By Emmanuel Williams
To even qualify as an American Undying Franchise, you have to prove staying power, a reason for sticking around, and you have to measure up.
What you are about to discover are the longest running film or television franchises in American cinematic history.
Along with my personal anecdotes and humorous fury, I invite you to pop a squat and get inspired to binge any and every franchise who made my humble, yet ambitious list.
I give you:
AMERICA’S MOST UNDYING FRANCHISES
AND WHERE TO WATCH THEM
STAR WARS
Without a doubt America’s most undying franchise. With films still in production and multiple spin-off series in current production, there is no end to the Star Wars galaxy.
From the dramatic story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia to the struggle between the force and its dark side that is the backbone of every installment.
My favorite character is Darth Maul and I grew into the jo staff as a preferred weapon based on Maul’s double-sided light saber from The Phantom Menace.
Once I even wrote a fan fiction tribute. It was called “The Stormtrooper Order of Darth Maul” where they honor the late memory of the red faced sith lord with sith intentions and a dark mission.
You can find the entire Star Wars film and tv franchise on Disney+.
1977 – ?
THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
You see, gimme some room here.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is like Star Wars with way more heroes and timelines. While they center on the world of The Avengers, there are plenty of films and shows that focus on lesser told stories from the world surrounding Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and others.
Will there ever be a Pepper Potts movie? I refuse to answer that, but I’m not holding my breath. She’s more like a romantic secretary with the same security access as the president.
But what about WandaVision, and the Hawkeye series??
I haven’t seen either of them in their entirety yet, but that’s the point. There’s so much Marvel content available that to watch them all, you’d have to be on voluntary lockdown, which I should really stop talking about because its starting to sound like heaven.
But GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY THOUGH!!
I love the MCU because their content is the most fun.
Until Thunderbolts came out and… let’s just say I’ve never been so bored while waiting for Florence Pugh to show up on screen.
You can find the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ except for two glaring exceptions.
The “Hulk” (2003) starring Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly, you know the one where Connelly looks even more beautiful than “A Beautiful Mind”… or perhaps than in any movie in her entire career? You have to rent or purchase it separately. I own it via Prime Video.
For the Hulk, of course. You understand.
And “The Punisher” (2004), the first modern film for this antihero, which you also have to purchase separately. There’s a 1989 film called “The Punisher” and it is the same Marvel hero, but it wouldn’t be a movie millennials like myself, or perhaps my audience would recognize, let alone seek (read: hunt down with a vengeance).
1944 – ?
(Interestingly, Marvel’s true cinematic history begin in 1944 with a series of Captain America films in theaters, but not as you might recognize him. And I refuse to agree that the first Marvel film was Iron Man in 2008. We’ve already established that at the very least, “Hulk” was filmed in 2003. 2008 is simply the beginning of the Marvel cinematic timeline that includes, and closely surrounds, The Avengers.)
WESTEROS
What is there to not say about the world of Westeros. I mean the only reason I haven’t finished “House of Dragon” or gotten very far in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is because I’m re-watching “Game of Thrones” (GOT) for the 16th time.
Even though I haven’t seen the entire series all the way through since the first viewing, since I skip over Joffrey and Bolton episodes due to constant cringes. But I simply find myself craving Tyrion, Arya, grabd toasts… oh, and the dragons.
Don’t forget the dragons.
Or the honor among knights.
New episodes of “House of Dragon” were just teased today during March Madness, coming in June 2026.
You can watch each show set in Westeros on HBO Max.
And the reason the show is undying is because George R.R. Martin is dragging his formal dress train on the final GOT book in A Song of Ice & Fire. It’s as if he thinks if he finishes the series then it will all go away.
Ok it can’t be that simple.
But that can’t happen because you can always find the content on HBO Max and he’ll still get all those royalties.
He isn’t finishing the tale anytime soon though. And neither is Warner Bros.!
2011 – ?
STAR TREK
Star Trek is complicated. The tale goes that the original 1965 pilot was far too cerebral to open with and it was rejected. But NBC gave them another shot and in 1966 The Original Series was born.
Are you a Spock or a Kirk? A Mr. Data or a Captain Picard. Personally, I believe we’re all just little Scotties worried about the hulls of our ships 24/7.
You can find every Star Trek series (past, present, and future) and films ever, on Paramount+.
And the idea of keeping a verbal log on a regular basis that could be archival but at the same time travel to the depths of introspective decision review at times of intense inner conflict has moved me to keep a Captain’s Log of my own. Using the alias Captain Scarfknot.
Scarf out.
1965/66 – ?
BATMAN
The Caped Crusader is the most successful Detective Comics (DC) hero of all time. With more films and related tv series than even Superman.
