If you’re wondering how to make a million dollars, just read our list of 10 stupid iPhone apps that made millions, and realize the answer: create an app. It’s a booming industry and, forget complexity, as long as your idea is sound, you’re almost sure to succeed. The list below is proof.
So what’s defined as a “stupid” app? One you can do while juggling a million other tasks. One that allows you to contemplate your life while playing. One you can take your frustrations out on. Some of our findings require about as much skill as breathing, while others present a fun, and obviously addicting, challenge. Stupid, of course, doesn’t describe the people who play them, but the mere simplicity of the app. In fact, if everyone who played these games were really stupid, what a sad world we’d live in (not that we don’t admit there are swarms of stupid people out there).
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Oftentimes it’s the simplest ideas that achieve monumental success. Not just with iPhone apps, either. Just take a look at these 10 Simple Inventions That Made Millions. All it takes is a brilliant idea, and millions can be made–just take a look at Shark Tank.
We discovered some of the most basic apps in reputable articles like Investopedia’s 5 Apps That Make Millions, Business Insider’s 11 Stupid iPhone Apps That We Can’t Believe Are Real, and others about specific apps which are included later in this article.
We ranked these apps by taking a look at their Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iTunes reviews and the numbers of stars those reviews produced. The apps with the highest number of stars, and the most amount of ratings, ranked highest. And although 4.5 stars is the best-reviewed game on the list, keep in mind that with the large amount of reviews they’re getting, and the sheer stupidity of these apps, that’s not bad at all.
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Additionally, there are many different versions of some of these apps, from Angry Birds Star Wars to My Talking Angela, but note that we listed only the classic version of each.
As one last caveat, while all apps listed are also available on devices powered by Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)‘s Android, their Google Play reviews aren’t taken into account, as there are more than enough reviews on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iTunes to provide a fair judgement of the game.
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And if “stupid” apps are your fancy–if you just need some time to kill but don’t want to have to think too much–have no fear. Every app listed is available for free download to any Apple device.
So get ready to marvel at each game in our list of 10 stupid iPhone apps that made millions. You won’t be disappointed.
10. Bubble Ball
by Nay Games LLC:
3 stars, 32,335 reviews
Surprisingly created by a 14-year-old prodigy (whose “kicking butt in the business world” according to Inc), this game became an overnight success. A physics-based skill test, it’s also remarkably straightforward.
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9. My Talking Tom
by Outfit7 Limited:
3.5 stars, 155,006 reviews
The simplicity of this app that ended up 9th in our list of stupid iPhone apps that made millions is dumbfounding. Simply speak into the microphone, and a hilariously adorable Tomcat will tell you what you just said in a voice that’s sure to get a laugh.
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8. Yo.
by Life Before Us, LLC:
4 stars, 3,581 reviews
It has billion dollar platform potential according to Tech Crunch, yet all you do is communicate with your friends by saying, you guessed it, yo. It doesn’t get any more basic than that.
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7. Office Jerk
by Fluik:
4 stars, 92,746 reviews
Ever wanted to chuck random objects, from paper wads to cupcakes, at the nearest annoying coworker? Take all your anger out using this app instead. Not as satisfying, but it’s probably better for your job safety. Even if you get along with your co-workers this game is still a pretty good time.
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6. Candy Crush Saga
by King (now part of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI):
4 stars, 928,913 reviews
You live under a rock if you haven’t heard of this game, which lands at #6 on our list of 10 stupid iPhone apps that made millions. Find out some of King’s secrets in this Fortune article.
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5. My Singing Monsters
by Big Blue Bubble:
4.5 stars, 124,338 reviews
If you haven’t tried this mindless app yet, it’s a must-download. Picture lovable little monsters pushing out their greatest groans and grumbles, all to produce a surprisingly catchy tune. The real money maker? You can buy coins to gain new monsters (or just play and earn points to gain them if you’re smart).
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4. Fruit Ninja
by Halfbrick Studios:
4.5 stars, 326,240 reviews
Slicing fruit in half with mindbogglingly rapid speed: a talent revered by all iPhone users. They even sponsored a real fruit orchard to make up for all that sliced-up fruit.
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3. Doodle Jump
by Lima Sky:
4.5 stars, 395,447 reviews
Once you start playing this game that ranks 3rd in our list of stupid iPhone apps that made millions, you may never stop. Also known to suck your life away with every jump, but hey, according to Business Insider, millions thought it was worth it.
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2. Angry Birds
by Rovio Entertainment Ltd:
4.5 stars, 824,529 reviews
You should’ve guessed this one would pop up somewhere on the list and, even though it’s relatively old, this captivating steam-blow-offer is still going strong.
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1. Draw Something
by OMGPOP:
4.5 stars, 1,733,421 reviews
Instead of gangster-style greetings like in the eighth on the list of 10 stupid iPhone apps that made millions, send drawings to your friends and either pay for or earn new colors to work with. Genius.
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Disclosure: None
