Blockbuster movie franchises have raised the bar for profitability in Hollywood with certain
series pulling in multi-billion dollar returns.
However, while it�s no surprise that established IPs like The Avengers and Harry Potter pulled
in record-breaking numbers, what about the films that came out of nowhere?
10 Most Surprisingly Profitable Movie Franchises
Karate Kid
A straightforward coming of age tale, made with less than $8 million in funding, the
Karate Kid earned Noriyuki "Pat" Morita an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Mr.
Miyagi � after the film grossed over $90 million in North America alone.
However, the simple tale of a troubled teenager finding self-confidence and honor through
the disciplines of Karate has remained a Hollywood go-to-property for almost thirty years � resulting
in two sequels, a spin-off, and a modern remake.
Together, the Karate Kid: Part II and Part III added another $150 million to the franchise�s
box office take � while limited entirely to North American distribution.
The spin-off, featuring Hilary Swank as The Next Karate Kid, secured international release
� but was a box office bomb at home and around the globe, earning only $15 million
total.
Nevertheless, sixteen years later, Sony Pictures dusted off the franchise with a reboot starring
Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith that, much to the chagrin of its detractors, earned $359
million in worldwide ticket sales.
Home Alone
Produced on a budget of $18 million, with an unknown child actor in the lead role, Home
Alone became one of the most profitable comedies in film history.
A clever premise combined with a holiday-friendly storyline resulted in critical acclaim and
a monstrous global box office take of $476 million back in 1990 � turning Macaulay
Culkin into a household name.
Nevertheless, the film�s direct sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York didn�t perform
quite as well critically or commercially � ultimately bringing in $359 million (over $100 million
less than the original).
Yet, 20th Century Fox was not done with the series � pushing out another theatrical
sequel, titled simply Home Alone 3, that did not feature any returning cast members.
That third chapter bombed � culling a mere $79 million globally.
The series would continue on in two (entirely forgettable) made-for-TV productions but the
franchise�s theatrical run capped out at $914 million.
American Pie
It�s hard to imagine that an R-Rated romantic teen comedy, centered entirely around the
sex lives of high school seniors, would prove to be an enduring comedy franchise but, somehow,
American Pie has stood the test of time.
The original film posted a solid box office run � with $235 million around the globe.
Yet, unlike other entries on our list, nearly every other American Pie film made similar
money � showing that even if some viewers came and went, a majority of the series�
audience returned for each subsequent instalment.
The fourth and final chapter, American Reunion, under performed in North America (making only
$58 million) but still managed to secure a total of $235 million worldwide � bring
the franchise�s total gross to $989 million (and that doesn�t even include the direct-to-DVD
tie-ins starring Jim�s Dad, Eugene Levy, titled Band Camp, The Naked Mile, Beta House,
and The Book of Love).
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks may have been an iconic animated series in the 1990s but there was
no guarantee that a CGI/live-action hybrid film would attract a new generation of kids
to the franchise.
Still, armed with a series of �Chipmunkified� pop music covers, Alvin and the Chipmunks
managed to shrug off harsh reviews from critics and pulled in $361 million.
Of course, 20th Century Fox didn�t stop at one film and introduced The Chipettes in
the Squekquel � which went on to surpass the box office power of the first film with
$443 million.
The third film, Chipwrecked showed signs of franchise fatigue and, subsequently, underperformed
in the domestic market.
Still, thanks to strong international brand loyalty, the movie squeaked by with another
$342 million.
Future installments are planned but, even in the face of nasty reviews, the three films,
collectively, have grossed almost $1.15 billion for the studio.
The Hangover
Armed with just a clever setup and cast of mostly unproven leading men, including Bradley
Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, director Todd Phillips surprised audiences with a memorable
one-off comedy misadventure in The Hangover � the result: in $467 million in global
box office ticket sales.
With a bankable drug-induced amnesia comedy formula, Phillips returned to the series again
in 2009 (to the tune of $586 million worldwide) and again in 2013 (adding another $362 million
to the franchise gross).
Even though the third movie was the least successful of the series, proving it might
be time to give The Hangover a break, Warner Bros. still made off with a grand total of
$1.4 billion from the franchise.
The Fockers
Meet the Parents is a Hollywood remake of a1992 indie film � both of which featured
a straightforward premise: a loving boyfriend�s first meeting with his girlfriend�s parents,
The Byrnes, results in a series of awkward encounters and comedic misunderstandings.
It was a simple setup - one that was turned into a smash hit franchise thanks to the film�s
leads, Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller.
With $330 million in global box office revenue, Meet the Parents was a solid release for Universal
Pictures but it was the film�s sequel, Meet the Fockers, which turned the story on its
head.
Brining in Hollywood heavyweights Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, it truly exceeded expectations
� turning a successful franchise into an international hit with $516 million.
The final film, Little Fockers was significantly less successful with reviewers but still managed
to add a respectable $310 million to the series - for a total haul of $1.15 billion.
Bourne
Based on Robert Ludlum�s novel series, The Bourne Identity delivered a quality international
spy thriller - in spite of a modest budget and relatively niche source material.
The first entry in the series was a surprise hit in America, which was responsible for
over half of the movie�s $214 million worldwide gross.
The Supremacy sequel improved upon the first in ticket sales, cementing star Matt Damon
as an American James Bond, and with audiences primed for more, the series� third entry
raked in over $442 million globally.
Despite underwhelming reviews, even the Bourne Legacy, a spin-off starring Jeremy Renner,
was financially successful - bringing the franchise�s total box office take to $1.2
billion (over the course of a single decade).
Night at the Museum
Inspired by Milan Trenc�s 1993 children�s book, Night at the Museum hit a very calculated
box office sweet spot � a film that could enchant kids but layered in enough fun moments,
and familiar faces, to keep parents entertained.
Still, no one could have predicted that Ben Stiller, a T-Rex skeleton, and a cast of quirky
comedians portraying historical figures, would manage to bring in $574 million globally.
Unfortunately, the film�s sequels, Battle of the Smithsonian and Secret of the Tomb,
fell short of capturing the original movie�s ticket selling power, but combined, parts
two and three still culled another $750 million for the series � brining the trilogy�s
complete run
to $1.33 billion around the world.
The Mummy
When it was first announced that classic Universal Studios monster The Mummy would be turned
into an Indiana Jones-like action adventure film, moviegoers scoffed at the idea � especially
when they heard that George of the Jungle, Brendan Fraser had been cast as the film�s
heroic lead.
Nevertheless, sharp humor and eye-popping visuals rocketed the movie to $415 million
in global ticket sales.
Subsequent chapters would stretch the storyline to the near-breaking point but still proved
to be bankable � with both sequels, The Mummy Returns and Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
earning over $400 million a piece.
That said, the franchise began to sputter with the release of spin-off prequel The Scorpion
King in 2002, which limped in with an added $160 million, for a total franchise bank of
$1.4 billion.
The Fast and the Furious
Back in 2001, Universal Pictures premiered The Fast and the Furious � a high-octane
drama that explored the seedy life of illegal street racing.
Thanks to likable leads Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, along with exciting car stunts, the
original Fast and Furious was a success � pulling in $363 million at the worldwide box office.
Following a string of less successful sequels, the series took a dramatic shift from street
racing drama to over-the-top automotive heist action.
As a result box office returns nearly doubled with Fast Five reaching $550 million and Fast
& Furious 6 collecting $788.7 million worldwide.
So far the series has made a grand total of $2.3 billion in theatres
That�s our list of surprisingly profitable movie franchises.
Agree or disagree with any of the picks - or have other movie franchises that you were
surprised to see pulling in big box office numbers?
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