The highest-grossing DC characters continue to expand their reach across all media, encompassing movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and merchandise. Since the debut of the first costumed heroes in the late 1930s, DC’s pantheon of heroes and villains has provided the blueprints for the entire superhero genre. Almost a full century later, DC dominates everything from billion-dollar cinematic universes and record-breaking video games to all kinds of memorabilia.

The hierarchy of DC’s most popular figures has undergone a fascinating and often unpredictable evolution. In the Golden and Silver Ages, the Trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman held a seemingly unshakeable grip on the public consciousness. Throughout the years, other characters have also found a spot in the public consciousness alongside them.

By the 2020s, DC has amassed a giant library of record-breaking media starring many of its biggest characters, earning the brand billions of dollars in profit.

8

Shazam

The DCEU Made Shazam The Blockbuster Hero He Always Should’ve Been

Shazam is by no means DC’s most popular character or property, but his commercial footprint is boosted by his relatively strong movie success. David F. Sandberg’s 2019 movie Shazam! grossed $366 million worldwide against a modest $85-100 million budget. While the 2023 sequel Shazam: Fury of the Gods struggled, Billy Batson and his family continue to be one of DC’s highest-grossing properties on the big screen, having amassed around $495 million total.

In publishing, Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel) holds a historic legacy, once famously outselling Superman in the 1940s. Modern monthly sales are more modest, though the Wizard’s Champion remains a DC comics, animation, and video games perennial, with Geoff Johns’ New 52 origin serving as a consistent evergreen seller and Shazam’s inclusion in the Injustice and LEGO games always guaranteed. Still Shazam’s commercial success comes mostly from the DCEU movies.

7

Green Lantern

Green Lantern Is A Pop Culture Staple Even Without Any Hit Movie Or Show

The Ryan Reynolds-led Green Lantern movie only grossed $220 million in 2011, failing to recoup its $200 million budget. However, the Green Lantern mythos has a bigger footprint in other media. DC’s Justice League animated shows, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, and countless appearances by the various Green Lantern heroes across different media have maintained a devoted fanbase throughout the decades. Hence, most of Green Lanterns’ commercial success, at least before the DCU reboot of the characters, comes from merchandise.

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Green Lantern’s true commercial stronghold is the comic book industry. DC’s New 52 and Rebirth eras have placed Green Lantern at the heart of the DC Universe, with event books like Blackest Night consistently moving over hundreds of thousands of units. Before that, the advent of DC’s Modern Age centered around the Green Lanterns during storylines like Emerald Twilight and Zero Hour. The Green Lantern concept allows for a massive variety of merchandise, including the power rings, which are among DC’s top-selling roleplay items.

6

The Flash

The Flash’s Commercial Phenomenon Came In Pretty Late In His History

The Flash is a cross-media powerhouse whose success is largely driven by a decade of television dominance. The CW’s The Flash show was a global phenomenon across nine seasons, and it cemented itself as the most-watched show in the network’s history. Although Andy Muschietti’s 2023 The Flash movie was a box-office disappointment with $271 million against an estimated $220 million budget, DC’s speedsters are a DC emblem.

DC Comics events like Flashpoint are among the highest-selling trade paperbacks in the company’s history, and the Flashes are guaranteed characters in most comic book events and crossovers. The Flash’s licensing extends heavily into athletics and tech that capitalize on the “fastest man alive” moniker. Likewise, DC’s Speed Force users have a strong presence in the toy market, where different iterations of Barry Allen and Wally West cater to a wide range of collectors.

5

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn Is A Modern Titan Of DC Media

Harley Quinn achieved a meteoric rise since her 1992 debut in Batman: The Animated Series. Following her integration into DC Comics and her standout appearance in the Arkham games, Harley Quinn’s 2016 live-action debut in Suicide Squad, which grossed $747 million, made the anti-hero a merchandising juggernaut. Harley’s brand consistently generates millions in retail sales, driven by a massive female demographic and not even necessarily associated with a specific movie or show.

The R-rated Harley Quinn animated series secured multiple seasons and proved that Harleen Quinzel’s appeal continues to work in the medium that created her. Comically, Harley’s solo titles frequently outperform the Justice League’s ensemble titles, and she’s one of the few characters whose costume sales have broken out into mainstream fashion. In the gaming world, Harley went from a supporting villain to a lead protagonist in Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.