You’ll note that DC itself does not qualify as an undying film/tv franchise, because in my view the entire DCU is limited in how many of their heroes constantly show up on screen.
How many Green Lantern series exist? Wonder Woman? Only 1. The first Aquaman film was only a couple years ago. It’s as if Batman and Superman are really the only ones carrying the DC Banner up the side of the skyscraper. And for all of Superman’s strength, he can barely hold up his side.
That’s some grappling hook.
You can find every modern Batman film, including The Dark Knight Trilogy and “Batman: The Animated Series” on HBOMax.
And while I wasn’t able to track down Batman ’66 with Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the “Batman” film from the same series is available via Daily Motion.
I included a link, HERE.
Ya welcome.
Plus: you can find the 1943, first appearance of Batman on the silver screen, on Tubi for free with ads. Caution: the film is 3hrs and 36min!
There may be no modern era of comic books without the Dark Knight, who is arguably the world’s first antihero, predating Wolverine, Deadpool, and Spawn by almost lightyears.
Do you have a Batman tattoo? I do!
I AM VENGEANCE (too)!
1943 – ?
SUPERMAN
Forget what you heard.
Superman is the epitome of hero.
If you’re a weak boy in elementary school who can’t get the girl because you’re confused why you’re even feeling this way, but she, even at her age, is taken already…
This is why we look to stronger mentors. Even if they have to put Clark Kent aside and rescue the damsel from falling to her death as their real selves, causing her to fawn with devotion, “who is that man?!”
And then he puts on his disguise to save her from high profile danger. And we the boys are thinking the same thing Kent is: one day we’ll be together without all the fear that keeps us apart.
If there wasn’t so much disappointment for Peter Parker, we would love Spider-Man more. I think the fact that Spider-Man is still going is a testament to us needing to see a hero strike out as much as Parker does.
The latest films have been emotionally brutal romantically. With the Tom Holland drama being excruciating compared to the Andrew Garfield films.
I’ve never missed Tobey Maguire so much.
You can find Superman films (and Superman the Animated Series) on HBOmax.
1941 – ?
Curiously, Superman’s life on screen began as an animated series in the 40s before the live action versions later on, with the game changing exponentially in Christopher Reeve’s series of films setting the tone for superhero films thereafter.
JAMES BOND: 007
Monsieur, Mr. Bond.
The story of 00 reaches far back to the 50’s even before Sean Connery takes up the barrel for Dr. No in 1962.
I for one grew up on the Goldeneye 90s 007, then when Daniel Craig showed up as the next Bond, I was skeptical, then fanatic. I now own nothing but the Craig 00s and none of the Brosnan’s in my personal connection.
I keep them in the same app as my John Wick (I own all 5 including Ballerina), Underworld franshise, and Austin Powers.
Amazon Prime Video.
Which is the place to go for 007 if you want to purchase the any part of the franchise for ease of access and complete ownership. It is worth noting here that Apple TV (iTunes) purchases are not COMPLETE ownership.
If you don’t pay for any subscription in any single month you purchased using your Apple ID, Apple will lock you out of your entire Apple Library until you resolve the issue.
Prime Video has no such restriction. You buy it, you own it.
Sadly, I had purchased over 32 films and my favorite episode of South Park, plus the entire series of Mad Men for my Apple Library until I stopped using Apple devices to avoid the restriction… I now use a Android mobile devices and all Windows devices otherwise (PC, Laptop) since the Apple ethos is so paranoid.
But I digress. Only to advise you toward Windows products since it will cost you more to REMAIN an Apple customer, should your income ever drop below even ENTRY LEVEL Apple consumer.
Nevertheless, James Bond.
Bond, Bond Bond, Bond Bond. Let me sing it again.
The epitome of male prowess. Mission before relationships. Something the British will always preach to their own.
I read Prince Harry’s “Spare” last year. If you choose love over duty, you can easily be excommunicado. But if you choose your duty over love, then you are James Bond, M, Q, Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, William & Kate, and fit for any of England’s top positions, no matter how much Netflix’s “The Crown” tries to pull you toward choosing Love (Margaret).
Bond always chose duty.
Strike that. Capitol D.
Duty.
(LOL, You said…)
Who will be the next James Bond?
1954 – ?
You can find the very first James Bond, first cinematic appearance, on youtube.
I have a link for you, HERE.
You can usually find 007 on Amazon Prime Video. Sometimes with just a Prime membership, but mostly you’ll have to rent or purchase your favorite Bond films.
I highly encourage that you use Prime for this.
THE SIMPSONS
Daaa da- da- di daa da da di da da da da… Da da da di- da… DA!
It’s the most iconic opening song in all of television history. And its why I’m still watching “The Simpsons” after having it played for me as a child, as a teenager, and seeking it as an adult when new episodes premiered on Fox.
