Top 15 Highest-Grossing Sci-Fi Franchises of All Time

Science fiction, frequently abbreviated as sci-fi or SF, is a wide-ranging genre that explores future concepts and fantastical realms through stories. It’s often referred to as the “literature of ideas” due to its focus on thought-provoking themes like alternate dimensions, robotics, or time travel. The movies in this genre often evoke a feeling of dystopia, with potential causes for dismal futures being rapid advancements in science and technology.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but notice the captivating connection between science fiction, fantasy, horror, and superhero stories. It’s no wonder that this list showcases some iconic movies you may have already enjoyed in your movie-watching journey. If you’re curious about which blockbuster franchises made it to the top, then you’ve landed on just the right page! Dive deeper into the text to uncover the 15 most successful sci-fi franchises ever created!

15. Back To The Future (1985-present)

I’m utterly captivated by the timeless American sci-fi comedy saga, “Back to the Future,” masterfully crafted by the creative minds of Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. This thrilling tale revolves around me, a typical high school student named Marty McFly, and an unconventional genius, Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown, as we embark on incredible time-traveling adventures through the fascinating town of Hill Valley, California, all while navigating our way through different eras.

Back in 1985, I had the pleasure of reviewing a groundbreaking film that shattered box office records and quickly turned into a global sensation. This extraordinary success paved the way for two more installments in 1989 and 1990, forming an iconic trilogy that continues to captivate audiences today. It’s no wonder this sci-fi series has earned a spot among the top-selling franchises of all time, with numerous spin-offs further cementing its enduring popularity.

Total worldwide gross: $970,381,382

Number of movies: 3

14. Independence Day (1996-2016)

Referred to as “ID” or “ID4”, “Independence Day” represents another successful American sci-fi action movie. This masterpiece was crafted by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, with its first installment hitting the screens in 1996. The series revolves around an alien invasion of Earth, where these extraterrestrials aim to wipe out humanity. In response, the surviving humans are determinedly resisting them in whatever means possible, striving to reclaim their planet.

A decade after the original film’s release in 1996, Independence Day: Resurgence was the sequel that followed. Despite being the highest-earning movie of its year, the sequel didn’t sell as many tickets as anticipated, leading to a delay in the production of the third installment. The impact of this film on Hollywood blockbuster history is considered substantial, which is why it ranks high among the top-selling sci-fi franchise series.

Total worldwide gross: $1,207,082,826

Number of movies: 2

13. Resident Evil/Biohazard (1996-present)

This franchise, recognized under the name “Biohazard,” is a terrifying series that originated from Japan by Capcom, spanning over a decade! The initial Resident Evil was born in 1996, crafted by Tokuro Fujiwara and Shinji Mikami for PlayStation. In terms of the games themselves, they have played a significant role in shaping the survival horror genre and reintroducing zombies to mainstream fear.

The first Resident Evil film debuted in 2002, and since then, a total of six sequels have been produced, with the latest one, titled “Welcome to Raccoon City,” being released in 2021. Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, these movies collectively earned over $1 billion. Resident Evil remains Capcom’s most successful video game franchise, having sold approximately 125 million units globally as of March 2022, making it one of the top-grossing sci-fi franchises.

Total worldwide gross: $1,237,686,980

Number of films: 10

12. The Matrix (1999-present)

Ever since its debut in 1999, “The Matrix” has been a cornerstone of the cyberpunk sub-genre within science fiction literature. The series encompasses four films, along with numerous comics and video games as spin-offs. Following the original movie, three sequels were produced: “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” both released in 2003. While the first sequel held the title of highest-grossing R-rated film until “Deadpool” took over in 2016, the latest installment, “The Matrix Resurrections,” from 2021, has garnered the lowest rating in the franchise to date.

