List of multimedia franchises originating in print explained

Following is a list of multimedia franchises originating in print publications, including literary works, comic books, and comic strips.

To qualify for purposes of this list, the original media must have originated from the work of an identifiable author or set of co-authors, and must have been adapted into works in at least three forms of media, and must have two or more separate works in at least two of those forms of media (a television series or comic book series is considered a single work for purposes of this list; multiple spin-off series or remakes of a previously ended series are considered multiple works). For example, a novel that spawned one film and one television series would not qualify; a series of novels made into a television series that had a spin-off series, or was remade as a new series, and which also spawned one film, does qualify.

In the following tables, the initial media through which the franchise characters or settings became known is shown in boldface. Only works of fiction are only considered part of the series; a book or a documentary film about the franchise is not itself an installment in the franchise.

Franchises originating in literary works

These franchises began as novels, short stories, and other forms of purely literary works.

Franchise
(Creator)
Literature ComicsAnimated films Live action films Animated TV series Live action TV series Video games Other media
87th Precinct
Evan Hunter
Cop Hater (1956)
several sequels
87th Precinct (1962), Cop Hater (1990) no no 87th Precinct (TV series) (1961–62) no no
A Song of Ice and Fire
(George R. R. Martin)
A Game of Thrones (1996)
several sequels
no no no Game of Thrones (2011–2019) several, beginning in 2007 board games, role-playing games
Arthur
(Marc Brown)
Arthur's Nose (1976)
several more books
no Arthur's Missing Pal (2006) no Arthur (1996–2022)
Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)
Hop (2024)
no children's album
American Psycho
(Bret Easton Ellis)
American Psycho (1991)
Budapesti skizo (1997)
no no American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho 2 (2002)
no no no musical
Babar
(Jean de Brunhoff)
The Story of Babar (1931)
various
no Babar and Father Christmas (1986)
(1989)
(1999)
no Les Aventures de Babar (1968) various various
Berenstain Bears
(Stan and Jan Berenstain)
The Big Honey Hunt (1962)
several more
no TV specials noThe Berenstain Bears Show (1985–1987)
The Berenstain Bear (2002–2004)
novariousvarious -
Blade Runner
(Philip K. Dick)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
three sequels by another writer
several no Blade Runner
(1982)
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
no no-
Bourne
(Robert Ludlum)
The Bourne Identity (1980)
several sequels
no no no no Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy (2008) -
Captain Underpants
(Dav Pilkey)
The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
several sequels
and activity books
in-universe graphic novel series, including Dog Man (2017)
Dog Man (2025)
no The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–2020) nono children's song from Dav Piley's website
The Cat in the Hat
(Dr. Seuss)
The Cat in the Hat (1957)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (1958)
several subsequent appearances
? 1971 TV special of the same name
The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)
The Cat in the Hat (2003)The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010-) The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seussyes theme park attractions
musical
The Chronicles of Narnia[1]
(C. S. Lewis)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
several sequels
no The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979) The Chronicles of Narnia film series (2005–present) no The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1967)
The Chronicles of Narnia (1988–1990)
radio dramatisation, audiobooks
Conan the Barbarian
(Robert E. Howard)
Original Robert E. Howard Conan stories
(published from 1932–1936); various later publications
