Following is a list of multimedia franchises originating in print publications, including literary works, comic books, and comic strips.
To qualify for purposes of this list, the original media must have originated from the work of an identifiable author or set of co-authors, and must have been adapted into works in at least three forms of media, and must have two or more separate works in at least two of those forms of media (a television series or comic book series is considered a single work for purposes of this list; multiple spin-off series or remakes of a previously ended series are considered multiple works). For example, a novel that spawned one film and one television series would not qualify; a series of novels made into a television series that had a spin-off series, or was remade as a new series, and which also spawned one film, does qualify.
In the following tables, the initial media through which the franchise characters or settings became known is shown in boldface. Only works of fiction are only considered part of the series; a book or a documentary film about the franchise is not itself an installment in the franchise.
Franchises originating in literary works These franchises began as novels, short stories, and other forms of purely literary works. Franchise Literature Comics Animated films Live action films Animated TV Live action TV Video games Other media87th PrecinctEvan Hunter Cop Hater (1956)several sequels 87th Precinct (1962), Cop Hater (1990) no Cop Hater (1958)The Mugger (1958)The Pusher (1960)several others no 87th Precinct (TV series) (1961–62) no noA Song of Ice and Fire A Game of Thrones (1996)several sequels A Game of Thrones (2011–2014)A Clash of Kings (2017–2021) no Game of Thrones: Aegon's Conquest (2029) Nine Voyages (TBA) Game of Thrones (2011–2019)House of the Dragon (2022–)A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026–) several, beginning in 2007 board games, role-playing games, music, stage play, exhibitsArthur Arthur's Nose (1976) several more books no Arthur's Missing Pal (2006) no Arthur (1996–2022)Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)Hop (2024) no yes children's albums, toys, apparelAmerican Psycho American Psycho (1991)Budapesti skizo (1997) no no American Psycho (2000) American Psycho 2 (2002) no no no musicalBabar The Story of Babar (1931)various no Babar and Father Christmas (1986) Babar: The Movie (1989) Babar: King of the Elephants (1999) no Babar (1989–1991; 2000) Babar and the Adventures of Badou (2010–2014) 2 TV specials Les Aventures de Babar (1968) various variousBerenstain Bears The Big Honey Hunt (1962)several more no TV specials no The Berenstain Bears Show (1985–1987)The Berenstain Bear (2002–2004) no various -Blade Runner Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)three sequels by another writer several Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (2022) Blade Runner(1982)Blade Runner 2049 (2017) no no Blade Runner (1985)Blade Runner (1997) -Bourne The Bourne Identity (1980)several sequels no no The Bourne Identity (1988 TV movie), The Bourne Identity (2002), and several sequels no no Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy (2008) -Captain Underpants The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)eleven sequels in-universe graphic novel series, including Dog Man (2016-present) 2026 manga adaptation Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) Dog Man (2025) Untitled Dog Man sequel (TBA) three TV specials a brief live-action sock puppet sequence featured in the 2017 film The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–2020) no yes yesThe Cat in the Hat The Cat in the Hat (1957)The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (1958)several subsequent appearances ? 1971 TV special of the same nameThe Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)The Cat in the Hat (2026) The Cat in the Hat (2003) The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010-) The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss yes theme park attractionsmusicalCharlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972)Charlie and the Christmas Factory (2024) The Complete Adventures of Charlie and Mr. Willy Wonka (2010) Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2017) Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)Wonka (2023) no no Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1985)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Island (2012) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride (2006–2015)Willy Wonka (musical; 2004)The Golden Ticket (opera; 2010)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical; 2013)The Chronicles of NarniaHarry J. Brown, Videogames and Education (2008), p. 41, : The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)several sequels no The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979) The Chronicles of Narnia film series (2005–present) no The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1967)The Chronicles of Narnia (1988–1990) various radio dramatisation, audiobooksConan the Barbarian Original Robert E. Howard Conan stories(published from 1932–1936); various later publications Conan the Barbarian (comics) no Conan the Barbarian (1982), and several others Conan the Adventurer (1992–1993)Conan and the Young Warriors (1994) Conan The Adventurer (1997–1998) several, beginning with Conan: Hall of Volta (1984) -Clifford the Big Red Dog Clifford the Big Red Dog (1963)numerous sequels Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie Graphic Novel (2021) Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004) Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)Clifford the Big Red Dog 2 (TBA) Clifford the Big Red Dog (1988 video series) Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000-2003) Clifford's Puppy Days (2003-2006)Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019-2021) no yes -Caillou (Hélène Desputeaux)Caillou (1989) numerous sequelsYesCaillou's Holiday Movie (2003)Yes Caillou (1997-2011)yesyesyes The Chinese Siamese Cat (Amy Tan)The Chinese Siamese Cat (1994); numerous sequels Yes yes yes Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001-2002)yes yes yes Curious George Curious George (1941); numerous sequels no Curious George (2006); various Curious George (TBA) Curious George TV series (2006); various no Curious George video game (2006) -Die Hard The Detective (1966)Nothing Lasts Forever (1979) yes no Die Hard (1988)Die Hard 2 (1992)Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)Live Free or Die Hard (2007)A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) no no several noDiscworld The Colour of Magic (1983); several sequels and spin-offs yes no Hogfather (2006)The Colour of Magic (2008)Going Postal (2010) Soul Music (1997)Wyrd Sisters (1998) The Watch (2021) several stage and radio playsboard gamesDiary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007)several sequelsspin-off series no Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022)Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw(2025) Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012)Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017) no no Poptropica tie-ins ToysAction figuresDune Dune (1965); numerous prequel and sequel novels Dune: The Official Comic Book no Dune (1984)Dune (2021)Dune: Part Two (2024)