Ben 10

''Ben 10'' is an American media franchise conceived by Man of Action and owned by The Cartoon Network, Inc. The franchise, mainly consisting of animated series produced by Cartoon Network Studios, revolves around a young boy named Ben Tennyson, who discovers the Omnitrix — a high-tech, extraterrestrial device shaped like a wristwatch. This remarkable gadget contains the DNA of various alien species, allowing Ben to transform into them at will. Initially, the Omnitrix features ten alien transformations, but over time, Ben gains the ability to unlock additional species.

The franchise has garnered considerable critical acclaim, securing three Emmy Awards. It encompasses five primary television series, three feature films, and numerous video games. It ranks as Cartoon Network's second longest existing franchise. Furthermore, ''Ben 10'' has inspired a line of toys produced initially by Bandai for the franchise's first four series and later by Playmates Toys for the reboot. The ''Ben 10'' franchise is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

On February 17, 2021, Cartoon Network announced three 44-minute specials slated for April 2021, titled ''Ben 10,010'', ''Ben Gen 10'', and ''Alien X-Tinction''. These specials serve as both the series finale for the 2016 reboot and a crossover event involving the first four television series in the franchise.

Television series

As of 2024, the five concluded series are split into two continuities: the classic continuity, including the original series and its sequels ''Ben 10'' (20052008), '' Ben 10: Alien Force'' (20082010), '' Ben 10: Ultimate Alien'' (20102012), and '' Ben 10: Omniverse'' (20122014), and the reboot continuity of ''Ben 10'' (20162021), with its 2021 April specials serving as both the series finale for the 2016 reboot and a crossover event connecting both continuities. As of 2025, there are a total of 393 episodes.

Series overview

Films

As of 2020, there have been three animated films '' Secret of the Omnitrix'' (2007), '' Destroy All Aliens'' (2012), '' Versus the Universe'' (2020) and two live-action films '' Race Against Time'' (2007), '' Alien Swarm'' (2009) released in the franchise.

Animated films

Live-action films

Other media

''Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge''

'' Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge'' is a game show developed for television by United Kingdom-based company Twenty Twenty, which airs on Cartoon Network in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Nordic region, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Chile, United States and the Middle East. ''Ultimate Challenge'' is a trivia show that tasks children with answering questions about all three series."'Ben 10' Gets A Live-Action Game Show: 'Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge'"
''Ultimate Challenge'' is produced by Mandy Morris and executive produced by Daniel Marlowe.

References in other shows

* Ben appeared as a parody of Benjamin Franklin on the show '' MAD'', in an episode titled "Ben 10 Franklin". Franklin was flying his kite when he was struck by a lightning bolt, gaining the Omnitrix. He used Swampfire to sign the Declaration of Independence. He also used Humongousaur to defeat the British and smash down a junior high school bully's house in revenge. He used other aliens from ''Alien Force'' and ''Ultimate Alien'', where they have his hair and glasses.
* Also in ''MAD'', a reference to ''Alien Force'' was made with a parody of the movie '' Cowboys & Aliens'', with many titles: "Cowboys & Alien Force", "Cowboys & Equestrians", and "Cowboys & Silly Bands". The reference was made at the beginning when Jake awakes with Ben on his side, but with Jake wearing Ben's pants and hat, with the Omnitrix on his wrist. He also used the Omnitrix to become an alien with the mix of Diamondhead, Chromastone, and Way Big to smash a cowboy.
* In the ''South Park'' episode " You're Getting Old", Cartman's mother mentions that Cartman gets upset when he does not get a present every time someone else gets a present at a party. One of the presents Cartman gets is a "Ben 10 Wrist Rocket".
* The ''Robot Chicken'' episode "Hurtled from a Helicopter into a Speeding Train" shows Ben on his 14th birthday party, where he complains about his gifts given by Azmuth.
* ''Ben 10'' villains, such as the Enoch, Hex and Animo, make a brief cameo in ''The Secret Saturdays'' episode "Van Rook's Apprentice". References to Galvan Prime and Wildvine's species also appear in "Guess Who's Going to Be Dinner?" and "Eterno" respectively. Both references were made by the Secret Scientist Dr. Arthur Beeman, the UFOlogist for the series.
* In the '' Peep Show'' episode, "Man Jam", Jeremy jokingly refers to Ben, the boyfriend of a woman he admires, as "Ben 10" during a phone call to him.
* Teenage Ben Tennyson appeared in '' The Official BBC Children in Need Medley'' in 2009.
* In the '' Jellystone!'' crossover special titled "Crisis on Infinite Mirths", 10-year-old Ben Tennyson uses the Omnitrix to transform into Stinkfly to fight Floral Rugg of '' The Hillbilly Bears''.

