It’s no surprise that studio execs are keen to make more content when a franchise does well. But whether it’s done for the love of the story or for a quick cash grab while the IP is relevant can have a major effect on its continued popularity. In fact, in some series, it makes no sense to continue telling the story in a forward direction. Instead, studios turn to the past.
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However, prequels can be a fickle thing. Audiences must want to learn more about the world in which the story is told. Whether they’re generated in a quick turnaround to capitalize on success, or are the result of decades of fan loyalty, here are iconic movie and TV franchises that earned their right to delve into history.
10The Mummy
Though it received mixed reviews from critics at the time,The Mummyhas come to be known as an icon of late 90s action-adventure movies. Starring90s sweetheart Brendan Fraser, the movie soared past all expectations at the box office and went on to spawn two sequels and even an animated series.
Due to the franchise’s vast commercial success, a prequel was released in 2002 by the name ofThe Scorpion King. This movie takes place 5,000 years prior to the original film and explores the life of one of the franchise’s main antagonists. ThoughThe Scorpion Kingalso received mixed reviews, it went on to have four sequels of its own.
9Alien
As one of thegreatest sci-fi horror filmsof all time, it’s surely no surprise that Ridley Scott’sAlienfranchise makes this list. Since the first film was released in 1979, three sequel films were released during the 80s and 90s. Most of these installments were box-office successes, and the franchise’s position as a cult classic of early sci-fi has won it a loyal and ever-growing fanbase.
Alien earned itself not one but two official prequels, withPrometheusin 2012 andAlien: Covenantin 2017. Prometheusis often praised as the epitome of what a good prequel should be, as it tells a compelling story that answers some but not all questions that fans of the franchise might have. The fact that it was released a little over thirty years after the original is a true testament toAlien’senduring popularity.
8Planet Of The Apes
Another early sci-fi giant is thePlanet of the Apesfranchise, which spans five original movies, one remake, and three installments in the reboot. With the original series being released between the late-60s and the mid-70s, it’s a true testament to its popularity that films are continuing to be made. Though not all of them have been successful, the franchise overall is well-loved and due for a new release in 2024.
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The reboot series are all prequels to the original films, though they do reinvent some characters’ origins.Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which was released in 2011, was the first film in theApesfranchise in a decade and debuted over forty years after the original film. It was such a resounding success that it spawned two sequels in six years with a third on the way.
7Transformers
Transformersis perhaps one of the most memorable action sci-fi franchises around. Based on a series of toys, tie-in animations, and comic books by Hasbro,this movie serieshas remained incredibly popular since its initial movie release in 2007. The first four films were box-office successes. However, the controversial fifth movie flopped.
Despite its predecessor’s failure,TransformersprequelBumblebeewent on to be reviewed extremely highly and do quite well at the box office. It helped to restore the success of the series with its great visuals, casting, and setting. Many fans consider it to be the best film in the series since the very first, which makes it a well-earned exploration of the universe.
6X-Men
As with any extensive universe of interconnected characters, it’s no surprise thatX-Menand its related series have many storylines that occur before others. But in terms of the main storyline, the vast success of the first three movies in the 2000s is the main reason whyX-Menis such a mainstay in the film world.
The franchise has several prequel films and related prequel content, butX-Men: First Classwas the first main ensemble prequel to be made. It was, however, originally intended to be a reboot of the original 00s films and as a result, contained some contradictory storylines. Its successor,X-Men: Days of Future Pastretconned it to be more in line withthe overarching series.
5Harry Potter
One major series that earned itself prequels primarily through its massive fanbase is that ofHarry Potter, which has grown from a beloved series of books into anextensive franchise of films, theme parks, stage productions, and video games. As an era-defining piece of pop culture,Harry Potter’scontinued success is a testament to its beloved narrative.
The prequel series of films known as theFantastic Beastsfranchise has seen some controversy over the years. FromHarry Potterauthor J.K. Rowling’s harmful rhetoric against the trans community, to court cases involving severalFantastic Beastsactors, the series has had a difficult run and received many mixed reviews.
4The Hunger Games
Kicking off the dystopian YA adaptation trend that dominated the 2010s wasThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. Based upon a book by the same name, the movie was the first of many to showcase a young female protagonist fighting back against an oppressive government regime. But despite having many copycats and competitors,The Hunger Gamesfranchise remains incredibly popular.
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Owing jointly to its box office success and loyal fanbase, the series of films earned itself a sequel due to be released in November 2023.The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakestakes a closer look at the history of the franchise’s main villain President Snow and explores the early days of the Hunger Games system of punishment.
3Game Of Thrones
Another culture-defining piece of media is undoubtedlyGame of Thrones, with its eight-season run dominating audiences’ screens across eight years. Theepic fantasy medieval taleis well-known for its gruesomeness and explicit scenes which held audiences’ attention in ways not seen before. The series was also one of the first shows to shift to a fewer episode, longer runtime format which has greatly influenced media since.
The series’ record viewership and cultural significance led to the creation of its prequel series,House of the Dragon.Like its predecessor,House of the Dragonhas seen massive popularity among fans and critics alike and was renewed for a second season just four days after its release.
2The Lord Of The Rings
Widely regarded as one of the greatest series of films ever made,The Lord of the Ringsrose to massive success throughout its release in the early 2000s. Based on the novels of J.R.R. Tolkien, thishard fantasy moviefranchise is a beloved staple of film buffs and casual fans as well. Praised for its faithfulness to the novels, breathtaking visuals, and stunning production quality, it’s no surprise that the series has both an impressive commercial track record and a loyal fanbase.
Not only were the original films popular enough to spawnThe Hobbitprequel series, but they also earned the franchiseThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerprequel show too. Though none of these prequels lived up to the untouchable status of the original films, they achieved plenty of popularity and success in their own right.
1Star Wars
Perhaps the most famous franchise for having prequels is theStar Warsmedia dynasty. Born with the release of its initial three films between 1977 and 1983, the franchise has grown to unprecedented proportions in the decades since.Star Warsnow encompasses twelve films, eight animated series, four live-action series, and plenty of video games, toys, and related content.
Though they divide many fans, the prequel series of films released at the turn of the millennium are iconic staples within the franchise. While they owe much of their success to the previous movies, the first three episodes of the Skywalker saga alsoattracted a whole new generationof fans.