no Conan the Barbarian (1982), and several others Conan the Adventurer (1992–1993)
Conan and the Young Warriors (1994)
Conan The Adventurer (1997–1998) several, beginning with (1984) -
Clifford the Big Red Dog
(Norman Bridwell)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (1963)
numerous sequels
no Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021) Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000)
Clifford's Puppy Days (2003)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019)
nono no
Curious George
(Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey)
Curious George (1941); numerous sequels no Curious George (2006); various no Curious George TV series (2006); various no Curious George video game (2006) -
Die Hard
(Roderick Thorp)
The Detective (1966)
Nothing Lasts Forever (1979)
yes no Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard 2 (1992)
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
no no no
Discworld
(Terry Pratchett)
The Colour of Magic (1983); several sequels and spin-offs no Hogfather (2006)
The Colour of Magic (2008)
Going Postal (2010)
Soul Music (1997)
Wyrd Sisters (1998)
The Watch (2021) stage and radio plays
board games
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
(Jeff Kinney)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007)
several sequels
spin-off series
no yes Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017)
no no Poptropica tie-ins Toys
Action figures
Dune
(Frank Herbert)
Dune (1965); numerous prequel and sequel novels no Dune (1984)
Dune (2021) (2024)
no Frank Herbert's Dune (2000)
Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003)
Dune board game (1979); other games, soundtracks
Ender's Game
(Orson Scott Card)
Ender's Game (1985)
several prequels, sequels, and spinoffs
no Ender's Game (2013) no no no audioplay
Gidget
(Frederick Kohner)
Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas (1957)
seven sequels
yes, two issues published in 1966Gidget Makes the Wrong Connection (1972; made for TV) Gidget (1965)
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
Gidget Goes to Rome (1963)
no Gidget (1965–1966)
The New Gidget (1986–1988)
no Stage productions in 2000 and 2007
Greyfriars School
(Charles Hamilton)
The Magnet (1908)
Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School (1947)
yesnononoBilly Bunter of Greyfriars School (TV series)noStage, Radio
The Godfather
(Mario Puzo)
The Godfather (1969)
several sequels
no no The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
The Godfather Part III (1990)
no The Godfather Saga (1977) The Godfather (1991)
The Godfather (2006)
The Godfather II (2010)
-
Hannibal Lecter
(Thomas Harris)
Red Dragon (1981)
several sequels
no no Manhunter (1986)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Hannibal (2001)
Red Dragon (2002)
Hannibal Rising (2007)
no Hannibal (2013–2015)
Clarice (2021-)
no -
Harold and the Purple Crayon
(Crockett Johnson)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)
numerous sequels
noHarold and the Purple Crayon (short film; 1959)Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024)Harold and the Purple Crayon (2001)nonono
Harry Potter[2]
(J.K. Rowling)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
several sequels
no no Harry Potter (film series) (eight films released between 2001 and 2011) no no The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
Haruhi Suzumiya
(Nagaru Tanigawa)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2003)
several sequels
Haruhi Suzumiya (2004)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2005-2013)
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan (2007-2018)
Nyorōn Churuya-san (2007-2008)
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan (2009-2016)
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010) no The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006-2009) no Original net animations for Haruhi-chan and Churuya-san, live action promotional videos, multiple character singles, alongside audio dramas
Hercule Poirot
(Agatha Christie)
