Nintendo has long been a powerhouse in the worlds of gaming and entertainment, with its iconic characters leaving an indelible mark on pop culture.
A recently updated infographic from The Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki sheds light on the staggering commercial success of media franchises worldwide, highlighting just how significant Nintendo's contributions are in this arena.
According to the latest data, Pokémon holds the top spot as the highest-grossing media franchise in history, while Super Mario, another enduring Nintendo creation, secures a prestigious sixth place among global entertainment giants. The infographic, based on thoroughly compiled sales and licensing figures, places Pokémon ahead of other legendary brands such as Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, and Hello Kitty.
Since its debut in 1996, Pokémon has generated an estimated $146 billion in total revenue through a combination of video games, trading cards, merchandise, television, and movies.
Its latest mainline games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, reinforced the franchise's commercial dominance by selling over 20 million copies worldwide on the Nintendo Switch within just a few months after their 2022 release.
The enduring appeal of Pokémon across multiple generations and platforms has not only solidified its cultural impact but also driven its sustained financial success. Super Mario, Nintendo's beloved plumber, claimed the number six spot overall.
With a franchise that began in 1985 and includes landmark titles like Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart, and Super Mario Odyssey, Mario has achieved over 830 million units in video game sales globally as of 2023.
The franchise extends across the Nintendo Switch, 3DS, and virtually all Nintendo hardware since its inception, and its brand recognition has grown even further thanks to successful ventures into animated films and merchandise. The current list of highest-grossing media franchises, according to The Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki, is as follows: 1.
Pokémon 2.
Hello Kitty 3.
Winnie the Pooh 4.
Mickey Mouse 5.
Star Wars 6.
Mario 7.
Anpanman 8.
Disney Princess 9.
Marvel 10.
Jump Comics (Shonen Jump) 11.
Wizarding World (Harry Potter) 12.
Dragon Ball A representative summary from the infographic notes: “Among top-earning franchises, Pokémon continues to lead globally, with Mario representing Nintendo’s sustained success and ongoing legacy in the entertainment industry.” These rankings reaffirm Nintendo’s enduring influence in the global media landscape.
With Pokémon and Mario’s omnipresence on the Nintendo Switch, eShop, and beyond—not to mention their cross-media successes including films, TV, and merchandise—Nintendo continues to set benchmarks for multimedia franchise achievement.
As the gaming industry evolves, these flagship franchises remain at the forefront, demonstrating the power of innovative game development and brand longevity.
A recently updated infographic from The Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki sheds light on the staggering commercial success of media franchises worldwide, highlighting just how significant Nintendo's contributions are in this arena.
According to the latest data, Pokémon holds the top spot as the highest-grossing media franchise in history, while Super Mario, another enduring Nintendo creation, secures a prestigious sixth place among global entertainment giants. The infographic, based on thoroughly compiled sales and licensing figures, places Pokémon ahead of other legendary brands such as Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, and Hello Kitty.
Since its debut in 1996, Pokémon has generated an estimated $146 billion in total revenue through a combination of video games, trading cards, merchandise, television, and movies.
Its latest mainline games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, reinforced the franchise's commercial dominance by selling over 20 million copies worldwide on the Nintendo Switch within just a few months after their 2022 release.
The enduring appeal of Pokémon across multiple generations and platforms has not only solidified its cultural impact but also driven its sustained financial success. Super Mario, Nintendo's beloved plumber, claimed the number six spot overall.
With a franchise that began in 1985 and includes landmark titles like Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart, and Super Mario Odyssey, Mario has achieved over 830 million units in video game sales globally as of 2023.
The franchise extends across the Nintendo Switch, 3DS, and virtually all Nintendo hardware since its inception, and its brand recognition has grown even further thanks to successful ventures into animated films and merchandise. The current list of highest-grossing media franchises, according to The Ultimate Pop Culture Wiki, is as follows: 1.
Pokémon 2.
Hello Kitty 3.
Winnie the Pooh 4.
Mickey Mouse 5.
Star Wars 6.
Mario 7.
Anpanman 8.
Disney Princess 9.
Marvel 10.
Jump Comics (Shonen Jump) 11.
Wizarding World (Harry Potter) 12.
Dragon Ball A representative summary from the infographic notes: “Among top-earning franchises, Pokémon continues to lead globally, with Mario representing Nintendo’s sustained success and ongoing legacy in the entertainment industry.” These rankings reaffirm Nintendo’s enduring influence in the global media landscape.
With Pokémon and Mario’s omnipresence on the Nintendo Switch, eShop, and beyond—not to mention their cross-media successes including films, TV, and merchandise—Nintendo continues to set benchmarks for multimedia franchise achievement.
As the gaming industry evolves, these flagship franchises remain at the forefront, demonstrating the power of innovative game development and brand longevity.
