Top 10 Movie Franchises with the Highest Total Box Office Earnings in 2017
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The 10 best movie franchises with the highest total box office earnings are ranked below on measured performance, build quality, price, and how each one actually holds up in daily use rather than how it reads on a spec sheet. Each pick lists what it costs, who it suits, and what it gives up against the one above it, so the list can be read straight down without doubling back.
1Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe ranks first because its cumulative global box office through 2017 exceeded $13.5 billion across 17 interconnected films. Its 2017 slate alone delivered over $2.6 billion from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 at $863 million, Spider-Man: Homecoming at $880 million, and Thor: Ragnarok at $854 million. No other franchise matched its roughly $800 million per-film average at that scale.
It is built for mainstream audiences who want serialized superhero spectacle with humor and family-friendly action. The trade-off is that standalone narrative closure gives way to shared-universe continuity, and newcomers face a 17-film entry barrier. Against Star Wars directly below, it releases far more often but lacks the singular nostalgic saga pull of a 40-year legacy brand.
2Star Wars Franchise
Star Wars ranks second with roughly $9.3 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017, anchored by seven episodic films plus spinoffs. The Last Jedi grossed $1.333 billion in 2017, while Rogue One added $1.056 billion in 2016. Its per-film average above $1.1 billion is the highest of any franchise on this list, powered by four decades of built-in demand.
It targets nostalgic older fans and new younger viewers, trading the MCU's release volume for event-level scarcity. Each film becomes a cultural phenomenon with longer theatrical runs, but divisive fan reactions to newer entries create volatility. Compared with Harry Potter below, it offers fewer, larger releases rather than a cohesive decade-long single narrative arc.
3Harry Potter Franchise
Harry Potter ranks third with about $9.2 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017, spanning eight core films plus the Fantastic Beasts spinoff. Deathly Hallows Part 2 earned $1.342 billion, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them added $814 million. Its roughly $1.15 billion per-film average across core entries reflects a decade of loyal book-reader adaptation.
It suits families and young adults who grew up with the novels, trading gritty realism for whimsical fantasy. Compared with Star Wars above, it delivers a more cohesive single narrative arc but lacks sci-fi universality and event scarcity. Releases depend heavily on nostalgia and holiday windows, making its cadence slower than the MCU's year-round output.
4James Bond Franchise
James Bond ranks fourth with approximately $7.1 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across 24 official Eon Productions films. Skyfall reached $1.1 billion in 2012, the franchise high, while Spectre grossed $880 million in 2015. Its $296 million per-film average reflects steady profitability over 55 years, with no new 2017 release still keeping the brand relevant.
It targets adult action-thriller audiences seeking sophistication and practical stunts, trading superhero spectacle for espionage realism. Compared with Harry Potter above, it has lower per-film peaks but far greater longevity and consistent release cadence. International markets, especially the UK and Asia, drive its grosses, though it lacks the family demographic that fuels the franchises above it.
5X-Men Franchise
X-Men ranks fifth with roughly $6.0 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across 10 films released from 2000 to 2017. Logan grossed $619 million in 2017, while Days of Future Past earned $747 million in 2014. Its $600 million per-film average comes from strong ensemble casting and thematic depth, pioneering the modern superhero era before the MCU.
It appeals to mature comic fans drawn to allegorical social themes, trading the MCU's interconnectedness for standalone character studies. Compared with James Bond above, it offers heavier visual effects and younger demographics but suffers inconsistent quality across entries. Box office leans heavily on Wolverine's popularity, and its future under Disney ownership remains uncertain despite top-five earnings.
6Fast & Furious Franchise
Fast & Furious ranks sixth with approximately $5.1 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across eight mainline films plus a spinoff. The Fate of the Furious grossed $1.236 billion in 2017, the franchise's highest single-film total. Its $640 million per-film average has grown steadily since 2001 as the series shifted from street racing to heist blockbusters.
It targets action enthusiasts and international viewers, trading critical acclaim for pure spectacle and escalating stunts. Compared with X-Men above, it has higher recent box office but less cultural prestige and character depth. China alone contributed $392 million to Fate, making global appeal its core strength, while plot coherence is routinely sacrificed for set pieces.
