18 Films That Feel Like Celebrations of Intellectual Property

This film’s major crossover pairs the iconic Looney Tunes with the NBA. Basketball dominated the cultural landscape in the early-to-mid 1990s, thanks to legendary players like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and, of course, Michael Jordan. Even non-sports fans couldn’t escape their larger-than-life influence, as evidenced by Space Jam’s plot. The movie features Jordan playing a fictionalized version of himself, detailing his activities between his 1993 retirement and 1995 comeback. While it doesn’t tap into Warner Brothers’ entire franchise catalog like its sequel, it still delivers plenty of entertainment. How closely the on-screen Jordan mirrors the real one remains a mystery only he can answer.

Where to stream: HBO Max, Hulu

This film marked the beginning (and arguably the peak) of Universal’s “monster rallies,” where its iconic horror characters were united into a loosely connected shared universe. It also pioneered the concept of a cinematic universe, with previously standalone films being retroactively linked. Lon Chaney Jr.’s Wolf Man, created by screenwriter Curt Siodmak, had debuted in a solo origin story a few years prior, while the more esteemed Frankenstein series, based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, had largely concluded in the 1930s. Here, Chaney’s Talbot is revived and seeks the notes of the late Dr. Frankenstein, hoping they might cure his lycanthropy. Instead, he encounters the monster, now portrayed by Bela Lugosi, who had previously played Dracula. Interestingly, Lon Chaney Jr. had played the monster in the prior The Ghost of Frankenstein, highlighting the interchangeable nature of these roles. Despite the series’ declining relevance, this crossover injected fresh energy into the franchise.

Where to stream: Digital rental

This film isn’t just about Frankenstein’s monster—it also features Dracula (Bela Lugosi), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.), and the Invisible Man (Vincent Price), all terrifying a pair of unsuspecting baggage handlers who stumble upon their eerie cargo. The movie strikes a perfect balance, allowing the monsters to remain frightening while Bud and Lou’s reactions provide comedic relief. By bringing back Lugosi as Dracula, the original Universal monster, the film serves as a fitting tribute to the series. While there were sequels in a similar style, none matched the success of this classic.

Where to stream: Digital rental

In the 1930s, the copyright status of Bram Stoker’s Dracula was somewhat ambiguous, but by 1987, most of Universal’s classic monsters had entered the public domain. This paved the way for a Goonies-inspired adventure where a group of young horror enthusiasts discovers the real Abraham Van Helsing’s journal, learning how to defeat Dracula. To counter this, the vampire assembles his own team, including the Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolf Man, and the Gill-man. The film is a delightful blend of humor and horror, earning a dedicated cult following over the years.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Who Framed Roger Rabbit might not immediately come to mind when thinking of IP crossovers, largely because it executes its concept so seamlessly. Beyond being a technical marvel, the film brilliantly incorporates noir elements into a playful and innovative narrative. Unlike many crossover-heavy films, the cameos and references here aren’t the main focus but instead blend naturally into the vibrant world of animated Hollywood characters brought to life. The sheer effort behind securing these cameos was monumental, with producer Spielberg leveraging his influence to bring together characters from Disney, Warner Bros., King Features, and more. Seeing Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse share the screen remains as impressive as the film’s groundbreaking visuals.

Where to stream: Disney+

For this one, you’ll need to stay through the credits—it’s not exactly Avengers: Endgame. The film follows Elizabeth McGovern and Kevin Bacon from their wedding day to the birth of their child, but the multiverse aspect emerges during the end credits. In this sequence, characters from unrelated franchises suggest baby names: John Candy and Dan Aykroyd reprise their roles from The Great Outdoors, the Cheers cast makes an appearance, Bill Murray shows up as Frank from Scrooged, and Matthew Broderick suggests a name as Ferris Bueller. While Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: TNG feels out of place, the cameos create a whimsical sense of interconnectedness across 1980s pop culture.

Where to stream: Paramount+

Full Moon Features was a trailblazer in the direct-to-video market, producing low-budget horror films that became staples at local video rental stores (imagine a Redbox with candy and an adult section). The company remains active today, even gearing up for its 15th Puppet Master installment, but its first crossover event occurred during its heyday. Dollman, a 13-inch extraterrestrial cop, finds himself in the Bronx, while the Demonic Toys are exactly what they sound like—toys with a sinister twist. Their clash is the main attraction, and while the plot is minimal, the film’s charm lies in its campy, low-budget appeal. Full Moon Features expanded this concept, creating what might be the earliest and most extensive modern film universe. There’s even potential for a film-school thesis on how Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong connects to Curse of the Puppet Master.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s graphic novel series is a clever, high-concept journey through Victorian literature. The film adaptation, however, leans more toward a standard action flick with some steampunk flair. Despite its flaws, it’s the only movie where you’ll see H. Rider Haggard’s Allan Quatermain, Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo, Bram Stoker’s Mina Harker, and Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray sharing the screen. While these characters are now in the public domain, their assembly here is a unique celebration of 19th-century intellectual property.

