Highest-Grossing Movie Franchises, 1980 to 2026
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has grossed about $35.15 billion across 38 films, more than double any other franchise, cumulative from 1980 to 2026.
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What the data shows
- In 2026, Marvel Cinematic Universe ranks #1 with $35.2B, ahead of Spider-Man ($13.7B) and Star Wars ($10.8B).
- Back in 1980, James Bond was #1 with $1.4B.
- The top spot changed hands 3 times: Star Wars in 2005, Wizarding World (Harry Potter) in 2007 and Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015.
- Biggest climber: Marvel Cinematic Universe, from #9 in 2008 to #1 in 2026.
About this chart
No franchise comes close to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has grossed about $35.15 billion worldwide across 38 films. It took the lead in 2015 at roughly $9.08 billion and has held it since. Before that the crown moved twice: James Bond led from the start of this data until Star Wars overtook it in 2005, and the Wizarding World (Harry Potter) took first place in 2007 at about $4.53 billion.
Each film's lifetime gross is counted in its release year, so late-year releases are credited early. Franchises overlap: Spider-Man, second at about $13.67 billion, includes the four Spider-Man films made inside the MCU. Star Wars stands at about $10.75 billion and the Wizarding World at about $9.66 billion. Avatar has just three films but has grossed about $6.74 billion. All figures are nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
The data
Source: Wikipedia, List of highest-grossing films, 'Highest-grossing franchises and film series' (per-film worldwide grosses, mostly Box Office Mojo); summed cumulatively by film release year. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Each film's lifetime worldwide gross is counted in its release year, so late-year releases that earn most of their money in the next year are credited early. Totals include re-releases per Box Office Mojo. Franchises overlap: Spider-Man includes the four MCU Spider-Man films, and DC Extended Universe and Batman share some films. Only franchises with listed per-film grosses; unadjusted for inflation. 2026 includes films released through Nov 2026 with grosses as of Nov 3 2026.
| Date | Marvel Cinematic Universe | Spider-Man | Star Wars | Wizarding World (Harry Potter) | X-Men | Fast & Furious | James Bond | DC Extended Universe | Batman | Jurassic Park | Avatar | Despicable Me | Middle-earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.4B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1981 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.5B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1982 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.5B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1983 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.9B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1984 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.9B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1985 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1986 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1987 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.2B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1988 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.2B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1989 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.4B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1990 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.4B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1991 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.4B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1992 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.7B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1993 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.7B | $1.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1994 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.4B | $0.0B | $0.7B | $1.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1995 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $0.0B | $1.0B | $1.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1996 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $0.0B | $1.0B | $1.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1997 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.1B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $1.7B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1998 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.8B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.1B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $1.7B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 1999 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.9B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.4B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $1.7B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 2000 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.9B | $0.0B | $0.3B | $0.0B | $3.4B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $1.7B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B |
