Few activities beat a weekend movie marathon, whether you're looking to indulge in a solo binge or share the fun with friends. Settling in for hours of uninterrupted films can be the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quality time.
For the ultimate cinematic experience, consider focusing your marathon on a single franchise. To help you plan your next epic movie session, we've curated a list of 15 of the best franchises to watch, along with the total runtime for each series.
AnswerSee ResultsPlanet of the Apes ------------------
With the recent release of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," now is the perfect time to dive into this classic sci-fi franchise. The series, now boasting 10 films, spans three different timelines, but remains a thrilling experience from start to finish.
While we don't have the precise runtime for the entire "Planet of the Apes" series, you can comfortably binge all films over a weekend. For a shorter session, you can focus on the newer prequel films and complete your marathon in a single day.
### Includes Digital Version Planet of the Apes Trilogy Blu-ray Collection
36Also available in full 4K.See it at AmazonX-Men
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took over, the X-Men franchise was the king of superhero films. Now including "Deadpool & Wolverine," the series has 13 movies. While the timeline can get confusing due to time jumps and the inclusion of the Deadpool films, you can opt for a shorter binge by focusing on the Wolverine timeline.
Excluding the Deadpool movies, you can watch the entire "X-Men" series in just over 22 hours. But let's face it, who would want to miss out on Deadpool's antics?
### X-Men Blu-Ray Collection
88Contains 10 movies.See it at AmazonFast and Furious
With "Fast X" hitting screens in 2023, the "Fast and Furious" series now boasts 13 films. What started as a simple racing franchise has evolved into an action-packed saga that even ventures into space. If you're looking for a high-octane, family-centric marathon, this is the one for you.
The total runtime for all "Fast and Furious" movies is almost 23 and a half hours. For more on the series, check out our guide on the "Fast and Furious movies in order."
### Blu-Ray + Digital Fast & Furious: 10 Movie Collection
3See it at AmazonLord of the Rings
For a timeless classic, look no further than the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary novels, these films are a staple of fantasy cinema. To expand your marathon, you can also include the "Hobbit" trilogy and Amazon's "Rings of Power" series.
The six feature-length films take about 19 and a half hours to watch. Add the "Rings of Power" series for another nearly 18 hours of content. For more information, see our guide on the "Lord of the Rings in order" or explore our "Lord of the Rings Blu-ray sets."
### The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K Ultra HD)
3See it at AmazonStar Wars
With no end in sight, "Star Wars" continues to expand with "The Acolyte" and numerous upcoming projects. To date, there are 11 live-action films, with more on the horizon. Including animated movies and series like "The Clone Wars" and "The Mandalorian" extends the timeline even further.
A marathon of just the live-action films will take just over 25 hours. For more on the series, check our guide on "Star Wars movies and shows in order" or dive into the "Star Wars Legends books" for additional lore.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Standing alone among pirate-themed movies, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, led by Johnny Depp's iconic Jack Sparrow, includes five feature-length films. While we await "Pirates of the Caribbean 6," you can enjoy a full marathon in one day.
Watching all five "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies takes just over 12 hours.
4K UHD### Pirates of the Caribbean 5-Movie Collection
2See it at AmazonJurassic Park
For fans of dinosaur movies, the "Jurassic Park" series is the gold standard. With six feature-length films, short films, and an animated Netflix series, there's plenty to enjoy. Look forward to "Jurassic World Rebirth" in July 2025.
The combined runtime for all six movies is just over 10 hours. For more details, see our guide on the "Jurassic Park movies in order."
### Out Now Jurassic World 6-Movie Collection (Standard Edition)
4Includes all six movies in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital.See it at AmazonIndiana Jones
Spanning over four decades, the "Indiana Jones" franchise includes five films. With "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" released in 2023 and a new game on the horizon, now's the perfect time to revisit this classic series. It's also a great starting point for a Harrison Ford movie marathon.
All five "Indiana Jones" movies can be watched in just over 10 hours.
4K UHD + Blu-Ray### Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection
1See it at AmazonThe Conjuring
With nine movies and five shorts, the "Conjuring" universe offers a sprawling horror experience. From "The Conjuring" to "Annabelle" and "The Nun," this franchise has it all.
A full marathon, including all nine movies and the shorts, takes just under 14 and a half hours. You can catch up on the entire story, including "The Nun 2," over a weekend.
### The Conjuring 7-Film Blu-Ray Collection
0See it at AmazonTransformers
With the release of "Transformers One," it's a great time to revisit the "Transformers" franchise. Featuring eight films filled with action and humor, this series is a must-watch. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" fits earlier in the timeline, so start there for a chronological experience.
Watching all eight "Transformers" movies takes about 18 and a half hours, making it perfect for a weekend marathon.
Limited Edition [Blu-Ray + 4K UHD]### Transformers 6-Movie Steelbook Collection
10See it at AmazonHarry Potter
Despite the mixed reception of the "Fantastic Beasts" series, the "Harry Potter" movies remain a beloved classic. Filled with magic and wonder, these films are perfect for a nostalgic marathon. The recent "Hogwarts Legacy" game adds even more depth to the universe.
Excluding the "Fantastic Beasts" movies, the eight "Harry Potter" films take just under 20 hours to watch. Including the prequels adds another 6 hours and 49 minutes.
### Harry Potter: 8 Film Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
3See it at AmazonAlien
With "Alien: Romulus" adding to the saga, the "Alien" franchise now includes nine movies, spanning the mainline series, Predator crossovers, and prequels.
For a space-horror marathon, the "Alien" films are unbeatable. Watching all nine takes just over 17 hours, or about 14 hours without the Predator crossovers.
### Alien: 6-Film Collection
4Contains six Blu-ray discs and digital codes.See it at WalmartScream
With "Scream 5" and "Scream 6" reigniting interest and "Scream 7" on the horizon, the "Scream" franchise is thriving. For a horror marathon that blends scares with humor, watching all six "Scream" movies is a fantastic choice.
The total runtime for all six films is just over 11 and a half hours. Find out where to watch them online.
### Scream: 6-Movie Collection
0See it at AmazonJames Bond
As one of the longest-running franchises, "James Bond" includes 26 films across seven actors. While watching all 26 in order is ambitious, focusing on a single era, like the Daniel Craig films, is more manageable.
A marathon of all 26 "James Bond" films takes over 54 hours, while the Daniel Craig movies can be watched in about 7 hours and 40 minutes.
### James Bond Collection
1Has 24 Bond films from the classic era to the modern ones.See it at AmazonThe Hunger Games
With "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" now available and a new book on the way, it's the perfect time to revisit "The Hunger Games." The prequel sets the stage, allowing you to watch the films in chronological order.
All five "Hunger Games" films can be watched in just over 11 and a half hours, with the prequel being the longest at 2 hours and 38 minutes.
