AC20: 1250th Post Special - Top 25 All Time Favourite Franchises

Well we made it to another milestone post so as usual, its dedicated to something I love and today, I'm going to list my top 25 all time favourite franchises. You all know my all time favourite films, video games, TV shows and other things so now its time for one of the biggest ones. It has been difficult to limit it to just 25, but I think you'll like what I've put down. I've become a fan of these franchises mainly through the items I get in my mystery boxes, but also from their respective forms of media whether that be film, TV, video games or books. So as everyone knows, this is just opinion based and its franchises I know and love so let's get to it:

25 - James Bond 007

I've always come to know and love any film in the espionage genre and if I could describe Bond in one word, it would be classy. The cars, the suits, missions and even the music is what I love seeing in the films. Of course its not without its flaws and those of you who remember my reviews of all the films will know that while some of them are not great, there are many more that are great or at least managed to establish the franchise as one of the biggest ones worldwide. Not only that, but it also set the standard for future espionage films to come and so far, only a handful have topped it. But not enough to knock it out of the park, so to speak. Love it.

24 - Mad Max

This one is probably a more recent favourite of mine simply because its got pimped out cars, a wasteland environment and people trying to survive and get by while others have succumbed to the world and have driven into madness. That to me makes this franchise great. Now Mel Gibson was a great Max and the films he was in, helped establish himself as an action star which of course led him to appear in The Expendables 3. The second and fourth films have been recognised as being 2 of the greatest action films of all time which does say something. Not only that, but the most recent video game, while mostly a bore fest, is a game that to me, could be considered the definitive Mad Max game because it got everything right and not a single flaw in sight. George Miller is a legend and I look forward to the next one.

23 - Breaking Bad

So when I heard that WB were considering Bryan Cranston for the role of Lex Luthor in the DCEU, my immediate reaction was "really?". Now at the time, I only knew him for being the father character in Malcom in the Middle so it was obvious to me that it wasn't going to work. But then people started talking about him in Breaking Bad so to please my curiosity, I picked up the entire show on Blu-Ray, gave it a watch and was left speechless. Now I know that even an actor who is known for comedy roles, can still pull off a serious performance as an anti-hero so to speak. The transition from a normal school teacher too a badass drug kingpin was just pure genius to me. And the good news was that it wasn't just Cranston that was the interesting character. You also had his partner in crime Jesse Pinkman, the DEA agent Hank, the crooked lawyer Saul Goodman (who would go on to star in his own show on Netflix), the cleaner/hitman Mike and even the other kingpins who stand in the way of Walter White/Heisenberg. Its a fantastic series as well as a fantastic franchise and I hope to see more of these characters in the future.

22 - Doctor Who

I will admit that the fanbase for Doctor Who is nowhere near perfect, but they do bring up some good points about the franchise, even if I don't agree with them. But what I do like about Doctor Who is how its able to mix up various genres to give us a fantastic series of time travelling adventures whether it be going to other planets, travelling to different time periods or even trying to figure out whether legends are real or not. Every episode does well to keep us on our toes to see what will happen next, but I often find that especially with the revival series, that it can get confusing to the point where we fans have to figure out where everything fits in. Its not a bad thing as such, but I expect for us to watch an episode without the need to know who these characters are beforehand because the Moffat era makes me feel that way. But despite all that, I like the concept, I enjoy the adventures (even the bad or disappointing ones), but most importantly, I enjoy how the show makes me learn a thing or two about things that have happened with our potential ancestors, without being as patronising as the shows you see now on CBeebies (a BBC channel for very young children). Love it.

21 - Ghostbusters

I always liked Ghostbusters as being the franchise that plays on the idea of ghosts being real and that a group of scientists are the only ones that can catch them. We've had three films, lots of cartoons, lots of video games and millions upon millions of merchandise. So its safe to say that whoever takes the mantle of Ghostbuster can almost certainly do the job just fine. Its a great franchise that has shown that even when it has its bad days, it can still come on top as being loved by many. Busting really does make us feel good and the Ghostbusters are the ones to call in a time of need of catching ghosts.

20 - The Simpsons

It may be showing its age these days, but in its prime, everyone loved the Simpsons. It is a great animated sitcom that isn't afraid to take some risks and still gets loved by many. It is the longest running animated American sitcom to this day and I still find enjoyment in it and I would even go as far as getting all of the merchandise if I had the money. It has some great catch-phrases, a variety of interesting characters, interesting interpretations of various celebrities (some of which were even voiced by the actual celebrity themselves) and it unwillingly has the amazing ability of predicting the future without even trying (it even predicted Trump becoming president of the United States). I still enjoy it today, but I know that it will have to stop eventually. But just as long as the creators can do original ideas, we should be just fine.

