In this article, we will take a look at the 30 highest-grossing media franchises of all time. If you would like to skip our analysis of the media industry, you can go directly to the 5 Highest-Grossing Media Franchises of All Time.
The Media & Entertainment market seems to be losing growth momentum, as a report by PwC highlighted a downward trajectory for revenue growth in the industry. The global revenue in the industry grew by 5.4% in 2022, to $2.3 trillion. However, the growth rate had decreased by 5.2% from the year prior. PwC forecasts that the rate would keep decreasing sequentially and in 2027, the industry would likely just grow 2.8% year on year.
Many factors underlie the slowdown, according to the report, with the main culprit being the decreasing consumer spending as fed hikes interest rates to curb inflation. The industry, however, is trying to adapt, by looking into opportunities in untapped hotspots as well as through adoptation of emerging tech like generative AI.
Media Industry Outlook 2024
The media franchise market is predicted to cross the $1 trillion mark in 2024, with online video contributing a share of $345 billion, followed by games at $255 billion. Cinema and music are expected to contribute $41 billion and $44 billion, respectively. The market is changing with shifting consumer preferences, technological progress, and evolving revenue growth models. However, the entertainment sector also faced challenges, including recent strikes by writers and actors, leading to reduced availability of quality content. This led to a worsened shortage that has persisted since the pandemic. Viewers' habits, shifting towards home-based content consumption, have further impacted the industry's landscape.
Popular media players like The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and Marvel intend to rely on franchise offerings to draw viewers to the screens in 2024, despite some unsuccessful releases in 2022 and 2023 attributed to subpar content. The key to continued franchise success lies in effective branding, marketing, and developing novel concepts to retain fan interest and attract new followers. As technology advances, media franchises are expected to focus on increasing interactivity, with virtual and augmented reality allowing fans to immerse themselves in their favorite fictional worlds. The idea of wearing a headset and walking alongside beloved characters or influencing the storyline through interactive choices has gained popularity. This was the primary reason for the phenomenal success of the Pokemon Go app.
Social media and streaming platforms like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) are also focusing on personalized content and tailoring experiences according to individual preferences. The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:DIS) commitment to continuing franchise development over new series aligns with this strategy, reflecting the proven profitability of established Marvel franchises acquired through its Marvel Entertainment acquisition.
Here’s what Diamond Hill Capital said about Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) in its Q2 2023 investor letter:
A closeup of a digital newsroom, highlighting the complexity of the modern media landscape.
Our Methodology
In order to shortlist the 30 highest-grossing media franchises of all time, we conducted thorough research by consulting various sources, including TitleMax and Wikiwand. The media franchises have been ranked in ascending order of their earnings.
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30 Highest-Grossing Media Franchises of All Time
30. Dora the Explorer
Year Launched: 2000
Earnings: $15.8 billion
Dora the Explorer is an animated children's television series produced by Nickelodeon Studios. It aired between 2000 and 2014, with two spin-off series, Go, Diego, Go! and Dora and Friends: Into the City! Additionally, a live-action feature film based on the popular character was also produced.
29. Looney Tunes
Year Launched: 1930
Earnings: $15.9 billion
Looney Tunes is an animated series produced by Warner Bros. It ran as a series of short films between 1930 and 1969, along with its partner series Merrie Melodies. Both series introduced classic characters, like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig.
28. Transformers
Year Launched: 1984
Earnings: $17 billion
The Transformers is a media franchise jointly developed by Hasbro and the Japanese toy maker Takara Tomy, centered around mecha toys. The storyline revolves around alien robots with the ability to transform into various vehicles and mechanical objects. The franchise includes toys, animated movies, comic books, video games, and a live-action movie series.
27. Peanuts
Year Launched: 1950
Earnings: $17.4 billion
Peanuts is a syndicated American comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. The strip's original run was from 1950 to 2000 when Schulz passed away. By 2000, Peanuts was published in over 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and was adapted into animation and theater.
26. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Year Launched: 1984
Earnings: $17.4 billion
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, also known as TMNT, is a media franchise that revolves around four anthropomorphic turtle brothers trained in ninjutsu who combat evil in New York City. Originating as a comic book, the franchise has expanded across various forms of media.
25. James Bond
Year Launched: 1953
Earnings: $19.9 billion
The James Bond book series is based on the adventures of a British Secret Service agent created by author Ian Fleming. James Bond appeared in twelve novels. The franchise is based on movies, games, merchandise, home videos, and licensing fees.
24. Lord of the Rings
Year Launched: 1937
Earnings: $20 billion
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy novel penned by J. R. R. Tolkien, set in the fictional world of Middle-earth. It was originally conceived as a sequel to the children's book "The Hobbit." The Lord of the Rings series is one of the best-selling books ever written, and its movies, games, and related merchandise have also done well.
