Despite its infamy for its considerable length, the longest-running movie franchise of all time is not actually James Bond, and there is another franchise which beats 007’s debut by 8 years. The original British spy character was created by British novelist Ian Fleming in 1953, but it wasn’t until 1962 that the first James Bond movie was released. Dr. No followed the sixth book in Fleming’s series, wherein James Bond (played by Sean Connery) investigated the disappearance of a British agent in Jamaica, which led him to discover a plot by Dr. Julius No, to disrupt an American space launch.
Dr. No was produced on a low budget, yet was still a financial success. While the film originally received mixed reviews, Dr. No has since earned a reputation for providing the foundations for the franchise with things like the iconic theme tune and the gun barrel main тιтle sequence. Since 1962’s success, there have been 25 James Bond movies produced with various actors playing the lead role. In fact, updates continue for James Bond 26. As a result, James Bond is one of the longest-running movie franchises ever. Nevertheless, the spy franchise was marginally beaten by the Japanese-created Godzilla franchise.
The First Godzilla Movie Beat James Bond’s Dr. No By 8 Years
Godzilla Has Been Around Since Its 1954 Movie
The first Godzilla movie was released in 1954, 8 years after the first James Bond. The Japanese epic film followed Japan’s authorities dealing with the sudden appearance of a giant reptilian monster (or kaiju), whose attacks trigger fears of a nuclear holocaust in post-war Japan. Much like James Bond, Godzilla was also met with mixed reviews upon its initial release, despite being a box office success. However, Godzilla’s notoriety spawned a multimedia franchise that has continued to this day, becoming recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest-running film franchise in history, beating James Bond by 8 years.
The harsh reality about Sean Connery’s James Bond movie is that, although the spy franchise is still very much active today, Godzilla unfortunately made its debut a few years earlier. Therefore, despite the two franchises both having a long history, Godzilla has been around longer and upholds the record for longest-running. Furthermore, Godzilla also has more movies within its franchise – James Bond has 25 films, while Godzilla has 38 in total – due to the kaiju movies’ immense popularity in Japan and subsequent modern American adaptations of the franchise, and this pattern looks likely to continue in Godzilla’s future too.
Godzilla’s Future Looks More Certain Than James Bond’s In 2025
James Bond Has Seen A Shift In Creative Control
With such an incredible run, both Godzilla and James Bond have earned themselves a mᴀssive reputation for their successful franchises. That being said, Godzilla’s future does look considerably more certain than James Bond’s at the moment. The kaiju franchise is currently experiencing a fantastic run with its American adaptations under Legendary Pictures, which have been dubbed the “Monsterverse.” In fact, in 2024, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire broke the franchise’s box office record, becoming the highest-grossing movie within the Monsterverse, proving that Godzilla has never been more popular. On the other hand, James Bond’s future success is currently undecided.
Albert Broccoli, nicknamed “Cubby,” produced many of the James Bond movies. Following his death, creative control of James Bond went to his daughter, Barbara Broccoli, and stepson, Michael G. Wilson.
All 25 James Bond movies have been produced under the Broccoli family, including producer Cubby Broccoli and, later, daughter Barbara Broccoli, who have maintained creative control over the franchise since 1962’s Dr. No. However, ever since Daniel Craig, who was the previous James Bond actor, officially departed from the franchise in 2021 with No Time To Die, the James Bond franchise has seen a huge change. Amazon MGM announced new creative control over the James Bond franchise in early 2025, in a new joint venture with the Broccoli family, after the company purchased James Bond’s distributor MGM in 2022.
Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins has talked of ushering in the “next phase of the legendary 007.”
While Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will remain co-owners, creative control of the IP is with Amazon MGM. Wilson said that this decision to hand the franchise over to Amazon MGM will, hopefully, “lead James Bond into the future.” In addition, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins has talked of ushering in the “next phase of the legendary 007.”
With James Bond’s franchise changing hands for the first time since the first film’s release in 1962, this new era means the James Bond franchise’s fate remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Godzilla’s upcoming 2027 Monsterverse sequel shows a promising future, not to mention Toho’s plans for the King of the Monsters beyond Godzilla Minus One.
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James Bond
- Genres
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Action
- Created by
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Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli
- First Film
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Dr. No
- Latest Film
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No Time to Die
- Upcoming Films
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James Bond 26
- First TV Show
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Fleming: The Man Who Would be Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
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Godzilla
- Movie(s)
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Godzilla, Godzilla 2, Godzilla 3, Shin Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Kong, Godzilla Minus One, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Godzilla Vs King Kong, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., godzilla: monster planet, Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Godzilla: Final Wars, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, Godzilla: The Showa Era Films, Godzilla vs. Biollante
- Created by
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Tomoyuki Tanaka, Akira Watanabe
- First Film
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Godzilla
- Latest Film
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
- First Episode Air Date
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November 17, 2023
- Cast
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Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the тιтular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
