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Most Successful
Movie Franchises
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ZUMA Press
Worldwide Appeal
Hollywood's application of the old saying "Don't mess with what works" is reaping big bucks in box offices worldwide. Sequels and prequels are the hottest ticket in town right now, but which film franchises are smashing box office records? Read on to find out.
Super Sequels
Next: James Bond -
ZUMA Press
No. 1: James Bond
Total Revenue:
$4.5 billion (lifetime worldwide gross -- and counting)
Years: 1963-2006
Most Recent Film:
'Casino Royale'
The James Bond films are the longest-running franchise in movie history. The 23 films starring the world's most famous British agent have made a fortune for its producers and brought joy to millions.
More on James Bond
Next: Star Wars -
USPS, AP
No. 2: Star Wars
Total Revenue: $4.4 billion (lifetime worldwide gross, without counting the re-issues and IMAX)
Years: 1977-2005
Most Recent Film:
'Revenge of the Sith'
Star Wars, the most financially successful film franchise of all time, was an instant phenomenon, but business genius saw that the formula was replicable.
More on 'Star Wars'
Next: Harry Potter -
Eric Charbonneau, WireImage.com
No. 3: Harry Potter
Total Revenue: $4.1 billion (lifetime worldwide gross)*
Years: 2001-2007
Most Recent Film:
'Order of the Phoenix'
When the most recent installation opened on July 11, it took in $44.8 million, the best single-day gross ever for a movie on a Wednesday.
*And counting.
More on 'Harry Potter'
Next: The Lord of the Rings -
New Line
No. 4: Lord of the Rings
Total Revenue: $2.9 billion (lifetime worldwide gross)*
Years: 2001-2003
Most Recent Film:
'Return of the King'
Smart merchandising and brilliant filmmaking made Peter Jackson's epic adaptation of Tolkien's trilogy popular with people who had never before thought of visiting Middle-earth.
*And counting.
More on Lord of the Rings
Next: Pirates of the Caribbean -
Peter Mountain, Disney Enterprises / AP
No. 5: Pirates of the Caribbean
Total Revenue: $2.7 billion (lifetime worldwide gross)
Years: 2003-2007
Most Recent Film:
'At World's End'
Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened in 1967, but it wasn't until 2003 that Disney realized how to turn it into gold. 'Pirates' has brought in more than $2.6 billion in booty at the box office.
More on 'Pirates'
Next: Spider-Man -
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
No. 6: Spider-Man
Total Revenue: $2.5 billion (lifetime worldwide gross)
Years: 2002-2007
Most Recent Film:
'Spider-Man 3'
Among the recent films adapted from Marvel Comics' stable of heroes, the Spider-Man franchise scores the highest in terms of its box office -- and artistic -- accomplishment.
More on 'Spider-Man'
Next: 'Shrek' -
AP Photo, Reed Saxon
No. 7: Shrek
Total Revenue: $2.1 billion (lifetime worldwide gross)*
Years: 2001-2007
Most Recent Film:
'Shrek the Third'
The animated comedy franchise widely hailed as a postmodern fairy tale shows that sometimes princesses and ogres can live happily ever after, after all.
*And counting.
More on 'Shrek'
Next: 'Jurassic Park' and 8 More Fantastic Franchises -
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Top Movie Franchises
Are you up to speed on these movie franchises?
- Casino Royale
- Revenge of the Sith
- Order of the Phoenix
- Return of the King
- At World's End
- Spider-Man 3
- Shrek the Third
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