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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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Auror
Points: 2133
orlandofan says:
Cool list. I love the top four. I voted for hogwarts on the poll, its way in the lead. It funny how forbes has a list of top grossing fictional characters.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1345
Weasleytwin says:
Hey how dare they drop Harry Potter down the list. He is the best and always will be. Congrats for being on the list but still why drop his place.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 526
shortfrancine says:
Look at the bright side, HP could be lower! I mean, Mickey Mouse has been around for so long, I don't think anyone could ever top him, but I hope Harry gets way close!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 680
Ilovesingingsc says:
But still it sould feel great to her that she is even on the list!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
That's too bad. Harry Potter is still the best anyways. They apparantly don't know that.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:32 PM EST
Lady Padfoot
Points: 2688
Animagus Black says:
That stinks that it dropped a spot, but with the other ones on the list it would be hard. Harry Potter is definitley spending the money for. I am excited that it is still high on the list.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:41 PM EST
Brightest Witch
Points: 3111
hermione_rox. says:
Great to hear it was in the top 10, but we should be NUMBER 1!! Maybe next time. We'll beat LOTR next year because it is finished now and HP's got a long way to go.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 704
Half Blood Veela says:
They should be number one on the list.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:46 PM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
It should be number 1... Whats wrong?
WOW! Thats a lot of money... Hyh Hyh... GO JO! You rocks....!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:57 PM EST
Obliviator
(Moderator)
Points: 8468
Prof. Dish says:
Well, number 4 isn't exactly bad now is it? I'm sure we can feel pretty good since we're still on top of people like Spiderman and Spongebob. It's just amazing how much a single fitional character can earn!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 2:05 PM EST
Pixie Liaison
Points: 11797
carina says:
Hmm.. well, when HBP comes out, HP will probably move up the list again!!
And I, of course, voted for Harry Potter!! But I do love LotR.. *ponders*
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 2:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Hermione Double says:
That's cool.
Too bad Harry Potter isn't number one, but you can't be the best at everything.
And whoa!
That was a lot of money that was shown!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 2:46 PM EST
Points: 15101
xeon says:
Well, thats a lot of money for a 6 year old!
I hope he has some very good financial advisors!
Oh well this is good news...i guess.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 2:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1445
PotionMaster says:
Frodo lives.
But mickey mouse? That mouse will never die!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 2:58 PM EST
Celebrity Stalker
Points: 5612
Roni <3 says:
Harry Potter only made number 4 on the list? That sucks! It should be number one. Ah well, all the books on the list are great and they are making so much money! That's so great!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
wow, thats ALOT of money. congrats to JK for making it on the list for the second year, thats pretty huge.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:12 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2022
Lac_Ov_Imajinashun says:
NUMBER FOUR??? It should be number one... Harry Potter is the best of all of those books, but then again... It is only my opinion.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:21 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 439
mrs_r.weasley says:
Well I'm sure that once news of the coming out date for the sixth book comes out, revenues will be up again. I mean it's been a while since the fifth book came out!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:22 PM EST
Honeydukes Princess
Points: 6925
Wakko says:
omfg. that is alot of money to make from writing books. WHOA. that is so riduculous tho, she is a billionaire???!?!?!??!?! some movie stars and musicians arent even billionaires. sigh. wow. the life some people lead.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:30 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
WOW so Yu-Gi-Oh beat Harry Potter!!??
got to tell my brother that...
but at least Harry Potter is on there.
all that flipping money...wow wow wow.
AWESOMENESS.
Moderator's Note: No, Yu-Gi-Oh did not beat out Harry Potter. If you read the article & actually go to the site you would see that Harry Potter is No. 4 & Yu-Gi-Oh is No. 6.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:33 PM EST
Squib
Points: 198
simdave2000 says:
That's cheap. I DEMAND a recount. That's not possible.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 794
*Celandine* says:
Thats cool news, Jo is like richer than the Queen!! I cant say I buy everyting i see thats HP though!!
~X~
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:41 PM EST
Squib
Points: 190
Just call me famous says:
Well she has been richer than the Queen for a long time now. Lucky her she can buy whatever she wants.
A) she has the money
B) she has a huge impact on the children of the world.
What if she took over the world.... she could ,you know.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:50 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 485
chalito hp says:
Wow,JK must have a lot of money! but its great that harry potter is included in one of these magazines or articles.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 3:53 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
Erika Potter says:
Who cares!!! please Mrs Rowling finish book six because we want to know what is going to happen!!!! please!!!! this waiting is so awful!! jajajaja I know i have to be patient but when it's about Harry Potter I can't wait!!!
Saludos
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 4:13 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 79
Fred Weasly 5389 says:
Not bad Jo. I would have expected Harry to beat Whinnie the Pooh but with all of those little kids what can you do? I want more out of you Jo for next year!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 4:14 PM EST
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