A movie franchise refers to a series of films that are based on a common theme, character or storyline. It is usually owned by a production company who has the rights to create multiple sequels and spin-offs from the original film. The term can also refer to a collection of movies that share the same brand name, but may not necessarily be related in terms of plot or characters. A successful movie franchise can generate significant revenue for its owners through box office collections, merchandising, and other ancillary revenues such as DVD sales and streaming rights.