Movie franchises are the lifeblood of Hollywood, and in 2025, their box office domination is stronger than ever. These blockbuster movies don’t just earn billions at the box office—they shape pop culture, spawn limitless merchandising, and leave fans eager for additional sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. Here are the 10 highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, updated with the latest numbers and a dash of insider gossip.
10. Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stands unmatched as the box office behemoth. With 35 films out and eight upcoming, the MCU has together earned over $31.4 billion worldwide. The Avengers films alone have made $7.7 billion across four movies, with Avengers: Endgame as the second-best-performing film of all time with a worldwide gross of $2.79 billion. Disney’s 2009 acquisition of Marvel was a gamble that paid for itself lavishly, especially as Marvel regained rights gradually to its most iconic characters. The MCU combination of interconnected storytelling, relatable heroes, and ongoing expansion has set a new standard for franchise filmmaking.
9. Star Wars
A long time ago in a galaxy much-far-from-so-far-away, Star Wars rewrote the script for what constitutes a blockbuster. Owned now by Disney, the franchise has spawned 12 films (with several more in the works) and grossed $10.32 billion globally. The Force Awakens, which debuted in 2015, is the most successful film in the franchise at a bit more than $2 billion. Star Wars is not just movies—it’s a merchandising juggernaut, a theme park brand, and a cultural touchstone that continues to reinvent itself with every new generation.
8. Harry Potter (Wizarding World)
The Wizarding World, both the original Harry Potter films and the spin-off Fantastic Beasts films, has made magic for $9.6 billion at the international box office. The final Harry Potter film, Deathly Hallows: Part 2, enchanted folks for $1.3 billion. Beyond the big screen, the franchise has expanded to Broadway, theme parks, and video games, and a new television series is set to debut on HBO in 2026. The magic won’t stop.
7. Spider-Man
Spider-Man swings into fourth place at $8.9 billion worldwide box office. That total includes the original Sam Raimi trilogy, Amazing Spider-Man reboot franchise, animated franchises like Into the Spider-Verse, and the Tom Holland-led films that bookend both Sony and the MCU. Spider-Man: No Way Home nearly hit the $2 billion benchmark, demonstrating that all of our favorite web-slingers are more popular than ever. The pioneering Sony-Disney deal has fans wondering about Spidey’s on-screen future.
6. James Bond
The world’s biggest spy has been bailing out the box office—and the day—since 1963. The James Bond franchise has raked in $7.9 billion through 27 movies. Skyfall is the high point at $1.1 billion. Eight actors have portrayed the tuxedo through six decades, but Bond endures because he can evolve with the times yet retain martinis shaken, not stirred. Amazon MGM Studios now has the creative reins, which is good for new paths for 007.
5. The Lord of the Rings (Including The Hobbit)
Middle-earth’s epic, spanning both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, has enthralled viewers to the tune of nearly $6 billion. Both Return of the King and An Unexpected Journey each passed the billion-dollar mark, making Peter Jackson’s translations fantasy gold.
4. X-Men
The X-Men franchise, while a technically Marvel property, is a standalone with $5.8 billion in box office receipts. Fourteen films, including blockbuster successes Deadpool spin-offs, have ensured mutants remain at the forefront. With Disney having acquired the rights, fans are holding out to see how the X-Men are incorporated into the MCU’s future.
3. Fast and the Furious
What started as an open-road racing saga has evolved into a global phenomenon, with eight films raking in $5.1 billion. The Fate of the Furious made over $1.2 billion alone. With more sequels and spin-offs in the works, there seems to be no slowing down for this franchise.
2. Jurassic Park
Dinosaurs don’t die. The Jurassic Park franchise has walked its way to nearly $5 billion, courtesy of the original trilogy and the Jurassic World revival. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom trampled its way over $1.3 billion, proving that film buffs still love a good dinosaur stampede.
1. DC Extended Universe
The DC Extended Universe rounds out the top ten with $4.9 billion. Blockbusters like Aquaman and Wonder Woman have assisted DC in making its mark, and with a steady stream of new releases, the DCEU is continuing to battle Marvel for superhero supremacy.
These franchises aren’t just about ticket sales—they’re about building worlds, inspiring fandoms, and turning moviegoing into a multi-generational event. Whether you’re a superhero devotee, a wizard at heart, or a secret agent in disguise, there’s a franchise here that’s shaped your cinematic journey.