4

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman’s Commercial Success Is Only Starting To Take Shape

Naturally, Wonder Woman is one of the most successful female superhero of all time, and her commercial stats prove it. Diana’s 2017 solo movie was a cultural watershed that grossed $822 million worldwide and held the record for the highest-grossing female superhero film until the MCU’s Captain Marvel released two years later. This cinematic success translated into a massive spike in licensing, with Wonder Woman apparel and school supplies becoming a dominant force in the global retail market.

Wonder Woman remains a top-tier seller in DC Comics, with recent runs by Tom King and Kelly Thompson consistently topping the charts. Unlike many heroes, Wonder Woman’s total number of projects includes a massive legacy of animation and the iconic 1970s TV show starring Lynda Carter, which still generates significant residuals and nostalgia-based merchandise. With the DCU’s Wonder Woman reboot projects on the way, Diana Prince’s numbers are bound to skyrocket soon.

3

Aquaman

Aquaman Proved His Naysayers Wrong With Batman-Level Success

Arthur Curry is the dark horse that became a billion-dollar king. James Wan’s Aquaman is the highest-grossing DC movie of all time, with $1.152 billion worldwide at the global box office. This feat alone places the King of the Seven Seas in an elite tier of commercial success, outperforming even the most iconic Batman or Superman solo outings. Despite the DCEU’s poor numbers in its later years, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom earned a respectable $440 million globally.

While his comic sales are traditionally lower than the DC Trinity, the Momoa effect has permanently elevated Aquaman’s value across all media and merchandise. Aquaman’s branding now leans heavily into the action-adventure and eco-conscious demographics. In video games, Aquaman is a mainstay of the Injustice and LEGO DC franchises. Arthur Curry’s success is a case study in how a single, massively successful movie can completely rewrite a character’s commercial destiny.

2

Superman

The Man Of Steel Is A DC Flagship Hero Despite Not Reaching His Full Potential

The Man of Steel is the foundation of the entire superhero industry, with an all-time commercial reach that is almost impossible to calculate. Superman has sold over 600 million comic books since 1938, more than any other single hero in history. His 2025 reboot, James Gunn’s Superman, revitalized the brand with a $125 million domestic opening and over $600 million globally. Superman is the only DC hero who rivals Batman in total cultural recognition, with a logo that is a billion-dollar brand in itself.

Superman has a cumulative total that spans multiple decades of blockbusters. Zack Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel earned $670 million, while the crossover Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice remains his highest-grossing appearance at $874 million. Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman movie set the bar with about $300.5 million worldwide, an enormous figure for its time. After decreasing results in subsequent movies, Superman Returns rebounded to approximately $391 million worldwide, though it underperformed relative to its budget.

When aggregated, Superman’s solo live-action theatrical films alone total well over $2.3-$2.5 billion worldwide. Superman’s success in other media is vast, encompassing the Smallville TV series that ran for 217 episodes, Superman & Lois, Superman: The Animated Series, and a variety of other animated and live-action TV show appearances. Of course, Superman continues to be the most licensed DC character alongside Batman and the Joker, appearing in all kinds of products, from toys to watches to health supplements to entire tourist attractions.

1

Batman

DC’s Dark Knight Is An Industry Of His Own

Batman is DC and Warner Bros’ financial engine. He’s the only hero with two separate billion-dollar movies, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, and his total cinematic revenue exceeds $7 billion. Even riskier takes like 2022’s The Batman proved immensely profitable with a $772 million haul. From the $411 million success of Tim Burton’s 1989 classic to the massive ensemble numbers of the DCEU, Batman has never had a solo film earn less than double its production budget.

In the comic market, Batman is the industry, as he consistently accounts for around 50% of DC’s total monthly revenue, with multiple ongoing titles like Batman, Detective Comics, and Absolute Batman all dominating the Top 10 lists simultaneously. Beyond the page, Batman is a global merchandising juggernaut; his logo is one of the most licensed symbols in the world, appearing on everything from high-end tech collaborations to everyday apparel. As expected, Batman’s cultural immortality is backed by his status as the top-selling DC character for toys and collectibles.

Batman’s TV credits are an endless pool of shows that go from obscure to globally beloved. The legendary 1966 TV series and the definitive Batman: The Animated Series are two of the most acclaimed DC shows of all time, but other underrated gems like 2004’s The Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are essential parts of the Caped Crusader’s history. On the gaming front, the Arkham franchise is the most successful superhero game series to date, and Batman is guaranteed to lead virtually every game DC is involved in.

Which DC character do you think will join this list in the future?

Created by

Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson

First Film

Man of Steel

First TV Show

Peacemaker

Cast

Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena

Movie(s)

Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold

Character(s)

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam