What makes a fan? The answer can be found either in the explanations of a fan or in the life of the characters that they adore. Fans are what every musician, painter, actor or director ever works for. The many fans that a piece of art or artist gathers around themselves, commands the future endeavours for the artist. Hence, some movies, TVseries and music groups achieve some of the biggest fandom in the world. It is not easy to move the public and having the biggest fandom in the world as it requires a lot of precision work that sometimes spans years. Which is why, many fail on the road to fandom.
The true joy is found by an artist when their art takes root in the minds of onlookers and becomes bigger than them. That is where a true fandom is found. Do you know what is considered the first biggest fandom in the world? They were the resolute followers of the belief that Sherlock Holmes is a real person. And with enough drudgery, one could acquire his skills. Today, not everyone might know the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but everyone knows the high functioning detective.
When Holmes was ‘killed off’ in the story called ‘The Final Problem’ in 1893, it gave rise to public mourning demonstrations. That might be the proof of the first biggest fandom in the world. A large group of fans united by the same interests and discussion topics is what creates a fandom for a certain book, cinema or television series. Since 2010, many fandoms have formed around the world. They are fanatical about every little detail of a story, meanings behind songs and create fanfiction about their favourite character. So, from comics to popstars, here are the biggest fandoms in the world ranked:
1. ARMY - BTS Fandom
K-Pop has set the world afire in recent years and kids that don’t even understand the Korean language, have a strong religious liking towards BTS. The ARMY is the most powerful fandom in the world. Because it brought an end to the long reigning ‘beliebers’ group (fans of Justin Beiber). The reason why the ARMY came to be so popular is the short climb of BTS in being the first K-Pop group to win a place in the Billboards 200 Chart.
BTS ARMY surpassed the ‘beliebers’ when BTS won the Billboard Awards’ Top Social Artist with the largest ever, 300 million votes worldwide. Since then, there has been no stopping them. BTS fans have three handles on twitter- ‘BTS on Billboard’ to support the advances of BTS on the charts, ‘BTS Views’ to keep track of YouTube views and a third ‘BTS’ page to drive their efforts through hashtag votings on social media. Korean media suggests that the fanbase is so strong that it can influence marketing strategies and sales, they can even stop the sales of BTS based merch and put down trolls. What is the benefit of being the biggest fandom in the world if you can’t pull some strings? The social media and joint efforts of ARMY has enabled them to replant rainforests, acquire funds for LBGTQ+ refugees and other social causes. So, till a bigger contender comes along, the ARMY is marching on without halts.
2. Potterheads - Harry Potter Movie and Novel Fandom
There are still some of us in our late 20s waiting for our letter from Hogwarts. If there is a 90s kid that doesn’t know who Harry Potter is, they are certainly living under a rock, on a desolate island! J K Rowling’s creations - the boy who lived, the school of witchcraft and wizardry and one of the most terrifying villains in cinema – Lord Voldemort. All of these magical world imaginations gave a whole new level to fantasy writing and movies.
The world’s biggest Harry Potter fandom of Potterheads exploded when the first movie, The Sorcerer’s Stone, released in 2001. Before that, Harry Potter had its fandom within the reading circles. After the movies, however, first the British Isles and then the rest of the world went on to look for references in myths and legends for a real Hogwarts. While everyone was ready to fly a broom or open an account in Gringotts Bank, the Harry Potter movies also promoted the sales of the books heavily. Making Rowling one of the world’s biggest writers with a fandom. Today, after the final part of the movies has been released, Potterheads still meet in secret to enjoy butterbeer, discuss Hogwarts and show off their pet owls!
3. Marvel Zombies - Marvel Cinematic Universe Fandom
No, they are not drooling blood with blacked out eyes but their passion for Marvel makes them see everything through the Multiverse of Madness. The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) kicked off as a shared universe between movies in 2010. When Captain America: The First Avenger was announced the fans of Marvel saw a great upcoming movie in the future.
For many true MCU fans, the universe began to take shape with Iron-Man itself, which was released in 2008. The MCU is the home of some of the biggest superheroes like Spiderman, the X-men, Iron-Man and Hulk. If you haven’t heard of even one of these superheroes, you’re probably using the internet for the first time today. In its ten years, the MCU has become a great superhero franchise amongst Marvel Zombies, which is the largest fictional fandom in the world.
The unbroken faith in the Avengers and the huge teen following of Spiderman, makes this cinematic universe an entertaining yet complex movie series. More so because of its hidden clues and easter eggs in every movie. With the MCU moving into its second phase of production, the Multiverse is yet to expand with new blood for the zombies.
4. Directioners - One Direction Fandom
The boy band might have gone in different directions but they left behind what today is the biggest fandom that a broken boyband can have. Directioners have always adored the boys of One Direction - Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan. Zayn Malik is not considered a part of the band by the followers anymore, since he was the one who left first. In a way most directioners began to dislike Zayn, accusing him of being the reason 1D got disbanded. That is because after Zayn left in March 2015, the boyband took an extended break the same year in December, and never came back for another show. But Directioners are still the sweetest and most favourable fandom in the world.
5. Warsies - Star Wars Fandom
Star Wars can be easily considered one of the largest fandoms in the world. It might be one of the only fandoms that have people from all age groups including the boomers and the Gen Z. Star Wars was founded by George Lucas in 1976 as a multimedia company. Star Wars is now one of the biggest franchises that delves into all sorts of entertainment like comics, novels, movies, TV series, toys and video games.
The reason for its never-ending success is that it gives everyone, with different interests, something to talk about. Its archetypal themes that are derived from political climaxes, religious sentiments, spiritual significance and classical mythology have always been pondered upon. Which is why it is one of the most powerful and biggest fandoms in the world after BTS.
6. Narutards - Naruto Fandom
Animation has always been the starting point of everyone’s TV entertainment journey. While many people grow out of the animated genre, Naruto fans are the ones who understand that animation can be used to convey deeper, much more complex themes. Naruto is an anime surrounding the struggle of Naruto and his friends in becoming a Hokage (the strongest ninja in the village).
The best thing about Naruto fandom is that the Narutards are not revolving around the lead protagonist. All Naruto fans learn their life lessons, or so they say, from different characters like Kakashi, Sasuke, Pain, and many more. Among anime lovers, Naruto has the biggest fandom in the world because of its motivational themes, warrior fundamentals and life lessons of teamwork and unity.
There are fans all around the world that have their own interests. Some are addicted to the magical world of Hogwarts, some like to brag about Hulk being immortal, while others thrive to be a Jedi. Whatever the centre of the fandom, the fictional worlds and musical personas give the people a chance to come together despite political and religious differences. This is where art surpasses the limits of humanity.
FAQs
Which is the largest fandom in the world?
If we talk about numbers, BTS fans are currently the largest fandom in the world.
Which is the biggest fandom in the world?
If we talk about the most enthusiastic and informative fandom, it would be the Warsies or Star Wars Fandom.