Before “Bob’s Burgers”. Before “South Park”. There was “The Simpsons”. A family made up of a Dad, Mom, Son, and Daughter (occasionally Santa’s Little Helper) who formed the core of a town who themselves formed the secondary characters of a world in which the family could live, laugh, cry, fail, and succeed, all in under 30min an episode.
And if you had any empathy, you went through the same things they did.
And when Homer snored, you understood him.
When he choked Bart, you understood him.
When Lisa outwitted the lack of emotional intelligence around her. You understood her. Even achingly so.
And when Marge stood anchor to it all, you admired her resolve.
When Bart rebelled against everything with a slingshot and a skateboard, you knew youth. You knew badassery. You truly FELT the original television menace to society.
Do you truly have any doubt how “The Simpsons” has lasted so long, haven’t died yet, and remain to keep kicking, screaming, and “D’oh”ing into the new age??
Homer still snores, but he contributes to the ensemble in his unexpected wisdom for his children and friends. Marge still holds down the fort, her husband, and the kids. She’s there when any of them need her.
Bart is still a wimp with a record. But you’ll never forget it. And Lisa is the brains of the outfit, with a saxopone and her own rebel yell.
More, more, more.
You can find every episode of “The Simpsons” on Disney+
1987/89 – ?
SOUTH PARK
“Mom says quit trying to catch cancer.”
“Just gonna get a little cancer, Stan. Tell mom its okay.”
That’s a near-direct quote from memory and my favorite South Park episode of the entire series, “Medicinal Fried Chicken” (S14E3). Stan’s dad, Randy, attempts to earn a medicinal marijuana card when the KFC’s in South Park leave the city and are replaced with medical dispensaries.
This kind of controversy is what South Park has become known to deliver.
It began as a humble show about a group of boys and their strong minded and fatass friend, Eric Cartman, taking on their “quiet mountain town”. But creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone seem to never run out of ammo.
You’ll be interested to know that South Park is currently boasting a comfortable 28 seasons. That’s compared to Family Guy’s 24, with only The Simpsons in true animation domination with a whopping 37 seasons… so far. And only The Simpsons and South Park have full length films, and though Seth Macfarlane says there’s a film on his “to-do list”, he’s probably actually just George Martin-ing it and he’ll get to it later.
South Park has 9 or so hour long “specials” but they aren’t full length features and therefore don’t count as films. Each special only runs 60min tops.
For the longest time, you could catch South Park on HBO Max. No more. All South Park content from “Bigger, Longer & Uncut” to the full series, and each 60min special can be found on Paramount+.
1992 – ?
FAMILY GUY
Giggity.
Giggity Giggity Giggity.
Giggity Giggity OH GOD.
“Family Guy” is a work of genius created by Seth Macfarlane and who voices many of the main characters from Peter, Stewie, and Brian Griffin to Glenn Quagmire (Giggity), and other random characters that pop up all over the Familyverse.
I bought a season of this show on DVD and found a commentary track as an extra feature. I lived alone, of course, but that’s how I could justify watching Family Guy with Seth Macfarlane and occasionally other voice actors from the show chit chatting about the bits and gags as they appeared.
It lent depth and honestly, was hilarious all on its own. Good times.
Two spinoff shows came after “Family Guy”. “The Cleveland Show” and “American Dad”. “The Cleveland Show” was cancelled after just four seasons, and “American Dad” is currently in a reboot on Fox.
It’s worth noting that “American Dad” is in it’s 22nd season.
But… I’m not extending this project to squeeze it in. I blame Roger or Klaus. Although Roger would probably blame Francine. Then Stan would blame Francine and they’d cut to her on the back porch having a cigarette.
Then Klaus would hop his fish tank over and…
Okay then!
As for laughing and crying with the Griffins, you can find them locked (Giggity) to Disney+ for the foreseeable future.
1999 – ?
THE DICK WOLF UNIVERSE
“In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.”
“Cunk-Cunk!” – Michael Scott, “The Office”.
Look, the iconic opening lines of “Law & Order” or the SVU spinoff are just the tip of the iceberg.
In general, the first half of the show is devoted to detectives finding the perpetrator (Perp) behind a high level or heinous crime. Sometimes both. That was until someone on Dick Wolf’s team got the hot idea to combine both Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU into one episode, known as a Crossover episode, with officers from each separate series joining forces in New York to catch a super fugitive or protect one of their own (usually Olivia Benson).
The crossover became popular for those running two similar shows simultaneously. Even “Grey’s Anatomy” had one or two with “Private Practice”. I saw someone else tease a crossover of their own just this past week.
If you didn’t know, the tv dramas linked together under the umbrella “One Chicago” are also Dick Wolf productions. That includes “Chicago Fire”, “Chicago Med”, and probably Chicago OMG soon.