Personally speaking, this movie series holds immense significance for me as a movie enthusiast because it played a pivotal role in shaping popular culture by introducing iconic symbols like the red pill and blue pill. The thought-provoking themes it presents, particularly those revolving around choice and societal control, have sparked countless debates among viewers. This film is truly unique due to its ability to challenge one’s perception of reality – a quality that undoubtedly contributed to its massive box office success and earned it a place on the list of top-selling sci-fi franchises.

Total worldwide gross: $1,868,176,773

Number of films: 4

11. Men in Black (1997-present)

Often referred to as “Men in Black,” this American sci-fi action-comedy series was helmed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Interestingly, the show was adapted from the Malibu/Marvel comic book series titled “The Men in Black.” The comic’s creation was the brainchild of Lowell Cunningham, and it was inspired by a conspiracy theory.

The initial “Men in Black” film debuted in the year 1997. As of now, the most recent movie, a spin-off titled “Men in Black: International,” was released in 2019. It’s uncertain if there will be more films in this series, but we all secretly harbor hopes.

Total worldwide gross: $1,915,759,789

Number of films: 4

10. Alien (1979-present)

20th Century Studios introduced this science fiction, horror, and action franchise known as ‘Alien’ with the debut film in 1979 titled simply ‘Alien’. Subsequently, four films were released: ‘Aliens’ (1986), ‘Alien 3’ (1992), and ‘Alien Resurrection’ (1997). The creator of the original ‘Alien’, Ridley Scott, helmed a prequel series that included ‘Prometheus’ in 2012 and ‘Alien: Covenant’ in 2017. Under Disney’s management, the latest installment, ‘Alien: Romulus’, hit theaters in 2025 and was extremely successful, suggesting more ‘Alien’ movies may be on the horizon.

The Alien franchise has given rise to multiple video games, comics, and novels, and has also sparked several offshoots. The Alien vs. Predator series stands out among these spin-offs, featuring two movies along with numerous video games and comics. This iconic horror series is recognized even by those who usually shy away from such films, which likely contributed to its success and its inclusion in the list of top-selling sci-fi franchises.

Total worldwide gross: $1,983,675,084

Number of films: 9

9. Terminator (1984-present)

The Terminator franchise is an action-packed American science fiction series that includes movies, comics, books, and more, originating from the minds of Gale Anne Hurd and James Cameron. This narrative revolves around a conflict between Skynet, an advanced self-aware military network, and John Connor’s resistance group. Essentially, it’s a battle between different Terminator models, including the iconic T-800 model made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger, that Skynet sends back in time to eliminate resistance leaders like John Connor.

Ever since its debut film in 1984, the popularity of the Terminator franchise has skyrocketed to such an extent that in 2008, it was chosen by the Library of Congress for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. If this doesn’t justify its place among the 15 top-grossing franchises worldwide, then we’re unsure what else would.

Total worldwide gross: $2,074,432,578

Number of films: 6

8. Star Trek (1966-present)

This popular American media franchise originated from the science fiction TV show created by Gene Roddenberry. The initial television series, known as “Star Trek”, premiered in 1966 and ran for three seasons on NBC. It is now commonly referred to as “The Original Series”.

Ever since its debut, the Star Trek universe has expanded significantly, encompassing the original series, seven live-action spin-offs, three animated shows, and a total of thirteen films. On December 22, 2023, another movie is due for release. Will this new addition help in reducing the number of top-selling sci-fi franchises on the list? We’ll discover the answer soon!

Total worldwide gross: $2,266,723,196

Number of films: 13

7. Planet Of The Apes (1968-present)

The Planet of the Apes is a captivating American science fiction series, stemming from Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel “La Planéte des singes,” translated to English as “Planet of the Apes” or “Monkey Planet.” The initial film adaptation, released in 1968, was a box office success! Given its popularity, it’s no wonder that it spawned numerous sequels. The latest movie, “War for the Planet of the Apes,” came out in 2017. However, in 2019 Disney purchased the entertainment assets from 21st Century Fox, so expect more sequels to follow!