Where to stream: Peacock

The idea of a slasher crossover was first hinted at in 1993 with the release of Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, the ninth installment in the Friday the 13th series and the first distributed by New Line Cinema, home of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The film’s closing scene featured Freddy Krueger’s iconic glove emerging from the ground to drag Jason Voorhees’ mask into what can only be assumed is hell. However, the project languished in development hell for over a decade, with countless script revisions before finally hitting screens. The result is surprisingly decent, especially considering how far both franchises had strayed from their glory days. There were even plans for a sequel involving Evil Dead’s Ash Williams, hinted at by a Necronomicon cameo in Jason Goes to Hell, but it only materialized as a comic book series—a must-read for die-hard fans.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Despite both being 20th Century Fox properties, the Aliens and Predator franchises were never meant to collide—and perhaps they shouldn’t have. Loosely based on a well-regarded 1989 comic series, the film transplants the Aliens from their dystopian future to Earth, where they battle Predators inside a pyramid. While the alien skull cameo in Predator 2 was intriguing, the full-scale crossover didn’t live up to the hype. AvP is an entertaining monster brawl, but it ultimately falls short of honoring either franchise’s legacy.

Where to stream: HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video

Released to celebrate Godzilla’s 50th anniversary, this film earns its place here thanks to a legendary moment of shade. Japanese Godzilla films have always been flexible with continuity, but the 1998 Roland Emmerich adaptation was a different beast entirely. Licensed to North American distributors, it aimed to launch its own series but failed to resonate with audiences. In Godzilla: Final Wars, during a chaotic monster battle, Godzilla encounters “Zilla,” the American version, and swiftly defeats him in a matter of seconds—a clear jab at the failed reboot. It’s a satisfying moment for fans of the original franchise.

Where to stream: Digital rental

In today’s media landscape, where a few colossal corporations own nearly every piece of intellectual property ever created, we’ve somehow ended up with some genuinely entertaining films. Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph is a prime example. The story follows Ralph, an arcade game villain, as he embarks on a journey across various video games to prove he can be a hero. Unlike older films that relied on generic stand-ins for recognizable characters, this movie features authentic representations of beloved gaming icons. From Bowser and Sonic the Hedgehog to Pac-Man and Lara Croft, the film boasts a roster of characters from over a dozen different franchises. The sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, expands this concept by incorporating Disney characters and internet memes.

Where to stream: Disney+

Much like Wreck-It Ralph, this film highlights the double-edged sword of corporate ownership, but it’s impossible not to adore its charm. LEGO had already ventured into cross-media storytelling with TV specials featuring Star Wars and DC characters, but this movie marked a significant leap forward. It was a commercial and critical success, bringing together characters like Batman, C-3PO, and even Shaquille O’Neal, proving once again that NBA stars are a hit when playing fictionalized versions of themselves—thanks, Space Jam.

Where to stream: Digital rental

If you’re only familiar with the American adaptations of these characters, the numbers might astonish you: the Ju-On series (known as The Grudge in the West), created by Takashi Shimizu and featuring the vengeful spirit Kayako, has spawned 12 films (excluding this crossover), along with books, comics, a TV series, and a video game. Similarly, the Ring series, based on Koji Suzuki’s novels, boasts 12 films and counting, plus various spin-offs. A crossover between these two iconic franchises was inevitable, resulting in a film that’s both eerie and delightfully absurd. For fans of Japanese horror, this is a must-watch.

Where to stream: Shudder

While this film features Marvel characters, its inclusion here is due to the fascinating legal complexities behind Spider-Man’s involvement. In the late 1990s, Marvel sold the film rights to Spider-Man to Sony for a pittance. Unlike other properties that reverted to Marvel, Sony retained the rights after the success of the Tobey Maguire/Kirsten Dunst trilogy. After a few Spider-Man flops, Sony agreed to license the character to Marvel Studios, allowing Spider-Man to appear in this 2016 superhero clash. This arrangement continues today, with Sony producing its own Spider-Man-related films like Into the Spider-Verse and Venom while Marvel borrows Peter Parker for its cinematic universe.

Where to stream: Disney+

Based on Ernest Cline’s 2011 novel, this film is set in a dystopian 2045 and follows Wade Watts, whose obsession with a global virtual reality game leads him to hunt for an Easter egg that promises control of the entire virtual world. Solving the clues requires an encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, and Wade is more than prepared. Steven Spielberg’s adaptation is packed with countless references to iconic films and games, including Back to the Future, The Iron Giant, Gundam, The Shining, Jurassic Park, and Batman. The sheer number of callbacks made securing the rights a monumental task, achievable only with Spielberg’s influence. In the OASIS, even the most mainstream franchises become niche obsessions for the ultimate nerds.

Where to stream: HBO Max, Hulu, Sling TV

Following in the footsteps of Wreck-It Ralph, this sequel expands its universe with a mix of video game nods, Disney characters, and internet culture. The film brings together Grumpy Cat and Cinderella in a way that’s both charming and slightly unsettling.

Where to stream: Disney+

This marks the second clash between The Eighth Wonder of the World and The King of the Monsters, with their first battle occurring in Godzilla’s third film back in 1962. That original showdown was a hit in Japan, though it came with some behind-the-scenes controversy regarding the Kong rights. This modern iteration avoids such issues, pitting the heroic yet tragic Kong against the more morally ambiguous Godzilla in a battle rooted in an ancient rivalry. However, a new mechanical threat forces the two titans to reconsider their feud.

Where to stream: Digital rental