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Mickey Mouse, Winnie The Pooh most valuable character franchises : Forbes
MUMBAI: Disney owns three of the top ten character franchises, according to Forbes.com’s annual “Top Earning Fictional Characters List.”
Forbes.com estimates that the top-ten fictional characters grossed more than $25 billion last year.
Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh are number one and two respectively. Disney/Pixar’s $860 million box office blockbuster Finding Nemo rounded out the top five. Collectively, all three
character franchises amount to nearly half the combined retail sales of the entire “Fictional Billionaires” list. The Lord Of The Rings’ Frodo Baggins took the third spot followed by Harry Potter.
Disney’s Power Rangers and Disney/Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear voiced by Tom Hanks in the Toy Story movies were included in Forbes.com’s “Near Misses” list.
Disney senior VP brand management Matt Ryan added, “At Disney, we strive to develop characters that engage a child’s imagination, tell stories that connect with families and find ways for our
characters to live on in the hearts and minds of children everywhere.
“The consistent top ranking of Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh on Forbes.com’s list tells us that these characters live on with new generations. And we will continue to introduce classic characters, like Nemo, which children can enjoy for years to come.”
It is not just kids who love Mickey and his entourage. Disney says that Mickey’s impressive boost in earnings has been driven in part by a surge in popularity of vintage adult apparel.
Disney consumer products worldwide chairman Andy Mooney added, “The resurgence of Mickey to this year’s top ranking can be attributed to the successful programs we implemented, including the Mickey 75th Anniversary, Mickey postage stamp programme, vintage Mickey fashion line, as well as new DVD and television releases surrounding the character.
“Although Disney Princess was not eligible for this list, the power of the Disney Princess brand is truly making its mark among young girls — with a 300 per cent growth in the past three years.”
To calculate the earnings of the world’s top fictional characters, Forbes.com added together worldwide toy/merchandise sales, videogame sales, publishing and box-office revenue, as well as DVD/VHS sales and rental revenue.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
