A weekend movie marathon is a fantastic way to unwind. This guide offers 15 excellent film franchises perfect for a solo binge or a group gathering, complete with estimated runtimes to aid your planning.
What's Your Favorite Big-Budget Franchise?
Planet of the Apes: With the recent release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, this sci-fi saga (10 films) is ripe for a binge. While timelines vary, a two-day marathon is feasible, or focus on the newer films for a shorter watch.
X-Men: Before the MCU, X-Men dominated. 13 films, including Deadpool, offer a substantial marathon. For a shorter option, stick to the Wolverine storyline. Excluding Deadpool, the total runtime is just over 22 hours.
Fast and Furious: 13 films strong, this franchise transitioned from racing to globe-trotting action. The complete marathon clocks in at nearly 23.5 hours.
Lord of the Rings: A classic marathon choice. The six feature films (approx. 19.5 hours) are complemented by The Hobbit trilogy and the Rings of Power series for an extended binge.
Star Wars: An ever-expanding universe. The live-action films alone total over 25 hours. Adding animated series significantly extends the runtime.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Five films featuring Jack Sparrow, easily consumable in a single day (just over 12 hours).
Jurassic Park: Six feature films, plus shorts and an animated series, offer a dinosaur-filled marathon (a little over 10 hours).
Indiana Jones: Five films spanning decades, easily watched in a day (just over 10 hours).
The Conjuring Universe: Nine films and five shorts comprise this extensive horror franchise (just under 14.5 hours).
Transformers: Eight films of Michael Bay-style action (approx. 18.5 hours).
Harry Potter: Eight core films (under 20 hours), plus the Fantastic Beasts prequel series for an extended marathon.
Alien: Nine films, including Predator crossovers and prequels, offer a space-horror marathon (a little over 17 hours).
Scream: Six films of meta-horror (just over 11.5 hours).
James Bond: 26 films across seven actors (over 54 hours total). Consider a single Bond's films for a more manageable marathon.
The Hunger Games: Five films, including the prequel, offer a dystopian marathon (just over 11.5 hours).
Remember to check streaming availability and adjust your selections based on your preferences and available time. Enjoy your movie marathon!