This franchise stands out among film critics due to its unique blend of animal rights, Cold War, and racial themes. Not only has it left an indelible mark on the media landscape, but it has also significantly shaped popular culture as a platform for political discussion. We believe that this makes it a strong contender for inclusion in the most successful sci-fi franchises, wouldn’t you agree?

Total worldwide gross: $2,511,686,885

Number of films: 10

6. Godzilla (1954-present)

Godzilla, more famously known as “Gojira,” is a long-standing media brand owned by Toho Company Limited from Japan. This cinematic series is often considered one of the longest-lasting or perhaps even the longest-running film franchises worldwide, as it has been continuously produced since its inception in 1954.

The widespread fame of Godzilla is hardly shocking, given that the success of the initial films sparked growth into various other forms of media like video games, television shows, and even music. Today, Godzilla stands as one of the most identifiable icons in Japanese pop culture and serves as a prime example of the tokusatsu subgenre within Japanese entertainment.

Total worldwide gross: $2,567,359,971

Number of films: 36

5. The Hunger Games (2012-2023)

The Hunger Games movie franchise, which encompasses sci-fi dystopian adventure films, is derived from a trilogy of novels bearing the same title, penned by Suzanne Collins. These movies are the brainchild of producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and are distributed by Lionsgate.

It’s no wonder the film ended up on the list of top-earning sci-fi franchises, given that it broke multiple box office records during its initial release, including records for a single day’s earnings and the largest opening weekend.

Total worldwide gross: $3,303,525,525

Number of films: 5

4. Transformers (2007-present)

The Transformers series consists of American science fiction action movies that have been around since the 1980s and are still ongoing. A new film titled “Rise of the Beasts” is scheduled for release in 2023, serving as a follow-up to “Bumblebee“.

Despite generally unfavorable criticisms towards the original Transformers series, Bumblebee has been lauded with numerous positive reviews. It ranks as the 13th highest-grossing film series, amassing a grand total of $4.8 billion, making it a standout in the science fiction genre and earning its place on this esteemed list.

Total worldwide gross: $5,413,674,663

Number of films: 9

3. Jurassic Park (1990-present)

Jurassic Park, more famously recognized as Jurassic World these days, represents a popular science fiction entertainment franchise. Tracing its roots back to 1990, this successful American venture came into existence when Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment acquired the rights for an unpublished novel with the same title, penned by Michael Crichton.

2013 saw a 3D reissue of the movie, deemed worthy for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as it holds “cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance”. In 2015, the second set of trilogies commenced with the fourth film in this series. The box office earnings of this movie surpassed $1.6 billion during its theatrical run, making it the third highest-grossing film at that time and the top-selling sci-fi film of all time to date.

Total worldwide gross: $6,026,384,764

Number of films: 6

2. Star Wars (1977-present)

George Lucas originated the Star Wars multimedia empire, which started with the 1977 release of its initial film. Over the years, it has grown to be a globally recognized cultural sensation. Beyond movies, it has branched out into numerous other forms of media such as video games, books, theme park attractions, and themed areas.

2020 saw an approximate valuation of $70 billion for this media franchise, making it the fifth highest-earning franchise ever created. Given its impressive earnings, it’s no surprise that it clinched the runner-up spot on the list of top-selling sci-fi franchises.

Total worldwide gross: $10,377,988,362

Number of films: 12

1. Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-present)

In simpler terms, the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t just another Hollywood production; it’s a collection of movies about superheroes that are produced by Marvel Studios. These films share a single storyline and have been incredibly successful financially since they started in 2008, even outperforming the Star Wars franchise in terms of box office earnings.

This franchise, consisting of numerous TV shows, short movies, and written works, keeps sparking creativity in other movie and TV production companies to develop similar interconnected worlds. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has not only inspired such creations but also art exhibitions, two special television programs, books accompanying each film, and a variety of themed attractions. This franchise was the first to top the list of highest-selling franchises.

Total worldwide gross: over $31 billion

Number of films: 37

2025-05-10 07:44