Why do we care about franchises

Why do we care about franchises?

We care about franchises because they give us stories and characters we can actually connect with, even if the worlds they take place in are totally made up. One reason we care so much is because of pattern recognition. As people, we like when things feel familiar or make sense, and stories with returning characters and settings give us that comfort. When we see characters we recognize or storylines that connect to past ones, it feels satisfying—like we’re part of something bigger that keeps growing.

Another reason we get attached to franchises is because of the emotions they make us feel. The struggles, friendships, and experiences that characters go through can remind us of real life, even if the story is set in space or a fantasy world. Those emotional moments make it easier to relate to what’s happening and can even help us understand our own feelings. Sometimes a story just hits home in a way that real life doesn’t always manage to.

Franchises also bring people together. Fans talk about their favorite characters, share theories, or get excited for new releases. It becomes more than just a story—it’s a shared experience and a way to connect with others. In the end, we care about franchises because they give us something familiar to hold onto, stories that make us feel something real, and communities that remind us we’re not the only ones who care.

Many franchises do collaborations with other brands to make toys, limited time products, food and more. By making these products both the consumer and the company profit in their own way. The companies involved gain something through someone buying a product financially benefiting and or the franchise itself gaining fans through the products such as a skin in a game bringing more awareness to the franchise.