Top 20 AWESOME Crossovers of All Time

In November 1989, Dark Horse published the first “Alien vs. Predator” comic. The idea of a cinematic crossover seemed more probable the following year when a Xenomorph skull appeared in “Predator 2.” After over a decade in development hell, the deadly extraterrestrials finally clashed on the big screen. Regarding the alien action, the film delivered a foreboding environment and gore that pushed the PG-13 rating to its limits. While the humans are mostly collateral damage, we got at least one memorable heroine in Lex, whose unlikely alliance with the Predator makes for one of the most compelling elements. Whether you waited years for this crossover or this was your introduction to both franchises, it united all fans of creature features.

Despite their long-standing rivalry, Marvel and DC have occasionally collided. Amalgam Comics briefly served as a middle ground, merging their characters into hybrids. On a storytelling level, nothing tops 1982’s team-up between the X-Men and Teen Titans. Penned by Chris Claremont, this one-shot sees Darkseid revive the Dark Phoenix with our young heroes caught in the middle. In “DC Comics: A Visual History,” historian Matthew K. Manning named this “one of the most well-received crossovers of its time - or of any time.” Although a sequel was planned, conflicts between the comic companies led to its cancellation along with a “JLA/Avengers” crossover. Of course, the Justice League and Avengers finally assembled two decades later, and we can only hope the X-Men and Titans reunite someday.

New Line and Paramount had been discussing a mashup between Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees since the late 80s. Even after Freddy popped up in “Jason Goes to Hell,” we had to wait another ten years. For slasher fans, it was a dream (or nightmare) come true. Awake or asleep, nobody is safe as the arena changes from Elm Street, to Camp Crystal Lake, to the dream world, to reality. The story cleverly utilizes its titular characters as our teenage protagonists must rely on Jason to defeat Freddy while trying not to get caught in the crossfire. Obviously, most of them do, but that’s what we’re here for. While we never got a theatrical sequel, Ash would join the fight in the comics. Groovy!

Of all the Nickelodeon properties, “The Fairly OddParents” and “Jimmy Neutron” might seem like the most unusual pairing. One is 2D animated while the other is 3D. One is grounded in magic. The other abides by the laws of science… improbable science, but still science. For all their differences, these two shows fuse surprisingly well in a crossover that effectively uses their respective premises and ensembles. The special is full of inventive details like changing the number of fingers Timmy and Jimmy have when they switch universes. The writing captures the spirit of each show, balancing the best of both worlds. The crossover was such a ratings hit that it inspired a trilogy, although the original packs the most power.

From the Harlem Globetrotters to Courage the Cowardly Dog, it’d take too long to list everybody the Scooby Gang has encountered. Their best crossover is arguably with the Winchester brothers. The addition of Sam and Dean adds a cynical edge to the “Scooby-Doo” formula, although this doesn’t come off as out of place. For all the in-jokes and not-always-kid-friendly references, you get the sense that the people involved have a genuine affection for “Scooby-Doo.” This shines through in the animation, voice talent, and a classic mystery with a few twists. The title “Scoobynatural” alone epitomizes why this was such a natural pairing. The real mystery is why it took 13 seasons for this to happen, but we’re never too old for more Scooby.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” was far from the MCU’s first crossover (nor will it be the last on this list). Yet, it stands out as one of the most unique. Not only did it unite the definitive live-action versions of two comic icons, but the film also provided a proper farewell to the Fox Era of “X-Men.” The team-ups aren’t restricted to mutants, as Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm, Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, and Wesley Snipes’ Blade all make significant appearances. Although some cameos are played for laughs, others offer an unexpected sense of closure. As stacked as the cast is, the film doesn’t lose sight of its titular duo. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are the key to this crossover’s success as both shine in their career-defining roles.

“The Muppets,” “Sesame Street,” and “Fraggle Rock” franchises have lasted generations. With the rights divided among different companies, though, we rarely see these three puppet powerhouses together anymore. Looking back, this crossover truly was a Christmas miracle. From Bert and Ernie making small talk with Doc, to the Swedish Chef putting Big Bird on the menu, to home movies of the Muppet Babies, it’s a loving celebration of the characters we wouldn’t have without the late Jim Henson. As Henson himself watches the gang sing Christmas carols toward the end, it feels like this special captured lightning in a bottle that can never be replicated. We’ll have to settle for rewatching it every year, although a Blu-ray release would be nice.

