Will the Force be with Harry Potter soon?

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Harry Potter is creeping up on the Star Wars franchise’s $2 billion bank:

The “Star Wars” films have earned $4 billion worldwide, and sales of merchandise account for another $20 billion.

But in calculating its latest list of the most lucrative film franchises, Forbes magazine used only domestic box-office figures, and it did not adjust for inflation.

Still, the franchise born 33 years ago when tickets cost only $2.23 apiece is No. 1, having earned $2 billion domestically. At second, the Harry Potter franchise has taken in $1.7 billion, and with two films remaining it’s poised to overtake “Star Wars,” but perhaps only temporarily if the “Star Wars” 3D rerelease goes as planned.

While we’re on the Star Wars subject, be sure to check out our Harry Potter VS Luke Skywalker comparison page.