The Most Popular Cinematic Universe, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cinematic universe you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:33
Fans often debate the merits of various cinematic universes, each arguing that their favorite should be ranked as the best. These debates are layered with personal experiences and the impact that specific movies have had on individual lives. Having a system to gauge the collective opinion on these universes provides a clearer picture of public preference, setting the stage for more informed discussions.
By participating in voting, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that reflects current popular opinion. This interactive process not only allows everyone's voice to be heard but also continually updates to reflect changes in tastes and new cinematic releases. Enthusiasts can see how their favorites fare against others and potentially discover new stories they might appreciate.
What Is the Most Popular Cinematic Universe?
-
151votes
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Kevin FeigeThe MCU is undoubtedly the most popular cinematic universe, with a massive fan following and a string of box office hits. The interconnected universe features some of the most iconic superhero characters from the Marvel Comics, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, and Black Panther. The franchise has grossed over $22 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a highly popular and expansive franchise of superhero films and television shows based on characters from Marvel Comics. It is a shared universe where multiple films and series are interconnected, allowing for cohesive storytelling and character crossovers. The MCU has gained a massive following worldwide and has become a cultural phenomenon.- First Film Release: Iron Man (2008)
- Number of Films: Over 20 (and counting)
- Total Box Office Revenue: Over $22 billion
- Highest-Grossing Film: Avengers: Endgame
- Longest Film: Avengers: Endgame (181 minutes)
Marvel Cinematic Universe in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful Disney franchise
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular fandom
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular blooket quiz
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular fandom on AO3
-
221votes
DC Extended Universe
Zack SnyderThe DCEU is the second most popular cinematic universe, featuring DC Comics' iconic superheroes like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. While the franchise has had some ups and downs, recent releases like Aquaman and Wonder Woman have been critical and commercial successes.The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is a popular cinematic universe that consists of interconnected superhero films based on characters from DC Comics. It was created to rival Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and kickstarted with the release of the film 'Man of Steel' in 2013. The DCEU aims to establish a shared universe where various DC superheroes coexist, leading to team-up films such as 'Justice League' and individual character-focused movies like 'Wonder Woman' and 'Aquaman'.- First Film Release: Man of Steel (2013)
- Shared Universe Goal: Establishing a cohesive world for DC superheroes
- Key Characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, etc.
- Team-Up Films: Justice League
- Individual Character Films: Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Shazam!, etc.
-
329votes
Star Wars
George LucasThe Star Wars franchise is one of the most iconic and beloved cinematic universes of all time, featuring a vast universe of characters, planets, and stories set in a galaxy far, far away. The franchise has spawned numerous films, TV series, books, comics, and video games, and has a massive fan following around the world.Star Wars is an iconic and highly recognized sci-fi film franchise created by George Lucas. The franchise features a collection of distinctive ringtones that have become popular over the years. These ringtones capture the essence of the Star Wars universe and are loved by fans worldwide.- Title: Star Wars
- Genre: Sci-fi
- Release Year: 1977
- Film Series: Star Wars saga
- Theme Music Composer: John Williams
Star Wars in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful Disney franchise
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful movie trilogy
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular fandom on AO3
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular ringtones of all time
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular PEZ dispenser
-
416votes
Nzgabriel · CC BY 2.5Harry Potter
J.K. RowlingThe Harry Potter cinematic universe, based on J.K. Rowling's bestselling book series, features a magical world of wizards and witches, spells and potions, and fantastic beasts. The franchise includes eight films, spin-off movies, and a stage play, and has a dedicated fan base of Potterheads.Harry Potter is a fantasy book series that follows the journey of a young wizard named Harry Potter as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The books chronicle Harry's battle against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who seeks to become immortal and conquer the wizarding world. The series incorporates elements of magic, friendship, adventure, and coming-of-age themes.- Genre: Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1997-2007
- Number of Books: 7
- Main Protagonist: Harry Potter
- Setting: Wizarding World (primarily in the UK)
Harry Potter in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular main characters
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular entertainment franchise
- Position 4 of 10 in Most attractive Harry Potter character
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular movie character
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular cosplay
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous person from Suffolk
-
516votesThe Transformers cinematic universe is a series of films based on the popular toy line and animated series. The franchise features giant robots that can transform into vehicles and other objects, battling for control of the universe. The films have been commercially successful, grossing over $4 billion worldwide.Transformers is a popular action figure franchise that originated in the 1980s. It features a fictional universe where sentient robots, known as Transformers, can transform from humanoid robots to various vehicles or objects. The franchise encompasses various media including animated TV series, comic books, movies, and toys. The concept of Transformers revolves around the eternal struggle between two factions, the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons.
- First Release Year: 1984
- Number of Generations: 13
- Number of Characters: Over 10,000
- Varying Sizes: From 1 inch to over 2 feet in height
- Toy Materials: Plastic, Die-cast Metal
-
615votesThe Fast and Furious cinematic universe is a series of action films centered around street racing, heists, and high-octane action. The franchise has become increasingly popular over the years, with each film bringing in bigger box office numbers. The series has grossed over $5 billion worldwide.Fast and Furious is a highly successful and action-packed cinematic universe that revolves around the themes of street racing, heists, and espionage. It features a diverse ensemble cast and a mix of thrilling car chases, intense fight sequences, and elaborate stunts.
