Xbox boss Asha Sharma has declared that the Call Of Duty franchise is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sparking debate among fans and industry observers. The comment came during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, where Sharma and Xbox's executive vice president and chief content officer Matt Booty discussed the company's ambitions to become the largest entertainment company in the world.
Sharma's Bold Claim
Sharma stated, 'If you think about it, we've got the number two show of all time on Amazon [Fallout], Minecraft was top five in 2025, Call Of Duty is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So it all measures. [There's] more appetite to work with us on titles than ever before.' The remark has raised eyebrows given the cultural impact of the MCU, but from a financial perspective, the claim holds some weight. According to Wikipedia's list of highest-grossing media franchises, the MCU has earned an estimated $35.2 billion, while Call Of Duty has earned around $31 billion. However, Sharma's assertion may be based on more recent or profit-based data that is not publicly available.
Context of Layoffs and Studio Closures
The interview comes amid expected layoffs at Xbox, with reports suggesting up to three studios may close. Sharma's upbeat tone has been criticized as tone-deaf, but she emphasized Xbox's focus on leveraging its game franchises for broader entertainment. Booty noted that Xbox has 'over 20 franchises that have made a billion dollars, lifetime,' and that the company sees itself as a 'steward' of these properties.
Comparing Franchises
While Call Of Duty is one of the best-selling video game franchises, no Call Of Duty game has matched the cultural fervor of MCU films like Avengers: Endgame. Trailers for Marvel projects, such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day, have broken viewership records, surpassing even GTA 6. However, triple-A video games cost more than movie tickets, making them potentially more profitable per user, though fewer people experience them.
Recent Struggles for Both Franchises
Both Call Of Duty and the MCU have faced challenges recently. Call Of Duty has seen declining player numbers, and Black Ops 7 was a critical and commercial failure. The MCU has also experienced a post-Endgame slump, with debates about superhero fatigue. The upcoming Avengers Doomsday two-parter, focusing on Doctor Doom, aims to revitalize interest.
Xbox's Entertainment Ambitions
Sharma's other comments were less controversial. The second season of Fallout was Amazon's second most-watched returning show, and the Minecraft movie is among the highest-grossing video game adaptations. Xbox plans to expand its entertainment portfolio, including a Sea Of Thieves live-action movie produced by Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed MCU projects like Shang-Chi and the upcoming Spider-Man film.
