Franchises That Have Consistently Made $1 Billion
Exploring the box office successes of three franchises that have consistently achieved $1 billion in revenue for their movies.
Introduction
The $1 billion mark is a significant milestone for films' box office performances, and achieving this feat is no easy task. Only three trilogies and franchises have managed to have every installment reach 10 digits in revenue. In fact, out of the countless movies released, only 53 have ever crossed the $1 billion mark, making it an exclusive accomplishment for any movie. Breaking into this elite list requires a precise formula for success, which involves creating a cultural event around the movie's release and appealing to the widest audience possible.
T-Rex with Its Mouth Open in Jurassic World Chaos Theory
Moreover, making a $1 billion movie typically entails producing family-friendly films, as evidenced by the fact that only one R-rated movie, Joker, has ever surpassed this threshold at the box office. The highest-earning franchises of all time have achieved huge cultural significance, and the hype around their releases became a social necessity to be in on the conversation. This unique blend of appealing to a wide audience while telling a compelling story is what sets these franchises apart.
Force Awakens, Last Jedi, and Rise of Skywalker Sequel Trilogy Poster
Jurassic World Trilogy
The Jurassic World trilogy has been a remarkable success story, grossing a staggering $3,983,981,820 in total. The first installment, Jurassic World, featured a star-studded cast, with Chris Pratt at the height of his fame and fresh off his Guardians of the Galaxy success. It capitalized on the nostalgia from the beloved Jurassic Park and the allure of dinosaurs, drawing in audiences of all ages.
Jurassic World Indominus Rex Escape
While the trilogy started off strong with Jurassic World earning over $1.6 billion, each subsequent film became less profitable. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom earned $1.3 billion, and Jurassic World: Dominion finished the trilogy with just over $1 billion. However, the trilogy suffered from weaker characters and stories than its source material, and the appeal of new dinosaurs only lasted so long.
Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World Dominion
Star Wars Sequel Trilogy
Star Wars, with a total revenue of $4,482,740,296, has also been a prominent contender in the billion-dollar club. The franchise, which began in 1977, built a following of devoted fans and made a triumphant return to the big screen in 2015. The sequel trilogy benefited from nostalgia and introduced a universal story of light versus dark, bolstered by prominent cameos from the original trilogy's main cast.
The Avengers in Endgame poster
However, the trilogy experienced a decline in box office performance as it progressed. Star Wars: Episode VII -The Force Awakens earned over $2 billion, while Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker finished with just over $1 billion. This decline was partly attributed to directorial vision and the overreliance on nostalgia, which began to work against the films in the long run.
Avengers Franchise
The Avengers franchise stands out as the top-earning franchise, with a total revenue of $7,777,410,723. Unlike the other franchises, the Avengers movies largely built their success without the aid of nostalgia. Marvel characters had limited exposure before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and their movies were relatively underwhelming. However, the franchise capitalized on the anticipation surrounding crossover events, fueling its box office success.
The franchise's box office performance improved over time, with Avengers: Endgame becoming the highest-grossing movie with almost $2.8 billion. It strategically used the success of its preceding movies, and the inclusion of numerous characters contributed to its unparalleled success. The Avengers franchise has set a high bar for box office success, showcasing the precision required to maintain revenue success over a series of movies.
