Let’s face it: Hollywood has become the land of sequels, spin-offs, and cinematic universes, and honestly, we’re not mad about it. The box office is now ruled by a handful of mega-franchises that rake in billions, spawn endless memes, and keep us coming back for more popcorn-fueled adventures. But which franchises truly wear the crown? Buckle up, because we’re counting down the 10 most successful movie franchises ever at the box office—reverse order, of course, because suspense is half the fun.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean
Yo ho, yo ho, a billion-dollar life for me! Disney’s pirate adventure saga, born of a theme park attraction, has produced five movies and more than $4.5 billion in worldwide booty. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow was a pop culture phenomenon, and worldwide viewers in particular couldn’t get enough of the ghostly pirate escapades. News of a new sixth installment keeps enthusiasts on deck, but even if the Black Pearl never sets sail anew, this franchise’s treasure store is already full to overflowing.
9. Transformers
Transformers disguised as robots, profits in plain sight. Paramount’s Transformers franchise, based on the toy line owned by Hasbro, has grown into a $4.86 billion behemoth on six films. The franchise is a masterclass in global reach, with overseas markets generating the lion’s share of the ticket gross. You’re a fan of the Bayhem or just in the mood to watch giant robots beat each other up. These films demonstrate that nostalgia and spectacle are a winning combination.
8. Batman
Gotham’s dark guardian has worn many a cowl, but one constant prevails: box office gold. In 10 live-action films and one animated romp, Batman has swooped up close to $5 billion worldwide. From Michael Keaton to Robert Pattinson, with each new Dark Knight comes a new interpretation—and a new stack of dough. The Bat’s longevity is unmatched, and with new versions always on the drawing board, Gotham’s bank account is secure.
7. Jurassic Park / Jurassic World
Life finds a way… to generate a fortune. With a mere five movies (and a sixth recently thundering into theaters), the Jurassic franchise has trampled its way to almost $5 billion in the worldwide box office. The original Spielberg classic was the benchmark for blockbuster spectacle, and the Chris Pratt-starring rebirth demonstrated that audiences continue to adore their dinos with a side of anarchy. The newest addition, Jurassic World Rebirth, is already rattling the franchise pecking order.
6. DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
It ain’t always easy being DC, but the DCEU has still bulked up to $5.6 billion on a combination of hits, misses, and meme-ifying moments. Beginning with Man of Steel, this shared universe united Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and others. Critical reception has been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least, but the box office figures are no joke. And with additional Caped Crusaders incoming, DC’s saga is hardly finished.
5. X-Men
Mutants, gather! The X-Men universe, including spin-offs Wolverine and Deadpool, has grossed more than $6 billion over 13 films. These films led the charge for contemporary superhero movies and demonstrated that people are here for found families and existential crises. Now that Disney has Xavier’s School keys, anticipate the X-gene continuing to mutate into box office gold.
4. Spider-Man
Your friendly local Spider-Man isn’t merely swinging webs—he’s swinging bucks. Through several reboots, animated blockbusters, and crossovers, the Spider-Man franchise has swung to more than $8.9 billion globally. The Tom Holland era’s integration into the MCU provided the boost, while animated treasures such as Into the Spider-Verse proved Spidey has no borders. Sony and Marvel’s off-and-on again custody fight only adds fuel to the fire.
3. The Wizarding World (Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts)
Accio billions! J.K. Rowling’s magical world, including the classic Harry Potter movies and the Fantastic Beasts spinoffs, has generated $9.6 billion at the worldwide box office. The cultural phenomenon is undeniable—fans continue arguing over house allegiance and coveting butterbeer. With a new television series in the works and theme parks bewitching muggles around the globe, the Wizarding World’s spell is far from broken.
2. Star Wars
A galaxy, far, far away. a long time ago. The box office was forever altered. Star Wars, now part of Disney’s domain, has soared past $10.3 billion with 12 films (and more in the pipeline). The Force Awakens alone grossed over $2 billion, and the merchandising power of this franchise is the stuff of legend. Star Wars isn’t a film franchise—it’s a cultural phenomenon that reimagines itself for each new generation.
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
Avengers, assemble—at the bank! The MCU is the undisputed box office king, with 35 movies (and more on the way) raking in a staggering $31.4 billion globally. The serialized storytelling, multicultural heroes, and crowd-pleasing spectacle have established Marvel as the gold standard for franchise filmmaking. As Investopedia explains, “Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, is without a doubt the king of profitable movie franchises. The 35 MCU films (with eight more on the way as of March 2025) have collectively grossed more than $31.4 billion worldwide.” The Avengers franchise itself has raked in $7.7 billion, and Endgame occupies a top spot near the all-time box office throne.
But here’s the kicker: diversity is now the secret ingredient to box office supremacy. The most recent UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report discovered that movies with casts with 31% to 40% people of color had the highest median worldwide box office gross, and movies such as Black Panther and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse demonstrated that representation isn’t good for society—it’s good for business. As UCLA’s Entertainment and Media Research Initiative director Ana-Christina Ramón, a co-author of the report, summed it up, “After more than a decade of studying international and domestic box-office success and audience demographics, we’ve consistently found that audiences are interested in seeing what there is of the diversity that they see in their communities and the world.”
There you have it—the largest, most audacious, and most bankable franchises ever to hit the big screen. If you’re a wizard, a Jedi, a superhero, or simply a popcorn aficionado, these motion picture universes have rewritten the blockbuster playbook. And with new tales, new characters, and new worlds to come, the box office bash is only just beginning.