|
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.
Reader Comments (172)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2010 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
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
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4117
Padfoot4387 says:
Only number four?? This is a disgrace! I mean, I can understand how LOTR could have beat it, but c'mon, only number four? When HBP comes out, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse, watch out, wizard coming through!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 4:20 PM EST
Squib
Points: 191
Mina says:
Awww, it dropped a spot?! I hate it when LotR does better than HP! Ahh well, I'm so pleased about JKR's success, she really does deserve it. Much more than others that are probably on that list with her.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 4:49 PM EST
Student
Points: 254
~grindylow~ says:
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttt?????? uhhhhh.... SERIOUS [b]TYPO[/b!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is so not cool! Uggh....
Grrrrrrrrrrr....
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
That's too bad that it's dropped a spot, but at least it's on the list.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 254
~grindylow~ says:
Uh crud, I still can't get that right.
Sorry, people.....
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
That is good news, but Harry Potter should be number 1!! I dont think I was asked my opinion. What does Forbes Magazine know about Harry Potter anyways??!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:24 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
I'm so pleased for JKR. She is so deserving of the monetary gain for the incredible gift of HP that she shared with the world. I'm sure that all the other non-book things are also great...
As for the other contenders? Mickey Mouse? Like that's going to create a new generation of readers!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:24 PM EST
Squib
Points: 192
harrypotterclown says:
Harry potter is still #1 on my list. She made a lot of money off the books and she still has 2 books not done. That's great!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:29 PM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41834
Phil_ says:
Well there aren't really any great surprises on that list, just that HP has dropped down the list really...but us true fans will stay loyal...
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 532
Ronald_Weasley says:
Only the 4th??!!
Oh you gotta be kiddding me!!!
Winne the Pooh beated HP,thats really bad..
I could understand if Friends did but Winne thats a disgrace...
OH MY GOD, I can't believe that!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 599
wanabee weasley says:
That's really good that Harry Potter got to number four!
But it should have been number one!!!
I bet that JK will be pleased though!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1247
Matt12 says:
WOW!! Thats alot of money! Congrats to Harry Potter in being in the top 4. I guess that its ranking can only improve with the coming books and movies!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 407
Miss ikia says:
If you could enter a land of make-believe for one day, what would you choose to do?
I would definitly choose to live in Harry Potter's magic world.
It would be absolutly fantastic experience and I will never forget it.
Although it would be much better if the time was longer than a day..
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 5:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
DanielzWifey says:
I always knew that Harry was at the top!!! hes always been a successor. I bet Jo is really happy!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 6:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1614
hermy-ninny712 says:
Holy Crap Jo! You're worth a billion dollars!? My goodness...she made $147 million in one year; I'll won't make that much money in 12 lifetimes!! Way to go Harry and Jo!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 6:15 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5294
GodricsGirl says:
Come on JO!
Keep it rolling!
Please give us a very Harry Christmas by publishing book six!!!
I know it probably isn't possible...but one can dream!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:02 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ghost
Points: 9469
Pearlescent says:
No... Jo, you are slipping! Bring it back up, woman.
Ah well, at least she's still in the top 10.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:32 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 529
Dementors Shadow says:
Yay go HP!! Thats so much money that it has made!! Lets just hope were #1 next time!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 755
harrypotter equalslife says:
THAT SUCKS!!! Harry Potter should DEFINITLEY be no.1!!!
*Theresa*
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:53 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
That's a ton of money! Wow. Harry Potter is cool. Why isn't Harry numbero uno? Huh? Well, it still did make a lot of money, so I am happy! :)
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:54 PM EST
Chief Quibbler Editor
Points: 2926
The Obsesser says:
Yay for Jo, but an even bigger yay for Tolkien and PJ! I knew they could do it!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 7:56 PM EST
Squib
Points: 171
bowtruckle3797 says:
Even number four!!!! WOW!! Thats awesome!! The next book will generate more hype too hehehe
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 8:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
mahaliah says:
Yay! That's cool. And that's a lot of money. I wish I had created something as cool as Harry Potter. It's so awesome.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 8:22 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 389
Her-my-o-ninny says:
That so awsome!! Keep on rolling in the cash Harry because you definatly deserve it! (And go Frodo as well!) I voted for Hogwarts on the poll! Who wouldn't want to go? But actually I'd prefer to go to Middle Earth (gotta see those hobbits) but I'd really prefer not to comand orcs...Sorry about straying from Harry Potter though! I'm equal fans for both!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 8:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2436
emmafan says:
That's Cool, I didn't realize that much money was in the movies.
General
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 9:22 PM EST
Back to top of page