National Treasure (franchise)

Lore & Background

The franchise began with the 2004 film National Treasure, which follows Benjamin Franklin Gates, a member of a family of treasure hunters. After generations of failed attempts, Ben believes he has found a new lead to the hidden treasures of the Founding Fathers, leading him to steal the Declaration of Independence to preserve it from a former associate turned enemy. The film was a financial success and received mixed critical reviews but positive audience response, gaining a positive legacy.

The second film, National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007), sees the Gates family defending their name after a rival claims their ancestor was a conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. The team travels to France, England, and Washington, D.C., and Ben kidnaps the President to solve the mystery. This film also received mixed critical reception, with criticism of similar plot devices and believability, but positive audience response and significant box office revenue.

The television series National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney+ in December 2022 and was canceled after one season in April 2023. It follows a young Hispanic Latina-American lead, Jess Valenzuela, a DREAMer who explores her family history and seeks lost treasure. The series references the films' background and features some common characters, including Riley Poole.

Reader's Guide

The National Treasure franchise has maintained cultural relevance through its blend of American history and treasure-hunting adventure. The first film, despite mixed critical comparisons to Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code, achieved financial success and a positive legacy with audiences. The second film similarly earned significant revenue and profit for Disney. The franchise expanded into a television series in the 2020s, though it was short-lived. A third film has been in development for over a decade, with numerous script drafts and changes in creative direction. As of 2026, director Jon Turteltaub announced the third film would happen, with Nicolas Cage reportedly slated to reprise his role. The franchise's enduring appeal lies in its family-centered treasure hunts and integration of U.S. historical artifacts and legends.

Did You Know?

• The first film was compared unfavorably by critics to Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code.
• The television series is set in the present day (2022), roughly 15 years after the second film (2007), and premiered on Disney+ in December 2022.
• A third film has been under discussion for more than ten years, with multiple script drafts and changes in development.