A film series (also known as a movie series or film franchise) is a collection of related films released over time, sharing a common fictional universe, characters, plot, theme, or underlying premise. The films within a series are typically linked to exploit the commercial success of an original film or to tell an expansive narrative that cannot be contained within a single feature.
Characteristics
Film series exhibit several defining characteristics:
- Shared Narrative or Universe: The most common characteristic is a continuous storyline or a shared fictional world where characters and events from one film can influence or be referenced in others.
- Recurring Characters: Protagonists, antagonists, and significant supporting characters often appear across multiple installments, allowing for character development over the course of the series.
- Consistent Themes or Genre: While plots may vary, a series often maintains a consistent tone, genre (e.g., action, horror, comedy), or explores overarching themes.
- Sequential Release: Films are usually released in a chronological order that follows the narrative, though prequels, interquels, and spin-offs can alter this sequence.
- Commercial Intent: A primary motivation for creating a film series is to leverage the popularity and brand recognition of a successful film, generating repeat business and merchandise sales.
Types of Film Series
Film series can manifest in various forms:
- Direct Sequels: The most straightforward type, where each film continues the story directly from the previous one (e.g., The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars saga).
- Prequels and Spin-offs: Films set before the events of an earlier film or focusing on secondary characters or parallel storylines within the same universe (e.g., The Hobbit series as prequels to The Lord of the Rings, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as a spin-off).
- Shared Universe/Franchise: A more expansive approach where multiple, often interconnected film series and individual films exist within a single continuity, allowing for crossover events (e.g., Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Extended Universe).
- Anthology Series: Films that share a common theme, director, or stylistic approach but do not necessarily have a direct narrative connection or recurring characters (e.g., Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy).
- Reboots/Remakes: While not strictly part of an ongoing series, reboots relaunch a franchise with a new cast and continuity, sometimes leading to new series.
History and Impact
The concept of serialized storytelling in cinema dates back to the early 20th century with silent film serials that featured cliffhanger endings. However, modern film series, characterized by self-contained but interconnected feature films, gained prominence with franchises like James Bond, which established a formula for recurring characters and standalone adventures within a consistent world.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the film series model became a dominant strategy in Hollywood, driven by the global box office potential and the ability to create expansive multimedia franchises encompassing video games, television shows, and merchandise. This approach has led to the production of some of the highest-grossing film franchises in history, profoundly impacting film production, marketing, and audience expectations.