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Revealed: The public’s all-time favourite on-screen characters of film, TV and gaming
gaming
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, the Joker could charge $102k (£74.5k) for a sponsored post
- Rachel Green has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with her name of all sitcom characters (1 million)
- Pennywise, Chucky and Jigsaw are the most searched-for horror characters
- Games featuring Pikachu rake in highest revenue ($90 billion/£65.9 billion) of all the top gaming characters
There are hundreds of iconic characters from film, TV and gaming who will forever be household names. But which characters are the public’s all-time favourites? New research by Currys looked at online search volumes and social media posts that talked about some of the most famous personalities from various media genres. Below you can find out who topped each list as the most legendary icons of their genre.
The most iconic gaming characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Sonic could charge $67k (£48.9k) for a sponsored post
- Pikachu has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all gaming characters (7.4 million)
- Mario has appeared in the most games of all characters (259)
- Total revenue for the Pokemon game series ($90 billion/£65.9 billion) is higher than any other game, with second-placed Mario Bros lagging far behind ($30.3 billion/£22.2 billion)
The world of gaming has transformed over the decades, but is it the high-definition characters of today that are the fan favourites, or the iconic cartoons of decades gone by? The answer appears to be the latter. The ever-so-speedy Sonic the Hedgehog raced to the top of the search volume ranks, followed by Pikachu and Pac-Man. It’s a similar story on Instagram, with Pikachu, Mario and Sonic receiving the most posts.
| Rank | Character | Global Monthly Search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Sonic | 6,700,000 | 3,273,487 |
| 2 | Pikachu | 3,700,000 | 7,430,874 |
| 3 | Pac-man | 3,000,000 | 1,642,920 |
| 4 | Mario | 2,100,000 | 5,559,810 |
| 5 | Big Boss | 712,500 | 2,800,000 |
| 6 | Luigi | 641,200 | 1,300,000 |
| 7 | Lara Croft | 607,700 | 735,000 |
| 8 | Kratos | 571,900 | 654,000 |
| 9 | Yoshi | 556,700 | 1,800,000 |
| 10 | Diablo | 490,900 | 1,100,000 |
The most terrifying horror characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Pennywise could charge $15k (£10.9k) for a sponsored post
- Pennywise has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all horror characters (2 million)
- Hannibal Lecter has the highest average IMDb rating (rated 7.2)
Although many of us would probably rather forget some of the most memorable horror characters, the fact that we can’t makes them all the more iconic. Taking first place for search volume and number of Instagram posts is killer clown Pennywise, who has really had a lasting impact on audiences. He’s followed by evil doll Chucky and Saw’s murderous mastermind Jigsaw in terms of search volume, and Dracula and Halloween’s Michael Myers in number of Instagram posts.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Pennywise AKA IT | 1,500,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 2 | Chucky | 1,400,000 | 1,100,000 |
| 3 | Jigsaw | 967,000 | 844,000 |
| 4 | Freddy Krueger | 943,000 | 991,000 |
| 5 | Michael Myers | 798,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 6 | Frankenstein’s Monster | 673,900 | 124,000 |
| 7 | Hannibal Lecter | 635,000 | 332,000 |
| 8 | Dracula | 632,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 9 | Slenderman | 579,500 | 517,000 |
| 10 | Eli | 324,100 | 1,000,000 |
The Best-loved sitcom characters
- If search volume equated to Instagram followers, Mr Bean could charge $11k (£8k) for a sponsored post
- Rachel Green has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with her name of all sitcom characters (1 million)
- Rachel, Monica, Ross and Phoebe from Friends have the joint highest average IMDb rating (rated 8.9)
There have been plenty of memorable sitcoms over the decades, each attracting die-hard fan bases. So, it’s interesting to see that the data reveals a landslide victory for Friends, with the cast beaten only by Mr Bean in search volume. Not only does this suggest that Friends could be the most iconic sitcom of all time, but it also answers the question many Friends fans have been dying to know – who is the most popular ‘Friend’? It turns out the on-screen couple, Ross and Rachel both take the crowns.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Mr Bean | 1,100,000 | 568,000 |
| 2 | Ross Geller | 589,300 | 932,000 |
| 3 | Rachel Green | 509,400 | 1,000,000 |
| 4 | Monica Geller | 491,700 | 969,000 |
| 5 | Joey Tribbiani | 470,000 | 957,000 |
| 6 | Will Smith | 364,000 | 247,000 |
| 7 | Phoebe Buffay | 338,000 | 812,000 |
| 8 | Bart Simpson | 303,000 | 590,000 |
| 9 | Jerry Seinfeld | 273,000 | 125,000 |
| 10 | Homer Simpson | 266,000 | 688,000 |
The most legendary superheroes and villains
- The Joker, Spider-Man and Black Panther are the most searched-for superheroes and villains in the world
- Batman has the most Instagram posts hashtagged with his name of all superheroes and villains (28.2 million)
- Black Panther has the highest average IMDb rating for all films he has featured in (rated 8.1)
Who steals the title as the greatest superhero is a popular topic of debate. As is the Marvel vs. DC Comics rivalry. To settle these disputes once and for all, the data reveals that Batman, and his nemesis the Joker, take the victory as the most-searched-for and posted about characters. But if we’re basing the win on a majority vote, Marvel and DC Comics are neck and neck, with five characters each ranking in the top 10 – leaving the competition very much open between the two market leaders.
