4. The Nice Guys (2016)
Though The Nice Guys might not seem the most obvious contender for a franchise-starter to those who haven’t seen it, those who have will understand. The 1970s-set buddy comedy follows two private detectives (Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe) who stumble onto a conspiracy involving a dead pornographic actress and a corrupt politician. Detective movies aren’t exactly flooding the box office in modern times, but The Nice Guys is something else entirely.
The comedic pairing of Gosling and Crowe is excellent, and the chemistry between The Nice Guys‘ stars is undeniable. It offers action, comedy, and mystery in equal measure, all capped off with Shane Black’s signature charm. In short, it’s an incredibly fun film.
What makes the lack of an established franchise sting is that The Nice Guys practically delivers it on a plate. The film’s ending all but promises more adventures, but no sequel has yet materialized. If ever there was a standalone film that completely deserved to have started its own franchise, this is it.