| 2001 | $0.0B | $0.0B | $2.9B | $1.0B | $0.3B | $0.2B | $3.4B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $0.9B |
| 2002 | $0.0B | $0.8B | $3.5B | $1.9B | $0.3B | $0.2B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $1.9B |
| 2003 | $0.0B | $0.8B | $3.5B | $1.9B | $0.7B | $0.5B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2004 | $0.0B | $1.6B | $3.5B | $2.7B | $0.7B | $0.5B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.3B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2005 | $0.0B | $1.6B | $4.4B | $3.6B | $0.7B | $0.5B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.7B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2006 | $0.0B | $1.6B | $4.4B | $3.6B | $1.2B | $0.6B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.7B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2007 | $0.0B | $2.5B | $4.4B | $4.5B | $1.2B | $0.6B | $3.9B | $0.0B | $1.7B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2008 | $0.9B | $2.5B | $4.5B | $4.5B | $1.2B | $0.6B | $4.5B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $2.0B | $0.0B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2009 | $0.9B | $2.5B | $4.5B | $5.5B | $1.5B | $1.0B | $4.5B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $0.0B | $3.0B |
| 2010 | $1.5B | $2.5B | $4.5B | $6.4B | $1.5B | $1.0B | $4.5B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $0.5B | $3.0B |
| 2011 | $2.3B | $2.5B | $4.5B | $7.8B | $1.9B | $1.6B | $4.5B | $0.0B | $2.7B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $0.5B | $3.0B |
| 2012 | $3.8B | $3.3B | $4.5B | $7.8B | $1.9B | $1.6B | $5.6B | $0.0B | $3.8B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $0.5B | $4.0B |
| 2013 | $5.7B | $3.3B | $4.5B | $7.8B | $2.3B | $2.4B | $5.6B | $0.7B | $3.8B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $1.5B | $5.0B |
| 2014 | $7.2B | $4.0B | $4.5B | $7.8B | $3.1B | $2.4B | $5.6B | $0.7B | $3.8B | $2.0B | $2.9B | $1.5B | $6.0B |
| 2015 | $9.1B | $4.0B | $6.6B | $7.8B | $3.1B | $3.9B | $6.4B | $0.7B | $3.8B | $3.7B | $2.9B | $2.7B | $6.0B |
| 2016 | $10.9B | $4.0B | $7.6B | $8.6B | $4.4B | $3.9B | $6.4B | $2.3B | $4.7B | $3.7B | $2.9B | $2.7B | $6.0B |
| 2017 | $13.5B | $4.9B | $8.9B | $8.6B | $5.0B | $5.1B | $6.4B | $3.8B | $5.0B | $3.7B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $6.0B |
| 2018 | $17.5B | $6.1B | $9.3B | $9.3B | $5.8B | $5.1B | $6.4B | $4.9B | $5.0B | $5.0B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $6.0B |
| 2019 | $22.7B | $7.2B | $10.4B | $9.3B | $6.0B | $5.9B | $6.4B | $5.3B | $6.1B | $5.0B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $6.0B |
| 2020 | $22.7B | $7.2B | $10.4B | $9.3B | $6.1B | $5.9B | $6.4B | $5.7B | $6.1B | $5.0B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $6.0B |
| 2021 | $25.9B | $9.7B | $10.4B | $9.3B | $6.1B | $6.6B | $7.2B | $5.8B | $6.1B | $5.0B | $2.9B | $3.7B | $6.0B |
| 2022 | $28.5B | $9.8B | $10.4B | $9.7B | $6.1B | $6.6B | $7.2B | $6.2B | $6.8B | $6.0B | $5.3B | $4.7B | $6.0B |
| 2023 | $30.0B | $10.5B | $10.4B | $9.7B | $6.1B | $7.3B | $7.2B | $7.2B | $6.8B | $6.0B | $5.3B | $4.7B | $6.0B |
| 2024 | $31.3B | $11.2B | $10.4B | $9.7B | $7.4B | $7.3B | $7.2B | $7.2B | $7.1B | $6.0B | $5.3B | $5.6B | $6.0B |
| 2025 | $32.6B | $11.2B | $10.4B | $9.7B | $7.4B | $7.3B | $7.2B | $7.2B | $7.1B | $6.9B | $6.7B | $5.6B | $6.0B |
| 2026 | $35.2B | $13.7B | $10.8B | $9.7B | $7.4B | $7.3B | $7.2B | $7.2B | $7.1B | $6.9B | $6.7B | $6.2B | $6.0B |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-grossing movie franchise?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the highest-grossing franchise, with about $35.15 billion worldwide across 38 films through 2026. Its Infinity Saga alone reached about $22.7 billion by 2019. Spider-Man is second at about $13.67 billion.
When did the MCU overtake every other franchise?
The MCU took the lead in 2015, when its cumulative gross reached about $9.08 billion, and it has led every year since. Before it, Wizarding World led from 2007, Star Wars from 2005 and James Bond from the start of the data.
Does the franchise ranking include Spider-Man films inside the MCU?
Yes. Spider-Man's roughly $13.67 billion includes the four Spider-Man films made inside the MCU, so some films count toward both franchises. Totals are unadjusted for inflation.
Where does this data come from?
Wikipedia, List of highest-grossing films, 'Highest-grossing franchises and film series' (per-film worldwide grosses, mostly Box Office Mojo); summed cumulatively by film release year. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Each film's lifetime worldwide gross is counted in its release year, so late-year releases that earn most of their money in the next year are credited early. Totals include re-releases per Box Office Mojo. Franchises overlap: Spider-Man includes the four MCU Spider-Man films, and DC Extended Universe and Batman share some films. Only franchises with listed per-film grosses; unadjusted for inflation. 2026 includes films released through Nov 2026 with grosses as of Nov 3 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.
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