The Most Successful Piece of Entertainment, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the piece you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 6, 2024 06:58

Choosing the right entertainment can often feel overwhelming due to the sheer amount of choices available. By providing a community-driven ranking, everyone can see which options have resonated the most with the widest range of viewers or listeners. This ranking helps to streamline the selection process and ensures people can find high-quality entertainment more easily. On this site, your opinions directly influence the live rankings. By casting your vote, you contribute not only to an aggregated community perspective but also guide others to make informed choices. The votes are tallied continuously to keep the rankings reflective of current trends and preferences.

What Is the Most Successful Piece of Entertainment?

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50
votes
HARRY NGUYEN · CC BY 2.0

Avatar (2009)

James Cameron

This science fiction epic film by James Cameron is the highest-grossing movie of all time, earning over $2.7 billion worldwide. It was a groundbreaking film that introduced 3D technology and set a new standard for visual effects in filmmaking.
Avatar (2009) is a science fiction film set in the mid-22nd century on the moon Pandora, featuring a blend of live-action and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The movie follows the story of a paralyzed former Marine named Jake Sully, who is sent on a mission to Pandora to infiltrate the indigenous Na'vi race using an avatar, a genetically engineered hybrid body. As Jake explores the beautiful and dangerous world of Pandora, he becomes deeply connected with the Na'vi and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, love, and conflict.

Release Date: December 18, 2009

Director: James Cameron

Genre: Science fiction, Action, Adventure

Runtime: 162 minutes

Budget: $237 million
Avatar (2009) in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Hollywood movie
2

25
votes
Minecraft (2011)

This video game created by Markus Persson is one of the most successful and best-selling games of all time, with over 200 million copies sold across all platforms. It has spawned a massive following and community of players, as well as merchandise, books, and even a movie adaptation.
Minecraft (2011) is a sandbox video game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made up of blocks. It offers a truly open-ended gameplay experience where players can mine resources, craft items and structures, and embark on adventures in procedurally generated landscapes.

Genre: Sandbox, survival, adventure

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: November 18, 2011

Modes: Single-player, multiplayer

Graphics: Pixelated, blocky visuals
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27
votes
Bo Trenter · Public domain

The Beatles

This legendary rock band from Liverpool, England is one of the most successful and influential musical acts of all time, with over 600 million records sold worldwide. Their music and cultural impact continue to resonate today, decades after their breakup.
The Beatles were a highly influential British rock band that emerged in the early 1960s. They are regarded as one of the most popular and successful bands in the history of music.

Years Active: 1960-1970

Genre: Rock, Pop, Psychedelic, Folk

Albums Released: 13 Studio Albums

Record Sales: Over 600 million worldwide

Number One Hits: 20 in the United States
The Beatles in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful American band
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular music bands
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful boy band of all time
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Pandora station
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Wikipedia article
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Brit
4

21
votes
Nzgabriel · CC BY 2.5

Harry Potter (1997-2007)

J.K. Rowling

This book series by J.K. Rowling has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and spawned a massive film franchise, theme parks, and merchandise. It has become a cultural phenomenon and beloved by millions of fans around the world.
Harry Potter (1997-2007) is a popular fantasy book series written by J.K. Rowling. It follows the journey of a young wizard named Harry Potter who discovers his magical abilities and attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series encompasses seven books, which have been adapted into successful films and spin-off merchandise. It explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the battle between good and evil in the wizarding world.

Publication Years: 1997-2007

Genre: Fantasy

Number of Books: 7

Film Adaptations: 8

Main Protagonist: Harry Potter
5

9
votes
The Lion King (1994)

This animated musical film by Disney is one of the most successful and beloved movies of all time, earning over $1 billion worldwide. It has been adapted into a successful Broadway musical, as well as numerous spin-offs, sequels, and merchandise.
The Lion King (1994) is a beautiful animated film that tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who must navigate the challenges of becoming king and reclaiming his rightful place in the Pride Lands. With a captivating storyline and stunning animation, this film has become a classic in the world of animation.

Release Date: June 15, 1994

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family

Runtime: 88 minutes

Animation Style: Hand-drawn animation with computer-generated imagery (CGI) elements

Music: Composed by Hans Zimmer, with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice
The Lion King (1994) in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most emotional Disney movie
- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful animated movie of all time
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful animated film
- Position 10 of 10 in Most emotional movie
6

6
votes
Mirko Toller · CC BY 2.0

Star Wars (1977-2019)

George Lucas

This science fiction film franchise created by George Lucas has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful and influential franchises of all time, with over $10 billion in revenue. It has spawned numerous films, TV shows, books, and merchandise, and has a massive fan following around the world.
Star Wars (1977-2019) is a highly successful and influential science fiction franchise that spans movies, TV shows, books, and other media. Created by George Lucas, it has become a cultural phenomenon and has a large, dedicated fanbase across the globe.

