Who doesn’t love a killer movie marathon? There’s nothing quite like hunkering down on the couch, clearing your schedule, and diving headfirst into a cinematic universe. Whether you’re riding high on a nostalgia wave, catching up in preparation for a new sequel, or simply looking to escape reality for a few hours (or days!), streaming entire franchises in one go can be supremely satisfying.
In this era of bingeable television, the concept certainly isn’t new. But for film fans, there’s an extra layer of magic to the movie marathon format. Seeing those end credits roll and knowing another installment awaits just a click away? *Chef’s kiss.* Plus, you get to track all the subtle connections between films that you may have missed before.
If you think you’ve got the stamina, we’ve compiled the 15 most bingeable, rewatchable movie franchises that are perfect for your next marathon. From iconic trilogies to expansive universes with double-digit entries, consider this your official watchlist. We’ll recap need-to-know details like total runtimes and streaming availability on each one so rest assured, we’ve got you covered on the logistics. Just cue up that intro sequence, cozy up on the couch, and settle in for hours of big-screen magic with one of these cinematic masterpieces.
15. The Before Movies
If you’re seeking a romantic marathon with emotional depth, look no further than Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy. Tracking the love story between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) over the course of 18 years, these intimate indie films capture the euphoria of new connection and the harsh realities of maintaining lifelong partnership.
It all begins when Jesse and Céline have a chance encounter on a train to Vienna in Before Sunrise. With only one night together before Jesse’s flight home, they wander the streets for hours, conversing easily about life, love, and everything in between. The chemistry is tangible from scene one, and we can’t help but root for the pair as their European fling unfolds. Nine years later in Before Sunset, Jesse tracks down Céline at the Paris bookshop where she works to reconnect after their magical evening together. As they walk and talk, old feelings bubble up to the surface, despite the new complications of Jesse’s unhappy marriage and looming return flight.
Before Midnight catches up with the star-crossed lovers another nine years down the road, this time vacationing in Greece. Now in a long-term relationship with twin daughters, tensions flare over lingering resentment and the struggles of partnership. But through sharp dialogue and exceptional acting, the warmth and affection between Jesse and Céline continues to pull us in. At just under 5 hours total, diving into this trilogy is like witnessing an epic romance unfold in real time. It’s an emotional journey with remarkable payoff.
- Where to stream: Available to rent on major platforms.
14. Toy Story Movies
Grab the tissues and let nostalgia wash over you as you revisit the cherished Toy Story saga. Tracking beloved toys Woody and Buzz Lightyear through multiple owners, these four films pull on the heartstrings while showcasing revolutionary animation.
It all began in 1995 with Toy Story, Disney and Pixar’s first full-length computer-animated feature. When Andy gets a new high-tech Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, old favorite Woody can’t handle the competition. But after a frantic search when the duo gets separated, they become lifelong friends. Toy Story 2 raises the stakes by introducing the idea of toy obsolescence and a nefarious collector intent on keeping Woody from his rightful owner. As we meet Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete, it’s a poignant exploration of purpose and loneliness through a toy’s eyes.
By 2010’s Toy Story 3, Andy is college-bound, leaving his loyal toys feeling abandoned. This emotional entry shows Woody, Buzz and the gang facing an uncertain future, punctuated by a gut-wrenching furnace climax. Brilliantly animated with compelling new characters, it leaves few dry eyes. Rounding out the quad is Toy Story 4, where Woody embarks on a quest to reunite lost toy Forky with his new child owner Bonnie. It’s a poignant rumination on self-worth wrapped in rollicking adventure.
At nearly 7 hours runtime, watching all four films illuminates intricate long-term character development Pixar excels at. And with each subsequent chapter raising the animation and storytelling bar, it’s a journey that never gets old. Just be warned – the closing montage showing Andy passing his toys down in Toy Story 3 packs an emotional wholmy you won’t soon forget.
- Where to stream: Available on Disney+
13. Planet of the Apes Movies
Get ready for a twisty timeline with the epic Planet of the Apes franchise. Tracking civilized apes and primitive humans across three conflicting story arcs, these science fiction classics tackle complex themes around evolution, warfare, and social dynamics.
It all began in 1968 with Planet of the Apes starring Charlton Heston as an astronaut who crashes on a future Earth planet ruled by intelligent, talking apes. Four heady sequels followed in the early 70s continuing the storyline. Then in 2011, the franchise got a reboot with Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Set in modern times, it uses a genetically engineered “virus” to jumpstart ape intelligence and kick off an uprising. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes complete this trilogy arc following leader Caesar through inter-species warfare.
