In this article, we will take a look at the 5 highest-grossing media franchises of all time. If you would like to read our analysis of the media industry, you can go directly to the 30 Highest-Grossing Media Franchises of All Time.
5. Star Wars
Year Launched: 1977
Earnings: $65.63 billion
Star Wars is a sci-fi space drama franchise that includes a wide range of media, including films, TV series, video games, novels, and comic books. The production company behind it, Lucasfilm Ltd, was acquired by Disney in 2012, leading to additional box office releases and expanding the universe of the iconic franchise.
4. Mickey Mouse and Friends
Year Launched: 1928
Earnings: $70.59 billion
The Mickey Mouse franchise revolves around the original Disney cartoons featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends, including Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, and Goofy. The franchise generates significant revenue through merchandise sales, movies, and DVD sales.
3. Winnie the Pooh
Year Launched: 1924
Earnings: $75.03 billion
Winnie-the-Pooh, a character created by English author A. A. Milne, has maintained popularity with children since his initial introduction. The franchise generates major earnings through merchandise, movies, and DVD sales. It is at the third position on our list of the 30 highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
2. Hello Kitty
Year Launched: 1974
Earnings: $80.03 billion
Hello Kitty is a character owned by the Japanese company Sanrio. The franchise covers a wide range of media platforms, including animated series, comics, games, books, music albums, and other forms of media. Additionally, merchandising plays a significant role in the Hello Kitty franchise. Throughout the years, Hello Kitty has garnered a significant fan base among celebrities, including prominent names like Paris Hilton and Katy Perry. The brand’s popularity extends globally, with a Hello Kitty Theme Park located in China, Hello Kitty Cafe Trucks serving themed food and beverages in North America, and a dedicated Hello Kitty Beauty Salon in Dubai.
1. Pokemon
Year Launched: 1996
Earnings: $92.12 billion
Pokemon remains the biggest entertainment franchise in the world, ranking number 1 in the list of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Pokémon, originally a Japanese video game, has evolved into a cultural phenomenon that covers manga and anime series, trading card games, and movies. The franchise’s global expansion resulted in the phenomenon known as Pokemania. The remarkable success of The Pokémon Company is evident in its record-breaking profit growth, with around $11.6 billion in total revenue generated from licensed products in 2022. This covers a wide range of items, spanning from games, both digital and physical, to collectibles, apparel, and all other officially licensed merchandise. In 2022, the company recorded a growth of 36.5% compared to its previous fiscal year.
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