StrawPoll

The Most Popular Entertainment Franchise, Ranked

Choose the entertainment franchise you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:36
Deciding which entertainment franchise to invest time in can often be overwhelming, given the sheer number of options available. By ranking these franchises according to popular opinion, it becomes much easier for individuals to find content that resonates widely. This method not only helps fans identify popular trends but also assists new audiences in discovering which series might suit their tastes. Every vote on this site contributes to the live updating of our rankings, ensuring that they reflect current fan preferences as accurately as possible. By participating, users have a direct impact on the visibility and recognition of their favorite franchises. This interactive approach encourages a community-driven exploration of entertainment, where the collective input of enthusiasts shapes the landscape of our lists.

What Is the Most Popular Entertainment Franchise?

  1. 1
    48
    votes

    Marvel Cinematic Universe

    Kevin Feige
    With 23 movies and counting, the MCU has become a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $22 billion worldwide. It has a massive fan base and has brought comic book characters to the mainstream.
    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
  3. 2
    28
    votes
    Star Wars
    Mirko Toller · CC BY 2.0

    Star Wars

    George Lucas
    The Star Wars franchise is one of the most iconic and recognizable entertainment franchises of all time. It has a huge fan base and has spawned numerous movies, TV shows, books, and merchandise.
    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
  4. 3
    26
    votes
    Harry Potter
    Nzgabriel · CC BY 2.5

    Harry Potter

    J.K. Rowling
    The Harry Potter franchise has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world. It has spawned numerous movies, books, theme parks, and merchandise.
    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
  5. 4
    18
    votes
    The Simpsons
    Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland · CC BY 2.0

    The Simpsons

    Matt Groening
    The Simpsons is the longest-running animated series in television history. It has been on the air for over 30 years and has become a cultural icon.
    The Simpsons is a popular animated television show that revolves around the lives of the Simpson family, consisting of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, living in the fictional town of Springfield. The show is known for its satire, humor, and portrayal of American culture. It often tackles various social and political issues in a lighthearted manner, making it a favorite among viewers of all ages.
    • First Episode Air Date: December 17, 1989
    • Genre: Animated sitcom
    • Number of Seasons: 32 (as of 2021)
    • Number of Episodes: 703 (as of 2021)
    • Average Episode Length: Approximately 22 minutes
    The Simpsons in other rankings
  6. 5
    20
    votes

    Pokémon

    Pokémon is a Japanese franchise that has become a global phenomenon. It includes video games, trading cards, anime, movies, and merchandise.
    Pokémon is a popular anime series that follows the adventures of a young trainer named Ash Ketchum and his loyal Pokémon companion, Pikachu. The series is set in a world where humans catch and train creatures called Pokémon to battle each other. Ash aspires to become a Pokémon Master by capturing and training different Pokémon species, battling Gym Leaders, and competing in various Pokémon leagues and tournaments. The series is known for its captivating storylines, memorable characters, and the underlying theme of friendship and determination.
    • Genre: Adventure, fantasy, action
    • First aired: April 1, 1997
    • Original network: TV Tokyo
    • Number of seasons: 23
    • Number of episodes: 1,135 (as of September 2021)
  7. 6
    8
    votes
    The Lord of the Rings
    Zanastardust · CC BY 2.0

    The Lord of the Rings

    J.R.R. Tolkien
    The Lord of the Rings is a classic fantasy story that has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world. It has spawned numerous movies, books, and merchandise.
    The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It follows the quest of a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins who is tasked with destroying a powerful ring. Along his journey, he is accompanied by a fellowship of diverse characters, including elves, dwarves, men, and other hobbits, who strive to protect him and defeat the dark forces. The story takes place in the fictional world of Middle-earth and delves into themes of heroism, friendship, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil.
    • Publication Year: 1954-1955
    • Genre: High fantasy
    • Number of Volumes: 3
    • Number of Chapters: 62
    • Total Word Count: 455,125
    The Lord of the Rings in other rankings
  8. 7
    7
    votes
    James Bond
    Rameshng · CC BY-SA 3.0

