SPIDER-MAN Is World's Most Profitable Superhero (And It's Not Even Close)

SPIDER-MAN Is World's Most Profitable Superhero (And It's Not Even Close)

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can, spins a web, any size, catches thieves just like flies. Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man! THR has revealed details about Marvel & DC's licensing revenue & with that also revealed that Spider-Man is the most profitable superhero in the world!

News
By RohanPatel - Nov 15, 2014 10:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man
Source: THR

It's no secret that the Disney-owned Marvel Studios and the Warner Bros-owned DC Comics have essentially been at war these past few years as they've both managed to transform themselves into billion-dollar film juggernauts. Between 2015 and 2020, Marvel has eleven films set to arrive, not including any Sony-produced Spider-Man films or Fox-produced X-Men films, while DC has ten films in the works, not including potential solo films for Superman or Batman.

A majority of the recent focus has been placed on their film futures, but The Hollywood Reporter has provided details about a key financial underpin of the war: licensing revenue. Even though it may not sound flashy, licensing revenue is just as important, if not more important, than their film revenue. However, just like the current status of their film competition, this is another aspect where Marvel reigns supreme, thanks mostly to their most popular hero (and oddly enough one of the film properties they don't own), everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!

Last year, Marvel sold approximately $1.3B worth of Spider-Man products, which is approximately four times the $325M they made from the Avengers. Meanwhile, their competition over at DC has struggled to keep up. Unsurprisingly, their most popular property was Batman, who brought in a respectable $494M, while their second most popular hero, Superman, brought it about $277M.

Check out the graphs below to get a better grasp of Spider-Man's worldwide popularity as well as Marvel's current domination over DC in licensing:


Pretty impressive numbers for Spidey.. what do you guys think? Hypothetically speaking, if Marvel reaquired Spidey's film rights, could they be even more powerful and successful than they currently are? Sound off with your thoughts below! 


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SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 11/15/2014, 10:08 AM
You'd think this would mean that Sony would treat Spider-Man with more care and respect...but nope!
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 11/15/2014, 10:11 AM
Glad to know that Spider-man is still loved. Idk why I thought his popularity wasn't as strong anymore. Probably because of the movies.
BANEofExistence
BANEofExistence - 11/15/2014, 10:15 AM
Superman and batman still own all the avengers haha
BANEofExistence
BANEofExistence - 11/15/2014, 10:15 AM
I wonder if the fail ASM2 will affect Spidey
ZeoTV
ZeoTV - 11/15/2014, 10:17 AM
lol disney is getting rich off those merchandising rights
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 11/15/2014, 10:18 AM
Spider-Man is THE most beloved and popular character in comics. The only one's who think otherwise are DC Commie Fanboys or Batman Fanboys who think he can beat anyone with prep. Lol!
MisterBatfleck
MisterBatfleck - 11/15/2014, 10:19 AM
His movies on the other hand...
Tymminator
Tymminator - 11/15/2014, 10:20 AM
And that's why Marvel Studios/Disney kept all the Merch rights for the Spider-man movies.
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 11/15/2014, 10:20 AM
Lol! At the DC sales! Told you Commies, no one gives a shit about those shitty characters. LMAO!!!
GhostDog
GhostDog - 11/15/2014, 10:21 AM
Spider-Man is the no at universal hero ever. He's just so beloved by the world more tHan other heroes. It's easy to see why. He's an Everyman with everyday problems, he's a teen which relates to teenagers etc. He fights crime in the worlds most popur city and one I it's biggest. His powers are incredibly unique.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/15/2014, 10:22 AM
Not bad Spidey........Just read Brand New Day.....I liked it.....its not his best story...but good read.
SuperCat
SuperCat - 11/15/2014, 10:23 AM
Have to agree. Spider-Man is an amazing character (no pun intended). As for the movies, think its time for a reboot.

#FreeYoss
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/15/2014, 10:23 AM
Reading Thanos Rising now.....on the 3rd issue.....a bit underwhelming origin for the Mad Titan.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/15/2014, 10:23 AM
#FreeYoss
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 11/15/2014, 10:24 AM
Even though Sony is butchering Spidey, he still overcomes their stumbling. It's Spider-Man, bitches!
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 11/15/2014, 10:25 AM
Sony must be kicking themselves for giving Disney the Spider-Man merchindising rights back. While WB is kicking themelves for buying DC Comics. LMAO!!!
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 11/15/2014, 10:28 AM
Crazy that Spidey by himself made more than Avengers, Batman, and Supes combined.
SANSHORYU
SANSHORYU - 11/15/2014, 10:29 AM
And Marvel is secretly scheming to get Spidey's movie rights back from Sony, so that they can incorporate him into the Avengers, and then further blow up (in a good way) the Marvel Universe.
MercwithMouth
MercwithMouth - 11/15/2014, 10:31 AM
Spiderman has been the most popular character for years. Even with fanboy complaints about the TASM series, that won't change. Anyone thinking that Sony is hurting Spiderman's popularity should look at these graphs. $1.3 Billion in 2014? That's insane.
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 11/15/2014, 10:32 AM
@ Ramiel


I remember hearing that Spider-Man is mega popular in Asia especially in Japan.

Asia's most popular heroes (top 3):

1. Spider-Man
2. Iron Man
3. Batman
RamonSuarez
RamonSuarez - 11/15/2014, 10:34 AM
Spiderman, Spiderman
Earns way more than Batman can
Spins his web, any size,
Catches money just like flies
Look Out!
Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he rich?
Listen bud,
He made Superman his bitch.
Can he earn a great amount?
Look at his big bank account
Hey, there
There goes the Spiderman.

In a merchandise sale
At a kid's toy store
He surely won't fail
To always earns more.

Spiderman, Spiderman
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman
Wealth and fame
He's accrued
More than any superhero, dude.

To him, life is a great big cash in
Marvel's made a great stash in
Selling the Spider man.
RamonSuarez
RamonSuarez - 11/15/2014, 10:37 AM
Two things:


1. Its sad X-Men aren't anywhere on that chart. Show how poorly Fox has handled their brand.

2. Avengers has the highest growth potential and is already beating Superman in worldwide sales. Tells me all I need to know about how movie success can change a comic book franchise's marketability in around 5-8 years.
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 11/15/2014, 10:37 AM
Are y'all stupid? " you think Sony would treat spidey with more respect" did you read the article? They don't even need to treat it with respect, why would they when they know they'll make a shit trillion amount of money? Quality doesn't matter when you have a jugarnaught of a franchise. I've been saying it for years now. Avengers may have made the third most BO Money but spider-man is and will be for a very long time the most popular and iconic marvel character. Anyone who says other wise is in denial and cannot stand the fact that marvel studios doesn't own what could potentially bring them even more money.
MercwithMouth
MercwithMouth - 11/15/2014, 10:39 AM
@Thebest20

Why?
RamonSuarez
RamonSuarez - 11/15/2014, 10:40 AM
@CaptainAmerica31 -

But Sony isn't the one making money off the merchandise, its Marvel that does.

Sony's cut is coming from their underperforming, lackluster movie franchise.
EmeritusII
EmeritusII - 11/15/2014, 10:41 AM
EhMaybeSays
EhMaybeSays - 11/15/2014, 10:42 AM
Im surprised that Batman and Superman don't make more than they do. Kids in general like Spider-Man more though.
TucksFrom2015
TucksFrom2015 - 11/15/2014, 10:42 AM
SONY WHAT THE [frick] ARE YOU DOING!?!?

Lots of stuff, just not telling anyone about it

#SinisterSix #TheAmazingSpiderMan3 #Venom
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