19 - Fallout

Whether it be just finding all the Easter eggs in the first game or exploring the Skyrim like world of the most recent game, Fallout has something for everyone. Like some of the other franchises on this list, Fallout is an interesting one where which side you choose will help shape how you play the game. Its got a lot of interesting characters, plenty of interesting areas to explore and why isn't Nuka-Cola isn't a thing in the real world, I just don't know. Even the mods that are put in the later games are just fun to mess about with. Bethesda as well as the game's original developers know what they are doing and Fallout is here to stay and I hope the wait for Fallout 5 isn't as long as Fallout 4.

18 - Borderlands

So here's another wasteland franchise. But this time, its in space and its mostly all about looting. Plus it gives you a robot companion in the form of Claptrap (who isn't as annoying as people may think) and it has cell shaded graphics that makes it feel like watching a Saturday morning cartoon which is a good thing. Its very fun, manages to put in references to other things and the looting aspect is the best part about it. Now I will admit that I have only played 2 and The Pre-Sequel, but I hope to play the first game as well as Tales of the Borderlands in the near future and I look forward to when the next game comes out (if another game comes out) and the film adaptation if they are indeed doing one.

17 - Uncharted

When Tomb Raider fell off the radar for a while, Sony and Naughty Dog took this opportunity to create a game that would combine the adventure aspect of Indiana Jones with the gun play and looking cool part of Tomb Raider and turn it into a new IP. What did we get? Well we got a game that was a very different game to what Naughty Dog have done in the past and went on to make 4 main games, 1 stand alone game, a series of comic books and card games and we're hoping to get a feature film and a spin-off game too. I love Uncharted. I find it to be fun, it allows Nolan North to express his sense of humour in more ways than ever before and while it may suffer with villains of a predictable nature in terms of the accent and their goals, its still a very fun series of games that can test even the best of gamers whether you be completionists or just want to have a good time. Treasure hunters, this one is for you.

16 - BioShock

Also from 2K Games (the publishers behind Borderlands), there is BioShock. What I like about this game series is that its unlike any game set in a historical period that I have played thus far. It shows that in secret cities like Columbia and Rapture, the population can be driven mad and the games also show that by using three words in a question, you are basically going to do the bidding of the one who dares say those words. Its a pretty weird but interesting game that I believe was among the first to come up with the idea of scattering audio logs everywhere and I still question why NPCs do that when they probably were in a bad situation when they did it. But anyway, the three BioShock games are good as they take us to a fantastical world rather than an open that is or based on a real place and the originality behind it is great. I do also feel sorry for the Big Daddies and the Little Sisters because well they became the way they are through various, but ultimately bad means. But anyways, I enjoyed playing these games and whether we get another game or not, we shall see.

15 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This is probably one of a few 4 way combinations that actually works well. Much like with DC and Marvel, the TMNT are characters originally from comic books and since then, we have seen many versions of them. You could say that Bay's turtles are worse than New Line's turtles, but at the end of the day, its just another version. But anyway, regardless of which turtles you love, they are all what they say they are and we'll know them as the ones that made ordering pizza look cool and that you don't have to be the best animal there is to do stuff by which I mean turtles are generally slow creatures as opposed to what we have here. But anyway, I like them and I really hope that Nickelodeon sort themselves out and give us something better in the franchise than what we get from the master of explosions.

14 - Five Nights At Freddy's

Ever since the first game came out, I've always had some interest in what the true story is. What really happened at the bite of 87, who is the purple guy and what is the purpose of the sister location. Its because of this that I have come to love it because of how curious I am about the story behind all these mysteries. While it certainly is a franchise that is being milked to death, you just have to love the way Scott Cawthon advertises it because it is really clever advertising I have to say. Telling us that the game is cancelled, giving us a date and then only to find that Scott gives us it the very next day. There's even a good chance that by the time you read this, the next game is already out on Steam and other digital retailers. So if you like creepy games, don't mind a jumpscare or two and have a keen interest in lore, then FNAF is a game for you. I certainly enjoy it and I'm sure you will too.

13 - Godzilla

Ever since the summer blockbuster craze began, I've always considered the films with kaju monsters to truly feel like a summer blockbuster. That's because they are epic, it gives us an adrenaline rush and you're just left with a big grin on your face. Now in recent times, I have started to grow a liking for Godzilla who I find to be the king of kajus. His popularity in Japan has proven as such and while us westerners haven't made many Godzilla films when compared to Japan, we still love him and with him going up against King Kong (the real one this time), its going to be pretty cool and I can't wait.

12 - Pac-Man

What can I say, I love my 8-bit games. Pac-Man is one game I've always been a keen fan of just by how simple the game is. I like the original game, I like the remakes it has had over the years and I just like hoe enjoyable a simple game like it can be. While we do get more complex games these days, Pac-Man will always be a game that many people old and new will enjoy and I look forward to the next time I see the yellow dude.

