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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.
Reader Comments (172)
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Slytherin Green Fairy
Points: 3210
The Slytherin says:
Yay!!! great news...!!! a lot of money!!! Awww... come on Jo!!! Cool...
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 10:41 AM EST
Auror
Points: 4040
Dan's no.1 fan 4ever says:
What is going on!!! It should be no.1!!! by a mile!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 10:42 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2907
the first Hermione Hair says:
Well that kind of sucks! COME ON HP!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 10:51 AM EST
Legilimens
Points: 3013
Extendable Ears says:
What a weird thing to have a list about. The Harry Potter characters are by far the best from that list among Finding Nemo and Yu-Gi-Oh. I wonder what made them slip down the list this year? I think that is surprising considering the PoA film was released this year and was so successful.
I love the poll question! Of course HP is leading, it's the best choice!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 10:59 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1387
SiriusFan says:
Man oh man. I wonder if Jo ever dreamed she'd be so rich? It has to be somewhat surreal. Jeezy, all those fictional characters raking in billions of dollars.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:00 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8785
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
My guess is that is will move back up to number 3. This will likely occur once the new DVD, move and book 6 come out. Amazing to see how much has been generated so far.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:01 AM EST
The Girl Who Lived
Points: 4219
Tacha says:
No 4 is amazing! Off course we can still do better but 4 is amazing! I think HP will move up when GOF and HPB are released (hopefully next year - crosses fingers).
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:10 AM EST
The English Seeker
Points: 4915
Champion Seeker says:
Ah man! Just 4th? Harry is so much better than Froody and some silly mouse and a bear which likes honey... come on people!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:12 AM EST
Brightest Star in the Sky
Points: 3762
Siriusly Black says:
Cool, but it's really too bad that Harry Potter dropped. But good that it's winning the poll. Oh well, it'll probably move up when the sixth book comes out.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:15 AM EST
Student
Points: 216
Zhenya says:
I'd say that HP is better than Frodo, but if B-rabbit finds out she will beat me.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:16 AM EST
Witch
Points: 657
siriusluv says:
Forbes has a list of the highest earning fictional characters? That cracks me up! Well hopefully Harry Potter will do better next year, book six should really help.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:17 AM EST
Witch
Points: 577
Smeltings_Boy says:
Hp should be number !! Its way better than Pikachu and YuGioh!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:25 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 8
Sinister76 says:
Once the next book comes out I bet he will be on top again.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 556
hpbri says:
no.4 isn't too bad. I wish it was number 1 though!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:44 AM EST
Witch
Points: 835
jade19357 says:
I think Harry will move back up on the chart once the DVD comes out and then with release of the new book. Next stat will be different and Harry will move back up!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 11:50 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 326
HP_addict says:
It's not a surprise. Jo is such a wonderful story teller, it's hard not to want more, even if that is video games, posters, books, movies. Well done Ms. Rowling!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:03 PM EST
Official Mischief Maker
Points: 4317
T.M.W.C says:
Well great news for Jo and all the other companies ehh!! Whoa lots of money involved there!!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:11 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 13
tachiibana says:
no need to ask though, of couse everyone want to enter Hogwarts!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1923
iGodric says:
Thats alright, Pooh and Mickey Mouse have been around forever and deserve the top spots in my opinion. Its a toss up between LOTR and HP as always for me. With the movies running to a close for the LOTR, I think it will dip back below HP in the next list as people will forget about the story - as popular culture does when its out of the spotlight.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:22 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
gwenlister says:
Well, I think we'll pull back up seeing as how there is more HP stuff coming out but LoTR is done. :)
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
HOORAY!!!! Thats great news!! Of course, I am not surprised, I spend ALOT of money on Harry Potter things. Any time I see something Harry Potter, I HAVE to have 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 22, 2004 at 12:37 PM EST
Prime Hunter
Points: 4317
Orbster says:
Well here it is..I voted for Harry POtter because it truely is so imaginative!!..thanks to JKR's crazy mind!
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:39 PM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
Being in the number 4 position isn't that bad but I think it should be higher, although it not a bad spot either.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 12:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
accio_rupert says:
I agree, number 4 obviously aint bad but could be better:p
xx
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
nearly-headless-spring says:
Way to go Harry Potter! I'm thinking he will be in the top ten for a long time yet. And even if we did drop a place, at least we beat out SpongeBob Squarepants! I hate that cartoon....no offense to anyone, but I really do.
Posted Oct 22, 2004 at 1:13 PM EST
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
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