Let’s get real: if there is one thing Hollywood does better than anybody else, it’s creating gargantuan film franchises. These are not mere film franchises—they’re cultural touchstones, lifetime passions, and worldwide cash cows. Whether they began decades ago or erupted in the 21st century, the best franchises on this list have brought people back time and again, year after year. So, let’s count down the 10 largest film franchises in history by box office take, beginning at ten and making our way up to the undisputed champion.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean
Who would have thought that a Disneyland attraction could inspire one of the largest film franchises in history? Pirates of the Caribbean didn’t only provide epic naval battles and ghostly tales—it provided Captain Jack Sparrow, the most iconic character of recent times. Through five action-packed adventures, the franchise has grossed approximately $1.45 billion, with Dead Man’s Chest breaking the $1 billion barrier alone. The offbeat mix of supernatural turns, swordfights, and odd humor made the early ones a success, although the subsequent ones were not quite as cutting.
9. Batman
The Dark Knight is not only a superhero but also a cultural icon who’s reinventing himself all the time. From the neon-lit ’90s Gotham to Christopher Nolan’s gritty realism, Batman has been through many masks (and capes). With many reboots and reinterpretations under his belt, the franchise has amassed approximately $2.78 billion. The Dark Knight didn’t merely profit—it revolutionized the superhero movie, at least partially thanks to Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker. Fans tune in every time a new Batman appears on screen to see how the world’s grumpiest crime-fighter is rebooted.
8. Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
Dinosaurs aren’t going anywhere. Jurassic Park in 1993 was a game-changer, and it remains so today. Flash forward to the Jurassic World age, and the franchise has earned almost $5 billion at the international box office. The combination of nostalgia, state-of-the-art effects, and pure dino-mania makes these films impossible to resist. Whether it’s T. Rexes rampaging through the jungle or velociraptors flaunting their intelligence, there’s something immortally appealing about humans being outwitted by prehistoric animals.
7. DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
The DCEU has not had an easy time, but it certainly left its mark. From Zack Snyder’s darker cut to surprise gems in Aquaman and Shazam!, the franchise has tallied a little over $4.9 billion. Although critical success has been inconsistent, there is no denying the celebrity power of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. What makes the DCEU different is that it’s not afraid to take risks, even if not all of them don’t pay off. And that sense of unpredictability keeps viewers tuning in.
6. X-Men
X-Men was the standard-bearer for superhero franchises on the big screen before the MCU came along. The series launched in 2000 and delved into identity, discrimination, and cohesion through its mutant characters. With 14 movies on its record—including Deadpool’s ridiculously meta contributions—it’s taken in around $5.8 billion worldwide. Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s, became a generation’s icon, and the films didn’t hold back when it came to confronting real-world issues, lending them an added depth that most superhero films at the time didn’t even approach.
5. James Bond
There is only one 007, and he has been saving the world—and the box office—for more than 60 years. Since Dr. No back in 1962, the James Bond series has produced 27 films and made about $7.9 billion at the global box office. So what explains Bond’s staying power? Reinvention. Every actor—Sean Connery through Daniel Craig—puts his spin on the character, but the essential charm, menace, and style never change. No matter if he’s dressed up for a tux or speeding away in an Aston Martin, Bond still sets the standard for what a spy thriller is.
4. Spider-Man
He’s nice, he’s neighborhood, and he’s a box office behemoth. Spider-Man has web-slung through several reboots and still never lost momentum. From Tobey Maguire to Andrew Garfield to Tom Holland, Spidey has captured hearts for various reasons, but always with a heart. The franchise has grossed approximately $8.9 billion, with No Way Home almost reaching $2 billion alone. And don’t forget the Spider-Verse movies, which have reimagined the look of animated superhero tales. Regardless of the iteration, audiences can’t seem to get enough of Peter Parker.
3. Wizarding World (Harry Potter Universe)
Hogwarts will forever be home for fans numbering in the millions. The original Harry Potter films established a magical universe that remains vivacious to this day. Throw in the Fantastic Beasts prequels, and the franchise’s overall take is around $9.6 billion. The last Potter installment, Deathly Hallows: Part 2, was a global phenomenon—and a box office behemoth. Outside of film, theme parks, stage plays, and an upcoming TV series keep the Wizarding World afloat. There’s something just classic about wands, magic spells, and good vs. evil.
2. Star Wars
It all began with a single space epic in 1977, and it ballooned into one of the largest pop culture empires in history. Star Wars is always more than a film franchise. It’s a shared heritage, a merchandising sensation, and a new mythology. With 12 movies and a combination of trilogies, spinoffs, and remakes, it’s raked in over $10.3 billion. Alone, The Force Awakens broke $2 billion. From Jedi to Sith, droids to bounty hunters, Star Wars only grows—and its hold on audiences never falters.
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
At the mountain’s peak stands the MCU—a juggernaut of bound-together storytelling, unstoppable. It began with Iron Man in 2008, and subsequently, nothing less than dominance at the movies. With 35 films out to date and others in the works, the MCU has generated over $31 billion globally. Avengers: Endgame came close to breaking all-time marks, and the universe continues to grow through new heroes, TV spin-offs, and fearless genre hybrids.
It’s difficult to picture contemporary Hollywood without the MCU—it set the standard, then kept raising it again and again. These franchises are not merely about giant profits—they’ve become a way of life. They craft characters we remember, worlds we inhabit, and something to believe in, root for, and escape to. Whether it’s a superhero epic, a magical realm, or a galaxy far, far away, these movie titans have mapped the way we consume movies—and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.