11 - Kingdom Hearts

While the first Kingdom Hearts game is my number 1 all time favourite game, the rest of the series is great too. I grew up with Disney films and WB cartoons so this felt like a great experience. Being able to explore different worlds based on Disney films of all shapes and sizes. I will admit, the story is not an easy one to follow, but this is Square Enix Japan we are talking about and simple stories are not really their thing, especially if you are late to the Final Fantasy party. But anyway, its also good that its not a case that they are just there. Oh no. Some Disney characters even play significant roles in the series such as Maleficent and her gang villains and even Mickey Mouse. Plus with Disney now owning Star Wars and Marvel, the next main game could get very interesting and I cannot wait.

10 - Assassin's Creed

Probably Ubisoft's best or well known franchise, Assassin's Creed I've always seen as the game that lets you learn a thing or two about history while giving us an enjoyable play through experience that unlike actual educational games, isn't patronising which is nice. We've gone to the third crusade, gone Italian in the Italian Renascence, battled through the American and French revolutions and even went all out pirate in the Golden Age of Piracy. I know in recent years that the games have lost their focus on the whole assassin side of things with the main focus on the historical setting of which the games are half set in (the other half being set in the present day), but it still makes for great gameplay. Its not had a perfect run by any means, but its an enjoyable series of games that unlike Call of Duty, continues to innovate every year with something new and exciting while still retaining the gameplay that the series is known for and maybe the film will actually be good.

9 - Sonic the Hedgehog

I know people say that SEGA should give up on Sonic and I'll be honest, I think Sonic should still continue. I mean yeah it is running on thin ice as it is, but just as long as SEGA do something original that plays out well, then it should be fine. So a while ago, I did a post on my lifetime experience of Sonic games and to this day, I still feel thankful that the franchise paved the way for my gaming experiences. I like most of the games and I enjoy playing them a great deal. Sonic may be no Flash, but he is fast and everyone loves him. I have some reservations about him in LEGO Dimensions because of the limitations when I played his level, but I still like Sonic and it still surprises me how much they got away with doing things like Michael Jackson doing the music, having something that resembles the Death Star among other things too. But I still love it no matter what, but Sonic 06 can burn in hell. That I will agree with everyone on.

8 - Super Mario

Yeah this one was a no brainier. I mean who doesn't love nor know Mario? He is by far the most recognisable video game character in existence and has had over 200 games made and so far, very few video games have been able to reach that milestone. Just goes to show how popular he is even if a majority of his games have the same scenario. But what I like about Mario is that despite being a rehash of things, it is an enjoyable game that doesn't push you too hard and I can't think of any other franchise that better resembles Nintendo aside from Zelda and maybe Pokemon (even though the latter is only published by Nintendo and that's it). Whether you're a casual or a hardcore gamer, there is something for everyone when it comes to Mario.

7 - Game of Thrones

If I were to sum up Game of Thrones in a nutshell, its basically a franchise where its fantasy story plays on the idea of all these people battling to claim the throne. I've always been a fan of fantasy and soon enough, I knew that I would have to give this a try and honestly, I love it a lot. Of all the fantasy things I've come across, its this one that is the most adult of the lot. Killing, sex and cursing. That's what makes this an adult franchise so put your kids away before going into this. You'll thank me later.

6 - Star Wars

Again, its simply a no brainier and while I'm a fan of Star Trek as well, Star Wars in my opinion is the better of the two. Space battles, an ancient order where using something called the Force becomes a thing and being the home to some of the most iconic locations and characters known to man. What's not to love? Well maybe not Binks, young Anakin, Qui-Gon, teen Anakin and Padme not to mention the special editions and just the prequels in general. But everything else is there to be loved, despite the flaws. But I still love it a lot to the point where I once paid a great deal of money to get a custom made Darth Vader costume for a convention. That's how dedicated I am to Star Wars.

5 - Middle-Earth

So this is the franchise that's home to Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. So basically this is the competition that Game of Thrones faces. But having said that, what makes this better is that its for everyone and despite how long the 6 films are, there is a lot to like. The different species, who they fight for and which side would ultimately rule Middle-Earth, all of which depend on the fate of the One Ring which alone is the heart and soul of one Sauron. Intriguing, but also very action packed and adventurous I must say and I love it. From Gandalf shouting "You Shall Not Pass" to Legolas telling everyone that the Hobbits are being taken to Isengard, its safe to say that there is plenty to like here and I hope that we get to see more of this world in the future (though flights to New Zealand wouldn't go amiss).

