Navigating the Maze: Unraveling the Most Confusing Movie Franchise Title Schemes
In the vast universe of movie franchises, where sequels, prequels, and spinoffs are the norm, keeping track of what to watch next can sometimes feel like solving a complex puzzle. From cryptic numbering to sudden title shifts that leave fans scratching their heads, we're diving into the most bewildering movie franchise title schemes. This gallery is your compass through the labyrinth, offering clarity on how to watch these cinematic series in a way that actually makes sense. Let's embark on this journey of untangling the cinematic knots together!
1-"The Fast and the Furious" and zigzagging through titles like "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Fast & Furious" (the fourth movie, not to be confused with the first), this franchise's naming convention might leave you more twisted than a Tokyo drift. To watch in chronological order, start with the 2001 original and use the release dates as your guide, except for "Tokyo Drift," which technically comes later in the story's timeline.Watching order: The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, F9: The Fast Saga.
2-The "X-Men" saga is a whirlwind of timelines, with titles like "X-Men: First Class" throwing fans off the chronological trail. For a coherent viewing experience, start with "First Class" and navigate through the series, keeping an eye on the internal chronology rather than the release dates, especially when you hit "Days of Future Past."Watching order: X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, Deadpool 2, Dark Phoenix.
3-"Star Wars" famously starts its tale with Episode IV, creating one of the most infamous title confusions in cinema history. For newcomers, the debate between release order and chronological order is as old as the franchise itself. A happy medium? Start with the original trilogy, then prequels, followed by sequels, to preserve the saga's dramatic revelations.Watching order: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.
4-Although the "Mission: Impossible" series starts off straightforward with its first two installments, it quickly abandons numerical titles for subtitles, which can make keeping track of the saga's continuity a challenge. Watch them in release order to appreciate the technological and narrative evolution of the IMF's daring escapades.Watching order: Impossible, Mission: Impossible 2, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
5-With titles jumping from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" to "Terminator: Dark Fate," the franchise's timeline is as complex as its AI adversaries. For a linear journey through the Connor saga, stick to release order, but be prepared for some timeline hopping that might require a flowchart.Watching order: The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, Terminator Genisys, Terminator: Dark Fate.
6-The titles of "The Chronicles of Narnia" movies follow the novels’ publication order rather than their chronological story order, which might confuse viewers new to the magical world of Narnia. To follow the Pevensies' adventures as they unfold in the world's timeline, begin with "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."Watching order: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
7-Between "The Hobbit" prequel trilogy and "The Lord of the Rings," the order seems straightforward, but the titling and number of films can cause confusion. For epic continuity, start with "The Hobbit" series before moving on to "The Lord of the Rings," keeping in mind the vast scale and detail Tolkien's world offers across these films.Watching order: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
8-The "Alien" saga begins with the straightforward "Alien," "Aliens," and then veers into titles without numerical order, such as "Alien 3" stylized as "Alien³," and "Alien: Resurrection." The prequels, "Prometheus" and "Alien: Covenant," add to the confusion with their subtle tie-ins to the original story. For a coherent narrative, watch in release order, but consider the prequels as a separate, yet related, experience to appreciate the saga's full scope and its intricate lore.Watching order: Alien, Aliens, Alien³, Alien: Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant
9-The "Saw" franchise's titles zigzag from simple numerical sequences to subtitles, then back to numbers with "Jigsaw," potentially puzzling even the most ardent fans. To catch every torturous twist and turn, stick to the release order, but be warned: the timeline is as convoluted as Jigsaw's puzzles.Watching order: Saw, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, Saw 3D (also known as Saw: The Final Chapter), Jigsaw, Spiral: From the Book of Saw
10-With titles like "Dead Man's Chest" and "On Stranger Tides," the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise might leave viewers adrift on what to watch next. Sail through these films in release order to follow Jack Sparrow's compass through treacherous waters and into pirate legend.Watching order: Movies in Order: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
From galaxies far, far away to the depths of the ocean with notorious pirates, we've navigated through the twists and turns of the most bewildering movie franchise title schemes. With this guide, you're now equipped to embark on these cinematic journeys with confidence. Whether you're diving into these worlds for the first time or revisiting them, the right viewing order can transform your experience, turning confusion into clarity and enjoyment. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let the movie marathon begin!
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17 April 2024
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