Welcome to the age of cinematic universes, where film franchises aren’t only mainstream entertainment, they’re worldwide behemoths. From superheroes to wizards and galaxy-faring epics, some film franchises have ruled the box office and transformed how we consume movies. Here are the 10 top-grossing movie franchises of all time, according to North American box office figures.
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe
No surprise there—the Marvel Cinematic Universe occupies the box office throne. With a staggering $11.7 billion in North American box office alone, Marvel has completely redefined franchise filmmaking. Starting with Iron Man in 2008 and peaking with the record-breaking streak of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU’s seamless coordination of interlocking narratives, star talent, and successive releases has made it a pop culture giant. Even during the pandemic, the MCU proved to be superior—Black Widow made $80 million in home opening weekend, along with a further $60 million via Disney+ Premier Access.
2. Star Wars
Long ago, far, far away in a galaxy, Star Wars defied cinema. Grossing $5.09 billion at North American theaters, the saga spans generations—from the original trilogy to prequels, sequels, and spin-offs. In eleven main films and a growing Disney+ series, Star Wars is a mass phenomenon that continues to expand its universe.
3. Disney Live-Action Reimaginings
Disney has struck gold with its restagings of animated film classics in live-action. With smash hits like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, such a strategy has brought in $3.49 billion at the box office. Such nostalgic retreads may not work for critics each time, but fans come again and again for the same old stories, supplemented with A-list stars and stunning visual effects.
4. Spider-Man
The kind-hearted neighborhood Spider-Man has spun a $3.31 billion web in North America. From Tobey Maguire’s pre-2000s films to Andrew Garfield’s reboot, and Tom Holland’s MCU-spanning trilogy—not to mention the animated Spider-Verse films—Spidey’s fan base is intergenerational. The box office success No Way Home proved how powerful a good crossover can be.
5. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World
The Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts universe has bewitched $2.88 billion at the box office. It is more than just a film franchise, however; this magical world has brought theme parks, goods, and constant fan engagement. With a new television adaptation on the horizon, the Wizarding World’s magic is not dying off.
6. Batman
The Caped Crusader has been a fixture in popular culture for decades, raking in $2.78 billion at the box office. From Tim Burton’s dark vision to Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning trilogy and all the ensuing reboots, the film heritage of Batman is as moody and kinetic as his persona. Animated films and a number of interpretations in the intervening decades have reinforced him yet further.
7. DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
Although the DCEU has had a more rugged path than Marvel, it still has $2.65 billion at the North American box office. With 14 movies from Man of Steel through Aquaman and The Flash, the franchise continues to grow. Tonally inconsistent and with polarizing critical responses, the DCEU continues to be a mainstay in the superhero market.
8. X-Men
Before the MCU’s reign, the X-Men film franchise led the superhero charge. With $2.46 billion in combined box office haul, the franchise includes the original trilogy, the solo outings of Wolverine, and the Deadpool films. The franchise has experienced some declines, but its influence—and potential ahead—can’t be ignored.
9. James Bond
Shaken, not stirred—and still going strong. The James Bond franchise has earned $2.27 billion since 1962 and is the longest-running on this list. With six actors playing 007 over the years, Bond has been a movie legend, blending espionage, action, and high-society suaveness.
These franchises have moved beyond being just box office phenomena—they’re cultural landmarks that help us think differently about how we view, talk about, and imagine the future of cinema. With sequels, reboots, and spin-offs continuing to flood into theaters and onto streaming platforms, one thing is certain: the age of the mega-franchise isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.