    James Bond

    Ian Fleming
    The James Bond franchise is one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. It has been around for over 50 years and has grossed over $7 billion worldwide.
    James Bond is a widely popular entertainment franchise centered around a fictional British secret agent known as James Bond, also known by his codename 007. The franchise primarily consists of spy novels written by Ian Fleming and a series of films based on these novels. James Bond is known for his charm, sophistication, and wit, as well as his action-packed missions.
    • First novel: Casino Royale (1953)
    • First film: Dr. No (1962)
    • Number of novels: 14 by Ian Fleming
    • Number of films: 26 official films
    • Longest-running Bond actor: Daniel Craig
    James Bond in other rankings
  9. 8
    6
    votes
    Doctor Who
    pepperpot · Public domain

    Doctor Who

    Doctor Who is a British science fiction series that has been on the air since 1963. It has a massive fan base and has spawned numerous spin-offs, books, and merchandise.
    Doctor Who is a long-running British science fiction television series that follows the adventures of a time-traveling alien called The Doctor, who explores the universe in a spaceship called the TARDIS. With the ability to regenerate and change appearance, The Doctor interacts with various companions and takes on different forms to battle enemies and save civilizations across time and space.
    • First Aired: November 23, 1963
    • Genre: Science fiction
    • Number of Seasons: 13
    • Number of Episodes: 820+
    • Average Episode Length: 45 minutes
    Doctor Who in other rankings
  10. 9
    9
    votes

    Disney

    Disney is a company that has produced some of the most iconic and beloved entertainment franchises of all time. From Mickey Mouse to Star Wars, Disney has something for everyone.
    Disney is a popular quiz on Blooket that tests players' knowledge about Disney movies, characters, and theme parks. It covers a wide range of topics related to Disney and provides an entertaining way to explore the magical world of Disney.
    • Quiz Type: Multiple Choice
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Number of Questions: Varies (usually around 20-30)
    • Question Format: Text-based
    • Quiz Topics: Disney movies, characters, theme parks
  11. 10
    3
    votes
    DC Comics
    Warner Bros. Discovery - Pentagram · Public domain

    DC Comics

    Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
    DC Comics is a company that has produced some of the most iconic comic book characters of all time, including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. It has spawned numerous movies, TV shows, and merchandise.
    DC Comics is one of the most popular comic book companies in the world, known for its iconic characters and compelling stories. With a rich history spanning several decades, DC Comics has created many beloved superheroes and supervillains. It has a diverse range of comics, graphic novels, and related media, appealing to audiences of all ages and interests.
    • Founded: 1934
    • Headquarters: Burbank, California, United States
    • Parent Company: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    • Notable Characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman
    • Popular Teams: Justice League, Teen Titans
    DC Comics in other rankings

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Ranking factors for popular entertainment franchise

  1. Financial success
    This includes earnings from various sources such as box-office revenue, merchandise sales, licensing deals, video game sales, and other related products.
  2. Longevity
    The duration of the franchise and its ability to maintain popularity over a significant period.
  3. Global presence
    The extent of the franchise's appeal and recognition across different countries and cultures.
  4. Impact on popular culture
    The influence of the franchise on media, fashion, music, language, and other aspects of popular culture.
  5. Media platforms
    The diversity of media platforms through which the franchise reaches its audience, including movies, television, books, comics, video games, and the internet.
  6. Critical acclaim and awards
    The recognition and praise that the franchise has received from critics and professionals. Awards such as Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Globes can be used as metrics for measuring critical success.
  7. Fan base
    The size, dedication, and enthusiasm of the franchise's fan community.
  8. Innovation and originality
    The extent to which the franchise has introduced new characters, storylines, and ideas to the entertainment industry.
  9. Spin-offs and adaptations
    The number of successful spin-offs, adaptations, and expansions that have resulted from the original franchise, showing its potential for growth and development.
  10. Social media and online presence
    The visibility and engagement of the franchise on social media platforms, as well as its ability to generate discussion, shareability and search traffic.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular entertainment franchise. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Franchise is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2139 views
  • 170 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Franchise once every 24 hours. The rank of each Franchise is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular entertainment franchise

Entertainment franchises have become a cornerstone of modern popular culture, particularly in the age of the internet. With so many options available, fans of movies, TV shows, video games, and other forms of entertainment have a seemingly endless array of franchises to choose from. From timeless classics like Star Wars and Harry Potter to more recent hits like Marvel Cinematic Universe and Game of Thrones, the most popular entertainment franchises have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of fans around the world. So, which entertainment franchise reigns supreme? Let's take a closer look at the contenders and see who comes out on top.

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