In an alternate timeline, 2001’s Planet of the Apes is a remake of the 1968 original without sequels attached. And with a new prequel, Kingdom of the Planets of the Apes set for 2024, they continue to expand the intricate universe. Tracking overlapping ape rebellions across simultaneous timelines is admittedly confusing. But each version brings riveting high-stakes drama centered on man vs ape ideological clashes.
With nearly 50 years of movies to pull from, dedicate a full weekend to exploring the Planet of the Apes multiverse. Just be prepared to think hard once philosophical apes start debating destiny on screen!
- Where to Stream: Hulu, Amazon Prime
12. The Hunger Games Movies
Set in a dystopian future where adolescents fight to the death for entertainment, The Hunger Games delivers thought-provoking action across four films. And with the recent prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, this timely sci-fi franchise once again feels disturbingly prescient.
It kicks off with 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) sacrificing herself to join the annual Hunger Games battle royale in place of her younger sister. As she fights alongside fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), unlikely alliances and romance bloom despite the horrific stakes. In Catching Fire, victors Katniss and Peeta get dragged back to compete once more, this time facing off with previous winners. Mockingjay Part 1 centers on propaganda battles and resistance missions as Katniss becomes the face of revolution. And Mockingjay Part 2 brings the uprising to a violent, devastating climax.
Alongside Lawrence’s stellar performance, what hooks viewers is the unnerving world building that underscores how rapidly society could devolve with a slight tweak in power. Released in 2022, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes travels back 64 years before Katniss’s Games to center on Coriolanus Snow. Yes, the tyrannical villain gets an origin story as an ambitious teen assigned to mentor a District 12 female tribute. It sheds light on how even righteous intentions can devolve into cruelty when morality becomes relative.
Catch up on five films worth of social commentary and engaging character arcs with nearly 12 hours of Hunger Games content. Just be warned – the helicopter shot circling the Cornucopia bloodbath at the start of each movie delivers serious goosebumps each time.
- Where to Stream: AMC+ and rentals
11. Star Wars Movies
Spanning multiple generations and still expanding with new series, Star Wars famously transports viewers to “a galaxy far, far away” for epic tales of good versus evil. Tracking the Skywalker bloodline and beyond, these blockbusters showcase brilliant worldbuilding across distant planets rendered through pioneering cinema magic.
It all kicked off in 1977 with A New Hope as young Luke Skywalker joined forces with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, and robots C-3PO and R2-D2 to rescue rebel leader Princess Leia. Action, mythology and plenty of humor collided for an experience that became instantly iconic. Two more smash films completing Luke’s coming of age story cemented Star Wars as a pop culture phenomenon.
But the franchise was just getting started. Following a 16-year big-screen hiatus, creator George Lucas returned with polarizing prequels centering on Luke’s father Anakin’s trajectory from sweet young slave to the fearsome Darth Vader. Say what you will about awkward dialogue and excessive CGI characters, but Duel of the Fates still goes hard. Jumping forward 30 years, Disney took the helm with sequels tracking Leia and Han’s son Ben Solo fall to the Dark Side, and scavenger Rey rising to meet Palatine’s return. And that’s just the Skywalker Saga! Rogue One, Solo, The Mandalorian and more also expand the canon.
At nearly 27 epic hours and counting, Star Wars offers endless mythology to immerse in across streaming platforms. Just don’t get sucked into parsing out-of-order timelines without taking bathroom breaks. This journey definitely requires snacks.
- Where to stream: Disney+
10. Indiana Jones Movies
Dust off your fedora for iconic trilogy character Indiana Jones and his pulse-pounding big-screen archaeological adventures! Starring Harrison Ford as the quick-witted professor constantly entangled in high-stakes missions spanning the globe, these four films fusion action, history and just the right dose of cheeky humor.
Raiders of the Lost Ark introduced the iconic hero in 1981 on the hunt for the Biblical Ark of the Covenant ahead of the Nazis. With rollercoaster set pieces and snakes in close quarters, Indy left his mark. 1984’s Temple of Doom is a prequel showing Indy retrieving sacred stones and magical artifacts accompanied by shrill-screaming Willie (Kate Capshaw). Next up in The Last Crusade (1989), Indy races to uncover the coveted Holy Grail paired up with – who else – his action-archeologist father (Sean Connery).
