Disney has grown from Walt Disney’s filmic factory of dreams that put fairytales to the screen, to a massive media conglomerate worth billions, with branding that’s recognised around the globe. In this time while creating their own unique intellectual properties (IPs), they have also paid top dollar for series, films, and other characters to join the House of Mouse, to continue under their banner.
So, which of their most profitable IPs are the most popular to adorn the front of greeting cards from high-quality greeting card suppliers? Here are some of the most popular you’re likely to see when hunting for the perfect card.
The classics – Mickey, Minnie, and the gang
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and the other classic characters from Walt Disney’s House of Mouse have stood the test of time, becoming favourites of all generations. Whether it’s parents or older generations who remember Fantasia hitting the big screen or the children who love Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse on television, their enduring popularity makes them a hit for cards for all occasions.
It’s reflected in the value of the characters, as the character is synonymous with the company’s branding. This could be seen as having the same overall value, which comes to around $171 billion (£135 billion).
Princesses – Elsa from ‘Frozen’ refuses to let it go
When Frozen was released in cinemas, it was an undisputed hit. The tale of sisters Elsa and Anna netted $1.28 billion (£1.01 billion) at the global box office in 2013. And to make things even better for Disney, their popularity carried over into the sequel released six years later in 2019, bringing in a further $1.45 billion (£1.14 billion) globally.
Not only does this make it one of the most successful films within the Disney Princess line but it also makes it one of the most successful animated films in the history of cinema. It’s no surprise then that Elsa’s presence on a greeting card is a welcome touch of magic, making every occasion feel more special.
Star Wars – a galaxy far away… today
In 2012, Disney made a purchase and acquired a franchise so beloved with the hopes of injecting new life, by paying Lucas Arts $4 billion (£3.16 billion) for the Star Wars franchise. Not only did this give Disney access to all the films, TV series, and characters created within the Star Wars empire, but it also allowed for new stories and merchandise to be created.
Greeting cards are no exception, and with timeless and identifiable characters with memorable quotes, there are plenty for suppliers to choose from. Darth Vader is an obvious choice for a bad guy that fans love to hate, or the wisdom and humour of Yoda, there are plenty of options for birthdays, congratulations, and all events worth celebrating.
Marvel – Spider-Man swings into action
Another purchase of a franchise that has grown exponentially in terms of size and scope is Disney’s acquisition of Marvel in 2009 for around $4 billion (£3.16 billion). Since then, Marvel Studios was established with the goal of bringing comic favourites to life on cinema screens, telling individual stories that weave into a larger narrative. This led to the spectacle of Avengers Endgame in 2019, which became the second highest-grossing film of all time with a lifetime gross of $2,799,439,100 (£2,208,505,500).
And with nearly a century’s worth of characters, none are as popular for greeting cards than Spider-Man. The relatable charm of the friendly neighbourhood webslinger spans generations, and whether it’s in a drawn form or Tom Holland’s version, you’re likely to find him on all manner of special occasion cards.
The Simpsons – D’oh! Did you forget they’re Disney too?
The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in television history, and you may have forgotten that they now fall under Disney’s umbrella of ownership. This came in 2019 as a result of Disney’s $71.3 billion (£56.25 billion) purchase of Fox Studios, as well as several other recognisable and profitable IPs.
From the characters of the titular family to popular side characters and niche one-offs, there are plenty of fan-favourites that make for great greetings card covers and designs. In fact, polls from YouGov have shown that despite how long the show has run for, it’s still more popular than other adult cartoon sitcoms like Family Guy and South Park. It shows Homer’s popularity among fans, eclipsing the other options by a wide margin, making him the likely character to see on your greeting cards.
With how many recognisable franchises are owned by the Walt Disney Corporation, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to which characters reach the front covers of greeting cards. This ranges from the classics like Mickey Mouse who is so closely associated with Disney as a business, to franchises acquired in purchases to enhance the multimedia monopoly being built.
