Cinematic Universes With More Stories to Tell

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4 min read

Not every cinematic universe needs a dozen sequels or a decade-long roadmap—but when a movie introduces a world so rich, strange, or full of untapped potential, it's hard not to imagine what else might be out there. These films didn’t just tell great stories—they planted the seeds for much, much more. From vampire hunters to futuristic rebellions, these are the cinematic universes we believe deserve more screen time, deeper exploration, and bigger investment.

Let’s be real—we're not short on superhero content, but we are short on fresh, bold, and diverse world-building. So here’s our list of cinematic universes that left us wanting more and where studios should seriously consider expanding next.

a group of people standing in front of a giant robot

I need that Choctaw vampire hunters prequel expeditiously. Sinners opened the door to a brutal, stylish world of ancient bloodlines, secrets, and night-dwelling monsters—and it barely scratched the surface. There’s so much untapped potential in this universe: new regions, lost histories, hidden clans, and more unholy alliances. Not to mention, it would be powerful to build a new Black-led supernatural franchise—one that tells our stories through action, horror, and myth. This could be the next great genre-bending series if Hollywood leans all the way in.

1. Sinners Universe

Based on the original film alone, Pacific Rim gave us a universe that begged to be explored further—global Jaeger programs, kaiju cults, fractured governments, and the psychological toll of drift compatibility. The first movie was a love letter to giant monster cinema, but it also planted seeds for deeper stories. Imagine spin-offs from other nations, rogue pilots, or kaiju war survivors rebuilding in a half-shattered world. The scale is there. The emotion is there. Let’s drift again—with better scripts this time.

2. Pacific Rim Universe

two men standing on a roof top with a city in the background

Star Trek is legendary, but it’s time for a fresh new story—new crew, new quadrant, new threats. The Kelvin timeline opened up possibilities, but instead of rebooting Kirk and Spock endlessly, let’s boldly go into uncharted territory. A new franchise could tap into modern issues—AI ethics, climate collapse, political fragmentation—through the lens of exploration, something Trek does better than almost anything else. There’s still room for wonder, diplomacy, and thrilling space spectacle.

3. Star Trek Universe

Stephen King’s sprawling multiverse epic got a rushed and uneven adaptation, but that doesn’t mean the Dark Tower world should be abandoned. Gunslingers, demonic sorcerers, doorways to other realms, and a collapsing reality? This world is massive and loaded with genre crossover potential. With the right tone and long-form storytelling—maybe through a gritty series or a cinematic saga—Mid-World could be the next dark fantasy obsession.

4. The Dark Tower Universe

a man with a bandage on his nose and nose

Christopher Nolan’s Inception isn’t just about dreams within dreams—it’s a world of corporate espionage, psychological warfare, and layered realities. We barely saw the edges of this universe. There’s potential for entirely new teams of dream thieves, rival factions, or government agents weaponizing dream-tech. Whether it’s a prequel with young Cobb or a new story that dives into deeper dream levels, there’s still more to mine from this cerebral, visually stunning concept.

5. Inception Universe

a woman in a black and white suit and red eye makeup

Between Blade Runner and 2049, we’ve seen glimpses of a decaying, neon-drenched future full of replicants, identity crises, and corporate overlords—but there’s so much more story to tell. What’s life like in off-world colonies? What happens when replicants start entire societies of their own? The themes are timeless, the aesthetic unmatched. This isn’t just a visual marvel—it’s a philosophical sandbox waiting to be cracked wide open.

6. Blade Runner Universe

a large sign with a picture of a man in a suit

Alita gave us high-octane action, cyberpunk thrills, and a heroine we instantly rooted for—but it also hinted at a vast world above the clouds and a whole class war we’ve only just glimpsed. The fall of the floating city. The rise of a new rebellion. The mystery of Alita’s past and her place in a bigger war. The world is rich, the characters compelling, and the fanbase hungry. This franchise deserves to rise again.

7. Alita: Battle Angel Universe

a man in a green jacket standing in front of a car

District 9 was gritty, satirical, and absolutely original. Its take on alien segregation and social injustice was bold and timely, but it left us with a cliffhanger that’s still unresolved. What happened to Wikus? What became of the alien population? What’s the larger galactic context behind their arrival? A return to this universe could expand both its political bite and sci-fi spectacle. It’s been long enough—let’s go back to Joburg.

8. District 9 Universe

This might be one of the most intriguing sci-fi universes in years. They Cloned Tyrone used sharp humor and pulpy style to explore real issues—systemic control, surveillance, and identity—all while delivering a wildly entertaining genre mashup. The world is weird, layered, and brilliantly conspiratorial. And that tease at the end? Genius. There’s a whole operation out there, and we’ve only seen the surface. We need more of this universe ASAP.