Ben 10was the TV show that launched Cartoon Network’s best original superhero, and it absolutely dominated the 2000s, but the titular character has seemingly vanished in recent years.EveryBen 10animated serieswas popular during their time on air, but none more than the very first show, which debuted on Cartoon Network on July 13, 2025. As one ofCartoon Network’s best shows from the 2000s,Ben 10was a staple of many people’s childhoods, and the show won over audiences with its relatable young characters and thrilling aliens.
Ben 10was a trulyclever kids’ show that didn’t underestimate audiences’ intelligence. However, despite theBen 10franchise launching projects in several other forms of media, including movies, video games, and even a game show, Cartoon Network superhero Ben Tennyson has seemingly vanished in recent years. So, where exactly isBen 10’s titular character?
Ben 10 Was One Of Cartoon Network’s Flagship Shows In The Late 2000s
Cartoon Network Dominated The Kids' TV Genre With Ben 10
Anyone who was school-aged (or had children or younger siblings) in the 2000s will be familiar withBen 10.The originalBen 10showaired 49 episodes from 2005 to 2008 on Cartoon Network, and it quickly took the world by storm.Ben 10focused on the titular Ben Tennyson, an immature and goofy boy with a good heart,who saved the world whenever he could. During his summer vacation, Ben discovered the Omnitrix device, which gave him the ability to shapeshift into an array of cool and intriguing aliens and allowed him to become a superhero.
Ben 10’s original aliens, like Wildmutt and Diamondhead, were a staple of the franchise, and they played a big part in why the show became such a huge success. Despite the first show only being broadcast for a few years,Ben 10was a massive title for Cartoon Network, and for animated children’s TV series in general.Alongside his friends, Ben faced many villains and protected the universe from some truly incredible threats.Ben 10’s characters were the driving force of the show, and their unique designs were something that audiences were particularly drawn to.
Ben 10’s Massive Success Led To Numerous TV Shows, Movies, And More
The Ben 10 Franchise Was So Much More Than The Original 2005 TV Show
After the original show ended in 2008, theBen 10franchise was only just beginning. For example,the follow-up show,Ben 10: Alien Force, began a mere three days afterBen 10ended,and it centered on Ben as a teenager five years later. TwoBen 10movies were also released in 2007, before the first show even wrapped up. There was the animated titleSecret of the Omnitrix, and the live-action filmRace Against Time, in which a young Graham Phillips portrayed the titular character. In 2009, Ryan Kelley played Ben in the second live-action movie,Ben 10: Alien Swarm.
2005-2008
2008-2010
2010-2012
2012-2014
2016-2020
Secret of the Omnitrix
2007
2009
2012
2020
2021
Alien X-Tinction
In theBen 10timeline,Alien Swarmtook place during the events ofAlien Force,but it also served as a sequel toRace Against Time, too. Two more animated films were released after this as well, 2012’sDestroy All Aliens, and 2020’sVersus the Universe, which was the last of theBen 10movies. While theBen 10superhero movie franchisewas great, there were more TV shows, too.
Alien Forceended in 2010, and less than a month later, Cartoon Network broadcast a direct sequel,Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, which aired from 2010 to 2012. That was followed byBen 10: Omniverse, from 2012 to 2014, andthe last TV project from the franchise was theBen 10reboot,which aired from 2016 to 2020, and then wrapped up with the specialBen 10,010, and the crossover episode withGenerator Rex,Ben Gen 10. The final installment was the feature-length installment,Alien X-Tinction, which aired in April 2021. However, theBen 10world didn’t stop there.
Ben 10amalgamated into a multimedia franchise. There have been an incredible 13Ben 10video game adaptations (including tie-in DLCs with other titles) on multiple platforms, as well as several toy lines, including Lego sets and McDonald’s Happy Meals crossovers. There was also aBen 10comic book seriesdeveloped by the show’s creators, too. In fact,there was even a game show in 2011,Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge,which saw child contestants compete against each other using theirBen 10knowledge and trivia.
Why The Ben 10 Franchise Doesn’t Feel As Big Now As It Was A Decade Ago
Ben 10 Has Come A Long Way Since 2005
Ben 10was aTV show that ruled the world when it was airing, and it dominated the mid-to-late 2000s and the early 2010s, butthe franchise is no longer as prominent as it once was.There are several reasons as to why that may be. Firstly, there’s a chanceBen 10isn’t as popular anymore because there is simply too much of it. While some sci-fi franchises thrive with multiple projects both on and off-screen, there is also the concept that too much of something can be a bad thing.
Some viewers didn’t like the titular character going from a child to a teenager so quickly, and it felt a little jarring, especially as the years that were missed on-screen probably would’ve provided some great character development.
The earlierBen 10shows followed each other in quick succession,sometimes within days, but as the characters jumped ahead in their timeline, it’s possible audiences got confused and found it hard to follow. Some viewers didn’t like the titular character going from a child to a teenager so quickly, and it felt a little jarring, especially as the years that were missed on-screen probably would’ve provided some great character development. Others found the art style post-Omniverseofworse quality than the previous installments, and while that wasn’t the most integral thing for the show, it was hard to ignore.
Of course,a likely reason whyBen 10isn’t as popular nowadays is simply because its time is over.Yes,Ben 10is still brilliant if you’re feeling nostalgic, but in this day and age, where technologies are more accessible than ever, young kids might not see the appeal in the franchise like those who grew up in the late 2000s did.
Will There Be Another Ben 10 Series?
While Nothing Has Been Confirmed, Ben 10’s Creator Hopes For Another Show
WhiletheBen 10franchise is still active in some areas, like the comic book series, it’s been rather quiet on the TV and movie front sinceAlien X-Tinctionin 2021. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation of anotherBen 10series from Cartoon Network or the show’s creators lately, it isn’t impossible.Ben 10celebrates its 20th anniversary this year — June 13, 2025 to be exact—so perhaps audiences will see some sort of announcement in regard to the franchise this holiday season.
However,one ofBen 10’s creators recently voiced his hope for a new series revival.In a recent interview withCartoon Base,Ben 10’s Duncan Rouleau stated that Ben “is a character that is due another show… We will do everything we can to make it happen.” (viaX) While this, of course, doesn’t mean that there is definitely a discussion happening, it gives audiences some faith that the franchise hasn’t completely been forgotten about, and thatBen 10’s creators are still just as passionate now as they were at the beginning.
