Spending a weekend on a movie marathon is one of the most delightful ways to unwind. Whether you're looking to enjoy some quality time alone or plan a fun group activity with friends, nothing beats the joy of watching a series of films back-to-back. Movie marathons are a perfect way to immerse yourself in a captivating story world, especially when you follow a franchise from start to finish. To help you plan your next cinematic adventure, we've curated a list of 15 top franchises to binge, complete with total runtimes to guide your weekend planning.
Planet of the Apes
With the recent release of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," there's no better time to dive into this iconic sci-fi series. The franchise now boasts 10 films, making it a thrilling choice for a weekend marathon. Although the newer films form a separate timeline from the original series, watching them together creates an engaging experience filled with our fascinating ape overlords.
While we don't have the exact time for watching all the Planet of the Apes movies, the sheer number of films suggests a comfortable two-day binge. If you prefer a shorter session, the newer prequel trilogy can be enjoyed in a single day.
Includes Digital Version Planet of the Apes Trilogy Blu-ray Collection
36
Also available in full 4K. See it at Amazon
X-Men
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took over, the X-Men franchise was king. Now with 13 movies, including "Deadpool & Wolverine," the series offers a deep dive into superhero lore. While the timeline can get complex with time jumps and the inclusion of Deadpool, you can opt for a streamlined experience by following the Wolverine timeline.
Excluding the Deadpool movies, you can watch all of the X-Men films in just over 22 hours. However, including Deadpool is highly recommended for a complete experience.
X-Men Blu-Ray Collection
88
Contains 10 movies. See it at Amazon
Fast and Furious
The arrival of "Fast X" in 2023 marked the 13th installment in the Fast and Furious saga. What began as a series of racing films has evolved into a sprawling action franchise that's even ventured into space. If you're in the mood for high-octane action and themes of family, this series is the perfect pick.
Watching all the films will take almost 23 and a half hours. Check out our guide to the Fast and Furious movies in order for more details.
Blu-Ray + Digital Fast & Furious: 10 Movie Collection
3
See it at Amazon
Lord of the Rings
The original Lord of the Rings trilogy stands as a timeless classic in the world of fantasy cinema. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels, these films offer an unforgettable journey through Middle-earth. You can expand your marathon by including the Hobbit trilogy and Amazon's "Rings of Power" series for a comprehensive experience.
The six feature films together take about 19 and a half hours to watch. Adding the two seasons of "Rings of Power" adds another nearly 18 hours. For more information, see our guide to the Lord of the Rings in order and our Lord of the Rings Blu-ray sets.
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical)(4K Ultra HD)
3
See it at Amazon
Star Wars
Star Wars continues to expand with no end in sight. With "The Acolyte" wrapping up this summer and a slew of upcoming projects, the franchise is thriving. There are 11 live-action films so far, and when you factor in animated movies and series like "The Clone Wars" and "The Mandalorian," the universe grows even larger.
A movie marathon with just the live-action films totals just over 25 hours. For more on the timeline, see our guide to all Star Wars movies and shows in order, and explore the Star Wars Legends books for additional lore.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Among pirate-themed films, the Pirates of the Caribbean series stands out as a true franchise. With five feature films starring Johnny Depp's iconic Jack Sparrow, it's a fun and adventurous marathon. While we await "Pirates of the Caribbean 6," you can enjoy the existing films in one day.
Watching all five movies will take just a little over 12 hours.
4K UHD
Pirates of the Caribbean 5-Movie Collection
2
See it at Amazon
Jurassic Park
For a dinosaur movie marathon, the Jurassic Park franchise is the go-to choice. With six feature films, a few shorts, and an animated Netflix series, there's plenty to enjoy. The upcoming "Jurassic World Rebirth" in July 2025 promises more excitement. The films are split into the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World trilogies, all on the same timeline.
Watching all the movies takes just a little over 10 hours. Check our guide on the Jurassic Park movies in order for more details and streaming options.
Out Now Jurassic World 6-Movie Collection (Standard Edition)
4
Includes all six movies in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital. See it at Amazon
Indiana Jones
Spanning over four decades, the Indiana Jones franchise has five films that are perfect for a weekend binge. With "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" released in 2023 and a new game on the horizon, it's an excellent time to revisit this classic series. For a Harrison Ford marathon, starting with Indiana Jones is a great choice.
All five movies can be watched in one day, with a combined runtime of just over 10 hours.
4K UHD + Blu-Ray
Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection
1
See it at Amazon
The Conjuring
The Conjuring universe is vast and complex, but a horror movie marathon here is highly rewarding. With nine movies, including "The Conjuring," "Annabelle," and "The Nun," you can dive into a spooky weekend.
Including all nine movies and the five shorts will take just under 14 and a half hours. You can catch up on the entire story, including "The Nun 2," over a weekend.
The Conjuring 7-Film Blu-Ray Collection
0
See it at Amazon
Transformers
"Transformers One" is the latest addition, making it a great time for a Transformers movie marathon. With eight feature films, you're in for a treat filled with action and humor. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" fits earlier in the timeline, so you can start with that before moving to the original.
Watching all the Transformers movies will take about 18 and a half hours, perfect for filling a weekend with action.
Limited Edition [Blu-Ray + 4K UHD]
Transformers 6-Movie Steelbook Collection
10
See it at Amazon
Harry Potter
Despite the mixed reception of the Fantastic Beasts series, the Harry Potter movies remain a beloved choice for a movie marathon. Filled with magic and adventure, these films are a staple for many fans. The recent game, "Hogwarts Legacy," has reignited interest in the wizarding world.
Excluding the Fantastic Beasts movies, you can watch all eight Harry Potter films in just under 20 hours. Including the prequels adds another 6 hours and 49 minutes.
Harry Potter: 8 Film Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
3
See it at Amazon
Alien
With "Alien: Romulus" added to the mix, the Alien franchise now includes nine movies. This series offers a chilling space-horror experience that's perfect for a marathon. Watching every Alien movie in order will take just a little over 17 hours, or about 14 hours without the Predator crossovers.
Alien: 6-Film Collection
4
Contains six Blu-ray discs and digital codes. See it at Walmart
Scream
The Scream franchise is enjoying a resurgence with "Scream 5" in 2022, "Scream 6" in 2023, and "Scream 7" on the horizon for 2026. For a fun, lighthearted horror marathon, especially in October, watching all the Scream movies in order is a must.
A marathon of all six Ghostface movies takes a little over 11 and a half hours. Find out where to watch all the Scream movies online.
Scream: 6-Movie Collection
0
See it at Amazon
James Bond
As one of the longest-running franchises, James Bond has 26 movies with seven different actors in the role. While you could attempt to watch them all in release order, focusing on a single actor's era, like Daniel Craig's, makes for a more manageable marathon.
Watching all 26 Bond films would take over 54 hours, but a Daniel Craig Bond marathon is a more reasonable 7 hours and 40 minutes.
James Bond Collection
1
Has 24 Bond films from the classic era to the modern ones. See it at Amazon
The Hunger Games
With "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" now available to stream and a new Hunger Games book on the way, it's the perfect time to revisit the series. The prequel sets the stage, allowing you to watch the films in chronological order.
All five Hunger Games movies can be watched over a weekend, totaling just over 11 and a half hours. The new prequel is the longest film in the series, at 2 hours and 38 minutes.
