Disneyreleased a presentationearlier this week that gave a rare look into how fruitful the biggest IPs are for the House of Mouse. The filing reveals that its tentpole franchises,MarvelandStar Wars, have garnered $11.6 billion USD and $13.2 billion USD respectively since they were each acquired for $4 billion USD in 2009 and 2012, good for a 3.3 times and 2.9 times return on investment.
Those numbers are pulled from aggregate 10-year expected and generated revenue streams, which relate to theatrical releases, home entertainment, TV, and consumer products, made under Disney’s ownership, though notably don’t include other sources likepark attractions based on the worksor other direct to consumer originals or pre-established products related to the franchises. The investment, of course, comes from the costs to produce and advertise theatrical releases as well as production overhead for animated content. It’s clearly been a success for the company, despite recent theatrical struggles, and Disney even offered a timeline of its most impactful releases including the fourAvengersmovies, particularly financial juggernautsInfinity WarandEndgame,as well as the debut of theStar Warssequel trilogy and television successes likeAndor.
Disney also touted the launch of attractions like Avengers Campus, Star Tours, and Galaxy’s Edge as a further show of the many significant revenue streams beyond film and television each franchise provides. WithStar Wars, the company also touted three untitled upcoming movies, likely includingThe Mandalorian & Grogucoming in 2026andDaisy Ridley’s film, though Marvel also has a lot on the horizon, includingDeadpool & Wolverineon July 26.
Marvel and ‘Star Wars’ Aren’t Disney’s Best Return on Investment
While Disney’s biggest franchises are without question Marvel andStar Wars, they are dwarfed in terms of ROI by two of their animated juggernauts -FrozenandToy Story.Frozenhas made a staggering 9.9 times more than Disney invested, which comes as no shock considering the staggering box office returns of both films - $1.28 billion USD and $1.420 billion USD respectively - as well as the releases ofOnce Upon a SnowmanandOlaf Presentsand numerous attractions including Frozen Ever After at Walt Disney World, Frozen - Live at the Hyperion at Disneyland, and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. A third filmis also on the way, albeitwithoutJennifer Leeat the helm.
Toy Story, meanwhile, has given Disney a 5.5 times ROI, with the company citing the four mainline films as well as expansions likethe NFL Alt-Castand the franchise’s many park attractions. Also listed isLightyeardespite its underwhelming critical reception and dismal box office performance. It too,has another filmwhich was announced alongsideFrozen 3andZootopia 2in an effort byBob Igerto lean into the most profitable IPs.
Although activist investors are trying to force a change at Disney and there’sbeen a mixed reaction among audiencesregarding the company’s content of late, they’ll keep coming back to the well with these franchises as long as the money keeps rolling in.
