When a film is big it transcends the cinema. We’re talking action figures, lunchboxes, TV spin-offs – the works. A great movie brand can engage with a range of generations and demographics, and form the bedrock of an enduring pop culture phenomenon.
In this article, we’ll examine five of the biggest movie brands of all time. These are titles that were not only a hit at the box office; they made enough of a lasting impression to cement a legacy that will likely be as relevant 20 years in the future as it is today.
Star Wars
The Star Wars saga began in 1977 and spawned an almost unfathomable network of sequels, spin-offs and merchandise. It is currently ranked as the fifth-highest-grossing media franchise of all time and credited as one of the first films to explore the concept of merchandise.
James Bond
Though Star Wars may seem downright retro to many, it is out-flanked in the durability stakes by the world’s favourite secret agent. James Bond first appeared in novels written by Ian Fleming in the 1950s, but he became a true global phenomenon with the leap to the big screen. The film series is today estimated to be worth $19.9bn. Not to forget the sponsors’ money that came in staggering numbers from product placement in these movies.
Source: “Custom Personal Gift Bond Collage Test” by H. Michael Karshis (CC BY 2.0)
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is another major media brand to have its roots in books, though JK Rowling’s seven-story series made a much bigger cultural impact than Fleming’s Bond novels. But similarly to the secret agent, Potter’s transition to the big screen helped secure its reputation as one of the world’s biggest media brands.
Marvel
The Marvel universe of films exploded into life after the turn of the century. The release of Iron Man in 2008 represented a step change for the comic book house, thrusting its characters into the Hollywood mainstream. With films already pencilled in for deep into the 2020s, Marvel is expected to become even more dominant.
Source: “Marvelous” by matt hutchinson (CC BY 2.0)
Frozen
The announcement of a sequel to the original 2013 film set lofty expectations, but Frozen 2 would become Disney’s highest-grossing film of all time. The second instalment has now grossed more than $1.32bn at the Box Office, putting the franchise among the biggest of all time, despite it being around for less than a decade.
Honourable mentions
It’s not just the major franchises that have achieved cut-through in other industries. Other smaller brands, from TV and film, have made an impact in other industries, including the booming online gambling market. The Game of Thrones, Terminator 2 and Bridesmaids franchises have all been adapted to create casino slot games, an obsession spread over the country as Aussies compare the best options available and enjoy their favourite film or show on a whole different level.
Although these titles aren’t as world-renowned as the other names on our list, it shows the appetite for games and other forms of entertainment based on our favourite films, as well as the willingness of studios and rights holders to take their brand beyond the cinema.
