Some of the most iconic movie franchises launched in the ‘80s, and it’s time we take a look back on them! To be considered, the franchise had to begin in the 1980s, so Star Wars and Mad Max are both out (as well as Batman – technically there were movies prior to the ones we know and love), even though they had movies come out in the ‘80s. The franchises also must consist of at least three movies to be considered, so Gremlins doesn’t make the cut, nor Top Gun. These franchises aren’t listed in any particular order. We also noticed when putting together this list, that there are quite a few horror franchises that launched in the ‘80s – stay tuned for Spooky Season when we feature all of those franchises in their own post!
Want to read about the most memorable ‘90s movie franchises? Click here!
Terminator
The Terminator franchise, created by James Cameron, has been captivating audiences since its inception in 1984. It has become known for its groundbreaking visual effects, compelling storytelling, and memorable characters, like the unstoppable T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Though the original two movies are the best in this franchise, there have been a total of six movies (so far), and a pretty good television show. And, of course, the show that was at Universal Studios. Even though nothing concrete has been set for the future, we can pretty much guarantee this franchise will “be back” someday.
Where does Terminator 2 rank among the top scifi movies of the ’90s? Click to find out.
Indiana Jones
The Indiana Jones series, created by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg, debuted in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark. It quickly became a beloved adventure franchise known for its thrilling quests, archaeological wonders, and the charismatic explorer, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford). While the original trilogy reigns supreme, there have been two subsequent sequels in the years since, with varying levels of critical and commercial success. And, if you’re ever at Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea, you should definitely check out the ride.
Back to the Future
The Back to the Future trilogy, helmed by director Robert Zemeckis, took audiences on a time-traveling journey starting in 1985. The series became an instant classic, blending comedy, adventure, and heartwarming storytelling. With its iconic DeLorean time machine and beloved characters like Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), the franchise has left an indelible mark on pop culture. This is one of the only franchises on this list that hasn’t been rebooted or had a much later sequel, and that’s mainly due to Robert Zemeckis preventing it from happening.
Where does Back to the Future rank among Michael J. Fox’s comedies of the ’80s and ’90s? Click to find out!
Lethal Weapon
The Lethal Weapon franchise began in 1987, featuring the mismatched detective duo of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The action-comedy series, originally directed by Richard Donner, struck a chord with audiences, combining thrilling crime-fighting with humorous banter and heartfelt camaraderie. The franchise’s success spawned several sequels, showcasing the enduring appeal of these beloved characters. Supposedly there is a finale movie in the works, to be directed by Gibson, but we’ll see if it comes to fruition. And, there was a television series that ran from 2016-2019.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters burst onto the scene in 1984, blending supernatural comedy with thrilling action. Created by Ivan Reitman, the franchise revolves around a team of eccentric parapsychologists who protect New York City from paranormal threats. With its unforgettable theme song, iconic logo, and a mix of humor and adventure, Ghostbusters quickly became a pop culture phenomenon, inspiring a dedicated fanbase and expanding into various media formats, including an animated TV series, two different reboots of the series, video games, comic books, and more.
If you love Ghostbusters, you might also like our list of the Top 13 ’80s Spooky Movies You Loved as a Kid.
Die Hard
The Die Hard franchise burst onto the action scene in 1988 with its debut film starring Bruce Willis as the wisecracking NYPD detective John McClane. Directed by John McTiernan, Die Hard revolutionized the action genre with its intense, claustrophobic setting—a Los Angeles skyscraper—and its relatable yet heroic protagonist. The franchise’s success led to multiple sequels, though the more recent ones are… not so great.
Friday the 13th
The Friday the 13th franchise emerged in 1980 with its slasher film centered around the hockey mask-wearing killer, Jason Voorhees. Created by Sean S. Cunningham, the series became synonymous with the horror genre, featuring suspenseful moments, creative kills, and the iconic image of Jason stalking his victims. Over multiple installments, the franchise carved out its own space in pop culture, leaving an indelible mark on the slasher subgenre. So far, there have been twelve total films, with the most recent one debuting in 2009. You know what that means, they’ve gotta go ham for a 13th installment, right?
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid franchise kicked off in 1984, introducing audiences to the story of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), a teenager who learns karate from his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). Directed by John G. Avildsen, the series became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a generation with its themes of discipline, inner strength, and overcoming adversity. The franchise continued with several sequels, a reboot, and, more recently, the TV series Cobra Kai.
Rambo
The Rambo franchise originated in 1982 with the film First Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone as the troubled and war-hardened Vietnam War veteran, John Rambo. Directed by Ted Kotcheff, the series evolved into an enduring action franchise known for its gritty portrayal of one man’s battle against oppressive forces. Rambo’s iconic character, intense action sequences, and exploration of themes like survival, redemption, and the psychological impact of war have made it a staple of the genre. Will they eventually reboot this one with a new, younger lead, like they did with Rocky? Time will tell.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Nightmare on Elm Street series debuted in 1984, introducing audiences to the iconic character Freddy Krueger. Created by Wes Craven, the franchise delves into the horrifying concept of a supernatural killer who stalks and murders teenagers in their dreams. With its imaginative dream sequences, psychological terror, and Freddy’s distinctively haunting appearance, the Nightmare on Elm Street series has become a staple of the horror genre, with nine total movies having been released to date.
Honorable Mention: Beverly Hills Cop
The Beverly Hills Cop franchise debuted in 1984, starring Eddie Murphy as the street-smart and quick-witted Detroit detective, Axel Foley. Directed by Martin Brest, the film blended action, comedy, and a memorable soundtrack to create a unique and immensely successful formula. With Murphy’s charismatic performance and the perfect balance of humor and thrilling action, The franchise solidified Eddie Murphy’s status as a comedic icon and, a fourth installment has been filmed and will be released by Netflix.
What are your favorite ‘80s movie franchises? Any we didn’t include that you adored? Let us know in the comments!
- The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, a giant marshmallow monster that appears in Ghostbusters (1984), was inspired by a combination of the Michelin Man and Pillsbury Doughboy.
- Indiana Jones was named after George Lucas’s Alaskan Malamute dog named Indiana. The dog often accompanied Lucas on his writing sessions and was an inspiration for the character’s name.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) was the most expensive movie ever made at the time of its release, with a budget of around $100 million. Its groundbreaking visual effects, including the liquid metal T-1000, set new standards for the industry.
- The original title of Back to the Future was “Spaceman from Pluto.” In a memo from Universal executive Sid Sheinberg to Robert Zemeckis, Sheinberg humorously suggested changing the title to “Back to the Future,” which Zemeckis took seriously and did.
- The first Die Hard film, released in 1988, was based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The book was actually a sequel to Thorp’s earlier novel, The Detective, which was adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra in 1968.
- The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, a giant marshmallow monster that appears in Ghostbusters (1984), was inspired by a combination of the Michelin Man and Pillsbury Doughboy.
- Indiana Jones was named after George Lucas’s Alaskan Malamute dog named Indiana. The dog often accompanied Lucas on his writing sessions and was an inspiration for the character’s name.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) was the most expensive movie ever made at the time of its release, with a budget of around $100 million. Its groundbreaking visual effects, including the liquid metal T-1000, set new standards for the industry.
- The original title of Back to the Future was “Spaceman from Pluto.” In a memo from Universal executive Sid Sheinberg to Robert Zemeckis, Sheinberg humorously suggested changing the title to “Back to the Future,” which Zemeckis took seriously and did.
- The first Die Hard film, released in 1988, was based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The book was actually a sequel to Thorp’s earlier novel, The Detective, which was adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra in 1968.
