Photos: Longest-running film franchises

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Photos: Longest-running film franchises

Photos: Longest-running film franchises -- movies that have at least six sequels.

"Furious 7," the seventh installment in the blockbuster "The Fast and the Furious" film franchise, opened to record box office receipts in April 2015. (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Scott Garfield)

7 "Alien" films: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Alien Vs Predator (2004), Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (2007), Prometheus (2012). Sigourney Weaver, who starred as Ripley in the first four "Alien" movies, is set to star in a reboot film helmed by "District 9" director Neill Blomkamp. (20th Century Fox)

10 "Pink Panther" films: The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot In The Dark ( 1964), The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge Of The Pink Panther (1978), Trail Of The Pink Panther (1982), Curse Of The Pink Panther (1983), Son Of The Pink Panther (1993), The Pink Panther (2006), The Pink Panther 2 (2009). Steve Martin took up the Inspector Jacques Clouseau mantle from Peter Sellers for the last two installments in the series.

8 "Batman films: Batman (1966), Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012). The 2004 film "Catwoman," starring Halle Berry, was a spinoff of the Batman series but did not feature a Batman character.

7 "Rocky" films: Rocky (1976), Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1990), Rocky Balboa (2006), Creed (2015). The seventh installment, due on November 2015, stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed.

7 "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" films: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990), Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), T exas Chainsaw 3D (2013). Big-name stars have been attached to the franchise, including Jessica Biel and Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellwegger.

13 "Pokemon" movies: Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998), The Power of One (1999), Spell of the Unown (2000), Pokémon 4Ever (2001), Pokémon Heroes (2002), Jirachi Wishmaker (2003) , Destiny Deoxys (2005), Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005), Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006), The Rise of Darkrai (2007), Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008), Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009), Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2010), White - Victini and Zekrom and Black - Victini and Reshiram (2011), Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012). The kid's anime franchise will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2016. Credit: Pikachu Projects

24 "James Bond" films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), Licence to Kill (1989), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2002), Spectre (2015). Daniel Craig is the sixth actor to portray superspy James Bond.

7 "National Lampoon" movies: National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), National Lampoon's Class Reunion (1982), National Lampoon's Movie Madness (1982), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), National Lampoon's Joy Of Sex (1984), National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). The name has since been bought out and several straight-to-video releases have been made, including 2003's "National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze," starring Tatiana Ali from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

9 "A Nightmare on Elm Street" films: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) , A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989), Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) , Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994), Freddy Vs. Jaso n (2003), A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010). Best Supporting Actress Patricia Arquette had a starring role in "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors."

7 "X-Men" films: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Several new "X-Men" movies are in production, including a "Deadpool" film starring Ryan Reynolds. (MCT)

12 "Star Trek" films: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982) , Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) , Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). A new installment from director Justin Lin is due in 2016.

10 "Halloween" films: Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982), Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Halloween (2007), Halloween II (2009). The horror franchise follows Michael Myers, who stalks and kills the residents of a fictional Illinois town. (Handout/MCT)

9 "Planet of the Apes" films: Planet Of The Apes (1968), Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970), Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971), Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes (1972), Battle For The Planet Of The Apes (1973), Planet Of The Apes (remake, 2001), Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011), Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014). Tim Burton directed the 2001 remake before the entire franchise got a reboot with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" in 2006. Credit: Twentieth Century Fox

7 "Superman" films: Superman (1978), Superman II (1981), Superman III (1983), Supergirl (1984), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), Superman Returns (2006), Man of Steel (2013). "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is set for release in 2016, with Ben Affleck and Jesse Eisenberg in starring roles. (AP Photo/TMS & DC Comics Inc.)

7 "Star Wars" films: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi (1983), Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (2002), Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith (2005), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). The latest "Star Wars" film, "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens," set to be released in December 2015, will take place 30 years after " Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi." BPI DIGITAL PHOTO ?1997 LUCAS FILM LTD

13 "Friday the 13th" movies: Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981), Friday the 13th Part III (1982), Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985), Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986), Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988), Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989), Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), Jason X (2002), Freddy Vs. Jason (2003), Friday The 13th (2009). Jason Vorhees comes back to torment the children at Camp Crystal Lake after drowning there as a boy. The 2003 installment involved a crossover with "Nightmare on Elm Street" villain Freddy Krueger.

9 "Hellraiser" films: Hellraiser (1987), Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996), Hellraiser: Inferno (2000), Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002), Hellraiser: Deader (2005), Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005), Hellraiser: Revelations (2011). A documentary on the filming and legacy of the horror franchise is due in 2015.

8 "Children of the Corn" films: Children Of The Corn (1984), Children Of The Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1993), Children Of The Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995), Children Of The Corn IV: The Gathering (1996), Children Of The Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998), Children Of The Corn 666: Isaac's Return (1999), Children Of The Corn: Revelation (2001), Children Of The Corn: Genesis (2011). The horror films were based on a Stephen King short story.

9 "Living Dead" movies: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), Day of the Dead (1985), Night of the Living Dead (remake, 1990), Dawn of the Dead (remake, 2004), Land of the Dead (2005), Diary of the Dead (2007), Day of the Dead (remake, 2008) Survival of the Dead (2010). The franchise has inspired several homages and parodies, including 2004's "Shaun of the Dead" and 1990's "Night of the Living Bread."

12 "Muppet" movies: The Muppet Movie (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Muppet Classic Theater (1994), Muppet Treasure Island (1996), Muppets From Space (1999), Kermit's Swamp Year s (2002), It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002), The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005), The Muppets (2011), Muppets Most Wanted (2014). The 2011 installment won a Best original Song Academy Award for "Man or Muppet." credit: NELS ISRAELSON/Jim Henson Productions

7 "Police Academy" movies: Police Academy (1984), Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985), Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986), Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987), Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988), Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989), Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow (1994). There are rumors of a reboot...will Steve Guttenberg and Bobcat Goldthwait star? (AP Photo/Warner Bros.)

8 "Harry Potter" movies: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) , Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). The franchise based on the beloved J.K. Rowling books split the last movie into two parts. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Jaap Buitendijk)

10 "Puppet Master" films: Puppet Master (1989), Puppet Master II: His Unholy Creation (1991), Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge (1991), Puppet Master 4: The Demon (1993), Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter (1994), Curse of the Puppet Master (1998), Retro Puppet Master (1999), Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003), Puppet Master: Axis of Evil (2010), Puppet Master X: Axis Rising (2012). The horror film focused on puppets that came to life, often with a thirst for blood.

7 "Saw" films: Saw (2004), Saw II (2005) , Saw III (2006), Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009), Saw: The Final Chapter (2010). The series was placed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the most successful horror film franchise of all time.

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"Furious 7," the seventh installment in the blockbuster "The Fast and the Furious" film franchise, opened to record box office receipts in April 2015. (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Scott Garfield)

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