7Transformers Franchise
Transformers ranks seventh with roughly $4.8 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across five live-action films. The Last Knight grossed $605 million in 2017, a sharp drop from Age of Extinction's $1.1 billion in 2014. Its $960 million per-film average is high, but declining returns signal clear franchise fatigue.
It appeals to younger male audiences and fans of explosive visual effects, trading narrative depth for robot action. Compared with Fast & Furious above, it has higher per-film averages but a steeper decline in quality and audience satisfaction. China contributes over 30% of recent grosses, and the series remains a summer tentpole despite its 2017 underperformance.
8Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
Pirates of the Caribbean ranks eighth with approximately $4.5 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across five films. Dead Men Tell No Tales grossed $794 million in 2017, while On Stranger Tides earned $1.045 billion in 2011. Its $900 million per-film average is strong, driven largely by Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow character.
It targets family audiences and adventure seekers, trading historical accuracy for swashbuckling supernatural fantasy. Compared with Transformers above, it has more consistent critical reception and character charm but lower international growth. Box office depends heavily on Depp's star power, which has waned, leaving the franchise's future uncertain despite its unique non-serialized escapist appeal.
9Jurassic Park Franchise
Jurassic Park ranks ninth with roughly $4.0 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across five films. Jurassic World grossed $1.671 billion in 2015, the franchise high, while the original 1993 film earned $1.029 billion and set a visual-effects benchmark. Its $800 million per-film average reflects enduring dinosaur appeal across generations.
It appeals to broad family audiences and nostalgia-driven adults, trading scientific realism for thrilling spectacle. Compared with Pirates above, it has higher per-film peaks but fewer entries and longer gaps between releases. No 2017 release kept it lower on this list, though the upcoming Fallen Kingdom promised a resurgence driven by universal dinosaur fascination.
10DC Extended Universe
The DC Extended Universe ranks tenth with approximately $3.7 billion cumulative worldwide through 2017 across four films. Wonder Woman grossed $821 million in 2017, while Justice League earned $657 million and underperformed expectations. Batman v Superman brought in $873 million in 2016, giving the franchise a $925 million per-film average despite inconsistent quality.
It targets comic book fans and darker-action audiences, trading the MCU's humor for grim seriousness. Compared with Jurassic Park above, it has a higher per-film average but a shorter track record and more divisive fan reactions. Wonder Woman showed real potential, but Justice League's failure highlights franchise mismanagement that its iconic Batman and Superman characters have not fully offset.
How we ranked these
This ranking measures cumulative worldwide theatrical box office gross for each film franchise through the end of 2017, summing every qualifying release in the series. Weighting is purely by total revenue, with no adjustment for inflation, ticket-price changes, or the number of films each franchise released. Figures were compiled from industry-standard tracking sources so every entry uses the same methodology and cutoff date.
Deliberately ignored were production budgets, marketing spend, and net profitability, since the ranking targets gross earning power rather than returns. Re-releases and special editions were excluded unless part of the original theatrical run. Inflation adjustment was also skipped, which favors newer franchises with higher ticket prices and premium-format surcharges.
Related questions
What is the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time?
As of 2017, the Marvel Cinematic Universe held the top spot with over $13.5 billion worldwide across 17 films. Its consistent annual output and interconnected storytelling made it dominant, surpassing older franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter. No other series matched its roughly $800 million per-film average that year.
How does inflation affect box office rankings?
Inflation skews rankings because older films sold tickets at much lower prices. Gone with the Wind would top adjusted lists, but unadjusted it falls behind modern blockbusters. This ranking uses nominal grosses, so newer franchises benefit from higher ticket prices and 3D and IMAX surcharges.
Which franchise has the highest average gross per film?
Star Wars has the highest per-film average among the top franchises, exceeding $1.1 billion thanks to the sequel trilogy and spinoffs. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's average is also strong at roughly $800 million. Harry Potter's core entries average over $1 billion, but its eight-film run dilutes the figure.