Great Detectives Poirot and Marple (2004–2005)
graphic novel adaptations
no Great Detectives Poirot and Marple (2004–2005) Poirot (1989–2013) Murder on the Orient Express (2006)
3 sequels
stage and radio plays
His Dark Materials
(Phillip Pullman)
Northern Lights (1995)nonoThe Golden Compass (2007)noHis Dark Materials (2019)noHis Dark Materials (2003), radio drama (2003), Lyra's Oxford
How to Train Your Dragon
(Cressida Cowell)
Hiccup the Viking who was Seasick (1999)
How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
several sequels
no How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
(2019)
5 short films
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) DreamWorks Dragons (2012–2018)
(2019-)
(2021-)
no live stage show
The Hunger Games
(Suzanne Collins)
The Hunger Games (2008)
Catching Fire (2009)
Mockingjay (2010)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)
no no The Hunger Games (2012)
(2013)
(2014)
(2015)
no no no no
James Bond[3]
(Ian Fleming)
Casino Royale (1953)
13 additional novels
over 30 other novels and published stories by other authors
no James Bond in film
over 20 films
James Bond Jr. (1991–1992) no -
Jennings
(Anthony Buckeridge)
Jennings (1950–1994)nonoStompanoseveralnoStage, Radio
Jumanji
(Chris Van Allsburg)
Jumanji (1981)
Zathura (2002)
no no Jumanji (1995)
(2005)
(2017)
(2019)
Jumanji (TV series) (1996–1999) no no
Jurassic Park
(Michael Crichton)
Jurassic Park (1990)
The Lost World (1995)
no Jurassic Park (1993)
(1997)
Jurassic Park III (2001)
Jurassic World (2015)
(2018)
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous (2020–present)
(2024–present)
no List of Jurassic Park water rides
Left Behind
(Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins)
Left Behind (1995); 15 prequel and sequel novels
series
no no (2000)
(2002)
(2004)
Left Behind (2014)
(2016)
no no no
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Yoshiki Tanaka) Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1982–1987)Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1986–2000)spinoffs to OVA series (1988–1993)The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Seiran trilogy (2019)noThe Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Kaikō (2018)noseveralLegend of the Galactic Heroes OVA series (1988–1997)Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden OVA series (1988–1997)
Mary Poppins
(P. L. Travers)
Mary Poppins (eight books; 1934–1988) no no Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
no no no Mary Poppins (musical)
Megami Tensei
(Aya Nishitani)
Digital Devil Story (1986)
two sequels and video game adaptations
(2013) no no various media
Miss Marple
(Agatha Christie)
The Royal Magazine (1927) Great Detectives Poirot and Marple (2004–2005)
graphic novel adaptations
no The Body in the Library (1984), The Moving Finger (1985), Nemesis (1987), A Caribbean Mystery (1989) The Mirror Cracked from Side to Side (1992) no no Miss Marple#Stage
Miffy
(Dick Bruna)
noMiffy, Miffy at the Zoo (1955)Miffy the Movie (2013)noMiffy's Adventures Big and Small (2015), Miffy and Friends (2003)nonoMiffy's Bicycle (2017) play[4]
Monogatari
(Nisio Isin)
Monogatari (novel series with over 26 volumes; 2005–2021) Bakemonogatari (manga) Kizumonogatari no no Monogatari Series no Bakemonogatari Portable
Moomins
(Tove Jansson)
The Moomins and the Great Flood (1945)
several sequels and other books
Moomin comic strips
comic book
Comet in Moominland (1993)
Moomins on the Riviera (2014)
two compilation movies
no several Moomin World theme park
Moomin Museum
other merchandise
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
(Dodie Smith)
The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956)
The Starlight Barking (1967)
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
(2003)
101 Dalmatians (1996)
102 Dalmatians (2000)
Cruella (2021)
(1997–1998)
101 Dalmatian Street (debuting 2019)
no (1997) The 101 Dalmatians Musical (2009)
Paddington Bear
(Michael Bond)
A Bear Called Paddington (1958)nonoPaddington (film) (2014)
Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Paddington (TV series) (1976)
