This Twilight Franchise Turned a $401M Budget to $3.3B (& It’s Still Untouchable)

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It’s been 17 years since the first *Twilight* movie hit theaters, but the franchise created from Stephenie Meyer’s books is actually *more* popular now than ever. The five films—*Twilight* (2008), *New Moon* (2009), *Eclipse* (2010), *Breaking Dawn: Part 1* (2011), and *Breaking Dawn: Part 2* (2011)—cost a total of $401 million to make, which is surprisingly low considering how quickly they became a phenomenon. Those five movies went on to earn an incredible $3.3 billion worldwide, a success that still stands out today. Even though *Twilight* only has a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many people who remember the craze will tell you it was impossible to avoid hearing about Bella Swan and Edward Cullen back then.

Similar to the upcoming HBO television series based on *Harry Potter*, the *Twilight* saga is getting a fresh start. Netflix will adapt Stephenie Meyer’s popular vampire romance into an animated series, drawing its story from her 2020 novel, *Midnight Sun*. This book retells the original *Twilight* story from Edward Cullen’s perspective. Meyer will be involved as an executive producer, and the series is expected to debut around 2026. Although not all *Twilight* fans are excited about this reboot, it’s a good moment to reflect on the franchise’s impressive success and how it quickly gained a dedicated following.

Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Is Still Popular Today

While the *Twilight* series might not be revolutionary, it’s remarkably successful in what it does. When the first book came out in 2005, Stephenie Meyer changed the landscape of popular fiction. The *Twilight* books are lighter and more accessible than complex epics like *The Lord of the Rings* or *Dune*, even though those continue to be popular. The story is straightforward and easy to follow, a contrast to the intricate plots of series like *Harry Potter* and *A Song of Ice and Fire*. Meyer creates a detailed world, but it doesn’t feel overly complicated, and the setting of Forks, Washington, adds to the series’ appeal.

Bella Swan works well as a character, especially in the books, though her portrayal isn’t quite as strong on screen. She’s easy to connect with at first because she’s just a typical teen dealing with the relatable experience of moving to a new place. Her personality – she’s awkward, a bit sarcastic, and not very social – makes her feel realistic. We’re immediately intrigued by the mysterious Edward Cullen, and as the story unfolds and Bella gets to know him and the Cullen family, each character develops a unique personality, which keeps the story moving forward.

The *Twilight* series is famous for its vampires, but it explores many different ideas. While the central story focuses on the developing romance between Bella and Edward, their complicated relationship isn’t the only thing the books offer. You’ll also find werewolves, a world of the supernatural, the pull of forbidden desires, the impact of decisions, strong family and friend connections, and a classic battle between good and evil. These are universal themes that can be interpreted in countless ways.

As a total movie and book nerd, I’ve always been fascinated by *why* the *Twilight* series blew up the way it did. I think the timing was everything. It hit right as the Harry Potter era was winding down, and everyone was *just* starting to really get into social media. Plus, fan fiction was huge! *Twilight* arrived at the perfect moment for readers, especially those who loved fantasy, and it gave them a whole new world – and fandom – to jump into. It felt like a natural transition for a lot of us.

How Twilight Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise

While not universally loved, the *Twilight* movies were a smart move by Summit Entertainment. They skillfully navigated the 2007–2008 Writers’ Strike and, unlike many franchises, didn’t delay releasing the sequels. This kept *Twilight* popular and allowed them to release the fifth and final film, *Breaking Dawn: Part 2*, just four years after the first movie, in 2012.

When the cast for *Twilight* was announced, many of the actors were relatively new faces. While some had a few recognizable roles, they weren’t yet household names. Robert Pattinson, for example, had played Cedric Diggory in *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* (2005), but wasn’t widely known beyond that. Kristen Stewart, cast as Bella, was probably best known for her role in *Speak* (2004). And Taylor Lautner, who played Jacob Black, was famously recognized by millennials as Sharkboy from *The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl* (2005).

Millennials came of age alongside the rise of social media, meaning when the first *Twilight* movie was released, they were already using platforms like AOL Messenger, MySpace, Tumblr, and the early days of Facebook (which initially required a college email address). This timing was perfect for the films’ success. Everyone had an opinion about Bella and Edward, online polls debating Team Edward versus Team Jacob were incredibly popular, and fans were writing and sharing their own stories at a rapid pace.

The *Twilight* series became much more than just a set of movies, and this popularity really exploded as the films neared their conclusion. By the time *Breaking Dawn: Part 2* came out in theaters, the full impact of this phenomenon was clear. *Twilight* merchandise was everywhere – in stores and all over online retailers like Amazon. Bella and Edward (or Bella and Jacob, if you preferred Team Jacob) were the go-to Halloween costumes. Radio stations gave away tickets, commercials were designed around the *Twilight* brand, and even some of the earliest internet memes referenced the series. Essentially, *Twilight* became a part of everyday life, ultimately generating $3.3 billion in revenue.

The Twilight Franchise Is Full of Highs & Lows

Looking back, the *Twilight* movies have some truly memorable scenes, though their quality is all over the place. A standout moment for many fans is the baseball game from the first film. The vampires really show off their powers, and the stormy weather provides the perfect cover. It’s a super dramatic scene with a very distinct, moody style, and the actors really lean into the over-the-top energy, making it even more fun.

The Cullens were a captivating family, but some parts of the *Twilight* series are still pretty problematic. A particularly strange plot point in *Breaking Dawn* involves Jacob accidentally imprinting on Renesmee, Bella and Edward’s daughter who is part human and part vampire. This controversial turn of events plays out in *Breaking Dawn: Part 2*, and it’s difficult to watch unfold. Bella’s iconic line, “YOU IMPRINTED ON MY DAUGHTER?!” is memorable, but not in a good way.

Despite its flaws, *Breaking Dawn: Part 2* does successfully wrap up the *Twilight* saga. The movie’s highlight is definitely the climactic “confrontation” – which turns out to be a vision. This vision shows what might happen if the Volturi, the vampire governing body, try to fight the Cullens and their allies, and it’s filled with tension, action, and strong emotions. The scene is brilliantly filmed, convincingly portraying a massive battle that initially feels completely real.

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The *Twilight* series truly deserves recognition, particularly considering its incredible financial success – transforming a $400 million investment into a $3.3 billion global phenomenon. In under a decade, Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance became a cultural mainstay, cementing its place as one of the most impactful series ever created. Bella’s unique story, her complex relationships with Edward and Jacob, and her journey into the vampire world are unlike anything we’ve seen before, and likely will be for a long time. Meyer’s detailed worldbuilding and distinctive dialogue not only set *Twilight* apart from other series, but continue to resonate with a wide audience today.

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2025-10-12 06:52