I kid, of course.
You can find entire series of “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU” on Hulu (or part of your Disney+/Hulu bundle). And if you want to watch “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” or “Law & Order: Organized Crime” you’ll have to purchase them from, I recommend, Prime Video.
There is also “Law & Order UK” which is also available via Prime Video or a Britbox subscription.
And you can find the entire One Chicago world exclusively on PeacockTV.
1990 – ?
SURVIVOR
For the record, “Survivor” may make the list, but I haven’t seen a single episode so this section is going to be apologetically short.
“Survivor” is the first massive primetime reality competition show in America. Shockingly, it’s roots trace back to reality competition shows from the 1940s, with the first modern, truly competition reality show, being MTV’s “Road Rules” which began in 1995.
You can find every episode of “Survivor” ever, including it’s current 50th season, on Paramount+ and still airing on CBS.
2000 – ?
SCREAM
“Hello Sidney.”
“How do you know my name?”
“What’s your favorite SCARY MOVIE???”
The “Scream” franchise is core to the horror film genre. Full of suspense, twists, and a serial killer at large.
Quintessential “Slasher” films.
The formula of slashing hot college co-eds with a strong helping of “whodunnit” began with the original Scream in 1996. After which Kevin Williamson, who wrote “Scream”, followed up with “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, which became a trilogy.
Franchises that were born out of this formula include the Urban Legend and Final Destination films. Later, the Saw franchise was born of the same sauce, but with so many twists it is a grotesque maturation of the horror “whodunnit” with currently 11 films.
It belongs on a separate Undying Horror Franchise list. But for now…
“I wanna play a game.”
You can find every Scream film, including the Drew Barrymore original, and especially “Scream 7” (2026) on Paramount +.
And as a bonus, you can find every Final Destination film on HBO Max.
As for Saw, I will not let you borrow my complete collection.
1996 – ?
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
“This is your mission… should you choose to accept it.
This message will self destruct in 5… 4… 3… 2…”
Tom Cruise lit a match with a floppy disk in his mouth several years ago and has refused to put out the flame perhaps for as long as he lives. Every few years a new Mission:Impossible film gets released leaving the public to respond with either “really?” or “hell yes!”
Whatever your reaction, there’s no sign of the franchise slowing down. I myself only speculate that Cruise will hand the reigns over to the next willing “I’ll do the stunt myself” guy which will likely be Jeremy Renner or Chris Hemsworth. Because my money’s on Renner who’s gotten way better as an action star between Avengers films, and because if you’ve seen Hemsworth as Thor in every Avengers film THEN see him blow you away in the Extraction franchise (Netflix), I think he would completely electrify Mission:Impossible like The Rock used to every Thursday on Smackdown.
If you smell what I’m cooking…
Most M:I films I’ve caught have been hard to swallow (Giggity) and I’ve tuned out 3/4 the way through.
You know, to this day I have no idea if one of those bloody missions have EVER been completed.
You can find every Mission:Impossible film in the franchise on Paramount+.
But in my experience, gentlemen prefer BOND.
Did you know that Mission:Impossible first appeared on screen as a TV series in…
1966 – ?
Grey’s Anatomy
“Choose me. Love. Me.”
Grey’s Anatomy is currently the longest running medical procedural in television history.
Shonda Rhimes, the show’s creator, wrote each part without specifying any ethnicity, a trend that was adopted by other shows thereafter.
But the true beauty of the show, is it’s high stakes surgeries weaved into a soap opera narrative. It’s basically House M.D. if Dr. House gave a shit and the show spent more time on the rest of the hospital, not just Diagnostics.
It’s currently in its 22nd season and recently celebrated their 450th episode in 2026.
My brother always wanted to watch it with me, but I never felt that bros should bond over a soap opera.
Call me old fashioned.
…then make me one!
I digress.
One of the biggest achievements of the show has been their song choice in tense and moving scenes usually surrounding a surgery. Typically indie-pop or soft rock, and compiled for the first few seasons as albums.
Wherever the rest of the series soundtrack is, it isn’t on Spotify.
But the show was singlehandedly responsible for launching the career of one my personal favorite bands: The Fray. Grey’s use of the song “How To Save A Life” exploded the band into the limelight.
Until Isaac Slade, the soulful lead vocalist, left the band citing personal reasons and they’ve come back with only Joe King singing all alone.
(So sad.)
The album, also entitled “How To Save A Life” just so happens to be my favorite album of all time.
Second is “Meteora” by Linkin Park. Although LP will always be my favorite band of all time.
You can find Grey’s Anatomy (Giggity) airing on ABC or streaming on Disney+/Hulu.
2005 – ?
STICKFIST 
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