23. Candy Crush
Year Launched: 2012
Earnings: $20 billion
Candy Crush is a free-to-play video game developed by King. The game generates revenue through the sales of special actions that players can purchase. It has had a significant impact on the gaming industry. The franchise has also introduced several spin-offs based on the original Candy Crush game.
22. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Year Launched: 2012
Earnings: $20 billion
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a Japanese manga series serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine between September 1996 and March 2004. The franchise has spin-off manga and anime series, trading card games, and multiple video games.
21. One Piece
Year Launched: 1997
Earnings: $20.5 billion
One Piece is a Japanese Manga series written by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump, a manga magazine, since July 1997. The series is famous for its adventurous storytelling and the high quality of its movies.
20. Toy Story
Year Launched: 1995
Earnings: $20.74 billion
Toy Story is an animated feature movie released by The Walt Disney Company. The plot is based on the lives of toys. The franchise includes movies, merchandise, DVDs, and retail sales.
19. Cars
Year Launched: 2006
Earnings: $21.79 billion
"Cars" is an animated feature film released by The Walt Disney Company, telling a story centered around the lives of cars. The franchise has expanded to include three movies focused on cars and two additional movies centered on planes. The franchise includes movies, merchandise, DVDs, and retail sales.
18. Fist of the North Star
Year Launched: 1983
Earnings: $21.82 billion
Fist of the North Star is a Japanese manga series that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988. The accompanying anime gained widespread recognition for starting a trend with its unique blend of martial arts, thematic elements, and an engaging storyline.
17. Barbie
Year Launched: 1987
Earnings: $24 billion
Originally a doll manufactured by US toy maker Mattel, the Barbie franchise has since expanded its reach, branching into various media formats, including video games, movies, series, and more.
16. Dragonball
Year Launched: 1984
Earnings: $24.03 billion
Dragonball is a Japanese manga series published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995. The anime set a trend because of its unique combination of humor, art, and characters.
15. Batman
Year Launched: 1939
Earnings: $26.45 billion
Batman originated as a comic series published by DC Comics and has since expanded into a multi-faceted franchise, covering merchandise, video games, movies, television series, and animated media offerings.
14. Gundam
Year Launched: 1979
Earnings: $26.46 billion
Gundam is a military, science-fiction comic series about giant robots that is extremely popular in Japan. The franchise includes toys, model kits, TV series, novels, and other media offerings.
13. Spiderman
Year Launched: 1962
Earnings: $27.08 billion
Spiderman is an American superhero in Marvel Comics. Another Stan Lee creation, Spiderman, has been featured in comic books, television shows, films, video games, novels, and plays.
12. Marvel Cinematic Universe
Year Launched: 2008
Earnings: $29.128 billion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a shared universe based on superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters in Marvel comic books. The franchise includes multiple media offerings.
11. Harry Potter
Year Launched: 1997
Earnings: $30.87 billion
Harry Potter is the central character in J.K. Rowling’s series of fantasy, school drama, and young adult books. The franchise comprises top-selling books, a series of movies, games, merchandise, and spin-off movies.
10. Call of Duty
Year Launched: 2003
Earnings: $31 billion
Call of Duty is a war-based video game franchise developed by Activision. The series has seen various spin-offs and versions created by different developers. The most recent installment was launched in November 2023. Activision was acquired by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in a deal (valued $68.7 billion) that closed in early October, 2023. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also entered into a 10-year 'binding agreement' with Sony to keep Call of Duty on Playstation, as reported by The Verge.
9. Shonen Jump (Jump Comics)
Year Launched: 1968
Earnings: $34.12 billion
Shonen Jump is a shōnen manga anthology adapted from Shueisha's well-known Japanese magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump. It has been redesigned to cater to English readers and the American audience. Shonen Jump is at the ninth position on our list of the 30 highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
8. Mario
Year Launched: 1981
Earnings: $36.14 billion
Mario, originally a character designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, has expanded its presence across various media offerings, including video games, movies, and TV series.
7. Disney Princesses
Year Launched: 2000
Earnings: $45.19 billion.
Disney Princesses or the Princess Line is a Walt Disney Company media franchise that uses characters from different Disney franchises. The offerings include games, animated movies, merchandise, toys, and songs.
6. Anpanman
Year Launched: 1973
Earnings: $60.29 billion.
Anpanman originated as a Japanese picture book and has since inspired various anime spinoffs. It enjoys immense popularity among young children in Japan, largely due to its engaging themes of good versus evil.
