Sometimes Disney merchandise can get the best of you…and your wallet. 💵
There’s so much merchandise to choose from — clothing, character-specific merch, holiday apparel, and so much more! If you’ve ever wondered how much Disney really makes off its merchandise, we’ve got some answers. Turns out, you’re not the only one spending a LOT of money on Disney stuff!
According to License Global magazine, Disney made $56.2 billion dollars (yes, billion with a “B”) in retail sales of licensed products in 2021. This made Disney the TOP licensor in the entire world in 2021. These numbers come from the annual ranking published by License Global magazine. That list “ranks the performance of brands’ licensed consumer products at retail for fiscal year 2021.”
The amount Disney made in 2021 was actually about $20 billion more than the second company on the list, Dotdash Meredith.
In 2020, Disney made $54 billion in retail sales (and ranked #1 in the world as well). Part of the reason for Disney’s success could be the number of channels through which its merchandise is delivered, including shopDisney, the Disney parks, and local and mass-market retailers.
License Global also notes that Disney Consumer Products, Games, and Publishing, as the world’s largest licensing business, works with top brands like Mattel, LEGO, Funko, Hasbro, and others, to develop products that appeal to different types of consumers. And Disney is one of the world’s largest licensors when it comes to games across different platforms.
Where did other companies fall in comparison to Disney when it comes to those 2021 numbers? Well, at #4 was WarnerMedia/Warner Bros. Consumer Products with $15 billion in retail sales in 2021. At #5 was The Pokemon Company International with $8.5 billion in sales, followed by Hasbro with $8.4 billion in sales, and then NBC Universal/Universal Brand Development with $8.3 billion. You can see the full list from 2021 below.
Disney did close a large number of its Disney Stores throughout the U.S. in 2021 and the situation with merchandise, movies, and more keeps changing. So it’ll be interesting to see just how Disney does in 2022. Given the fact that it made 20 billion more than its closest competitor in 2021, however, we expect it could dominate the licensing and retail sales market once again.
Looking to snag some popular Disney merchandise but don’t want to pay full price? Click here to see some of the best Disney deals you can grab on Amazon. Don’t forget that Amazon Prime Day is coming up, and we’ll be covering ALL of the deals you can get during that limited time, so stay tuned for all the updates. And, as always, keep an eye on DFB for all your Disney news!
Click here to check out all the Disney World 5oth Anniversary merch you can get online!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Which company were you expecting to find on the list? Let us know below!
TRENDING NOW
New Happy Meal toys have just arrived at McDonald's!
Yikes! Disney fans have a lot to say about the new Lakeshore Lodge Resort
How you eat at the Space 220 Lounge is CHANGING in Disney World.
Who's ready to save on some Loungefly bags to kick off your week? We know...
If you're looking for some of the newest limited-edition MagicBands, look no further than these...
Check out everything that will be closed in Disney World this week. Good news, though,...
We’re here with a FULL review of our experience at Space 220 checking out BOTH...
BRAND NEW Happy Meal Toys are at McDonald's! Find more here.
There's a limited-time FREE snack you can grab at EPCOT now!
This could be why Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for over...
New updates on Pop Century Resort at Disney World!
Beware of this new airplane travel trend the next time you fly.
We're back to dive into some of the BEST breakfast food options that most people...
These are your Disney Visa Discounts for 2025!
We've gotta talk about these stories of people running amok at Disney World!
Disney is rolling out some NEW discounts!
Disney love hiding things in plain sight in their concept art, so let's dive into...
Here's our list of the BEST snacks this year for Universal Orlando.
The Disney World Annual Pass payment plan has been adjusted for all four passes.
Oh, BOY! We're popping into Disney parks around the world to bring you the BEST...