Franchise inception: 1977

Genre: Science fiction

Movies released: 9 episodic films

Total box office revenue: $10+ billion

Main characters: Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo
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6
votes
Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland · CC BY 2.0

The Simpsons (1989-present)

Matt Groening

This animated sitcom created by Matt Groening is the longest-running American primetime television series and has become a cultural icon. It has spawned countless merchandise, theme park attractions, and cultural references, and has won numerous awards over the years.
The Simpsons (1989-present) is an animated sitcom that follows the lives of the Simpson family, consisting of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, as they navigate through the ups and downs of life in the fictional town of Springfield. Known for its wit, satire, and cultural references, the show has become one of the most successful and iconic pieces of entertainment in television history.

Genre: Animated sitcom

Running time: Approximately 22 minutes per episode

Number of seasons: 32 (as of 2021)

Number of episodes: 706 (as of 2021)

Broadcast network: FOX
The Simpsons (1989-present) in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful spin-off TV show
8

5
votes
Call of Duty (2003-present)

Infinity Ward

This video game franchise developed by Activision is one of the most successful and best-selling game series of all time, with over 300 million copies sold. It has become a cultural phenomenon and has a massive following of players around the world.
Call of Duty (2003-present) is a first-person shooter video game franchise that focuses on various historical and fictional war scenarios. It is highly acclaimed for its intense gameplay, realistic graphics, and engaging multiplayer modes.

Genre: First-person shooter

Initial Release Date: October 29, 2003

Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo

Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer, cooperative

Number of Installments: 17 (as of 2021)
9

10
votes
Zanastardust · CC BY 2.0

The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955)

J.R.R. Tolkien

This book series by J.R.R. Tolkien has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and has become a cultural phenomenon. It has been adapted into a successful film trilogy, as well as numerous spin-offs, merchandise, and cultural references.
The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) is a high fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is a three-volume epic that follows the journey of a hobbit named Frodo Baggins as he embarks on a perilous quest to destroy a powerful ring and save Middle-earth from the dark lord Sauron.

Genre: High Fantasy

Publication Dates: 1954-1955

Number of Books: 3

Main Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Samwise Gamgee, Merry, Pippin

Setting: Middle-earth
10

5
votes
Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982)

John Landis

This album by Michael Jackson is the best-selling album of all time, with over 110 million copies sold worldwide. It has become a cultural icon and one of the most successful and influential albums in music history.
Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) is a groundbreaking music video that revolutionized the music industry and became a cultural phenomenon. It was directed by John Landis and featured Michael Jackson as the lead performer. The video tells a horror-themed story and incorporates dance, visual effects, and a compelling narrative. Thriller is widely regarded as one of the greatest music videos of all time and has had a significant impact on popular culture.

Release Date: December 2, 1983

Duration: 13 minutes and 42 seconds

Genre: Music video, Horror

Budget: $500,000

Record Label: Epic

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Ranking factors for successful piece

Critical and audience reception

The reception a piece of entertainment receives from both critics and audiences is also an important factor. For example, a TV show with a high rating on review sites like Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb is likely to be considered more successful than one with lower ratings.
Cultural impact

A piece of entertainment that has a lasting impact on popular culture, and inspires a loyal fan base, may also be considered more successful.
Awards and nominations

Awards such as the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys provide a good indication of how highly regarded a piece of entertainment is by industry professionals and the wider public.
Merchandising and spin-offs

The amount of money generated from merchandise and spin-offs can also be taken into consideration when determining the success of a piece of entertainment. For example, the Star Wars franchise has generated billions of dollars through merchandise sales and spin-off movies.

About this ranking

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

Statistics

1548 views
161 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most successful piece of entertainment

When it comes to entertainment, there are countless options available for people to enjoy. From movies to TV shows, video games to music, the possibilities are endless. However, some pieces of entertainment have managed to achieve a level of success that sets them apart from the rest. Determining the most successful piece of entertainment is no easy feat, as success can be measured in a variety of ways. Box office revenue, critical acclaim, and cultural impact are just a few factors that come into play. Some of the most successful pieces of entertainment in recent history include the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Harry Potter franchise, and the video game phenomenon that is Fortnite. But success isn't just about numbers and awards. It's also about how a piece of entertainment resonates with its audience. Many people have a personal connection to certain movies, TV shows, or songs that they consider to be the most successful. So while there may not be a definitive answer to what is the most successful piece of entertainment, the debate is sure to continue for years to come.