Best-Selling Franchises of October 2023

1. Pokémon

As October 2023 unfolded, Pokémon continued to dominate the franchise landscape. The launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion pack spurred renewed interest in the series. This expansion not only introduced new Pokémon but also enriched the gaming experience with vibrant environments and engaging storylines.

Additionally, merchandise sales skyrocketed, driven largely by nostalgic collectors eager to acquire limited edition cards from the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The franchise’s holistic strategy—combining gaming, trading, and television content—keeps it firmly at the forefront of pop culture.

2. Mario

The Super Mario franchise maintained its iconic status as it celebrated its 37th anniversary this year. In October 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder made waves as it redefined platform gaming with imaginative level design and multiplayer features. The integration of the latest 2D/3D art style has garnered critical acclaim, appealing to both new and veteran players.

Moreover, merchandise sales, particularly in the theme park sector—such as Universal Studios’ Super Nintendo World—have contributed significantly to its franchise value this October, with fans clamoring for plush toys, apparel, and game cross-promotions.

3. Call of Duty

The Call of Duty franchise, spearheaded by the highly anticipated Modern Warfare III, saw unparalleled pre-order sales in October 2023. This iteration promises substantial enhancements in gameplay mechanics and graphics, along with a gripping narrative.

The focus on eSports also places Call of Duty at the forefront of competitive gaming, with lucrative tournaments adding to its revenue streams. Merchandise from the franchise, including action figures and apparel, has boosted its sales figures significantly, appealing to a dedicated fan base.

4. FIFA

With the recent rebranding to EA Sports FC 24, the FIFA franchise evolved, entering October 2023 with robust sales figures. The game’s notable features include enhanced realism in gameplay and deeper managerial modes, which have attracted soccer fans globally.

Additionally, FIFA Ultimate Team packs remain a massive revenue source, with players investing in virtual assets. The transition from the FIFA brand has been supported by aggressive marketing strategies and collaborations with top football clubs, ensuring a strong presence in both digital and physical markets.

5. The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda franchise experienced a resurgence thanks to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Released earlier in 2023, its critical success translated into lasting sales momentum into October.

Alongside game sales, the franchise’s merchandise—ranging from art books to collectibles and apparel—has seen increased demand. The franchise’s narrative depth and immersive worlds continue to attract gamers, securing a prominent place in the franchise hierarchy.

6. Madden NFL

The Madden NFL 24 edition extended the franchise’s legacy in October 2023. The improved gameplay features, alongside the immersive Franchise Mode, garnered positive feedback from fans. The annual release has proven its resilience, consistently ranking high in sales charts.

Promotions related to the NFL season, including partnerships with popular teams, enhanced the visibility of Madden NFL, multiplying merchandise sales around jerseys, collectibles, and EA promotional items.

7. Final Fantasy

Following the remarkable success of Final Fantasy XVI, the franchise continues to resonate with RPG enthusiasts. By October 2023, the re-release of classic titles on modern platforms boosted sales, attracting both nostalgic players and new audiences.

Complementing its digital success, Final Fantasy merchandise—including figures, clothing, and art collections—contributes substantially to the franchise’s profitability, further solidifying its reputation as a pillar in the gaming community.

8. Dragon Ball

The Dragon Ball franchise remains a cultural heavyweight globally, driven by the ongoing success of the Dragon Ball Super series and the latest video games, such as Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. The lore and characters continue to attract new generations, keeping merchandise, from figures to clothing, in high demand.

The franchise’s strong social media presence and partnership with major streaming services have helped maintain its relevancy, ensuring that it remains a high-selling franchise even in October 2023.

9. Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

The MCU’s franchise strength soared with the release of The Marvels in October. The combination of theater sales, streaming viewership on Disney+, and cross-promotions through merchandise drove substantial revenue. The MCU’s intricate narrative and character arcs allow for continuous engagement, with fans eagerly absorbing every new content piece.

The growing popularity of related merchandise, including collectibles, weaved seamlessly into its storytelling, resulting in an impressive sales performance within the franchise space.

