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OCTOBER 22, 2004 at 10:36 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Forbes magazine
Once again Forbes magazine have published their list of Top-earning fictional characters
for 2003, with the top 10 earning a combined total of $23 billion. Harry Potter dropped one spot from the 2002 list to this year’s No. 4 with an estimated income of $2.8 billion behind Mickey Mouse & Friends with $5.8 billion, Winnie the Pooh & Friends with $5.6 billion & Frodo Baggins, Lord of the Rings with $2.9 billion.
According to Forbes:
Creator: J.K. Rowling
Birth Date: 1998
Debut Role: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a book
Known Associates: Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley
Bringing in more than $500 million in video game sales alone, this wizard-to-be has earned himself a spot on our list for the second year in a row. On and off the Quidditch field, Harry Potter is truly multidimensional--with fans in love with his books, movies, videogames and merchandise, Potter's creator, J.K. Rowling, earned an estimated $147 million last year and has a net worth of $1 billion, becoming the first author to qualify for a spot on our world's billionaire list (No. 552) based only on earnings from their writing.
Coming Attraction: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on DVD & VHS (November 2004)
Cashing In: Scholastic, Bloomsbury Publishing, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Mattel, J.K. Rowling
Rounding out the top ten: Nemo, Finding Nemo with $2 billion, Yu-Gi-Oh! with $1.6 billion, SpongeBob Squarepants with $1.5 billion, Spider-Man with $1.3 billion, Wolverine, X-Men with $900 million and Pikachu, Pokémon with $825 million.
While you're reading the article why not take the time to answer their poll question: If you could enter a land of make-believe for one day, what would you choose to do? Currently the Harry Potter answer is leading the pack.
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Points: 386
hprelic says:
I don't understand why Hary Potter isn't #1. Only really little kids watch the other shows but almost everybody watches Harry Potter.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 11:52 AM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
I hope the harry potter trend never dies how can it it is such a fantastic book and series.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 12:08 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
Of course, whenever there's a list that can have HP on it, he is. It's that simple. I mean, look a JK-worth $1 billion! I find it quite ordinary, actually.
N
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 12:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1941
tsvety says:
Well I think it MUST be the 1st one, but Jo now has so much money!!!!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 12:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
Hey, Winnie the Pooh, Spongebob, and Nemo are cool. Wait a minute, did I just say that?
Anyway HP your #1 on my list.(how corny was that?)
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 1:13 PM EST
Student
Points: 253
greeneyes says:
I have a sure feeling that if the 4th movie is good, it will rise to #1....kind of doubting that winnie the pooh is more popular than harry potter, but if that's what they say i guess it must be right....anyways good luck to Jo, though I doubt she needs any more money!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 1:32 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1158
Moonbake says:
Congrats to HP for their success! I can't wait for the movie to come out on DVD! I will answer the poll question and of course it would be the world of Harry Potter!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 2:16 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1430
littlejoe72 says:
As soon as POA is out, I think HP should go up on the list. Everyone is going to buy it so it should bring up his popularity.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 2:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
accio_rupert says:
Congratulations, it will go up when the DVD and book is out!!:) gona get them!!
xx
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 2:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1927
Ravenclaw Princess says:
Thats kinda sad, i mean, harry potter should be #1, because all those other things (finding nemo, yu-gi-oh, lord of the rings[movies], ext.) came afterwards. So they should understand that. But, congradulations on getting a spot. J.K Rowling, you rock!
~*Ria*~
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 3:01 PM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
I would definitely enter the world of Harry Potter! How much fun would that be to stay at Hogwarts for a while...*sigh* I would love it!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 3:03 PM EST
Vampire
Points: 2939
Dansgirl34 says:
That is cool.
Even thought it went down on the list.
We will get higher next year.
Congrats.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 3:11 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
I am surprised that Harry Potter dropped to number 4.
The Harry Potter franchise does bring in a lot of money for Jo though.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 4:00 PM EST
Ravenclaw's Heiress
Points: 3926
PhoenixFire says:
Number 4? Well at least its in the top 5!
But I believe it should be number 1 of course!
Teehe, I loved Mickey when I was younger...
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 4:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
Ms.Black says:
It is great news to all of us fans of Harry Potter. They could not have done it without us, and us without them!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 5:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
Who really cares?! We all know HP is the best of those and if Forbes has to come up with a fictional characters list, how sad is that?
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 5:58 PM EST
Daily Prophet Journalist
Points: 2597
dance_gear says:
Awww thats kinda sad...i think that Harry is waaay better than mickey, frodo, and winnie the pooh...better luck next time i guess...and thats alot of money...geez...
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 7:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
Molly the Destroyer says:
Aww, HP should be #1!!! It is still really awesome though, congrats JKR!!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 9:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 635
JaBean1234 says:
Wow thats really good, 4th! I'm a little surprised that it isn't higher but considering that Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh have been around for decades it probably helps. It does not however suprise me that it is first on the poll question. I think I would also have to pick Harry Potter. Hopefully Harry Potter will be able to move up on the list next year.
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 9:10 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
I object! No dropping allowed! But on the bright side, HP definitely deserves a spot on the list. You Go JO!
Posted Oct 23, 2004 at 11:53 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 394
DeathEater04 says:
Well if Harry Potter has earned this much money last year, imagine how much he will when GoF the movie comes out, and HBP come out. Or if they both come out, profits will go through the roof.
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 5:29 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
Wow...just imagine how much money Harry Potter will make when PoA comes out on DVD. Counting down the days. I spend ALOT of money on Harry Potter things. Any time I see something Harry Potter, I have to get it. Its too bad it fell from last year, but I'm sure it will raise with a movie and hopefully a book coming out next year!!!
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 7:58 AM EST
Points: 386
hprelic says:
I don't understand why but who cares. It's more important that lots of fans think that it should be #1 .Next time around we'll be #1 because Harry Potter deserves no less. It's the greatest because even if it doesn't get #1 it'll always be #1 to us fans.
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 10:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 563
Factitious Odd says:
Yeah! That is great news...
Roofles...slán
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 12:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1827
Lady Leo says:
WOW! That is wicked! JK is rolling in the dough now! I wish i could write half as well as she can.
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 1:49 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 864
emmasboy4ever says:
all rite at leasst harrypotter POA is still in the standings but i still want them to be ##1..oh well..hey can any one tell me how they did those kool screenname picutures 4 hpana.com ..i hate using the pre made ones..........EMMA ROCKS
Posted Oct 24, 2004 at 4:00 PM EST
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