| Rank | Character | Global monthly search volume | No. of Insta posts with name hashtagged |
| 1 | Joker | 10,200,000 | 13,700,000 |
| 2 | Spider-Man | 7,200,000 | 20,500,000 |
| 3 | Black Panther | 4,400,000 | 6,000,000 |
| 4 | Wonder Woman | 3,800,000 | 9,300,000 |
| 5 | Iron Man | 3,400,000 | 16,600,000 |
| 6 | Batman | 3,200,000 | 28,200,000 |
| 7 | Harley Quinn | 3,200,000 | 6,600,000 |
| 8 | Thor | 2,800,000 | 10,900,000 |
| 9 | Deadpool | 2,700,000 | 6,100,000 |
| 10 | Aquaman | 2,600,000 | 2,500,000 |
Methodology
The top characters were identified using Google searches for the “top sitcom characters”, etc. From this, a list of approximately 100 characters was curated for each category, which was narrowed down to 15 based on the highest search volumes (found using SEMRush). Instagram hashtag counts are based on the number of posts hashtagged with the characters’ names, e.g. #Sonic, etc. Potential Instagram earnings were calculated by using the search volume for each character as a hypothetical ‘follower count’. With these figures, we calculated an earning per post based on an unspoken industry standard rate of $100 per 10,000 followers. IMDb ratings were calculated by averaging the IMDb rating of all TV shows or films the character has featured in. For gaming, we identified the total number of games the characters have featured in.
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Following the success of its original release, Spinmatic’s Pinky Plinko returns with a beautifully reimagined Deluxe edition. The innovative B2B provider elevates the beloved game with refined mechanics, enhanced visuals and immersive sound design for a high-performing addition to any operator’s content portfolio.
Set during a mythical Japanese matsuri – a spirited festival where the human and spirit worlds briefly collide – the game invites players to join Pinky, a cheerful half-human, half-cat spirit, on a joyful journey through lantern-lit streets and supernatural surprises.
The core mechanic of the game remains the classic Plinko format, but the Deluxe version introduces a completely reworked Hold & Drop system. Players can now choose to release 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 balls at once, with each drop visualised through a fluid, lottery-style counter that enhances anticipation and immersion.
This new edition also offers a more visual and accessible approach to risk levels. The game now makes it easier for players to read the volatility of each session at a glance.
One of the most exciting additions is the introduction of Prize Multipliers – magical glowing bands that appear on the board and double the value of any ball that lands within them. These appear in one zone in the 8-line mode and two zones in the 16-line setup. Each winning drop is accompanied by bespoke visual and audio effects that scale with the prize’s value, creating a celebratory atmosphere that mirrors the game’s festive theme.
To support long-term engagement, a live results tracker has been integrated into the interface, sitting discreetly in the top-left corner. This feature allows players to monitor their recent outcomes and keep track of lucky streaks without disrupting the rhythm of play.
Beyond mechanics, Pinky Plinko Deluxe delivers a complete sensory upgrade. The background art and game board have been redesigned with intricate detail, enhancing the depth and richness of the game’s world. Every element has been refined to evoke the spirit of the festival and elevate the player experience.
The sound design also adapts dynamically, with subtle sparkles for small wins and full-scale fireworks when larger prizes are secured.
The result is an atmospheric and polished experience designed to delight players and perform strongly across a wide range of markets.
The post Spinmatic launches Pinky Plinko Deluxe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership
Boomerang Partners, an affiliate marketing agency, is proud to announce that Boomerang and the legendary AC Milan celebrated the first anniversary of their strategic partnership. This collaboration has redefined how brands and clubs engage with fans, partners, and global sports audiences.
Over the past 12 months, this alliance has made significant strides both on and off the field. From global exposure to affiliate program growth, this partnership has become the benchmark for what a meaningful brand-club partnership in iGaming can look like.
