The 20 best movie franchises to binge-watch to escape from reality

The wizarding world of Hogwarts offers the ultimate escape from our boring Muggle reality. It's a magical journey full of friendship, epic battles, and the comforting idea that a letter from an owl could change your life forever.

If you need to get as far from reality as possible, a trip to Middle-earth is your best bet. This trilogy has it all: brave little hobbits, elegant elves, and sprawling, epic battles that still hold up as some of the greatest in cinematic history.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas created the perfect escape. Whether you're siding with the Rebellion or the Empire, the saga offers non-stop adventure, mythical Jedi powers, and the most iconic sound effects of all time.

Sometimes you just need to watch a superhero punch a purple alien in the face, and for that, the MCU has you covered. It's an ever-expanding universe of action, humor, and interconnected stories that makes you feel like part of something bigger.

Set sail on the high seas for a swashbuckling adventure with the wonderfully chaotic Captain Jack Sparrow. It’s a rum-soaked world of cursed treasure, sea monsters, and ridiculous action that is pure, escapist fun.

The premise is simple: scientists bring dinosaurs back to life, and it goes horribly, terrifyingly wrong every single time. It's the perfect escape for when you want to feel the thrill of being chased by a T. Rex from the safety of your couch.

This franchise threw physics out the window about six movies ago in favor of pure, NOS-fueled insanity. If you want to turn off your brain and watch cars parachute out of planes for the sake of "family," this is your ticket.

What if reality wasn't real? The Matrix trilogy is a mind-bending rabbit hole of philosophy, trench coats, and Kung Fu that will have you questioning everything in the coolest way possible.

Giant alien robots that turn into cars and cause city-wide destruction? Say no more. This movie is loud, it's explosive, and it's the perfect cinematic escape when you just want to see things go boom.

A dystopian future where teenagers are forced into a televised death match sounds grim, but it's actually a surprisingly thrilling escape. The high-stakes action, political intrigue, and a truly killer lead performance from Jennifer Lawrence make it an unforgettable ride.

Grab your whip and fedora, because it's time for a globe-trotting adventure. The Indiana Jones series is a masterclass in treasure hunting, Nazi-punching, and narrowly escaping death that never gets old.

When there's something strange in your neighborhood, you call these guys for a supernatural adventure that's more hilarious than horrifying. It’s a world where shooting proton packs at historical ghosts is just another day at the office.

Welcome to the post-apocalyptic wasteland, where everything is covered in sand and chrome. The Mad Max series is a full-throttle, adrenaline-fueled escape into a world of insane car chases and explosive survival.

Forget your reality and step through the back of a wardrobe into a magical land of talking animals and epic fantasy battles. The world of Narnia is a charming, heroic, and thoroughly enchanting escape.

Being a mutant with extraordinary powers might be tough, but it sure makes for a great escape. The X-Men series delivers the perfect blend of superhero action, high-stakes drama, and a surprisingly nuanced exploration of prejudice and acceptance.

Sometimes you just want to escape into a world of moody, sparkly vampires and the dramatic love triangle they're stuck in. It’s a perfect slice of supernatural teen angst, full of intense stares and sweeping romance set against a perpetually gloomy backdrop.

This series flipped the classic fairy tale on its head and gave us a grumpy ogre, a chatterbox donkey, and a princess who could fight her own battles. It's an escape to a hilarious, self-aware world where happily ever after takes on a slightly different look.

A family of superheroes is forced to hide their powers and live a quiet suburban life — until a new villain pulls them back into the action. It's a hilarious, heartwarming, and beautifully animated escape for when you need a dose of family-friendly adventure.

If your idea of an escape is a trip to a dark, gritty, and psychologically complex version of Gotham, then this is the trilogy for you. It's a masterclass in grounded superhero storytelling, complete with iconic villains and a Batman who is just as broken as the city he's trying to save.

This series offers an escape into a world where aliens live among us, and a secret organization in cool black suits is the only thing protecting Earth from total chaos. It’s the perfect blend of sci-fi action, buddy-cop comedy, and flashy memory-erasing gadgets.