Paddington Bear (TV series) (1989)
The Adventures of Paddington Bear (1997)
The Adventures of Paddington (2019 TV series) (2019)
no no (2025)
Parasite Eve
(Hideaki Sena)
Parasite Eve (1995)yesnoParasite Eve(1997)nonoParasite Eve (1998)
Parasite Eve II (1999)
The 3rd Birthday (2010)
Soundtracks, guidebooks, figure action and various merchandise
Perry Mason
(Erle Stanley Gardner)
The Case of the Velvet Claws (1933); 81 other novels no no no no Perry Mason (1957–1966)
The New Perry Mason (1973–1974)
Perry Mason TV movies (1985–1995)
no Perry Mason radio show
Peter Rabbit
(Beatrix Potter)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)
several sequels
noPeter Rabbit (film) (2018),
(2021)
The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1971),
Peter Rabbit (film) (2018),
(2021)
The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (1992),
Peter Rabbit (TV series) (2012)
noyesvarious
Pippi Longstocking
(Astrid Lindgren)
Pippi Långstrump (1945)noPippi Longstocking (1997 film)Pippi Longstocking (1949 film)Pippi Longstocking (1997 TV series)novariousno
Planet of the Apes
(Pierre Boulle)
La Planète des singes (1963)
several sequels
Planet of the Apes (comics)noPlanet of the Apes (1968); numerous sequels, and a reboot series.Return to the Planet of the Apes (1975)Planet of the Apes (1974)yesvarious
Professor Branestawm
(Norman Hunter)
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (1933)
several sequels
nonoyesnoyesnono
Psycho
(Robert Bloch)
Psycho (1959) graphic novels (1992) no American Psycho (1960)
Various sequels and remakes
no Bates Motel (2013–2017) video game (1988) various
Rambo
(David Morrell)
First Blood (1972)
various others
no First Blood (1982)
(1985)
Rambo III (1988)
Rambo (2008)
(2019)
(1986) no no
Robert Langdon
(Dan Brown)
Angels & Demons (2000)
The Da Vinci Code (2003)
nonoRobert Langdon (film series)noThe Lost Symbol (TV series)nono
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
(Robert L. May)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1939)
several sequels
yes (1998)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
no various TV specials no no Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song, 1959)
Sex and the City
(Candace Bushnell)
Sex and the City (1997)
The Carrie Diaries (2010)
Summer and the City (2011)
no no Sex and the City
Sex and the City 2
no Sex and the City
The Carrie Diaries
no no
Shrek
(William Steig)
Shrek! (1990)yesShrek (2001)
Shrek 2 (2004)
Shrek the Third (2007)
Shrek Forever After (2010)Puss in Boots (2011) (2022)Shrek 5 (2026)
novarious TV specialsnoyesmusicaltheme park attraction
Starship Troopers
(Robert A. Heinlein)
Starship Troopers (1959) no (2012) Starship Troopers (1997)
2 direct-to-DVD sequels
(1999–2000) no several table-top games
original video animation
Sword Art Online
(Reki Kawahara)
List of Sword Art Online light novels (2017) no Sword Art Online (2012)
Sword Art Online II (2014)
(2018–present)
no yes Figures
Middle-earth
(J. R. R. Tolkien)
The Hobbit (1977)
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
The Return of the King (1980)
The Lord of the Rings film series (2001−2003)
The Hobbit film series (2012−2014)
no no various media
Thomas & Friends
(Rev W. Awdry)
The Railway Series no Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)Thomas & Friends (1984–2021) (2021)Shining Time Station (1989–1993) yes Scale models
Tom Clancy media
(Tom Clancy)
The Hunt for Red October (1984)no no Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018-) no
Winnie-the-Pooh
(A. A. Milne)
When We Were Very Young (1924)
Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner
Featured in two others
yes Christopher Robin (2018)
Outside of that film, not primarily. A bit of live-action was used in some of the animated films.
various yes various Consisted of audio stories, specials, songs and theme rides, etc. See also the Disney franchise.
The Witcher
(Andrzej Sapkowski)
The Witcher Stories
The Saga novels
no The Hexer (2001)no The Hexer (2002)
The Witcher (TV series) (2019–present)
The Witcher (2007)
(2011)
(2014)
board and card games