Are there franchises that made more money than these in 2017?
No, this list represents the top 10 franchises by cumulative box office through 2017, so no other series had higher total earnings. Individual films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens grossed more than many entire franchises, but a single film is not a franchise.
What is the difference between a franchise and a film series?
A franchise typically includes multiple films plus merchandise, spinoffs, and expanded-universe content, while a film series is just a sequence of movies. Star Wars is a franchise with TV shows and spinoffs, whereas a trilogy like The Godfather is often treated as a series with franchise elements.
How do re-releases affect box office totals?
Re-releases can add to a franchise's total, as seen with Star Wars special editions and The Lion King 3D. This ranking excludes re-releases unless they were part of the original theatrical run, which means some older franchises may be slightly undercounted compared to their full lifetime grosses.
Which franchise has the most films in the top 10?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe had 17 films by 2017, and several rank among the highest-grossing films of all time. Harry Potter has multiple entries but fewer in the all-time top 10. Star Wars has three films in the top 10, including The Force Awakens.
What is the lowest-grossing film in the top 10 franchises?
For the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredible Hulk (2008) grossed around $263 million, the lowest in the franchise. Within the main Harry Potter series, Prisoner of Azkaban grossed roughly $796 million. These low points still outperform most standalone films.
FAQ
What is the total box office for the top 10 franchises?
The combined total for the top 10 franchises through 2017 exceeded $80 billion. The Marvel Cinematic Universe led with $13.5 billion, followed by Star Wars and Harry Potter. These figures are cumulative worldwide grosses, not adjusted for inflation or ticket-price changes over time.
How many films are in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
By 2017, the MCU had 17 films, from Iron Man (2008) to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). This extensive output contributed to its record-breaking total, averaging about $800 million per film. The shared-universe format kept audiences returning for each new installment.
Which franchise has the highest single film gross?
Among the top 10, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) grossed $2.07 billion, the highest for any single film in these franchises. It was also the highest-grossing film of all time until Avengers: Endgame (2019) surpassed it. That peak lifted Star Wars' overall average.
Are James Bond films included in the ranking?
Yes, James Bond ranks fourth with 24 films through 2017 and a cumulative gross near $7.1 billion. Its per-film average is lower than newer franchises because many older releases sold tickets at much lower prices. International markets, especially the UK, drive its totals.
What is the oldest franchise on the list?
James Bond is the oldest, starting with Dr. No in 1962. Star Wars began in 1977, and Star Trek in 1979. These long-running franchises accumulated grosses over decades, but their totals are affected by inflation and changing ticket prices.
How does the ranking handle spin-offs?
Spin-offs are included if they belong to the same franchise universe. Fantastic Beasts counts toward Harry Potter, and Rogue One counts toward Star Wars. This can inflate totals but reflects the franchise's overall brand reach and audience loyalty.
What is the average gross per film for each franchise?
The MCU averages about $800 million per film, Star Wars about $1.1 billion across nine films, and Harry Potter roughly $1 billion. James Bond averages around $300 million due to older releases. These averages reveal efficiency and audience engagement better than raw totals.
Why is the ranking based on 2017 data?
The ranking is specifically for 2017, as requested, providing a snapshot of the industry at that time. Later releases like Avengers: Infinity War and The Rise of Skywalker changed the totals. It serves as a historical reference point for franchise performance.
Which franchise has the most consistent earnings?
The MCU is known for consistency, with most films grossing between $600 million and $1.5 billion. Star Wars shows huge peaks and valleys, with prequels earning less than sequels. Harry Potter had steady earnings but a slight decline after the first films.
Are there any franchises that missed the top 10?
Yes, franchises like The Fast and the Furious and Transformers were close but did not make the top 10 in 2017. Their totals were around $5 billion to $6 billion, less than the tenth-place franchise. Later releases pushed some of them higher.
Sources
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/
- https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchises/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/317408/highest-grossing-film-franchises/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/12/29/box-office-2017-marvel-star-wars-and-the-year-in-movies/
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