Ben 10 is an American science fiction superhero media franchise conceived by Man of Action and owned by The Cartoon Network, Inc., division of Skydance Corporation. The franchise, mainly consisting of animated series produced by Cartoon Network Studios, revolves around a young boy named Ben Tennyson, who discovers the Omnitrix—a high-tech, extraterrestrial device shaped like a wristwatch. This remarkable gadget contains the DNA of various alien species, allowing Ben to transform into them at will. Initially, the Omnitrix features ten alien transformations (hence the name of the series), but over time, Ben gains the ability to unlock additional species.
The franchise began with an animated series titled Ben 10 (2005–2008), which was followed by its sequels Ben 10: Alien Force (2008–2010), Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (2010–2012), and Ben 10: Omniverse (2012–2014), all sharing the same continuity. The reboot series, also titled Ben 10, was released from 2016 until 2021, set in a new continuity, with a 44-minute finale special serving as a crossover with the first four series. The franchise also includes five films (three animated and two live-action), numerous video games, and crossovers with other two Cartoon Network series, Generator Rex (2010–2013) and The Secret Saturdays (2008–2010). It has garnered considerable critical acclaim, securing three Emmy Awards, and ranks as Cartoon Network's second-longest existing franchise. Furthermore, Ben 10 has inspired a line of toys produced initially by Bandai for the franchise's first four series and later by Playmates Toys for the reboot. Ben 10 is one of Cartoon Network's most commercially successful franchises.
Television series
As of 2024, the five concluded series are split into two continuities: the classic continuity, including the original series and its sequelsBen 10 (20052008), Ben 10: Alien Force (20082010), Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (20102012), and Ben 10: Omniverse (20122014), and the reboot continuity of Ben 10 (20162021), with its 2021 April specials serving as both the series finale for the 2016 reboot and a crossover event connecting both continuities. As of 2025, there are a total of 393 episodes.
Series overview
Films
As of 2020, there have been three animated films Secret of the Omnitrix (2007), Destroy All Aliens (2012), Versus the Universe (2020) and two live-action films Race Against Time (2007), Alien Swarm (2009) released in the franchise.
Animated films Occupation Secret of the Omnitrix (2007) Destroy All Aliens (2012) Versus the Universe (2020)Director(s)Sebastian O. Montes III and Scooter TidwellVictor CookArthur Henrique Nazareth and John McIntyreProducer(s)Donna Smith, Alex Soto & Jennifer Pelphrey Kurt Weldon and Victor Cook Shareena Carlson and Will PatrickProduction company(s)Cartoon Network StudiosTiny Island Productions, Cartoon Network Asia and Cartoon Network StudiosCartoon Network StudiosDistributorCartoon NetworkCartoon NetworkWarner Bros. Home EntertainmentRuntime67 minutes69 minutes72 minutesReleasedAugust 10, 2007March 23, 2012October 10, 2020
Live-action films OccupationLive-action filmsRace Against Time (2007)Alien Swarm (2009)Director(s)Alex WinterProducer(s)Evan W. Adler and Victor Ho Gideon AmirProduction company(s)Trouper Productions with Cartoon Network StudiosDistributorWarner Bros. and Cartoon NetworkCartoon NetworkRuntime67 minutes69 minutesReleasedNovember 21, 2007November 25, 2009
Future
According to Duncan Rouleau, Cartoon Network has plans they are working on and he hoped that there would be some announcements by the end of 2021, but as of 2025, no announcement has been made so far. The crew was developing many options; the changing fields of platforms from cable to streaming, the consolidation of Warner Bros. franchises, and a "thousand other factors" determined where, how, and when this iteration will finally settle.
Other media
Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge is a game show developed for television by United Kingdom-based company Twenty Twenty, which airs on Cartoon Network in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Nordic region, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Chile, United States and the Middle East. Ultimate Challenge is a trivia show that tasks children with answering questions about all three series."'Ben 10' Gets A Live-Action Game Show: 'Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge'" Ultimate Challenge is produced by Mandy Morris and executive produced by Daniel Marlowe.
References in other shows Ben appeared as a parody of Benjamin Franklin on the show MAD, in an episode titled "Ben 10 Franklin". Franklin was flying his kite when he was struck by a lightning bolt, gaining the Omnitrix. He used Swampfire to sign the Declaration of Independence. He also used Humongousaur to defeat the British and smash down a junior high school bully's house in revenge. He used other aliens from Alien Force and Ultimate Alien, where they have his hair and glasses. Also in MAD, a reference to Alien Force was made with a parody of the film Cowboys & Aliens, with many titles: "Cowboys & Alien Force", "Cowboys & Equestrians", and "Cowboys & Silly Bands". The reference was made at the beginning when Jake awakes with Ben on his side, but with Jake wearing Ben's pants and hat, with the Omnitrix on his wrist. He also used the Omnitrix to become an alien with the mix of Diamondhead, Chromastone, and Way Big to smash a cowboy. In the South Park episode "You're Getting Old", Cartman's mother mentions that Cartman gets upset when he does not get a present every time someone else gets a present at a party. One of the presents Cartman gets is a "Ben 10 Wrist Rocket". The Robot Chicken episode "Hurtled from a Helicopter into a Speeding Train" shows Ben on his 14th birthday party, where he complains about his gifts given by Azmuth. Ben 10 villains, such as the Enoch, Hex and Animo, make a brief cameo in The Secret Saturdays episode "Van Rook's Apprentice". References to Galvan Prime and Wildvine's species also appear in "Guess Who's Going to Be Dinner?" and "Eterno" respectively. In the Peep Show episode, "Man Jam", Jeremy jokingly refers to Ben, the boyfriend of a woman he admires, as "Ben 10" during a phone call to him. Teenage Ben Tennyson appeared in The Official BBC Children in Need Medley in 2009. Ben Tennyson, sporting his original series design, makes a cameo appearance in the Jellystone! crossover special "Crisis on Infinite Mirths".