Long before cinematic universes and Stan Lee cameos were Marvel’s thing, Kevin Smith established the View Askewniverse. Jay and Silent Bob provided a common link throughout Smith’s first four films before taking center stage here. On a mission to prevent a “Bluntman and Chronic” movie, the duo encounters several familiar faces from “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma,” and even a few others. Remember when we said “Scoobynatural” was the best “Scooby-Doo” crossover? Well, this film might have the second best. Beyond the numerous in-jokes, the film also takes shots at Hollywood and internet culture that aged quite well. Listening to Holden read from a comments section, it’s clear that nothing has changed since 2001, except fandoms are even more toxic and superhero crossovers are mainstream.

Universal Monsters could be seen as the forerunners to the modern crossover boom. Of all the monster mashes, “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” left the greatest impact. As strange as that sounds, this crossover works on multiple levels. Abbott and Costello of course bring the laughs, but what’s surprising is how seriously the actors behind the monsters take their roles. Outside of the 1931 classic, this is the only other time Bela Lugosi played Dracula, bringing the same gravitas to his iconic role. The same goes for Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man while Glenn Strange again serves as a respectable replacement for Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster. This mix of comedy and horror shouldn’t work. Yet, they go together like Jekyll and Hyde.

It’s no secret that “The Simpsons” was an inspiration for “Family Guy.” In more recent years, you could argue that the Simpsons’ humor has grown more “Family Guy”-esque. So, having the two animated families meet wasn’t as far-fetched as one might expect. That said, bringing the Griffins to Springfield wasn’t without challenges, but the team pulled it off in a TV event that feels usually cinematic. The animation seamlessly blends these two distinct styles while the script juggles in-jokes that honor (and mock) both shows. Along with the Simpsons and Griffins, the crossover finds room for “Bob’s Burgers,” “American Dad!,” and “The Flintstones.” All that’s missing is the Planet Express Crew, who would meet the Simpsons a few months later.

With shows like “Laff-A-Lympics,” crossovers became a Hanna-Barbera staple. Yet, it took almost 25 years for the modern Stone Age family to meet the family of the future. You’d think they would’ve leaped at this opportunity much earlier, but “The Jetsons” initially struggled to reach the heights of “The Flintstones” in the ratings, getting canceled after one season. With reruns finding success on Saturday morning, “The Jetsons” was revived in the 80s, marking the ideal time for the future to cross with the past. The results were appropriately timeless, offering a mix of prehistoric and futuristic jokes that can appeal to contemporary viewers. That might be why when audiences think of cartoon crossovers, this one still immediately comes to mind.

The Ninja Turtles have met everybody from the Power Rangers to the Dark Knight. “Turtles Forever” remains the green standard, however. When “TMNT” first hit the scene, few could’ve predicted it’d still be around 25 years later. By 2009, though, it had already produced two animated series with different tones, but the same essential ingredients. The turtle teams joined forces in this crossover, which ranges from hilarious to epic. “Turtles Forever” doesn’t stop there, revisiting the franchise’s comic roots. Multiverse crossovers are all the rage now, but in 2009, we rarely saw one on this scale with such effort thrown into the production. It might be a stretch to say the film directly inspired the modern crossover boom, but it was ahead of the curve.

Mothra, King Ghidorah, Bambi… these are just some of the foes that have gone up against Godzilla. In the kaiju genre, though, Godzilla’s stature is only matched by Kong. While 1962’s “King Kong vs. Godzilla” is enjoyable, the premise was overdue for an update by the 21st century. The Monsterverse took its time building to the crossover fans wanted the most. “Godzilla vs. Kong” didn’t disappoint, roaring onto the screen with vibrant visuals and action that makes you feel the weight of these characters. Not only the physical weight, but the emotional weight as Kong embarks on a journey of discovery. Kong is something of an underdog here, but he holds his own against Godzilla and emerges as an essential ally when Mechagodzilla shows up.

