Two of the longest-running franchises in movie history have recently released films.
In theaters right now, you can catch the 10th "Superman" film or the seventh "Jurassic" installment.
Those franchises are 84 and 32 years old, respectively.
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"The Mummy."
Universal Pictures
First film: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in 1908
Most recent film: "Wolf Man" in 2025
"King Kong" — 92 yearsJessica Lange in "King Kong."
Paramount Pictures
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 yearsDavid Corenswet in "Superman."
Warner Bros.
First film: "Superman" in 1941
Most recent film: "Superman" in 2025
"Batman" — 82 yearsRobert Pattinson in "The Batman."
Warner Bros. Pictures
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 yearsGodzilla in "Godzilla Minus One."
Toho Co. Ltd
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 yearsDaniel Craig in "Spectre."
Sony
First film: "Dr. No" in 1962
Most recent film: "No Time to Die" in 2021
"Planet of the Apes" — 57 yearsProximus in "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes."
20th Century Studios
First film: "Planet of the Apes" in 1968
Most recent film: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" in 2024
"The Exorcist" — 52 yearsLinda Blair in "The Exorcist II: Heretic."
Warner Bros. Pictures
First film: "The Exorcist" in 1973
Most recent film: "The Exorcist: Believer" in 2023