In today’s media landscape, which is packed with endless options, it’s hard to know which movie franchises are essential viewing. Truly unmissable series are those so embedded in pop culture that audiences must watch them if they want any hope of understanding the endless quotes, references, and parodies that show up everywhere in everyday life.

These include some of the greatest movie franchises ever, whose nostalgia and long-lasting appeal have made them central to modern pop culture. Series like Harry Potter and Star Wars are more than beloved entertainment, as they’ve shaped countless phrases, ideas, and references that permeate the cultural zeitgeist and the world we live in today.

Rocky (1976 – 2006)

Rocky stands as the definitive underdog sports series, and although many might make light of Sylvester Stallone’s acting persona, there’s no denying its spot in cinema history. With the original Rocky winning Best Picture at the Oscars, the sequels feature some of the most iconic movie sequences of all time, as Rocky Balboa continually overcomes the most formidable odds.

From Rocky’s iconic training montages to the immediately recognizable sounds of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” Rocky is an undeniable part of pop culture history that’s continually referenced and parodied across media. With the spin-off Creed series continuing the franchise’s legacy for a new generation, anyone who hasn’t seen it should check out Rocky at least once.

Toy Story (1995 – Present)

Pixar revolutionized modern animation with the release of Toy Story in 1995, a historic film that stands as the first computer-generated feature of all time. Exploring the clever premise of toys coming to life when humans aren’t around, this landmark children’s film was elevated by a top-tier voice cast including Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.

Toy Story is one of the few groundbreaking films that managed to maintain its momentum, as Toy Story 2 brought an even higher level of emotional intensity to the series, and the third and fourth entries continued to uphold the high quality. As perhaps the greatest animated franchise of all time, Toy Story is a must-watch series.

Harry Potter (2001 – 2011)

While not everyone is a fan of fantasy, it would be hard to find any grown adult who is at least not vaguely familiar with the story of Harry Potter. This pop culture phenomenon took off with the release of J.K. Rowling’s book series and was wonderfully brought to life on the big screen through Warner Bros. film adaptations.

Whether it’s gazing in awe at the visual splendor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or being taken in by the coming-of-age tales of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Harry Potter has something for everyone and stands as a must-watch series. Sadly, the spin-off Fantastic Beasts movies didn’t have quite the same impact and can be best left for the die-hard fans.

Indiana Jones (1981 – 2023)

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg helped carve out an all-time great cinematic world with Raiders of the Lost Ark, a spectacular action series inspired by their love of James Bond and old adventure serials. With Harrison Ford as the тιтular archeologist, Indy’s adventures saw him face off against Nazis, search for the Holy Grail, and controversially encounter aliens.

The Indiana Jones series has become an integral part of pop culture, as John Williams’ iconic score represented the pinnacle of movie magic. While later movies like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Dial of Destiny weren’t as beloved as the original trilogy, it remains a must-watch franchise.

Back To The Future (1985 – 1990)

The time-traveling adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown have been enthralling viewers for the past four decades, and anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to stop what they’re doing right now and watch Back to the Future. As a sci-fi classic from director Robert Zemeckis, it’s hard to think of a more iconic family-friendly series than this.

What started with the 1980s teenager Marty traveling back in time and encountering his own parents as high school students later grew into a wild saga that saw him meet his descendants in the far-flung year of 2015 and even encounter his ancestors in the Wild West of 1885. Most importantly, Back to the Future was just plain fun.

The Dark Knight (2005 – 2012)

The superhero movie landscape can be split into a before and after period of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, a reimagining of the Batman mythos that leaned into much darker, grittier territory than anything that came before it. By presenting a much more realistic and mature envisioning of Gotham City, Nolan encouraged filmgoers to take superhero movies seriously.

While Christian Bale did a great job portraying Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins, it was Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight that made this a must-watch franchise. As the late actor’s defining work, Ledger sadly pᴀssed away before the film’s premiere but posthumously earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his iconic portrayal of the Joker.

The Godfather (1972 – 1990)

The Godfather is the most iconic gangster movie series of all time for a reason, as it represents the pinnacle of Francis Ford Coppola’s mastery of cinema. As a story that subverts the American Dream to showcase the dark allure of power and corruption, the Corleone mafia family highlights how ambition and loyalty can ultimately lead to betrayal and tragedy.

From Marlon Brando’s iconic Don Vito in the 1972 original to Robert De Niro’s origin story in Part II and Al Pacino’s haunting decline as Michael, The Godfather is essential cinema. Though Part III is often seen as the weak link, it’s still worth watching at least once.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Infinity Saga (2008 – 2019)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the most sprawling and intricate film universe any studio has ever endeavored to create; with so many characters and overlapping storylines, it can be hard to even keep up. However, watching from the humble beginnings of Iron Man to the epic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame is truly a special experience.

This journey, which includes the daunting prospect of watching over 20 films and several TV series, rewards viewers with an interconnected saga of heroes, villains, redemption, and sacrifice. While the MCU feels a lot more directionless following the conclusion of The Infinity Saga, these movies deserve to be seen by anyone interested in superheroes or blockbuster cinema.

Star Wars (1977 – Present)

Few franchises have become more imbued in pop culture than Star Wars, a sci-fi series whose quotes and characters most will immediately recognize even if they haven’t seen the films. Star Wars not only tapped into the cultural zeitgeist, but it also pushed the boundaries of technical innovation as its worldbuilding and special effects changed cinema forever.

Through timeless storytelling and a battle of good versus evil, characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Yoda have become archetypes that transcend the screen. While some might stop at the original trilogy and others swear by the prequels, everyone should take the time to familiarize themselves with Star Wars at least once.

The Lord Of The Rings (2001 – 2003)

Many thought that J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was unfilmable; that was until Peter Jackson achieved the impossible. As an Oscar favorite whose final entry, The Return of the King, swept the ceremony and took home a whopping 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this series was a hit with audiences and critics alike.

The Lord of the Rings not only represented the pinnacle of awe-inspiring visions, ingenious practical effects, and groundbreaking use of CGI, but also maintained the essence of Tolkien’s story with great characters, strong performances, and emotional depth. As an important moment in the history of blockbuster cinema, even those who normally wouldn’t watch fantasy must see The Lord of the Rings.