10. Star Wars

Star Wars has perpetuated its influence with the launch of Ahsoka series on Disney+. This show expanded the lore while driving interest in existing content, such as the Star Wars: Jedi Survivor game. The interplay between television series, video games, and extensive merchandise has reestablished its position as a best-selling franchise in October 2023.

The release of new collectibles and toys that coincide with each new show keeps fans constantly engaged, ensuring consistent revenue from various product lines.

11. Fortnite

The Fortnite franchise remains a cultural phenomenon, especially with the introduction of Chapter 4 Season 5. Innovative game modes, collaborations with various franchises, and major live events keep player engagement high.

In October 2023, merchandise such as action figures and gaming accessories saw heightened demand. Moreover, virtual concerts and in-game events have solidified Fortnite’s ability to monetize creativity and community engagement effectively.

12. Assassin’s Creed

With Assassin’s Creed Mirage launching to positive reviews in October 2023, the franchise reignited interest among fans. This installment returned to its roots, focusing on stealth mechanics and immersive storytelling.

The expansion of the series into alternate media—such as comics and animated series—paired with a robust merchandising strategy, has ensured enduring popularity and sales figures indicative of its best-selling franchise status.

13. Overwatch

Overwatch 2 continues to hold relevance within the gaming community, with seasonal changes and character updates spurring renewed interest. The engaging gameplay and collaborative events maintain a strong player base.

The franchise saw significant traction in merchandise sales, particularly with apparel and collectible figures, further solidifying its imprint within the gaming landscape as of October 2023.

14. The Elder Scrolls

With anticipation building for the next installment, The Elder Scrolls VI, the current landscaping of The Elder Scrolls Online has kept users engaged. Seasonal events and regular updates have ensured retention and growth, driving continued sales.

Moreover, the franchise’s merchandising—including maps, lore books, and figures—has proven lucrative, ensuring that it remains a beloved franchise among RPG enthusiasts as of October 2023.

15. The Sims

The Sims 4 has consistently maintained a devoted player base, thanks to regular expansions and updates that foster creativity. The social aspects and community engagement around this franchise have kept interest high.

Merchandise, particularly themed clothing and collectibles, alongside downloadable content packs, has culminated in substantial sales, allowing The Sims to remain one of the best-selling franchises in October 2023.

16. Hearthstone

The collectible card game Hearthstone has seen revitalization with recent expansions focusing on gameplay innovation and thematic richness. As of October 2023, the game’s competitive nature continues to attract players both new and old, ensuring significant in-game purchases.

Additionally, merchandise associated with the game—such as art books and apparel—enhances its visibility, ensuring that Hearthstone remains a prominent franchise in the digital gaming space.

17. Clash of Clans

Clash of Clans continues to garner attention through its regular updates and solid community engagement strategies. As of October 2023, the game’s monetization strategies, including in-game purchases and events, ensure robust revenues and sustained player interest.

The franchise’s merchandise, including branded gaming accessories, reinforces its cultural footprint, ensuring its place as a best-selling franchise.

18. Animal Crossing

Reaching a community peak with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the franchise continued strong sales into October 2023. Seasonal events and updates have kept players engaged in new ways, reinforcing its community-centric focus.

Moreover, the expansion into merchandise—including plush toys and themed clothing—has further solidified its ongoing popularity, ensuring that it remains a competitive franchise.

19. WWE

As we approached October 2023, the WWE 2K franchise gained traction with the recent launch of WWE 2K23. Updates and seasonal events tied to real wrestling events have connected fans more closely to the franchise, resulting in strong merchandise sales.

The overall strategy of aligning gaming offerings with live events ensures robust revenue flows from various sources, affirming WWE’s successful franchise status.

20. Candy Crush Saga

Despite being launched several years ago, Candy Crush Saga remains a heavyweight in mobile gaming. The regular introduction of new levels and challenges ensures continuous player engagement.

The franchise’s in-app monetization strategy, along with associated merchandise like themed clothing and accessories, keeps it relevant among casual gamers, ensuring high sales figures well into October 2023.