With so many properties under one corporate umbrella, widescale crossovers have become commonplace in projects like “The Lego Movie.” The “Imaginationland” trilogy predated this trend, although Matt Stone and Trey Parker didn’t care if their parent company owned the characters on display. From Jack Skellington, to Ronald McDonald, to Snarf, nothing the imagination could conjure was off limits. Good thing that parody falls under fair use! Although “Imaginationland” is a parody that subjects countless beloved figures to unspeakable torment, it also leaves us with a newfound appreciation for these characters. They may be imaginary, but they’ve influenced more lives than most real people. As adult-oriented as “South Park” is, this trilogy takes us back to our childhoods when any crossover seemed possible in our imaginations.

The Justice League has seen plenty of crossovers, from the DCAU to the long-awaited Snyder Cut. No DC title generates more excitement than “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” The legendary crossover comic received a three-part animated adaptation in 2024, but the Arrowverse’s take might be the most ambitious version yet. This event spanned five of the CW shows airing at the time. It didn’t stop there. The Arrowverse expanded its reach to include old favorites like Burt Ward as Dick Grayson, Tom Welling as Clark Kent, and the late Kevin Conroy as a live-action Bruce Wayne. The DCEU’s Flash even meets Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen. For all the cameos, the crossover keeps track of the core Arrowverse characters, defining this TV universe at its peak.

Between “House of Mouse” and “Once Upon a Studio,” Disney has no shortage of crossovers to choose from. None make fans part of the experience like the “Kingdom Hearts” games, however. Plus, how many Disney crossovers have “Final Fantasy” characters too? “Kingdom Hearts II” remains the most revered entry, taking players to worlds they had been eager to see like the Beast’s Castle and the Pride Lands. Going a step further, the game introduces locales we didn’t even think were on the table, such as Port Royal from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and the computerized realm of “Tron.” Even if you struggle to follow the increasingly complicated story, the player understands every emotion with protagonist Sora serving as an anchor, becoming an icon among icons.

Following in the footsteps of “Into the Spider-Verse,” “No Way Home” united three generations of live-action Spider-Men. While it would’ve been easy to bank on nostalgia alone, it’s remarkable how many character arcs are given satisfying payoffs. After their respective tenures ended on underwhelming notes, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield received the closure they deserved. Several fan-favorite villains came along for the ride, but “No Way Home” isn’t merely about looking back. In his best performance as the character to date, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is pushed to darker, more adult places that put his power and responsibility to the test. The filmmakers cherrypicked the best elements of all the live-action “Spider-Man” movies, finding just the right balance of old and new.

For years, “Melee” was seen as the definitive “Smash Bros.” Even “Melee’s” most diehard fans have to admit that it’s hard to outdo a game that gathers every character from the franchise’s storied history, not to mention several newcomers. The opening cinematic, in which the mysterious Galeem seemingly vaporizes the characters, marked a pivotal moment in gaming that had every player at a loss for words. Thankfully, these characters aren’t beyond saving, and this was just the original roster. “Persona 5’s” Joker, Banjo-Kazooie, and Sora are only a few other fighters who would later join. Living up to its title, we’d say this is the ultimate Nintendo crossover, but to call it anything less than the ultimate video game crossover would be a disservice.

Remember when we thought the MCU would never be able to top having six Avengers in one movie? Not to undermine that film’s massive achievement, but with “Infinity War” and especially “Endgame,” we saw just how far the MCU had come in several years. Unlike some other cinematic universes, the MCU understood the importance of fleshing out every major character, making it all the more impactful when they assemble. Few theatrical experiences are more exciting or crowd-pleasing than the opening of the portals, kicking off a finale with one emotionally gratifying moment after another. Telling an interlocking story with dozens of characters is harder than some artists give the MCU credit. “Endgame” is a testament to the MCU’s endurance and how it changed crossovers forever.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

With all the crossovers we’ve gotten since 1988, you’d think “Roger Rabbit” would lose some of its magic. Over 35 years later, though, this marriage of live-action and animation continues to wow us. Its longevity can be attributed to the well-crafted story and revolutionary effects that still hold up, but much of the film’s charm does come from the world it creates - a world where toons from different Hollywood studios live together in harmony and looney anarchy. There may never be a sight more mindboggling than Donald and Daffy Duck engaging in a piano duo or Mickey Mouse parachuting alongside Bugs Bunny. The film has inspired worthy spiritual successors like “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers,” but crossovers like “Roger Rabbit” come once in a lifetime.