Planning the Ultimate Movie Marathon: 15 Franchises to Binge
A weekend movie marathon is the perfect way to unwind. This guide highlights 15 fantastic film franchises, ideal for solo viewing or a group gathering, complete with estimated runtimes to help you plan your cinematic adventure.
Planet of the Apes
With the recent release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, now's the ideal time for a sci-fi binge. The franchise boasts 10 films across multiple timelines, offering a two-day marathon experience. Alternatively, focus on the newer prequel films for a shorter, single-day watch.
X-Men
Before the MCU, the X-Men franchise ruled. Including Deadpool and Wolverine, there are 13 films. While the chronological order is complex, you can streamline your marathon by focusing on the Wolverine storyline for a shorter viewing experience. Excluding Deadpool, the X-Men films total over 22 hours.
Fast and Furious
With Fast X, the franchise has reached 13 adrenaline-pumping installments. This action-packed marathon clocks in at nearly 23.5 hours.
Lord of the Rings
A classic marathon choice! The original trilogy, plus The Hobbit films, offers approximately 19.5 hours of epic fantasy. Adding the Rings of Power series extends the viewing time considerably.
Star Wars
The ever-expanding Star Wars universe currently has 11 live-action films, totaling over 25 hours. Including animated films and series significantly increases the viewing time.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Five films featuring Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow. This swashbuckling adventure will occupy you for a little over 12 hours.
Jurassic Park
Six films (with a seventh on the way) offer a thrilling dinosaur-filled marathon of just over 10 hours.
Indiana Jones
Five films spanning decades, featuring Harrison Ford. This adventure marathon clocks in at just over 10 hours.
The Conjuring Universe
Nine films plus five shorts make up this extensive horror franchise. Prepare for approximately 14.5 hours of scares.
Transformers
Eight action-packed films, totaling about 18.5 hours of explosive entertainment.
Harry Potter
Eight magical films (excluding Fantastic Beasts) provide almost 20 hours of enchantment.
Alien
Nine films in the Alien franchise, including crossovers, offer a space-horror marathon of a little over 17 hours (or 14 hours excluding crossovers).
Scream
Six films of meta-horror fun, totaling just over 11.5 hours.
James Bond
26 films across seven actors. While a complete marathon is over 54 hours, focusing on a single Bond's films offers a more manageable experience (e.g., Daniel Craig's films are around 7 hours 40 minutes).
The Hunger Games
Five films, including the prequel, provide a dystopian marathon of just over 11.5 hours.
Remember to factor in breaks, snacks, and the occasional bathroom trip when planning your marathon! Enjoy the show!
