Let’s be honest—film franchises are Hollywood’s go-to cheat code. Yearly, they bring in billions, keep box offices aflutter, and inundate pop culture with memes, memorabilia, and cosplay. Some franchises, though, aren’t just hits—they’re money-printing machines that just keep rolling in no matter how many years pass. So, which film franchises have cracked the code? Here are the five highest-grossing film franchises of all time—and how they just keep shattering records (and bank accounts).
5. James Bond – The First Blockbuster Template
Before capes and lightsabers dominated the globe, there was a British agent in a tuxedo who always stole the scene. Ever since Dr. No hit theaters in 1962, James Bond has been the benchmark for fashionable action, suspenseful gadgets, and memorable theme songs.
Over 27 movies and eight actors (indeed, eight!), Bond has made approximately $7.9 billion globally. Skyfall alone accounted for a mind-boggling $1.1 billion, illustrating just how resilient the franchise remains. Even after sixty years, fans keep coming back for the suave spy who always has an ace up his sleeve—and a drink in his hand.
4. Spider-Man – The Wall-Crawler Who Always Climbeth the Charts
You don’t have to be a comic book buff to understand that Spider-Man is box office gold. With Tobey Maguire’s upside-down kiss and Tom Holland’s multiverse mayhem, Spidey has swung through a series of reboots—and never lost a beat. With a worldwide total of roughly $8.9 billion, Spider-Man is among the most bankable names in movies. The wild thing? Those rights are divided between Marvel Studios and Sony, and for some reason, that only served to make him more popular.
The 2021 blockbuster No Way Home almost reached $2 billion all by itself. Animated or live-action, Spider-Man consistently demonstrates that audiences cannot get enough of seeing Peter Parker try to juggle teen life and superhero responsibility.
3. The Wizarding World – Magic That Pays the Bills
Even if you’ve never actually read the books, I bet you’ve felt the allure of Hogwarts. The Harry Potter franchise—and its Fantastic Beasts spinoffs—have conjured an estimated $9.6 billion at the movies. But the magic lies in how it reaches far, far beyond the screen.
Theme park attractions, Broadway shows, video games, merchandise, name it—this franchise has made wand-waving an empire. The final Harry Potter movie alone raked in more than $1.3 billion, and with a streaming series in the works, it’s apparent that this charm isn’t fading any time soon.
2. Star Wars – A Galactic Gold Mine
Few franchises have transformed the film industry as much as Star Wars. What began in 1977 with a farm boy and a pair of droids grew into one of the most popular—and lucrative—universes in film. With $10.3 billion in box office returns on only 12 theatrical movies, Star Wars has demonstrated its long-term viability generation after generation. And that doesn’t count the movies.
Since Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion, the franchise has increased in value exponentially, with streaming shows, toys, books, and even theme park areas. Whichever set of originals, prequels, or sequels you cut your teeth on, rest assured: the Force is still with this franchise in a big way.
1. Marvel Cinematic Universe – The Box Office Champion
No shock here—the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reigns supreme. What started in 2008 with Iron Man became a connected epic running across 35+ movies (and more), raking in an astonishing $31.4 billion globally. And it’s not only the figures—it’s the cultural impact. From The Avengers to Endgame to streaming series and toys aplenty, Marvel has created a universe that fans inhabit throughout the year.
The Avengers films alone have earned more than $7.7 billion, with Endgame almost leading the all-time box office list. Disney’s acquisition of Marvel in 2009 was one of the greatest entertainment business decisions ever, turning a comic book publisher into the most profitable movie empire of all time.
It’s not luck, and it’s certainly not opening weekend buzz. What sets these mega-franchises apart from the pack is their power to keep fans engaged for the long term. In the estimation of production professionals, what fuels a “cash cow” franchise is a combination of steady quality, abiding fan devotion, and the capacity to branch out into all manner of merchandise, rides, and streaming. These are not merely movies—they’re brands, and they’ve perfected the technique of remaining current yet remaining comfortable. So long as the public remains engaged, the cash and the films won’t cease any time soon.