It then took nearly 20 years for the fourth film Kingdom of the Crystal Skull where Jones cracks Cold War conspiracies linked to mysterious alien remains. Shia LeBeouf as Indy’s motorcycle-riding rebel son adds generational heat alongside Karen Allen returning as past flame Marion Ravenwood. Sure, a nuclear fridge and rope-swinging with monkeys strains believability. But at its best moments, this late entry recalls earlier films’ potent blend of gleeful escapism, poignant backstory, and off-the-wall supernaturalism.
At just over 11 riotous hours, dive into Indiana Jones movies for a masterclass in stunt coordination and practical effects that hold up decades later. Just be warned, getting invested in Indy’s storied career means lots of fist pumping when that iconic brass-heavy adventurism score swells.
- Where to Stream: Paramount+
9. Lord of the Rings Movies
Transport yourself to the fantasy realm of Middle Earth with Peter Jackson’s iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s sweeping novels, these three epics films launched the new millennium with expert worldbuilding, emotional stakes, and game-changing cinema technology.
It all begins with 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring, where hobbit Frodo Baggins inherits a powerful ring tied to the Dark Lord Sauron. Recruiting a fellowship of allies across Middle Earth including wizard Gandalf, elf Legolas, dwarf Gimli and men Aragorn and Boromir, Frodo embarks on a quest to destroy the ring in Mount Doom. Beautiful New Zealand vistas stun as locales from bucolic Hobbiton to the abandoned Mines of Moria. The Two Towers cranks up the action splitting the party across parallel storylines centering on mankind’s clashes with Saruman’s Uruk-hai army and Gollum’s continued ring obsession. Masterfully shot large-scale battles establish new norms for fantasy warfare on screen. With Return of the King, Frodo reaches a precipice in his journey while Middle Earth unite for an epic showdown against Sauron’s forces, culminating in intercut endings tying up loose ends across a vast landscape.
Combine theatrical and extended cuts and you’ve got over 12 hours of bold worldbuilding, innovative technology, and emotional journeys to get lost in. Just be sure to take bathroom breaks during one of the, yes, multiple endings.
- Where to stream: HBOMax
8. Pirates of the Caribbean Movies
Set sail for swashbuckling high-seas adventure with the first five flicks in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Launched by Johnny Depp’s instantly iconic drunken pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, these seafaring fantasy films offer rollicking escapism with a dark edge.
It starts with 2003’s The Curse of the Black Pearl introducing Depp’s eccentric Sparrow helping blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) rescue captured childhood crush Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). With stunning galleon visuals and Depp chewing the scenery, the film became an unexpectedly massive hit. Sequel Dead Man’s Chest cranks up the fantasy factor tracking Sparrow’s debt to notorious ghost sailor Davy Jones. Meanwhile Will, Elizabeth and crew swordfight with fish people and do battle with a giant grinder wheel in tense set pieces. At World’s End concludes the original trilogy with epic worldbuilding as our leads enter dizzying new nautical realms to take down Jones and the East India Trading Company.
Nine years passed before On Stranger Tides resurrected Captain Jack on an adventure seeking the Fountain of Youth with Penelope Cruz in tow. And 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales brings the aging antihero together with Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), son of Will and Elizabeth, to break a curse plaguing Will’s life. Across two hours and 20 minutes of film, Depp manages the incredible balancing act between caricature and emotional complexity that makes Jack Sparrow so magnetic.
- Where to Stream: Disney+
7. X-Men Movies
![The Wolverine | Official Trailer 2 [HD] | 20th Century FOX](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwG56k6VGOE/hqdefault.jpg "15 Best Movie Marathons for Your Next Binge Session 9")
Get your mutant fix with Fox’s long-running X-Men franchise tracking powerful heroes and villains across decade-spanning interconnecting timelines. While continuity gets tricky in places, especially factoring Deadpool, diving into this Marvel universe makes for a killer action-fueled binge session.
It all kicked off in 2000 with X-Men directed by Bryan Singer, introducing Halle Berry’s weather-controlling Storm, Famke Janssen’s telepathic Jean Grey, and breakout stars Patrick Stewart as team leader Professor X and Ian McKellen as metal-manipulating frenemy Magneto. But arguably the true star was Hugh Jackman as angry clawed loner Wolverine in a star-making turn. 2003’s X2 raised stakes focusing on the villainous Colonel Stryker, while 2006’s The Last Stand controversially killed off key characters.