Franchises originating in comics and printed cartoons

Franchise
(Creator)
Literature Comics Animated films Live action films Animated TV series Live action TV series Video games Other media
300
(Frank Miller)
no 300 (1998)
Xerxes (2018)
300 (2007)
(2014)
no no no (2007) -
The Addams Family
(Charles Addams)
severalcartoons in The New Yorker (1938–1988)
The Addams Family (2019)
The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Addams Family (1991)
Addams Family Values (1993)
The Addams Family (1973–1975)
The Addams Family: The Animated Series (1992–1993)
The Addams Family (1964–1966)
The New Addams Family (1998–1999)
Wednesday) (2022)
The Addams Family (video game series)The Addams Family, a Broadway musical, toys, dolls, board games
Alien vs. Predator[5]
(see Aliens and Predator sections below)
Aliens vs. Predator comics (beginning 1989) no Alien vs. Predator (2004)
(2007)
no no -
Archie Comics
(John L. Goldwater)
no Archie Comics, various series, beginning in 1941 The Archies in Jugman (TV Movie) (TV movie) The Archie Show (1968–1969)
Archie's Weird Mysteries (1999–2000) and many others
Riverdale (2017), Katy Keene (2020)no Radio show
Ashita no Joe(Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba)noAshita no Joe (1968–1973)Ashita no Joe (1980)Ashita no Joe 2 (1981)Ashita no Joe (1970)Ashita no Joe (2011)Ashita no Joe (1970–1971)
Ashita no Joe 2 (1980–1981)
Megalo Box (2018)
Megalo Box 2: Nomad (2021)
noyesJoe vs. Joe (2003)
Asterix
(René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo)
no Asterix the Gaul (serialized in Pilote 1959–1960, collected volume published in 1961)
37 more volumes
no no Parc Astérix theme park
board games and gamebooks
Attack on Titan
(Hajime Isayama)
Attack on Titan (2009–present) yes Attack on Titan (2013–present) no Theme park
Action Figures and Toys
Buck Rogers
(Philip Francis Nowlan)
(1995)
several others
yes no Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979) no ABC television series (1950–1951)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979–1981)
Buck Rogers XXVC (1988)
several others
Bleach
(Tite Kubo)
(2006)
(2007)
(2008)
(2010)
Bleach Bleach (2004–2012)no musicals
Bleach Trading Card Game
Cardcaptor Sakura
(CLAMP)
no Cardcaptor Sakura (1996-2000)
(2016-2024)
(1999)
(2000)
no Cardcaptor Sakura (1998-2000)
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (2018)
no Several audio dramas and character song singles
DC Universe[6]
(DC Comics)
(includes Superman,[7] Batman, and many others)
yes DC Comics yes yes yes yes Vertigo. (Sandman, Hellblazer, etc.) Imprint of DC. Has connections to the universe sometimes.
Death Note
(Tsugumi Ohba)
several light novelsDeath Note (2003–2006)noDeath Note (2006); several othersyesyesseveral-
Dennis the Menace(Hank Ketcham)no Dennis the Menace (1953–present) Dennis the Menace in Mayday for Mother (1981)
Dennis the Menace in Cruise Control (2002 TV film)
(1987 TV film)
Dennis the Menace (1993)
Dennis the Menace Strikes Again (1998)
A Dennis the Menace Christmas (2007)
Dennis the Menace (1986–1988)
The All-New Dennis the Menace (1993)
Dennis the Menace (1959–1963) Dennis the Menace (1993) -
Detective Conan
(Gosho Aoyama)
no volumes no seasons 1-15
seasons 16-30seasons 31–present
yes Trade cards
Doraemon
(Fujiko Fujio)
noList of Doraemon chapters
The Doraemons
Dorabase
no Doraemon (1973)
Doraemon (1979−2005)
Doremon (2005–present)
no musical
Dragon Ball
(Akira Toriyama)
yes Dragonball Evolution (2009); several others Dragon Ball (1986−1989)
Dragon Ball Z (1989−1996)
Dragon Ball GT (1996−1997)
Dragon Ball Super (2015−2018)
Dragon Ball Heroes (2018–present)
no Toys
Action figures
Collectible Card Game
Dyesebel
(Mars Ravelo)
no Serialized in Pilipino Komiks (1952–53) no several (1953, 1964, 1973, 1978, 1990, and 1996) no Dyesebel (2008)
Dyesebel (2014)
no
Fullmetal Alchemist
(Hiromu Arakawa)
yes (2012)
(2017)
Fullmetal Alchemist (TV series) (2003−2004) no yes -
Garfield
(Jim Davis)
no Garfield (comic strip) (syndicated in 1978) Garfield Gets Real (2007)Garfield's Fun Fest (2008)Garfield's Pet Force (2009)The Garfield Movie (2024) (2004)
(2006)
Garfield and Friends (1988–1994) The Garfield Show (2009–2016) no yes -
Ghost in the Shell
(Masamune Shirow)
no Ghost in the Shell (1989–1990) Ghost in the Shell (1995)
(2004)
Ghost in the Shell (2017) (2002–2003) no Ghost in the Shell (1997)
(2004)
original video animation
Hellboy
(Mike Mignola)
List of Hellboy comics (1993−present) (2006)
(2007)
Hellboy (2004)
(2008)
Hellboy (2019)
no no -
Initial D(Shuichi Shigeno)noList of Initial D chapters (1995−2013)Initial D Third Stage (2001)New Initial D the MovieInitial D (2005)List of Initial D episodesnoSeveral including Initial D Arcade Stage seriestoysmodel kits

