When the word "franchise" comes to mind, many filmgoers only remember more big-budget, relatively recent Western ones like Star Wars, Fast & Furious and the superhero ones most recently dominating popular movie culture. But in the larger picture, a substantial amount of the biggest, longest-running and (by dedication of their followings rather than total numbers of viewers) most beloved film franchises are actually from before the 1970s, from Asia or developing countries, or in animation form.
So this list takes a look at some important franchises that slipped through the cracks of popular recognition or memory, yet did much to delight many fortunate enough to have been exposed to them and influence cinema both within their own countries and sometimes even Hollywood movies that lifted from them or built upon their foundations.
