James Franklin may refer to:

• James Franklin (printer) (1697–1735), elder brother of Benjamin Franklin
• James Franklin (naturalist) (1783–1834), British naturalist
• Jim Franklin (artist) (born 1943), American poster artist
• Jimmy Franklin (1948–2005), American aerobatic pilot
• James Franklin (philosopher) (born 1953), Australian historian of ideas and philosopher
• James Franklin (American football coach) (born 1972), American football coach at Penn State University
• James Franklin (quarterback) (born 1991), American football quarterback
• James Franklin (cricketer) (born 1980), New Zealand cricketer
• James Franklin (meteorologist), American meteorologist
• James M. Franklin (born 1942), Canadian geologist
• Jim Franklin (director), British television director
• James Franklin (politician), member of the Western Australian Legislative Council
• James Franklin Beatty Belford, Canadian politician