In today’s media landscape, which is packed with endless options, it’s hard to know which movie franchises are essential viewing. Truly unmissable series are those so embedded in pop culture that audiences must watch them if they want any hope of understanding the endless quotes , references, and parodies that show up everywhere in everyday life.

These include some of the greatest movie franchises ever , whose nostalgia and long-lasting appeal have made them central to modern pop culture. Series like Harry Potter and Star Wars are more than beloved entertainment, as they’ve shaped countless phrases, ideas, and references that permeate the cultural zeitgeist and the world we live in today.

Rocky (1976 - 2006)

Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Image via Yailin Chacon

Rocky stand

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