50 Best Movie Series That Are Perfect for Your Next Movie Marathon
Get a blanket and some wine, ’cause you’re about to live on your couch.
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Want to turn movie night into an all-nighter? Do you have a bunch of franchises that people are always talking about that go right over your head, or a lot of those classic movies you're supposed to watch by the time you're 30 to get through? Well, you've come to the right place. Even if you haven't been miraculously gifted several hours or days of free time to binge-watch, these movie series are the ones to start catching up as soon as possible. These are for the movie lovers who enjoy a good story told over the course of a few films. And even if every entry in the series *isn't* a 10/10, the characters and set pieces are fun, k? I will defend my love of movie trilogies and franchises to the death, y'all. It's nice to get invested in characters and spend some time with them.
Some of these movies are so tightly woven that they absolutely were made as one cohesive piece of art—think Lord of the Rings and the Before movies. Others might have taken a bit of a...meandering path to get there, but we still love the destination—basically anything Marvel, but especially Thor, Iron Man, and Spider-Man. Some kinda figured their vibe out as they went along—lookin' at you, Fast and Furious movies! But no matter the road we took to get there, sometimes it's just fun to witness the evolution of an epic idea or character (and spend a lil time with some actors you love). So check out these 50 movie series and be prepared to waste your whole weekend... or more.
The Now You See Me Movies
Now You See Me: Now You Don't officially makes these movies about magicians who started off stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, and are now lowkey magic superheroes, a trilogy! YAYAYAYAY! You've got plenty of time to catch up before the third movie, which finally uses the subtitle the internet has been clamoring for, hits theaters on November 14.
The Knives Out Mysteries
This is another duology that's officially becoming a trilogy in 2025. We're all hoping that Rian Johnson makes at least 20 more of these movies, right? The sharp commentary, hilarious ensemble casts, and delicious drawl on Benoit Blanc is just so, so good.
The Paddington Movies
Finally, please welcome to the stage Paddington! With 2024's Paddington in Peru, the polite little bear finally has a hit series. (Mamma Mia next... right? Pretty please, with marmalade on top?)
The Rocky and/or Creed Movies
So much punching. So many training montages. The perfect franchise to binge if you want to feel like you're on top of the world. Just don't forget to bring the tissues as well!
The To All The Boys Trilogy
Before* we were all fighting over Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah, this trilogy of swoon-worthy movies based on Jenny Han novels hit Netflix like a cannon ball. Romantic comedy trilogies rarely work this well. Once you finish, you can get into the spin-off series XO, Kitty too! It's the gift that keeps on giving.
*Yes, I know that The Summer I Turned Pretty books came out first. Delete your email, please! XOXO
watch to all the boys i loved before
The "Kelvinverse" Star Trek Movies
Listen. There are a lot of movies set in the Star Trek universe. There are movies with the cast of the original series. There are movies with the Next Generation folks. There was even a TV movie this year called Section 31 that included characters from the more recent shows. If you want a cut and dry trilogy with a cast that has incredible chemistry, I recommend the JJ Abrams Star Trek AU movies. You never know... they might make a fourth one.
The Pirates of the Caribbean Series
Whether you're all about Jack Sparrow or having a full-on bisexual awakening thanks to Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner (looking at you, Nick Nelson), you have to admit that these movies were a time. The lore keeps growing, and Disney is always threatening to make more!
watch pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl
watch pirates of the caribbean: dead man's chest
watch pirates of the caribbean: at world's end
Joanna Hogg's Souvenir Movies
Let's switch gears for a bit and go cinephile mode. Joanna Hogg is a wonderful female filmmaker to familiarize yourself with if you haven't already. (She made some great indie movies with a young Tom Hiddleston before he broke out as Loki, NBD.) The kind of/sort of unofficial series includes a duology about a woman making a film about a past romantic relationship starring Honor Swinton Byrne and a spooky third movie that stars Tilda Swinton as both an older version of Honor's character.
The Jurassic Park and/or World Movies
There are so many dinosaur movies at this point, including 2025's Jurassic World Rebirth, that you can truly choose your own adventure. Stick to the OG? Hang with Chris Pratt? Jump around? It's up to you.
watch the lost world: jurassic park
The Pitch Perfect Aca-Trilogy
A group of girls brought together by the power of song. Is it a little crazy that the first movie is old enough to go to high school? Let's not think about it.
The High School Musical Trilogy
When you just want to turn your brain off, there's kind of nothing better than an HSM marathon. You already know the songs and probably at least some of the dances. They're earnest, breezy, and way funnier than you remember.
The Star Wars Prequels
Some hate them. Some love them. Some love to hate them. But you can't deny that watching the Star Wars movies about the downfall of Anakin Skywalker is a journey. They're fun to marathon, even if you are making fun.
watch the phantom menace
watch attack of the clones
watch revenge of the sith
The Chronicles of Narnia Series
Are you ready to get taken to a dream world of magic? This series of films, based on the classic novel series, is the perfect cozy watch. It's exciting and adventurous but also magical and whimsical. Who doesn't wish they could slip through a closet and into a realm where the real world's problems no longer exist.
Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot Series
While you wait for the next Knives Out movie, treat yourself to a marathon of the other popular ensemble whodunnit series these days. There's really nothing better than watching a bunch of movie stars argue with each over whether or not they did a murder.
The Captain America Movies
This trilogy, within the MCU, has a WWI period piece, a spy thriller, and a crossover event so huge that it might as well be an Avengers movie. But at the heart of all three is the heart of the Marvel Universe, sweet Steve Rogers. (Then, after him, the diplomatic good listener Sam Wilson.)
watch captain america: the first avenger
watch captain america: the winter soldier
The Red Curtain Trilogy
Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, and Moulin Rouge, all directed by Baz Luhrmann, aren't connected by plot or character. But the auteur considers these three films to be a series because they're all related to the performing arts. Show your love of dance, theatre, and music by binging these films!
The Night at the Museum Movies
The beautiful ongoing story of a kid connecting with his father at an eccentric job, a statue of Teddy Roosevelt who becomes a mentor, and a little cowboy and Roman soldier in love.
The Magic Mike Series
Why stop at one male stripper movie when you could watch all three. Only one of them is a stone cold masterpiece (*cough* Magic Mike XXL *cough*) but all three have the goods. I'm talking about dancing, obviously.
The X-Men Movies
Wanna watch superheroes that are more about their own messy relationship drama than saving the world? This is a binge that can be as long or as short as you want. You don't have to watch all of the Wolverine movies (including Logan), all of the Deadpool movies (including Deadpool and Wolverine), or the infamous The New Mutants. You could even keep it simple and just watch the newer movies from First Class on for James Macavoy and Michael Fassbender reasons. I won't judge!
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