References in video games

* ''Ben 10'' is featured as a crossover character in ''Brawlhalla'', a 2D platform fighting game. He appears as his alien forms Heatblast, Diamondhead, and Four Arms in the form of the crossover "skins" for certain playable characters.
* ''Ben 10'' is featured as a downloadable content (DLC) expansion pack in ''Minecraft'' Bedrock Edition. The player teams up with Ben Tennyson, Gwen Tennyson, and Max Tennyson to stop an alien invasion by transforming into various aliens to face off against notable villains from the 2016 iteration of the franchise.

Cartoon Network promotion

''Titanic Kungfubot Offensive''

The game features famous and notable Cartoon Network characters in robot-type form. Big Chill, Swampfire, a DNAlien, Kevin, Vilgax, Rath, Armodrillo, Ultimate Humongousaur, Ultimate Echo Echo, and Ultimate Big Chill appear as playable characters.

To promote the '' Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United'' special, Cartoon Network updated ''Titanic Kungfubot Offensive'', adding new bots, such as "Shocksquatch" and "Clockwork"; both of which are aliens accessible to Ben.

''Cartoon Network Universe: Fusion Fall''

The character design for Ben Tennyson was changed when the original ''Ben 10'' series ended and was replaced by ''Alien Force''. In the game, he serves as a "Player Guide" offering guide-based missions and special items.

''Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut''

In another browser-based game entitled ''Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut'', Ben's aliens, alongside Gwen and Vilgax, appear as "exosuits". The exosuits' purpose is protecting the player and giving them unique abilities and powers. The planet Kylmyys (the home of one of Ben's aliens, Big Chill) and the Perplexhedron are featured as battle arenas. Ultimate Kevin and Alien X are currently the new exosuits for Project Exonaut representing ''Ben 10''. The new exosuits feature Gold versions of Manus, Marceline, Mojo Jojo, and Rath.

''Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion''

Ben appears in the game as a playable character. Swampfire, Humongousaur, Big Chill, and AmpFibian appear as Ben's playable aliens. Vilgax, the archenemy of Ben Tennyson appears as a playable character for the first time. Gwen and the Vreedle Brothers are "summons" in the game. Additionally, Bellwood and the Null Void are included as battle arenas. Kevin also appears as a "summon" in the game, but is featured as a playable character on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions called ''Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL''. Kevin in Ultimate Kevin form appears in the game as a boss. The young version of Ben appears in the console version of the game as a playable character.

Cast and characters

The main characters include Ben Tennyson and his cousin Gwen Tennyson, Grandpa Max Tennyson, Kevin Levin and Rook Blonko, along with the villains Vilgax, Aggregor, Doctor Animo, Eon, Hex and Khyber.

Accolades

Original series

''Race Against Time''

''Alien Force''

''Alien Swarm''

''Ultimate Alien''

''Omniverse''

Outside media

Merchandise

Following the success of the ''Ben 10'' animated TV series and films, various ''Ben 10'' merchandise has been released for general sale. These items include comic books, board games, card games (such as Top Trumps), toys, video games, Lego construction sets, bedding, coloring books, footwear, and watches (the Omnitrix and the Ultimatrix). All four shows have been released on DVD.

Video games

The game franchise has many different formats. The video games franchise started in 2006 with the release of ''Ben 10'' for the HyperScan, while the franchise's first official video game ''Protector of Earth'' came out in 2007. Twelve games have been released:

Toy line

Bandai manufactured ''Ben 10'' toys from the first four series, while Playmates Toys has produced toys for the 2016 reboot.

Six construction sets were produced by Lego, depicting Spidermonkey, Humungousaur, Swampfire, Chromastone, Jet Ray, and Big Chill.

The series received three McDonald's Happy Meal promotions internationally, as well as one in America in August 2011. The toys are colored translucent figures of some Omnitrix/Ultimatrix aliens and their Ultimate forms, with a small photo of Ben inside. The ''Alien Force'' toys are four rings, each one is an alien (Goop, Jetray, Alien X, Chromastone) with features linked with their powers.

Comic books

Developed by Jason Hall, Min G. Kuand and Heroic Age, the ''Ben 10'' comic revolves around Ben's summer vacation with Gwen and their Grandpa Max, travelling in the Rust Bucket. The ''Ben 10: Alien Force'' comic revolves around Ben, with Gwen and a reformed Kevin, battling the Highbreed and the DNAliens.

''Cartoon Network Action Pack'' was a 2006–2012 comic book series made by DC Comics which showcased ''Ben 10'' alongside '' Samurai Jack'', '' Codename: Kids Next Door'', ''The Secret Saturdays'', or '' Generator Rex''. Some of the issues were connected with the franchise, while others are non-canon.

In February 2013, IDW Publishing announced a partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics based on Cartoon Network properties. ''Ben 10'' was one of the titles announced to be published.

In July 2024, Dynamite Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences announced new comic books featuring ''Ben 10''.

References

External links

*

Ben 10 page
on the Cartoon Network website

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