Planning the Ultimate Movie Marathon: 15 Franchises to Binge
A weekend movie marathon is the perfect way to unwind. This guide outlines 15 popular film franchises, ideal for group viewing, 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. While not all are directly connected, it's a fun, immersive experience spanning potentially two days, or a single day if focusing on the newer prequel films.
X-Men
Before the MCU, the X-Men dominated. Including Deadpool and Wolverine, the franchise comprises 13 films. The timeline can be tricky, but you can opt for a shorter Wolverine focused marathon or enjoy the full experience (excluding Deadpool, if desired) in just over 22 hours.
Fast and Furious
Fast X brings the total to 13 adrenaline-pumping installments. This action-packed marathon, clocking in at almost 23.5 hours, is perfect for those who love high-octane thrills and family bonds.
Lord of the Rings
A classic choice! The original trilogy, plus The Hobbit films, offers roughly 19.5 hours of epic fantasy. Adding The Rings of Power series extends the binge significantly.
Star Wars
The ever-expanding Star Wars universe currently boasts 11 films, with more on the horizon. A live-action movie marathon will take over 25 hours. Adding animated films and series significantly increases the viewing time.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Five films featuring the charismatic Jack Sparrow. This swashbuckling adventure can be completed in a single day (a little over 12 hours).
Jurassic Park
Six thrilling films (plus shorts and a series) make up this dinosaur-filled marathon. The combined runtime is just over 10 hours.
Indiana Jones
Five films spanning decades. This action-adventure marathon can easily be completed in one day (a little over 10 hours).
The Conjuring Universe
Nine movies and five shorts make up this extensive horror franchise. This chilling marathon clocks in at just under 14.5 hours.
Transformers
Eight action-packed films filled with explosions and robots. This marathon requires about 18.5 hours.
Harry Potter
Eight magical films (excluding Fantastic Beasts) will take just under 20 hours. Including the prequels adds another 6.8 hours.
Alien
Nine films, including crossovers and prequels, make up this space-horror marathon. The total runtime is a little over 17 hours (or 14 hours without crossovers).
Scream
Six films of self-aware horror. This fun, spooky marathon takes 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, offer just over 11.5 hours of dystopian drama.
Remember to factor in breaks and snacks! Enjoy your movie marathon!
