Top 10 Highest Grossing Movie Franchises of All Time: From Marvel Cinematic Universe to DC Extended Universe

The world of cinema has been shaped by numerous iconic movie franchises that have captivated audiences worldwide, generating billions of dollars in revenue. Among these, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stands as the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, with an astonishing total that surpasses its closest competitors by billions. The MCU’s success is largely attributed to its strategic storytelling, which weaves together a vast array of beloved characters from Marvel comics, culminating in blockbuster hits like Avengers: Endgame. This film alone has become the second-highest-grossing movie ever, further solidifying the MCU’s dominance in the box office.
Beyond the MCU, other franchises have also achieved remarkable success. Star Wars, another Disney-owned behemoth, ranks as the second most lucrative franchise, with a legacy spanning decades and a total gross exceeding $10 billion. Other notable franchises include Disney Live Action Reimaginings, Spider-Man, and J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, each contributing significantly to the global box office. These franchises not only entertain but also serve as cultural phenomena, fostering merchandise sales and fan engagement that extend far beyond the cinema. Their enduring popularity underscores the power of storytelling and the financial potential of well-crafted franchises in the film industry. As the global film market continues to evolve, these franchises remain at the forefront, shaping the future of entertainment and captivating audiences worldwide.
- Batman

No. of films: 18
Highest-grossing film: The Dark Knight Rises ($1,081,169,825)
Total worldwide gross: $7,051,416,471
- DC Extended Universe

No. of films: 15
Highest-grossing film: Aquaman ($1,148,528,393)
Total worldwide gross: $7,191,680,912
- Fast & Furious

No. of films: 11
Highest-grossing film: Furious 7 ($1,515,341,399)
Total worldwide gross: $7,333,654,169
- X-Men

No. of films: 14
Highest-grossing film: Deadpool & Wolverine ($1,338,073,645)
Total worldwide gross: $7,422,190,386
- Avengers

No. of films: 4
Highest-grossing film: Avengers: Endgame ($2,797,501,328)
Total worldwide gross: $7,767,486,137
- James Bond

No. of films: 27
Highest-grossing film: Skyfall ($1,108,594,137)
Total worldwide gross: $7,836,510,562
- Wizarding World

No. of films: 11
Highest-grossing film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($1,342,139,727)
Total worldwide gross: $9,656,055,269
- Star Wars

No. of films: 12
Highest-grossing film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2,068,223,624)
Total worldwide gross: $10,343,937,416
- Spider-Man

No. of films: 16
Highest-grossing film: Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1,922,598,800)
Total worldwide gross: $11,154,013,844
- Marvel Cinematic Universe

No. of films: 35
Highest-grossing film: Avengers: Endgame ($2,797,501,328)
Total worldwide gross: $31,538,456,125
List of Highest Grossing Movie Franchises and Movie Series
Here is the list of the highest-grossing film franchises and film series in History.
Rank | Series | Total Worldwide Gross | No. of Films | Average per Film | Highest-Grossing Film |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marvel Cinematic Universe ↑ | $31,538,456,125 | 35 | $901,098,746 | Avengers: Endgame ($2,797,501,328) |
2 | Spider-Man | $11,154,013,844 | 16 | $697,125,865 | Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1,922,598,800) |
3 | Star Wars | $10,343,937,416 | 12 | $861,994,785 | Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2,068,223,624) |
4 | Wizarding World | $9,656,055,269 | 11 | $877,823,206 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($1,342,139,727) |
5 | James Bond | $7,836,510,562 | 27 | $290,241,132 | Skyfall ($1,108,594,137) |
6 | Avengers | $7,767,486,137 | 4 | $1,941,871,534 | Endgame ($2,797,501,328) |
7 | X-Men | $7,422,190,386 | 14 | $530,156,456 | Deadpool & Wolverine ($1,338,073,645) |
8 | Fast & Furious | $7,333,654,169 | 11 | $666,695,834 | Furious 7 ($1,515,341,399) |
9 | DC Extended Universe | $7,191,680,912 | 15 | $479,445,394 | Aquaman ($1,148,528,393) |
10 | Batman | $7,051,416,471 | 18 | $391,745,360 | The Dark Knight Rises ($1,081,169,825) |
11 | Jurassic Park | $6,008,970,499 | 6 | $1,001,495,083 | Jurassic World ($1,671,537,444) |
12 | Middle-earth | $5,978,700,075 | 8 | $747,337,509 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1,147,997,407) |
13 | Despicable Me | $5,619,526,716 | 6 | $936,587,786 | Minions ($1,159,444,662) |
14 | Transformers | $5,423,926,612 | 9 | $602,658,512 | Dark of the Moon ($1,123,794,079) |
15 | Avatar | $5,243,956,307 | 2 | $2,621,978,154 | Avatar ($2,923,706,026) |
16 | Pirates of the Caribbean | $4,522,015,850 | 5 | $904,403,170 | Dead Man’s Chest ($1,066,179,747) |
17 | Mission: Impossible | $4,142,271,248 | 7 | $591,753,035 | Fallout ($791,657,398) |
18 | Shrek | $4,023,149,353 | 6 | $670,524,892 | Shrek 2 ($932,530,034) |
19 | The Twilight Saga | $3,359,862,915 | 5 | $671,972,583 | Breaking Dawn – Part 2 ($829,746,820) |
20 | The Lion King ↑ | $3,337,025,078 | 4 | $834,256,270 | The Lion King (2019) ($1,656,943,394) |