Part 10/12:
International Markets, Streaming, and Future Outlook
While U.S. box office underperformance might seem concerning, most of the franchise’s revenue now comes from international markets and post-theatrical sales, including streaming and physical media. Popular markets like China and Europe contribute significantly to total earnings, with licensed content sales and digital distribution adding billions to the franchise’s bottom line.
In fact, some estimates suggest that franchise-related merchandise, licensing, and media licensing have built a $14 billion empire, with ongoing sales from DVD/Blu-ray and digital platforms continuing to generate hundreds of millions annually.