time on 2 and 3 and that’s ok. I knew enough of the backstory to make 4,5 and 6 understandable and mostly watchable (except for 6’s scenes on the Teddy Bear planet… In the OP, i tried to give an outline for what was acceptable for this. So, the franchise would either have the same actors, or the sequels followed the previous movies, or both. But you can’t have both the actors changing AND the plots being independent from the previous movie. But I guess you can make the case for the Connery-era Bond as one franchise, the Moore-era as another, and so on. This is supposed to be for fun, so do what makes you happy! ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/22 "2013-10-23T15:14:17Z")
I’m voting Bourne for best and Transformers for worst. Admittedly, I haven’t watched the third transformers movie, and the second only as background noise after the first few minutes, so for all I know, 3 was a masterpiece that elevated the whole saga. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/23 "2013-10-23T15:27:17Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I guess if you want to, that’s fine. I just look at the James Bond situation as different. It has been going on for decades, and it has two fail criteria for me: the main character has changed actors, and the next movie is not based on the previous movie. Actually, "[James Bond" (and the 007 designation)is a code name](http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/), given to each successor when the previous agent is killed or retires. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/24 "2013-10-23T18:50:56Z")
Another vote for Clint’s spaghetti westerns and LOTR. And I’ll vote thumbs up for The Matrix trilogy. Fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/25 "2013-10-23T19:25:38Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > But I guess you can make the case for the Connery-era Bond as one franchise, the Moore-era as another, and so on. IMHO, there’s a stronger case for the Daniel Craig era being a separate franchise than any of the others. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/26 "2013-10-23T20:00:33Z")
I am not sure what is the best but I know what is the worst: The Scary Movie franchise. Aggressively unfunny dreck and possibly the most lazily written comedies ever. Half the time the “joke” is them repeating lines from another movie word for word. Since it is not the original movie, this is somehow funny. I hate every one of those movies. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/27 "2013-10-23T20:09:21Z")
Best: Bing & Bob’s Road pictures. If you like one, you’ll like 'em all. The Thin Man series. Worst: Andy Hardy series (I could never sit through one) The Planet of the Apes series (though the first one’s a classic) ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/28 "2013-10-23T20:22:37Z")
Best - Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg **Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy** , although technically, while Pegg and Frost are the leads in all the movies, they are not really playing the same character, so a bit of a cheat. Still my trilogy though. _Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End_ Worst - too many to name, but I’ll go with Episodes 1-3 of _Star Wars_ to reflect my own personal disappointment. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/29 "2013-10-23T22:07:14Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Actually, "[James Bond" (and the 007 designation)is a code name](http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/), given to each successor when the previous agent is killed or retires. That’s just a theory, and I believe an incorrect one. Not that I care one way or the other, and I don’t want to hijack this thread too much, but as I unherstood it, the license to kill designation was the “double 0”. So James Bond was 007, and the next one was 008, etc. Interesting theory though. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/30 "2013-10-23T22:07:36Z")
So no one has any strongly positive or strongly negative feelings about the well known horror series, like: > **[Friday the 13th (franchise)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_(franchise))** > > Friday the 13th is an American horror franchise that comprises twelve slasher films, a television series, novels, comic books, video games, and tie‑in merchandise. The franchise mainly focuses on the fictional character Jason Voorhees, who was thought to have drowned as a boy at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff. Decades later, the lake is rumored to be "cursed" and is the setting for a series of mass murders. Jason is featured in all of the films, as either the killer or ... > **[Halloween (franchise)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(franchise))** > > Halloween is an American slasher media franchise that consists of thirteen films, as well as novels, comic books, a video game and other merchandise. The films primarily focus on Michael Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his sister, Judith Myers. Fifteen years later, he escapes to stalk and kill the people of the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael's killings occur on the holiday of Halloween, on which all of the films primarily take place. Through... > **[A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street_(franchise))** > > A Nightmare on Elm Street is an American supernatural slasher-horror media franchise consisting of nine films, a television series, novels, comic books, and various other media. The franchise began with the film A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), written and directed by Wes Craven. The overall plot of the franchise centers around the fictional character Fred "Freddy" Krueger, the apparition of a former-child killer who was burned alive by the vengeful parents of his victims, who returns from th... > **[The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Texas_Chainsaw_Massacre_(franchise))** > > The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an American horror franchise consisting of nine slasher films, comics, and a video game adaptation of the original film. The franchise focuses on the cannibalistic spree killer Leatherface and his family, who terrorize unsuspecting visitors to their territories in the desolate Texas countryside, typically killing and subsequently cooking them. The original film was released in 1974, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper and written by Hooper and Kim Henkel. Hooper an... ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/31 "2013-10-23T22:30:51Z")
