Hollywood’s movie franchises have turned storytelling into a goldmine, raking in billions while cementing their place in pop culture.
Among these titans, the Marvel Cinematic Universe stands tallest, earning a staggering $31.48 billion worldwide, with its crown jewel, “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), hauling in $2.8 billion alone—making it the highest-grossing film from any franchise to date.
These cinematic universes and series don’t just entertain; they build legacies, spanning decades and captivating generations.
Rankings and Earnings
The following table lists the top 10 movie franchises, their total box office earnings, the number of movies, and the highest-grossing film, based on research.
Rank
Franchise
Total Box Office
Number of Movies
Highest-Grossing Movie (Year)
Gross
1
Marvel Cinematic Universe
$31.48 billion
35
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
$2.8B
2
Star Wars
$10.36 billion
12
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
$2.07B
3
Spider-Man
$9.03 billion
10
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
$1.95B
4
James Bond
$7.88 billion
27
Skyfall (2012)
$1.11B
5
The Fast and the Furious
$7.32 billion
11
Furious 7 (2015)
$1.52B
6
DC Extended Universe
$7.21 billion
16
Aquaman (2018)
$1.15B
7
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
$7.11 billion
12
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
$1.34B
8
X-Men
$6.08 billion
13
Deadpool 2 (2018)
$786M
9
Jurassic Park
$6.08 billion
6
Jurassic World (2015)
$1.67B
10
Batman
$5.72 billion
11
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
$1.11B
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe – $31.48 Billion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), launched in 2008 with “Iron Man,” is a media franchise and shared universe centered on superhero films produced by Marvel Studios, based on Marvel Comics characters. It includes 35 films across six phases, with Phase One starting with “Iron Man” and Phase Six extending to 2027.
The franchise’s total box office stands at approximately $31.48 billion, making it the highest-grossing film franchise ever according to jstor.
Its highest-grossing film is “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), earning $2.8 billion, which was the highest-grossing film of all time at its release.
The MCU’s success is driven by its interconnected storytelling, ensemble casts featuring stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth, and innovative marketing.
It has revolutionized the superhero genre, with multiple films crossing the $1 billion mark, and has expanded into television series, short films, and literature, creating a vast shared universe.
2. Star Wars – $10.36 Billion
Star Wars found its secret to success long ago, and the franchise’s new and upcoming movies and TV shows continue to take advantage of that asset. https://t.co/6NEBC0ucf7
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) April 20, 2024
Created by George Lucas, Star Wars is an American epic space opera media franchise that began with the 1977 film “Star Wars” (retitled “Episode IV: A New Hope” in 1979).
The franchise includes 12 films, comprising the original trilogy (1977–1983), prequel trilogy (1999–2005), sequel trilogy (2015–2019), and standalone films like “Rogue One” (2016) and “Solo” (2018).
It has grossed $10.36 billion, with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) being the highest-grossing at $2.07 billion, as noted by Dlab.
Star Wars has had a profound cultural impact, with phrases like “May the Force be with you” entering the popular lexicon and films selected for the National Film Registry.
It revolutionized special effects, doubled 20th Century Fox’s stock price within three weeks of the first film’s release, and generated over $20 billion in merchandising by 2012.
The franchise’s influence extends to academia, with uses in storytelling and technology studies, and has inspired fan fiction and official fan film awards since 2002.
3. Spider-Man – $9.03 Billion
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Spider-Man, based on the Marvel Comics character, is a superhero film franchise featuring Peter Parker, a high school student who becomes a web-slinging hero.
It includes 10 films, with iterations from Sam Raimi’s original trilogy (2002–2007), Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” series (2012–2014), and the MCU films starring Tom Holland (2017–2021).
The franchise has earned $9.03 billion, with “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) as the highest-grossing at $1.95 billion.
Previous high earners include Tobey Maguire’s “Spider-Man 3” (2007) and Andrew Garfield’s films.
The franchise has seen different actors portray Spider-Man, contributing to its longevity and appeal, and has been a significant part of the MCU, especially with the multiverse concept in recent films. Its success highlights the enduring popularity of the character across generations.
4. James Bond – $7.88 Billion
@screenrant 10 James Bond Franchise Traditions That Bond 26 Must Drop #jamesbond #jamesbond007 #007 #agentbond007 #danielcraig ♬ Aglow (Intro) – Slowed Down Version – Karamel Kel
The James Bond franchise, based on Ian Fleming’s novels, is the longest-running film series, starting with “Dr. No” in 1962.
It includes 27 films, featuring British secret agent 007 in espionage adventures. The total box office is $7.88 billion, with “Skyfall” (2012) being the highest-grossing at $1.11 billion.
The franchise has seen multiple actors portray Bond, including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig, each bringing their interpretation to the role.
Known for its suave protagonist, exotic locations, and thrilling action sequences, James Bond has become synonymous with spy cinema, influencing the genre with its mix of gadgetry and glamour.
