The concept of movie franchises has become an integral part of modern cinema, providing audiences with an opportunity to become invested in stories and characters that span multiple films. Not all franchises, however, require a specific viewing order, allowing viewers to enjoy individual tales without worrying about being lost in a complex narrative. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a prime example of this, thanks to its witty humor, stunning visual effects, and iconic character of Captain Jack Sparrow. Reddit user dazark notes that the franchise lacks a strong overarching plot, making it possible to watch the films out of order, with each film featuring a standalone story.
The Jurassic Park series is another franchise that can be watched independently, with its groundbreaking special effects and self-contained adventures presenting unique stories within the universe. As cocobat points out, the franchise doesn’t require a specific viewing order, allowing new viewers to jump in at any point. The horror genre also has its share of franchises that can be watched out of order, with The Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th being two examples. Both series feature iconic villains and standalone stories that can be enjoyed regardless of their position in the franchise. As wraith-mayhem and DifficultMinute note, these films are designed to be experienced as individual nightmares, making them easy to jump into at any point.
A Still From The Jurassic Park (Photo: The Jurassic Park)
Other notable franchises that don’t require a specific viewing order include The Halloween series, which features a silent killer and atmospheric tension; Final Destination, which showcases traumatizing death scenes and supernatural forces; and the Bourne series, which offers intense action sequences and intriguing spy plots. In the action and adventure world, the Mad Max and Indiana Jones franchises offer self-contained stories that can be enjoyed independently. As Reddit users note, each film in these franchises features the main characters in different adventures, making them accessible to new viewers at any point. The Fast & Furious series, with its high-speed races and over-the-top action sequences, is also a great example of a franchise that can be watched in any order.
These franchises demonstrate that it’s possible to enjoy a series of films without adhering to a specific viewing order. Whether it’s pirates, dinosaurs, horror, or action-adventure, these movies offer standalone stories that can be appreciated on their own merit, making them accessible to new viewers at any point.