The **Terminator** films. The **Bourne** films, even though the last one didn’t have the same lead. Crosby/Hope **Road** movies. **Star Trek** with Shatner. The first three **Star Wars** movies. **The Godfather**. Best of all time: **Lord of the Rings**. Started great, ended poorly: **The Matrix** **Alien** (first three anyway) ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/32 "2013-10-23T23:06:20Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > So no one has any strongly positive or strongly negative feelings about the well known horror series, like: > [Friday the 13th (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_(franchise)) > [Halloween (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(franchise)) > [A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street_(franchise)) > [The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Texas_Chainsaw_Massacre_(franchise)) My feelings are they all suck. Usually not the first movie, but the longer the series ran, the worst they became, IMO. Horror films, to me anyway, appeal to me when they are a new idea, like the original Halloween. Even Halloween 2 had potential, since the end of the first one was open ended. But after that, they seem to always fall off a cliff. Children of the Corn is one that really fell. The first one was original. End it there! But they can’t. They are relatively cheap to make, and they have an audience, so it’s easy money. One movie that worked for me was the Mothman Prophecies. Sort of horror, sort of supernatural… It had a beginning and an end. No return of the mothman was necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/33 "2013-10-23T23:16:47Z")
SFP I can’t believe you can’t put the GF series in the best category because of the third one but you named Back to the Future. BttF is fun but doesn’t hold up that well. The second two went downhill fast. I still enjoyed them but they don’t compare to the GF series. GF 1 and 2 are at least in the top 5 of best movies of all time. Maybe 1st and 2nd. GF 3 is vilified only due to comparison with the others. And the disappointment after so many years that it wasn’t better. Its not great but its OK. I think it had some great moments and should have been great but fell short. But the quality of the first two make it one of the best series of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/34 "2013-10-23T23:56:42Z")
If you’re talking about the worst remember there are things like “Look Who’s Talking” “Spy Kids” and “Baby Geniuses” out there. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/35 "2013-10-24T01:29:27Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > If you’re talking about the worst remember there are things like “Look Who’s Talking” “Spy Kids” and “Baby Geniuses” out there. You mispelled _Highlander_ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/36 "2013-10-24T01:32:12Z")
> [@detop](#): > > You mispelled _Highlander_ 😛 How can a single movie be a series? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/37 "2013-10-24T02:16:58Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > So no one has any strongly positive or strongly negative feelings about the well known horror series, like: > [Friday the 13th (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_(franchise)) > [Halloween (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(franchise)) > [A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street_(franchise)) > [The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Texas_Chainsaw_Massacre_(franchise)) I’ll take the original 3\*\* Evil Dead\*\* films over any of those. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/38 "2013-10-24T02:36:47Z")
> [@glee](#): > > **Jason Bourne** : > > - good extended plot > - Matt Damon is completely believable > - superb action sequences > - enjoyable moments “she’s standing right next to you” That’s a great moment, tied with “If you were in your office, we’d be talking face to face.” I’d go with Bourne even if you include Legacy, which is watchable on its own merits despite being a tangent to the Damon films. > [@](#): > > **Chronicles of Riddick** : > > - Vin Diesel carries off menace with a touch of humanity > - the plots are different, but gripping > - fine sci-fi ideas (rare eclipse; necromongers) > > I admit I haven’t seen the third one yet. :o But the first two are repeatedly watchable and therefore I trust the series! I’ve got some bad news… ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/39 "2013-10-24T02:46:21Z")
i knew the minute i read the thread title that someone would say twilight for worst. it’s an easy target, but really, the movies are fine. (and i have to wonder if the people who are first to name it as worst have even seen any of them.) i would say they’re better than the books (not that that’s saying much), and believe it or not movie bella is actually slightly more likable than book bella. for what they are and who they were made for, they’re fine. the cinematography is pretty good, it’s got some nice music, and the eye candy doesn’t hurt. there’s plenty of eye rollingly dumb moments, but seriously, there are wayyy worse franchises out there, some already named in the thread. the umpteen million final destination/friday the 13th/nightmare on elm street/halloween sequels? crap. the jaws sequels? complete crap. baby geniuses? utter crap. you get the picture. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985/40 "2013-10-24T04:22:27Z")
Worst: **Terminator**. Yeah, the original and **T2** are great. But as a _series_ it’s still only two for four. **Predator** isn’t much better off—and **Alien** , even worse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-and-worst-movie-franchises/671985.md?page=3)