10 Most Popular, Best-Selling Products of all Time, According to TIME Magazine

Throughout history, there have been products that have not only captured the hearts and minds of consumers but have also stood the test of time, becoming iconic in their own right. From the groundbreaking iPhone to the timeless appeal of Mario and Star Wars, these best-selling products have left an indelible mark on our culture and the way we live our lives. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most popular, best-selling products of all time, as recognized by TIME Magazine. These products have achieved remarkable success and continue to influence industries and consumers alike.

10 – Rubik’s cube

The Rubik’s cube is an iconic product from the 1980s – Rubik’s cube fever swept the world then, and it hasn’t stopped since. People have bought an incredible 350 million individual Rubik’s cubes over the last 35 years, making it the best-selling single toy of all time.

09 – iPhone

It couldn’t be a list of best-selling products without having an appearance from an Apple product or two! The iPhone was launched in 2007, and since then new versions have been brought out time and time again. To date, well over 500 million iPhones have been sold, making it the best-selling smartphone of them all. Somehow, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Apple and the iPhone yet!

08 – Harry Potter

The success of the Harry Potter franchise never seems to end! British author J.K. Rowling wrote a series of books which sold 450 million copies in over 70 different languages. Not only did this make it the best-selling series of all time, but it also launched J.K. Rowling to the position of highest-paid author. The popularity of the books led to the creation of a corresponding film series which comprised eight films – this grossed almost $8 million worldwide. Clearly, Harry Potter is one of the biggest and most prolific brands in existence!

07 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller

According to the album’s producers, Michael Jackson’s album entitled Thriller has sold over 70 million copies since it was first released. MJ’s songs have become timeless classics, and several of them appear on this album. Perhaps the best known is the eponymous song itself: the video to the track Thriller has a dance routine that is still being performed by individuals and groups to this very day!

06 – Mario Bros. Franchise

Donkey Kong was the first game which featured the Mario brothers; the same two Italian plumbers have gone on to feature in well over 100 other games since the start of the 1980s. Around 262 million individual copies of Maris brothers games have been sold in total, making this one of the biggest and best-selling franchises not just in the gaming industry, but in the entire world.

05 – iPad

The iPad is the second Apple product to appear on this list of best-selling products of all time. Apple has sold over 210 million iPads so far, making it the best-selling tablet ever. Reports suggest that people keep their tablets for longer before buying newer versions (whereas with the iPhone people tend to buy the new versions as soon as they’re released), which opens Apple up to competition from the likes of Samsung and Amazon Kindle.

04 – Star Wars

The Star Wars franchise has a mammoth following, from the original fans to youngsters who are only now watching the films for the first time. All things considered, the Star Wars films have grossed a staggering $4.6 billion, although this figure has been adjusted for inflation. There are still three more Star Wars films in the pipeline, so this figure only looks set to grow even more!

03 – Toyota Corolla

By OSX (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Believe it or not, the Toyota Corolla was first introduced way back in 1966, and it’s been an extremely popular vehicle ever since. In fact, it’s more than that – with sales figures topping 40 million individual vehicles, this is the best-selling of all car models! Toyota is still bringing out new versions of the Corolla, which is testament to its popularity, reliability and affordability.

02 – Lipitor

Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer are behind Lipitor, the best-selling pharmaceutical product of all time. Since its introduction, they have seen astronomical sales of $141 billion, with no other product coming anywhere close. However, in 2011 the patent ran out on this drug, meaning that competitors are now able to make their own versions of it. This has significantly dented sales of the original, but that still doesn’t detract from its incredible success.

01 – PlayStation

The PlayStation was first introduced in 1995, and since then it has become the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold 344 million units. This covers all the different versions, right from the original to the most recent PlayStation 4. Sony faces fierce competition from Xbox, so time – and sales figures – will tell whether or not this will remain one of the best-selling products of all time!

In conclusion, these 10 most popular, best-selling products of all time have left an enduring impact on our lives, shaping the way we communicate, entertain ourselves, and engage with the world around us. From the revolutionary iPhone to the beloved characters of Mario and Star Wars, these products have transcended their respective industries and become cultural icons. Their lasting success is a testament to the power of innovation, creativity, and a deep understanding of consumer needs. As we look forward to the future, these products will continue to inspire new generations of creators and innovators, leaving us eager to see what groundbreaking products will emerge in the years to come.

via: Time