The Legacy Continues: Franchises Level Up with New Installments This Week

Franchise fans, get ready! This week is a massive one for cinematic universes and beloved series, with three major new installments arriving on streaming platforms. From the world of high-table assassins to the dojos of karate masters and the labs of AI engineers, legacy is the name of the game.
The world of John Wick expands significantly with Ballerina, which made its streaming debut on Starz on September 25. This film does more than just tell a side story; it enriches the lore of the entire universe. With Ana de Armas as a new protagonist with deep ties to the Ruska Roma, it offers a fresh perspective while maintaining the franchise’s signature style.
The Karate Kid franchise makes a legendary leap forward with Karate Kid: Legends on Netflix, out September 27. For the first time, the film officially bridges the original movie series with the 2010 reboot, creating a unified timeline. This ambitious move, featuring both Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, opens up endless possibilities for the future of the series.
The M3GAN saga evolves from a contained horror story into a full-blown sci-fi action franchise with M3GAN 2.0, now streaming on Peacock. By introducing a new, more powerful android antagonist, the sequel raises the stakes and expands the world’s technological lore. M3GAN herself is transformed from a simple villain into a complex, evolving character.
Alongside these franchise giants, two original films, The Surfer on Hulu and All of You on Apple TV+, offer standalone experiences that could very well launch franchises of their own. This week is a testament to the power of continuing stories and building cinematic worlds.