3. Star Wars (1977-2005)
20th Century FoxStar Wars has shown unparalleled staying power to remain at the forefront of popular culture for almost 40 years, with interest in the franchise higher than its been in a decade thanks to JJ Abrams' currently in-production Episode VII. The $4bn acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney will see a new Star Wars movie hitting theaters every year, and hopefully the finished product will be more akin to the original trilogy than the much-maligned prequels. A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are three of the most influential blockbusters ever made, inspiring generations of filmmakers and cinemagoers alike. The cast of memorable characters, rich mythology, groundbreaking special effects and epic set-pieces remain as popular now as they were at the time of release. After a 16 year absence, The Phantom Menace hit screens in 1999 and it would be a massive understatement to say it was a little disappointing. Forgetting everything that made the original trilogy so special, the prequels suffer from George Lucas' over-reliance on CGI, wooden acting and terrible dialogue, although Revenge of the Sith did provide an action-packed and satisfying conclusion. Despite the potential for franchise fatigue to set in with a new movie hitting theaters on an annual basis, things are looking promising for the continuation of the Star Wars universe. Episode VII will feature a top-notch ensemble cast, and the attachment of talented directors Gareth Edwards, Rian Johnson and Josh Trank to the sequels and spin-offs bodes well for the future.