After a spinoff origin story for Wolverine, the series got a soft reboot in First Class jumping back to the 60s to spotlight James McAvoy’s young Xavier befriending Michael Fassbender’s Magneto. More time-hopping prequels followed in the 70s-set Days of Future Past using time travel to correct the past films’ darker endings and 80s-focused Apocalypse pitting the team against an ancient mutant. Dark Phoenix delivered a more grounded 90s-set finale. After an incredible 17-year run, Jackman retired his claws with gritty 2017 standalone Logan.
Revisiting these nine main X-Men films is a wild ride at over 22 hours not counting Deadpools 1 and 2. Have your Wikipedia ready to keep conflicting timelines straight. But the character drama and themes of found family amongst persecuted outsiders resonates through even the most unbalanced entries. Grab the popcorn.
- Where to Stream: Disney+
6. Fast & Furious Movies
Family, cars, and death-defying stunts. Catch up on over 20 years of high octane action with the blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise.Tracing Dominic Toretto’s crew of skilled gearheads-turned-agents across nine nutty features, these popcorn flicks deliver gleefully outrageous setpieces other franchises wouldn’t dare attempt.
It began with 2001’s The Fast and the Furious centered on undercover cop Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) infiltrating Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) gang of illegal street racers. Sparks fly between Brian and Dom’s sister Mia amidst the pulse-pounding practical effects. 2 Fast 2 Furious swapped leads to follow Brian and childhood friend Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) tackling a Miami drug lord. Tokyo Drift landed next with a disconnected story tracking teen Sean Boswell (Lucas Black) entering Tokyo’s elite drift-racing scene.
But 2009’s Fast & Furious reunited Brian, Dom, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and the crew for a gazillion more explosive adventures culminating in taking down Charlize Theron’s new cybersupervillain in The Fate of the Furious. Who can forget Furious 7’s emotional goodbye to Brian while dropping cars from a plane?! Or crafty hacker Tej (Ludacris) reprogramming man-eating cars to attack in F9?! At 10 entries and counting, logic takes a backseat to wall-to-wall audacity.
- Where to Stream: Peacock
5. The Scream Movies
Ghostface is back, baby! After reigniting the slasher genre in the 90s, the iconic Scream franchise returned with a vengeance delivering entertaining sequels in 2022 and 2023. Blending bloody carnage with sly meta-commentary on horror tropes, these six (and counting!) films offer perfect Halloween marathon material.
Launched by horror master Wes Craven in 1996, Scream introduced Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as a high schooler in Woodsboro where classmates fall prey to masked killer Ghostface. With whip-smart dialogue skewering genre conventions even as it revels in tense chase scenes, the clever whodunnit sparked multiple follow-ups. Scream 2 moved the mayhem to college as Sid and reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) again team up to unmask yet another killer. Scream 3 took a California film set stalking actors playing Sid and Gale, while Scream 4 brought Ghostface home to Woodsboro to target a new generation.
After an 11-year hiatus, 2022’s nostalgic Scream (aka Scream 5) had a series of brutal murders kick off back in Woodsboro targeting Sid’s now-adult niece. And as Scream VI follows the survivors to New York City, Ghostface is at it again shredding vicitms and upending expectations.
Catch up on over 12 gory hours tracking self-aware survivors outsmarting seemingly endless serial killers. Just make sure you’ve got spare batteries for flashlights when the inevitable blackouts kick in!
- Where to stream: Paramount+
4. The Conjuring Movies
Creepy doll alert! Dive deep into the Conjuring Universe spanning witchy curses across eight interconnected horror films based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s case files.
It all started with 2013’s The Conjuring. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as the Warrens helping a family terrorized by a malicious entity in their remote farmhouse. Unnerving ambiance builds towards shocking reveals in the retro haunted house flick. With its success, more cases from the Warrens’ files got explored. The Annabelle trilogy tracks an evil-possessed doll ruining lives. The Nun focuses on the demon Valak first glimpsed in Conjuring 2 opening an abbey’s dangerous secrets. La Llorona put a South American folk spirit targeting kids on the Warrens’ radar.
Recent entries link characters closer with The Conjuring 3 showing a murder suspect pleading not guilty by reason of demonic possession. And The Crooked Man references a disturbing entity the Warrens kept locked away inspiring creepy nursery rhymes. Mixing religious mythology and jump scares, these interweaving films work best when binged back to back to allow tension to build across storylines.