4 - Harry Potter

Yes, I grew up with Harry Potter like many of us did. So I had to put it on the list. I mean many of these franchises are ones that I've enjoyed more in later years. But Harry Potter was one franchise that I have loved and a few years after the last film, I still love to this day. Magic, potions, sweets, dark arts and even just looking at the legends that came before (which we will no doubt see in future Fantastic Beasts films), its got plenty for us to like. Of course the films would get darker as each entry comes into play, but that's what made it great. Knowing that it would come to an end just by taking account of the tone of each film and book. The Boy Who Lived will most certainly remain great for years to come.

3 - The Walking Dead

I've seen many zombie films and other stuff. But with The Walking Dead, it takes things further by showing us a group of people trying to survive in a world where civilisation is at the brink of extinction because of a zombie outbreak. What's more interesting is that zombie pop culture doesn't exist in The Walking Dead which makes it somewhat original when compared to other zombie films and stuff. It is a great TV series and a great comic book series that shows that zombie franchises can be done right with the right people on board and I hope that we reach season 12 of the show because I personally would love to see how it ends (but I'd probably be p***ed if it was all a dream).

2 - Marvel Cinematic Universe

I was so happy when the MCU started and I'm glad with where it is now. Its showed that superhero films are here to stay and can be done well when given to the right people. Plus its better seeing all these heroes in a shared universe as opposed to separate universes. Just makes more sense. Plus not only does it consist of films, but also TV shows on regular TV and Netflix and of course, comic books. It is more light hearted and humorous than DC, but it also has serious moments. From the Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy, this is a franchise that has a lot of love and something for any Marvel fan and general film goer to enjoy.

Honorable Mentions (brace yourselves)
Flash
Green Lantern
Justice League
Teen Titans
Suicide Squad
Daredevil
X-Men
Fantastic Four
Kick-Ass
Men in Black
Kingsman
Scott Pilgrim
Back to the Future
Jurassic Park
LEGO
Portal
Futurama
Family Guy
Orange is the New Black
Adventure Time
Mission Impossible
Legend of Zelda
Star Fox
Pokemon
Kirby
Metroid
Street Fighter
Tekken
Devil May Cry
Resident Evil
Disney
Tomb Raider
Hitman
Rayman
Just Cause
Final Fantasy
InFamous
Jak & Daxter
Ratchet & Clank
Sly Cooper
LittleBigPlanet
God of War
Transformers - Not the Michael Bay films
Warcraft
Rocky Horror
Firefly
Star Trek
How to Train Your Dragon
Shrek
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar
The Croods
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Universal Monsters
Kill Bill
Pulp Fiction
Alien
Predator
Silence of the Lambs
Robot Chicken
South Park
Archer
Rick & Morty
Nightmare on Elm's Street
Child's Play
Friday The 13th
Halloween
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Dragon Ball Z
E.T.
Scarface
The Big Labowski
Fight Club
Spongebob Squarepants
Rugrats
The Wild Thronberrys
The Godfather
The Muppets
Despicable Me
The Witcher
Minecraft
Top Gear
Rocky
Jaws
Terminator
King Kong
Pacific Rim
Hellboy
The Hangover
Inception
Reservoir Dogs
Toy Story
The Incredibles
Queen
David Bowie
Michael Jackson
Meatloaf
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Elton John
The Beatles
Charlie Chaplin
Laurel and Hardy
Blues Brothers
300
Sin City
The Hunger Games
Tron
Powerpuff Girls
Dexter's Laboratory
Samurai Jack
Ed, Edd N Eddy
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Codename: Kids Next Door
Looney Tunes
Grim & Evil
Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
Ben 10
Animaniacs
Xiaolin Showdown
Wreck-It Ralph
Frozen
Big Hero 6
Aladdin
The Little Mermaid
Mulan
Hercules
Tarzan (Disney)
Beauty and the Beast
Tangled
Sleeping Beauty/Maleficent
The Jungle Book
Cinderella
Shakespeare
Goonies
Gremlins
Tetris
The Matrix
The A-Team
BoJack Horseman

1 - Batman

While Marvel may have an advantage over DC, they will never be able to get heroes so iconic like Batman. Batman is the one hero I have loved from day one. His stories are interesting and sometimes demented, but that's OK. His villains are interesting and unique, giving them that iconic status they have. And there have been so many great actors over the years that have portrayed him and characters associated with him. The best of these people are Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, Troy Baker, Tara Strong and Jeremy Irons, just to name a few. If there is one hero I would like to be, it be Batman. And the best thing about him is that he is only human who relies on his gadgets, his hand to hand combat, his very smart brain and of course, the rest of his Bat family. And all that, is why Batman is my number one all time favourite franchise, though I know some of you saw this coming from a mile off.

So another milestone broken. Let's see if we can reach 1500 posts. And wow! Over 500 views in a matter of a couple of days. Thank you.