Its longevity, spanning over 60 years, underscores its cultural significance and commercial viability.
5. The Fast and the Furious – $7.32 Billion
The Fast and the Furious franchise began in 2001 with a focus on illegal street racing, evolving into a global action series with 11 films. It has grossed $7.32 billion, with “Furious 7” (2015) as the highest-grossing at $1.52 billion.
The series, led by Vin Diesel and featuring a diverse ensemble cast including Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson, is known for its high-octane car chases, elaborate heists, and themes of family and loyalty.
Starting as a niche street racing film, it has escalated into grandiose espionage antics, with spin-offs like “Hobbs & Shaw” (2019).
Its ability to embrace its ridiculous nature has made it a popcorn-friendly favorite, appealing to audiences worldwide.
6. DC Extended Universe – $7.21 Billion
🍿The Downfall of The DC Extended Universe | A DCEU Documentary🍿
10 years. 15 movies. 1 show. $7B at the box office. What went wrong? Find out in this documentary.⬇️
🎥: https://t.co/HX0INk1ZVZ#DCEU #DC pic.twitter.com/6rxyZhblMX
— Our Movie News🍿 (@OurMovieNews) December 21, 2023
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU), launched in 2013 with “Man of Steel,” is a shared universe of superhero films based on DC Comics characters, including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. It includes 16 films, with a total box office of $7.21 billion. The highest-grossing film is “Aquaman” (2018) at $1.15 billion.
The DCEU has had a mix of critical and commercial successes, with films like “Wonder Woman” (2017) receiving praise and others like “Justice League” (2017) facing criticism.
Despite this, it has achieved significant earnings, driven by its iconic characters and large-scale action sequences, competing with the MCU in the superhero market.
7. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – $7.11 Billion
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Based on J.K. Rowling’s novels, the Harry Potter franchise consists of 12 films, including the original eight Harry Potter movies (2001–2011) and the Fantastic Beasts prequel series (2016–2022).
It has grossed $7.11 billion, with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” (2011) as the highest-grossing at $1.34 billion according to Yahoo News.
The series follows Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts, enchanting audiences with its magical storytelling and memorable characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
The expansion into the Fantastic Beasts series, set in the 1920s, has broadened the wizarding world’s appeal, maintaining its commercial success and cultural impact.
8. X-Men – $6.08 Billion
@reel.takes X-Men ‘97 is currently one of the best shows on television, but here’s how I rank the movies so far. The X-Men franchise has offered just as many good movies as it has bad ones, so this is how I rank them from Dark Phoenix, all the way through Logan. Hugh Jackman has carried this franchise with his portrayal of wolverine, and I’m looking forward to seeing him team up with Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool and Wolverine later this year. #wolverine #xmen #xmen97 #marvel #marvelcomics #deadpool #deadpoolandwolverine #hughjackman #ryanreynolds ♬ original sound – Reel Takes
The X-Men film series, based on the Marvel Comics team of mutants, includes 13 movies, starting with “X-Men” in 2000.
It has earned $6.08 billion, with “Deadpool 2” (2018) as the highest-grossing at $786 million, though other films like “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014) also performed strongly at $746 million.
The franchise explores themes of discrimination and identity, set against superhero action, with characters like Wolverine and Professor X.
Its success is attributed to its blend of character-driven stories and spectacle, with the Deadpool films adding a comedic, R-rated twist to the series.
9. Jurassic Park – $6.08 Billion
Inspired by Michael Crichton’s novel, the Jurassic Park franchise features six films about genetically engineered dinosaurs, starting with “Jurassic Park” in 1993.
It has grossed $6.08 billion, with “Jurassic World” (2015) as the highest-grossing at $1.67 billion.
The series combines thrilling adventure with cutting-edge visual effects, revitalized by the Jurassic World trilogy (2015–2022).
Its success lies in its ability to captivate audiences with prehistoric creatures, blending science fiction with action, and maintaining relevance through technological advancements in filmmaking.
10. Batman – $5.72 Billion
Because its not official. Like yes the actor may have said it or the director. But people just want 100% proof that it is happening right now.
Especially since lately Peter Safran and DC Studios are saying things that make people worried like them “Hoping” they film soon. Or…
— The Batman Saga News (@TheBatmanSagaNW) March 19, 2025
Batman, based on the DC Comics character, includes 11 films, with interpretations ranging from Tim Burton’s gothic vision to Christopher Nolan’s realistic Dark Knight trilogy.
It has earned $5.72 billion, with “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) as the highest-grossing at $1.11 billion.
The franchise features the Caped Crusader fighting crime in Gotham City, with actors like Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Robert Pattinson portraying Batman.
Its cultural impact is significant, with Nolan’s trilogy receiving critical acclaim and influencing the superhero genre, solidifying Batman’s status as an iconic figure in cinema.
