Ranked · Beginner · Updated June 2026

Best Entry Points: The Easiest Franchises to Start

Some franchises hand you the door key on a silver platter. These are the lowest-barrier entry points across film, books, anime, and games — short, self-contained, or with one obvious starting point that just works. Pick any of the top five and you'll be hooked before bedtime.

  1. 1
    John Wick Movies in OrderFilm

    One bullet of a premise: dog, revenge, go. Cleanest action on-ramp ever made.

    See the order
  2. 2
    Back to the Future Movies in OrderFilm

    A perfect, self-contained first film you can watch knowing absolutely nothing.

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  3. 3
    Death Note Watch OrderAnime

    One tight season, no spinoffs, no chronology puzzles — pure addictive momentum from episode one.

    See the order
  4. 4
    Shrek Movies in OrderFilm

    Ninety minutes, zero prerequisites, instant joy. The friendliest franchise door on the list.

    See the order
  5. 5
    Fullmetal Alchemist Watch OrderAnime

    Brotherhood is the one definitive watch — complete, self-contained, the gold-standard anime starter.

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  6. 6
    The Hunger Games Movies in OrderFilm

    Start at book one and the world explains itself; addictive YA with no homework.

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  7. 7
    Jaws Movies in OrderFilm

    The original needs nothing before it. Watch one movie, feel the whole genre's DNA.

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  8. 8
    Percy Jackson & Riordanverse Books in OrderBook

    Middle-grade pacing, crystal-clear order, mythology spoon-fed. You'll finish book one in a sitting.

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  9. 9
    Die Hard Movies in OrderFilm

    One building, one night, one perfect movie. Sequels optional, satisfaction guaranteed.

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  10. 10
    Demon Slayer Watch OrderAnime

    Gorgeous, linear, and beginner-proof — the modern anime everyone uses as a gateway.

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  11. 11
    A Good Girl's Guide to Murder in OrderBook

    A single propulsive mystery; solve it in a weekend and feel instantly clever.

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  12. 12
    The Last of Us Games in OrderGame

    One self-contained masterpiece that plays like a movie — easiest prestige-game first step.

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  13. 13
    Men in Black Movies in OrderFilm

    Standalone, breezy, explains its own universe in the opening scene. Pure low-effort fun.

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  14. 14
    Jurassic Park Movies in OrderFilm

    The first film is flawless and complete; ignore the sequels entirely if you like.

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  15. 15
    Toy Story Movies in OrderFilm

    Begin at the beginning, no franchise baggage — a near-perfect 80-minute starting line.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the single easiest franchise here to start with?

John Wick. The premise is one sentence, the first movie stands completely alone, and you're fully oriented within the opening ten minutes — no lore, no required reading, just momentum.

Do these go in release order or some special order?

Almost all of these are best in simple release order, and most start with one obvious, self-contained first entry. That's exactly why they made this list — no chronology puzzles or numbered-side-story rabbit holes.

How fast can I finish a 'win' from this list?

Very fast. Standalone films like Shrek, Die Hard, or Jaws are a single evening. Death Note is one tight season, and books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder are a weekend read.

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