There are many films that have become massive successes with multiple sequels or continuations. Many times audiences want more from the stories after studios run out of the means to make more. It was quite popular to create television shows from them. In more recent days, video games are becoming an extended member of popular franchises. While some are sticking to standard adaptions, many creators are moving to transmedia storytelling. This is a way of expanding the audience's favorite story-world across different platforms with new and exciting information.

With transmedia storytelling becoming more and more popular, audiences could have the opportunity to see their favorite franchise turned into an anime series, with the means to explore the worlds more in depth. This list is a look at some of the franchises with the most potential to become an anime series.

5 Pirates of the Caribbean

Johnny Depp on a boat fights a sea monster in Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest
Buena Vista Pictures

The 2003 smash hit Pirates of the Caribbean showed audiences a fun and thrilling world. When the governor's daughter, played by Keira Knightley, is kidnapped by cursed pirates, Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, is enlisted by Will Turner, played by Orlando Bloom, for a rescue mission. They encounter new places and ways of life that make for an exciting adventure. The countless ocean-bound tales would make for a beautiful anime series. The breathtaking visuals, the mythological sea creatures, and the adventures would be something audiences would find amazing. The way that the movies' story world is set up is very similar to some popular anime series.

As an adaptation, Pirates of the Caribbean has the option of being expanded to a full series because of the distance needed to travel to key locations. New adventures could be added to the original story. Also, with Johnny Depp's voice-over experience, some original cast members may be able to reprise their fan-favorite roles.

Related: Johnny Depp Rep Debunks Pirates of the Caribbean Return Rumors

4 Jumanji

A scene from Jumanji
Sony Pictures Releasing

The 1995 classic family film Jumanji, is a fun film that follows Alan Parrish, played by Robin Williams, as he discovers a dangerous board game. When Alan and his best friend, Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt) play the game, Alan is transported inside the game. Decades later, when siblings Peter, played by Bradley Pierce, and Judy Shepherd, played by Kristen Dunst, find the game, the four must complete the game to put everything right.

The continuation in 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and it's 2019 sequel, Jumaji: the Next Level, showed that the story was far bigger than audiences saw from the first film. These new additions opened the franchise to be a perfect anime adaption. Whether in the world of Jumaji or having the game change the real world, an anime series could explore so much of the story the films have to offer.

3 Harry Potter

grint-watson-radcliffe-harry-potter-prison-azkaban-2004-wb
Warner Bros. Pictures

In 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone introduced an entire generation to a new magical world. The film series follows the story of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger as they begin their education at the magical school of Hogwarts. Through their years attending the school, they are pulled into a war between good and evil.

Being a book adaptation, fans are quick to point out the missing details that could have made the story better. With an anime series, audiences could see every detail the book fans crave. An anime series could also focus on the mythical creatures that inhabit the world. While the films touched on the different species, it in as good of detail as could be possible with a series.

Related: Harry Potter and the Wizarding World: Possible New Storylines

2 Highlander

Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery in Highlander
Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment

The Highlander film from 1986 is a classic, with one of the best soundtracks. Following the story of Connor MacLeod, played by Christopher Lambert, and his journey through a centuries-long battle. After finding out he's an immortal being during the 16th century, Connor trains under a seasoned warrior, Juan Sanchez-Villalobos Ramirez, played by Sean Connery. After living through centuries of fighting for his life, in 1985, Conner's greatest enemy is back. Connor must use all of his skills and training to defeat him.

The Highlander franchise spanned multiple movies and a television show. Throughout both, the audience is shown many characters from different times, places, and cultures. Each of these characters has the potential to be shown in an anime series. While there was already an animated series, it flopped after only one season because of its deviation from the original story. In a true canonical anime, there are so many stories to be shared. Following the ancient Egyptian Ramirez from the movie or the oldest immortal, Methos, played by Peter Wingfield, from the television show would be welcomed among fans.

1 Cloverfield

Michael Stahl-David, Lizzy Caplan, and Jessica Lucas
Paramount Pictures

During the boom surrounding found footage films, Cloverfield premiered in 2008. When a going away party in crashed by an alien invasion, a group of friends record their survival as New York is destroyed around them. The Cloverfield movie sprouted a psychological thriller, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and Netflix film, The Cloverfield Paradox. These officially made the franchise an anthology-styled story-world. There was also a manga tie-in released in 2008. The science fiction franchise is a new take on the alien invasion genre. With a manga tie-in already published, the franchise would not have to make a far leap to introduce an anime series. The way the franchise has already set up an anthology series, the anime could have new stories and information that audiences could enjoy.

Many successful franchises have the opportunity to continue their worlds and improve their stories; all while having the perfect features to be drawn in anime form. Through transmedia storytelling, new stories could be shared, and the original stories could be expanded upon. Audiences would be intrigued by an anime series of their favorite films that included these new details. With good characters, beautiful settings, and fantasy elements, these films have great potential to become long-standing anime series.