At nearly 15 hours of runtime, traveling down the Conjuring rabbit hole makes for horrifying and highly entertaining marathon material. Just know you’ll be sleeping with one eye open imagining evil Valak hovering in dark corners!
- Where to Stream: HBOMax
3. The Godfather Movies
Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic Godfather trilogy stands as one of cinema’s most revered series, offering an operatic and sprawling portrait of the Corleone crime family across generations. Though controversial for glorifying mob violence upon its initial release in 1972, the brilliant cast, lavish production design, and tight script from Mario Puzo now cement The Godfather’s place in the film canon.
The trilogy tracks the moral decline of war hero Michael Corleone (Al Pacino in a career-defining role) as he becomes embroiled in his family’s criminal empire, descending from quietly principled outsider to ruthless Don. Marlon Brando also knocks it out of the park as the gravelly-voiced patriarch, Vito, with legendary supporting turns from James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. And who could forget that climactic assassination montage, intercut with a baptism scene, in The Godfather’s pulse-pounding finale?
Coppola deftly handles the operatic sweep, while keeping laser focus on intimate character dynamics that hook us in. At nearly nine hours combined run time, the films earn their sprawling length, depicting the intoxicating pull of corruption upon one man’s soul. It’s no wonder generations of filmmakers continue to take cues from these mob classics.
You can stream all three Godfather films, totaling almost 9 hours, on Paramount+. Don’t miss these landmark achievements that remind us of cinema’s potential for grandeur and complexity. Treat yourself to a rewatch and gain renewed appreciation for their tragic resonance.
- Where to Stream: Paramount+
2. James Bond Movies
As one of film’s longest running franchises spanning six decades, James Bond has become a fixture of popular culture, bringing us 26 action-packed spy adventures starring seven different leading men. From Sean Connery’s smoldering debut in 1962’s Dr. No to Daniel Craig’s grittier reboot, the Bond franchise epitomizes escapist fantasy with its glamorous locales, daring stunts, eccentric villains and charismatic hero getting the girl.
Though early critics dismissed the Bond movies as lowbrow guilty pleasures, endless rewatches prove their durability as sublime wish-fulfillment, transporting us to an alluring world of casinos and covert ops. And while the continuity gets tricky across decades, each actor brings their own spin: Connery with raw magnetism, Roger Moore dialing up the humor, Pierce Brosnan perfecting the suave sophistication.
You likely don’t have 54 hours for a full series marathon. But on Netflix, you can stream Daniel Craig’s harder-edged Quartet as a tighter binge. His Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre clock in around 8 hours combined – delivering a grittier exploration of Bond’s inner demons amid adrenaline-fueled set pieces. Don’t miss Craig’s final outing in No Time To Die, a poignant coda. Wherever you dive in, Bond movies distill popcorn fare to its slick and stylish essence – and get us dreaming of fast cars and daring getaways.
- Where to Stream: Netflix
1. Harry Potter Movies
Grab your wands, Potterheads! Revisit the magical world of Harry Potter through eight epic fantasy adaptations chronicling the Boy Who Lived from humble beginnings to legendary wizard status. Tracking Harry’s coming-of-age journey alongside best friends Hermione and Ron, these films conjure up a remarkably rich world filled with quidditch, spells, and so much heart.
It all begins in 2001’s Sorcerer’s Stone, directed by Chris Columbus, introducing orphan Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) rescued into the supernatural world where he’s already famous. Bright wonders abound in Hogwarts halls before darker forces rear in sequel Chamber of Secrets. Alfonso Cuarón then took the helm infusing stunning new visual styling and steeping Prisoner of Azkaban in mythic tone. Mike Newell grounded Harry’s Triwizard tournament battles in sports movie drama for Goblet of Fire.
But the franchise fully matures under David Yates’ direction. Order of the Phoenix kicks off a five-film run covering the final books with tight Focus on rebellion and sacrifice against Voldemort’s forces. Heartbreaking deaths raise stakes alongside romance, quidditch, and secrets of Dumbledore’s past. And the Harry, Ron and Hermione triumvirate remains compelling until the very last magical moments 19 years later.
At over 22 hours including Fantastic Beasts prequels, Harry Potter’s coming-of-age saga still enchants through rich worldbuilding rooted in raw emotion. Just try not to blubber too loudly through all the Battle of Hogwarts tragedy.
- Where to stream: Peacock