soundtrack albums

no yes no no no
Judge Dredd
(John Wagner)
List of Judge Dredd Comic Stories (1977−present) no Judge Dredd (film) (1995)
Dredd (2012)
no no -
Kick-Ass
(Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.)
no The Dave Lizewski Years (2008–2014)
The New Girl (2018–2019)
Hit-Girl (2018–2020)
no Kick-Ass (2010)
Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
School Fight (2024)
no no (2010)
(2014)
-
Lucky Luke
(Morris)
no Lucky Luke comics (1946–present)
Rantanplan (1987–2011)
Kid Lucky (1995–1997, 2011–present)
Daisy Town (1971)
La Ballade des Dalton (1978)
Les Dalton en cavale (1983)
Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure (2017)
Lucky Luke (1991)
Les Dalton (2004)
Lucky Luke (2009)
Lucky Luke (1983)
Lucky Luke (1991)
The New Adventures of Lucky Luke (2001–2003)
Rintindumb (2006)
Lucky Luke (1992)
The Daltons (2010)
several
Lupin the Third
(Monkey Punch)
No List of Lupin III Manga (1977−present) Lupin III, The Castle of Cagliostro, Legend of the Gold of Babylon,, : (see Lupin III Cinema Films) (2004)
Lupin III (film) (2008)
Dredd (2019)
Two stage Musicals, Music Soundtrack. Board game
Marsupilami
(André Franquin)
several Bibliothèque Rose books Marsupilami comic albums (1987–present)
Comics in Disney Adventures magazine (1993–1994)
no HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami (2012) Raw Toonage shorts (1992)
Marsupilami (1993)
Marsupilami (2000-)
no Marsupilami (1995)
Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (2021)
Marvel Universe[8]
(Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, et al.)
(includes Spider-Man, The Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and many others)
yes Marvel Comics yes (Broadway musical)
The Mask
(Doug Mahnke and John Arcudi)
no The Mask (1991–1995)
The Mask Returns
The Mask Strikes Back
no The Mask (1994)
Son of the Mask (2005)
(1995–1997) no no no
Men in Black
(Lowell Cunningham)
no no no
My Hero Academia
(Kohei Horikoshi)
yes (2018) no My Hero Academia (2016–present) no yes original video animations
Toys
Action figures
Naruto/Boruto
(Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Ukyō Kodachi)
no Naruto (2002–2007)
Naruto Shippuuden (2007–2017)
Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals (2012–2013)
(2017–present)
no Original video animations
Trading card game
One Piece
(Eiichiro Oda)
List of One Piece manga volumes (1997–present) no One Piece (1999–present)One Piece (2023) Original video animations
music
Trading card game
Peanuts
(Charles M. Schulz)
severalPeanuts (1950–2000); numerous compilation books; comic books by Gold Key and KaBoom!; graphic novels by KaBoom!A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969)
Snoopy Come Home (1972)
Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977)
Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) (1980)
The Peanuts Movie (2015)
noseveral TV specials from 1965 to 2011, starting with A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1983–1986)
This Is America, Charlie Brown (1988–1989)
Peanuts (2014)
Snoopy in Space (2019–present)
The Snoopy Show (2021–present)
It's the Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown (TV special)severalA Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 album) and several other albums
musicals
Popeye the Sailor
(Elzie Crisler Segar)
no Popeye (1980) numerous no yes -
Ranma ½
(Rumiko Takahashi)
no Ranma ½ (1987–1996) TV special (2011) no original video animations
no yes yes yes yes yes
Sailor Moon
(Naoko Takeuchi)
no List of Sailor Moon chapters (1993–1997) (1993)
(1994)
(1995)
no Sailor Moon (1992–1996)
Sailor Moon Crystal (2014–2016)
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003–2004)musicals
Saint Seiya
(Masami Kurumada)
no Saint Seiya (1986−1989)
Saint Seiya Omega (2012−2014)
no Original video animations
musicals
discography
merchandise
Sam & Max
(Steve Purcell)
noSam & Max: Freelance Police (1987)
several others
no no no soundtracks
Sgt. Frog
(Mine Yoshizaki)
several guide books List of Sgt. Frog chapters (1999–present)
various tie-ins and spinoffs
Keroro Gunsō the Super Movie (2006); four other films no Sgt. Frog/Sergeant Keroro (2004–2011)
Keroro (2014)
no several music CDs
Keroro Land magazine
Kerokero Ace magazine
The Smurfs
(Peyo)
yes Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs (1965)
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1976)
(2017)
The Smurfs Movie (2025)
The Smurfs (2011)
The Smurfs 2 (2013)
The Smurfs (1981–89) no yes yes
Spawn
(Todd McFarlane)
no Spawn (1992–present)
Shadows of Spawn (1998–1999) various spin-offs, one-shots, crossovers, mini series, and ongoing series
no Spawn (1997) Todd McFarlane's Spawn (1997–1999) no The Dark Saga (1996)
Spirou/Spirou & Fantasio
(Rob-Vel)
yesComics in Spirou magazine (1938–present)
Spirou & Fantasio albums (1948–present)
Le Petit Spirou (1990–present) (spin-off)
noLes aventures de Spirou et Fantasio (2018)
Le Petit Spirou (2017) (spin-off adaption)
Spirou (1993–1994)
Two of a Kind: Spirou and Fantasio (2006–2009)
Spirou and co (series of animated shorts)
Le Petit Spirou (2012–present) (spin-off adaption)
noSpirou (1995)
(2000)
Parc Spirou theme park
audio plays
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird)
no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984–2009)
various
yes yes yes (1997–1998) yes merchandise cereal apparel
Tintin
(Hergé)
no cartoons in Le Vingtième Siècle (1929–1939)
The Adventures of Tintin series
Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece (1961)
Tintin and the Blue Oranges (1964)
Hergé's Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin
no radio shows
musical
stage play
Turok
(Rex Maxon)
4 novels Turok: Son of Stone (1956–1982; 2010–2011)
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (1993–1996; 2014-)
Turok (1998)
yes no no no -
The Walking Dead
(Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore)
The Walking Dead (2003–present) no no The Walking Dead TV series (2010–present) The Walking Dead (2012)
(2013)
-
Wangan Midnight
(Michiharu Kusunoki)
noWangan Midnight (1990–2008)Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner (2009–2012)