References in video games Ben 10 is featured as a crossover character in Brawlhalla, a 2D platform fighting game. He appears as his alien forms Heatblast, Diamondhead, and Four Arms in the form of the crossover "skins" for certain playable characters. Ben 10 is featured as a downloadable content (DLC) expansion pack in Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The player teams up with Ben Tennyson, Gwen Tennyson, and Max Tennyson to stop an alien invasion by transforming into various aliens to face off against notable villains from the 2016 iteration of the franchise. Ben 10 is featured in Fortnite Battle Royale in the form of purchasable cosmetics, added on April 24, 2026 as part of Chapter 7 Season 2. Ben Tennyson and Gwen Tennyson are available as purchasable "outfits", using their Ultimate Alien appearances.
Cartoon Network promotion
Titanic Kungfubot Offensive The game features famous and notable Cartoon Network characters in robot-type form. Big Chill, Swampfire, a DNAlien, Kevin Levin, Vilgax, Rath, Armodrillo, Ultimate Humongousaur, Ultimate Echo Echo, and Ultimate Big Chill appear as playable characters.
To promote the Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United special, Cartoon Network updated Titanic Kungfubot Offensive, adding new bots based on Shocksquatch and Clockwork.
Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall
The character design for Ben Tennyson was changed when the original Ben 10 series ended and was replaced by his Alien Force design. In the game, he serves as a "Guide" offering exclusive missions and items.
Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut In another browser-based game entitled Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut, Ben's aliens, alongside Gwen and Vilgax, appear as "exosuits". The exosuits' purpose is protecting the player and giving them unique abilities and powers. The planet Kylmyys (the home planet of one of Ben's aliens, Big Chill) and the Perplexhedron are featured as battle arenas. Ultimate Kevin and Alien X appear as exosuits for Project Exonaut representing Ben 10. The new exosuits feature a Gold version of and Rath.
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion
Ben appears in the game as a playable character. Swampfire, Humongousaur, Big Chill, and AmpFibian appear as Ben's playable aliens. Vilgax, the archenemy of Ben Tennyson appears as a playable character for the first time. Gwen and the Vreedle Brothers are "summons" in the game. Additionally, Bellwood and the Null Void are included as battle arenas. Kevin also appears as a "summon" in the game, but is featured as a playable character on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions called Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL. In addition, Kevin in Ultimate Kevin form appears in the game as a boss. The young version of Ben appears in the console version of the game as a playable character.
Cast and characters
The main characters include Ben Tennyson and his cousin Gwen Tennyson, Grandpa Max Tennyson, Kevin Levin and Rook Blonko, along with the villains Vilgax, Aggregor, Doctor Animo, Eon, Hex and Khyber.
Accolades
Original series Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result2007 34th Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Individual in Animation Thomas Perkins Golden Reel Award Best Sound Editing in Sound Effects, Foley,Dialogue, ADR and Music for Television Animation Otis Van Osten, Melinda Rediger, Trevor Sperry, Matt Brown,Jody Thomas, Andy Sturmer, Ron Salaises, Keith Dickensfor the episode "Ben 10,000" 2008 35th Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Class Animated Program Brian A. Miller, Sam Register, Jennifer Pelphrey,Alex Soto, Donna Smith, Tramm Wigzell
Race Against Time Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result 2008 29th Young Artist Awards Best Leading Young Actor Graham Phillips as Ben Tennyson Best Supporting Young Actor Tyler Patrick Jones as Cash Murray Best Supporting Young Actress Haley Ramm as Gwen Tennyson 6th Visual Effects Society Awards Outstanding Animated Character in aLive Action Broadcast Program or Commercial Brent Young, Smith, Michael For the Grey Matter sequence Outstanding Visual Effects in aBroadcast Miniseries, Movie or Special Dina Benadon, Evan Jacobs, Brent Young, Chris Christmanfor visual effects compilation
Alien Force Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result 2009 36th Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Sound MixingLive Action and Animation Robert Hargreaves, Robert Serda and John Hegedes Outstanding Sound EditingLive Action and Animation Robert Hargreaves and George Brooks Outstanding Special Class Animated Program Brian A. Miller, Sam Register, Glen Murakami,Jennifer Pelphrey and Donna Smith
Alien Swarm Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result 2010 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Visual Effects for aMiniseries, Movie or a Special Evan Jacobs, Sean McPherson, Andrew Orloff, Brent Young 8th Visual Effects Society Awards Outstanding Visual Effects in aBroadcast Miniseries, Movie or a Special Evan Jacobs, Sean McPherson, Andrew Orloff 15th Art Directors Guild Award Television Movie or Mini-Series Yuda Acco Harry Matheu, Hugh D.G. Moody, Rouzier,Pierre, Robb Bihun, Ann Stacy, Dan Post
Ultimate Alien Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result 2011 64th Writers Guild of America Awards Animation Len Uhley for the episode "Moonstruck"
Omniverse