Top 10 Best Selling Media Franchises of All Time

Media franchises have captivated audiences worldwide, evolving from simple stories or characters into multibillion-dollar empires spanning games, films, merchandise, books, and more. These franchises not only entertain but also drive enormous economic value through diverse revenue streams. Based on recent estimates, here is a countdown of the top 10 highest-grossing media franchises of all time, measured by total revenue in USD.

1. Pokémon (1996) - $174 Billion

Pokémon, created by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, started as a video game and has become a global phenomenon. It features creatures called Pokémon that trainers capture and battle. The franchise's success spans video games, trading cards, anime, films, and merchandise. Main revenue comes from licensed merchandise ($113.705 billion), video games ($30.683 billion), and the card game ($26 billion), with additional earnings from box office, manga, and home entertainment.

2. Hello Kitty (1974) - $88.5 Billion

Hello Kitty, the adorable cat-like character from Sanrio, was designed by Yuko Shimizu. This franchise began as a cartoon character and exploded through merchandise like bags, clothing, and accessories. It's particularly popular in Asia and among young girls. Nearly all revenue is from merchandise sales ($88.51 billion), with minor contributions from manga, music, and box office.

3. Winnie the Pooh (1924) - $76.7 Billion

Based on books by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard, Winnie the Pooh was acquired by The Walt Disney Company. The lovable bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood have charmed generations through books, animations, and toys. Revenue is dominated by retail sales ($76.19 billion), supplemented by DVD/Blu-ray sales and box office earnings.

4. Mickey Mouse & Friends (1928) - $74 Billion

Walt Disney's iconic Mickey Mouse, created with Ub Iwerks, debuted in animated cartoons and became the face of Disney. The franchise includes characters like Minnie, Donald Duck, and Goofy, appearing in films, parks, and products. Key revenue sources are retail sales ($73.115 billion), box office, and VHS/DVD sales.

5. Star Wars (1977) - $73.7 Billion

George Lucas's epic space opera, now owned by Disney's Lucasfilm, revolutionized sci-fi with its films, characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, and expansive universe. It includes movies, TV shows, books, games, and toys. Revenue breaks down to merchandise ($42.217 billion), box office ($10 billion), home video ($13 billion), and video games ($6.03 billion).

6. Mario (1981) - $64.1 Billion

Nintendo's flagship franchise features the plumber Mario in platforming adventures, created by Shigeru Miyamoto. It has spawned numerous games, spin-offs, animations, and films. Revenue is heavily from video games ($51.95 billion), licensed merchandise ($6.887 billion), home media, and box office.

7. Anpanman (1973) - $56.5 Billion

Created by Takashi Yanase for Froebel-kan, Anpanman is a Japanese superhero made of bread who fights villains. Popular mainly in Japan, it includes manga, anime, and toys. Almost all revenue is from retail sales ($56.404 billion), with small amounts from box office and museums.

8. Disney Princess (2000) - $46.3 Billion

Disney's lineup of princess characters like Cinderella, Ariel, and Elsa, conceptualized by Andy Mooney, groups heroines from various films into a unified brand for merchandise and media. Revenue is primarily from retail sales ($46.331 billion) and home entertainment.

9. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) (2008) - $45.1 Billion

Produced by Marvel Studios (Disney), the MCU interconnects superhero films based on Marvel Comics characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Avengers. It's known for its shared universe and blockbusters. Revenue comes from box office ($33 billion), home entertainment ($5.254 billion), and merchandise ($7.228 billion).

10. Jump Comics (Shōnen Jump) (1968) - $40 Billion

Shueisha's anthology magazine features manga series like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto. It has led to anime, games, and merchandise. Revenue is from manga magazines ($27.003 billion), manga volumes ($12.811 billion), and video games ($217.3 million).

As franchises continue to expand with new content, their revenues are likely to grow further.