Ginkai no Speed Star (2014–2015)

Shutoko SPL - Ginkai no Speedster (2016–present)

no12 direct-to-video movies (1991–2001)Wangan Midnight The Movie (2009)Wangan Midnight (2007–2008)noWangan Midnight (2001)Wangan Midnight R (2001)

Wangan Midnight (2007)

(2004–present)

toysmodel kits
Yu-Gi-Oh!
(Kazuki Takahashi)
Yu-Gi-Oh! (1999)
(2004)
(2010)
(2016)
no no Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
Yu Yu Hakusho
(Yoshihiro Togashi)
no List of Yu Yu Hakusho chapters (1990–1994) Yu Yu Hakusho (1993)
Yu Yu Hakusho - Chapter of Underworld's Carnage - Bonds of Fire (1994)
no Yu Yu Hakusho (1992–1995) no CDs
Yu Yu Hakusho Trading Card Game
various merchandise

See also

Notes and References

  1. Harry J. Brown, Videogames and Education (2008), p. 41, :
  2. Nick Hunter, Popular Culture: 2000 and Beyond (2012), page 11, : "The Harry Potter series was another huge multimedia franchise that triumphed at the box office".
  3. John Sutherland, Lives of the Novelists: A History of Fiction in 294 Lives (2012), p. 195, : "It was the films, beginning with Dr No in 1962, which made Bond into a multimedia franchise which continues to turn over more money per annum than any other literary creation of the twentieth century, with the possible exception of the Harry Potter films".
  4. Web site: Miffy .
  5. Note: Alien vs. Predator is a crossover franchise established from the existing Alien and Predator franchises
  6. "Media crossovers have us asking, 'who's ripping off who?'", Edmonton Journal (July 14, 2000), p. E3: "Marvel Comics is already reaping an "X-cellent" multimedia bounty on the backs of the special effects-laden feature..."
  7. Ian Gordon, Mark Jancovich, Matthew P. McAllister, Film and Comic Books (2007), p. 161, : "[W]hen considering Superman as a multimedia franchise, and critical interpretations of him, it would seem that development and variety have been central to his longevity".
  8. Gilbert A. Blouchard, "Mining comic books for movie gold is old hat", Edmonton Journal (July 14, 2000), p. E3: "Marvel Comics is already reaping an "X-cellent" multimedia bounty on the backs of the special effects-laden feature..."