- Film count: 9
- First film release: The Fast and the Furious (2001)
- Latest film release: F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
- Production companies: Original Film, One Race Films
- Primary filming locations: United States, Japan, United Kingdom
-
711votesThe X-Men cinematic universe is a series of films based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. The franchise focuses on mutants with superhuman abilities who are often persecuted by society. The films have been both critically and commercially successful, and have grossed over $6 billion worldwide.X-Men is a popular cinematic universe that revolves around a fictional team of mutant superheroes in comic books, films, and other media. It explores the ongoing battle between mutants, individuals born with powerful abilities, and humans who fear and seek to control them. The X-Men universe is known for its complex themes of discrimination, social outcasts, and the struggle for acceptance.
- Start Date: 1963
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Film Series: X-Men (2000-2019)
- Number of Films: 13
- Box Office Revenue (Highest Grossing Film): $1.5 billion (X-Men: Days of Future Past)
-
821votesThe MonsterVerse is a cinematic universe featuring giant monsters like Godzilla, King Kong, and other kaiju. The franchise began with 2014's Godzilla and expanded with 2017's Kong: Skull Island and 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The series has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.The MonsterVerse is a popular cinematic universe that features a shared fictional universe of giant monsters, also known as kaiju, in a contemporary setting. It focuses on epic battles and the aftermath of these encounters, showcasing the incredible power and destructive force of these creatures.
- First Film: Godzilla (2014)
- Current Films: Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
- Shared Monsters: Godzilla, King Kong, Mothra, Rodan, Ghidorah
- Monsterverse Timeline: Ongoing, with future films planned
- Box Office Success: Over $1.5 billion worldwide
-
915votes
Self created (screenshot) · Public domainThe Conjuring Universe
James WanThe Conjuring Universe is a series of horror films based on the cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The franchise includes the Conjuring films, Annabelle films, The Nun, and The Curse of La Llorona. The films have been commercially successful, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.The Conjuring Universe is a popular cinematic universe in the horror genre. It is known for its interconnected series of films that revolve around supernatural and paranormal activities. The stories are based on real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.- Genre: Horror
- Creator: James Wan
- Origin: The Conjuring (2013)
- Number of Films: 7 (as of 2021)
- Main Series: The Conjuring (2013), The Conjuring 2 (2016), The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
-
101votesThe Universal Monsters cinematic universe features classic horror characters like Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolf Man. The franchise began with the 1931 film Dracula and expanded with other films featuring these iconic monsters. While the franchise has been dormant for some time, Universal is planning a revival with a new series of interconnected films.The Universal Monsters is a popular cinematic universe that consists of a collection of classic horror film characters produced by Universal Pictures. These films were primarily made between the 1920s and 1950s. The characters in this universe are iconic and have had a significant impact on the horror genre.
- Genre: Horror
- Filming Period: 1920s - 1950s
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Iconic Characters: Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and others
- Classic Films: Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), and more
Missing your favorite cinematic universe?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular cinematic universe
-
Box office successAnalyze the overall box office performance of the movies within the cinematic universe. High-grossing films and a solid financial track record are indicators of a popular and successful cinematic universe.
-
Critical receptionConsider the reviews and feedback from film critics and publications. High scores and positive reviews can contribute to a cinematic universe's popularity and overall appeal.
-
Audience feedbackGauge the response of the audiences by analyzing their ratings and reviews on platforms such as IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Letterboxd, as well as social media buzz and engagement.
-
Number of filmsA larger number of films within a cinematic universe may suggest greater popularity and staying power, as it demonstrates an ongoing investment from production companies and an established fanbase.
-
Cultural impactDetermine the extent to which the cinematic universe has influenced popular culture, including references in other forms of media, such as television, music, and literature, as well as merchandise and fan events.
-
Awards and accoladesTake into account any prestigious awards and recognition the films within the cinematic universe have received, such as Oscars or Golden Globes, which can contribute to its overall popularity and prestige.
-
Consistency in qualityAssess whether the films within the cinematic universe maintain a consistent level of quality in terms of storytelling, production values, and acting talent, which can lead to a stronger fan following and better overall reception.
-
Cross-platform presenceEvaluate the cinematic universe's presence in other forms of entertainment, such as TV series, comics, novels, and video games, which can provide additional content and boost its popularity among fans.
-
Star powerFactor in the presence of well-known actors, directors, and other creative talents associated with the cinematic universe, as their popularity can positively influence the cinematic universe's popularity.
-
LongevityConsider the staying power of the cinematic universe and how long it has been able to maintain its popularity and cultural relevance. A long-lasting cinematic universe can be seen as more popular and influential.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cinematic universe. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cinematic universe is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3006 views
- 154 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cinematic universe once every 24 hours. The rank of each cinematic universe is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular cinematic universe
Cinematic universes have become a phenomenon in the film industry, with multiple franchises creating interconnected storylines across numerous movies. The concept of a cinematic universe was popularized by Marvel Studios, which has created the highly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, other studios have jumped on the bandwagon and created their own cinematic universes, such as Warner Bros. with the DC Extended Universe and Universal Pictures with the Dark Universe. With so many cinematic universes to choose from, it's natural to wonder which one is the most popular among audiences. Let's take a closer look at the contenders and see who comes out on top.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