During the year of Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan, Boomerang Partners became one of the best sports affiliate marketing programs in the industry:
- +194% growth in sports traffic across Boomerang’s affiliate ecosystem
- +81% increase in audience interest in sports
- +23% boost in Boomerang brand loyalty
- 30+ exclusive partner campaigns were powered
- 1,000+ media mentions with a total global reach of 320M+
- 1M+ impressions on Boomerang’s platforms from AC Milan-related content
The Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan has also influenced the brand recognition and prestige of Boomerang Partners. Some of the most prominent achievements and news were:
- Hosting the ceremony of the second annual Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 global affiliate tournament at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium;
- Participation in Boomerang Partners events by AC Milan Legends such as Andrea Pirlo, Serginho, and Massimo Ambrosini;
- More than 200 Boomerang’s partners visited San Siro during the season (the most attended match was the derby between AC Milan and Inter FC on February 2, 2025);
- Over 500 merchandising items were donated to guests and brand partners.
Anton Eshtokin, Chief Marketing Officer at Boomerang Partners, said: “For Boomerang, the collaboration with AC Milan is a top-level achievement. During the year of our partnership, we won three prestigious industry awards: ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) at the SBC Awards 2024, ‘Best Player Engagement’ at the SiGMA Europe Awards 2024, and ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ at the International Gaming Awards 2025. The Club has shown itself to be an ideal partner, ready to meet our needs in joint projects. We are grateful to AC Milan and its representatives for their professionalism. I’m sure that there are many more bright activities ahead of us that will surprise the sports world and the affiliate marketing industry.”
Boomerang’s partners have also greatly benefited from the brand’s strategic partnership with AC Milan. These include unique promotional and engagement opportunities, cool campaigns and creatives, and, of course, the chance to visit the legendary San Siro stadium in Milan.
For AC Milan, the collaboration with Boomerang is an opportunity to enhance fan engagement across Europe, offering unique experiences that celebrate their shared passion for sports. Fans from all over the world were given access to special giveaways, allowing them to attend the football Club’s matches and meet its legends.
Boomerang and AC Milan have entered their second year of strategic partnership. The parties are confident that their alliance will enable them to achieve numerous successes and solidify their status as one of the most effective partnerships in the industry. Stay tuned.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Boomerang launched six new products in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 17+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bread Financial
Caesars Entertainment and Bread Financial Introduce New Caesars Rewards® Prestige Visa, a Premium-Level Credit Card Allowing Caesars Rewards Members to Earn Tier Status Faster and Unlock Luxury Rewards with Every Purchase
Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR), the largest casino entertainment company in the U.S., is playing a bold new hand by launching a second, elevated, Caesars Rewards® Visa Signature credit card with Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. For a $149 annual fee*, the Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature credit card includes up to $450 in annual value and gives members all the benefits of high-end experiences as well as waived fees for foreign transactions*.
Cardmembers will receive Prestige Perks worth up to $450 and redeemable annually across Caesars’ 50+ U.S. destinations, including:
- A complimentary hotel night upon anniversary (up to $300)*
- $50 Slot Play*
- $100 Caesars dining credit*
- Accelerated earn rates for Caesars Rewards destinations at seven Reward Credits® per $1 spent*
“Caesars Entertainment has always been about giving our members unmatched access to the best experiences in the industry,” said Josh Jones, chief marketing officer at Caesars Entertainment. “Through our world-class Caesars Rewards program and our relationship with Bread Financial, we’re expanding the ways our members can earn and enjoy perks—from one-of-a-kind experiences, exceptional dining options, accelerated status opportunities and more – this new card option brings even more excitement, value and VIP treatment to every guest staying and playing with Caesars Entertainment.”
“The Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa credit card gives cardmembers more ways to earn rewards immediately on everyday purchases and unlock exclusive perks on travel, entertainment, dining and gaming —making every tap a step closer to their next unforgettable Caesars experience,” said Val Greer, EVP and chief commercial officer at Bread Financial. “This new credit card offers Caesars’ most dedicated members additional opportunities to make each purchase even more rewarding.”
Additionally, the credit card provides more ways to earn Tier Credits through welcome offers and annual bonuses, enabling members to achieve their Caesars Rewards loyalty program tiers faster. New cardholders can earn up to 25,000 additional Tier Credits in their first year*.
Welcome Offer
- Platinum Status upgrade*
- 2,500 Tier Credits after first purchase outside of Caesars Rewards destinations*
- 20,000 Reward Credits and 2,500 Tier Credits after $1,000 spend outside of Caesars Rewards destinations*
Annual Bonuses
- 2,500 Tier Credits with $5,000 annual spend + another 2,500 Tier Credits with $10,000 annual spend*
- 15,000 Tier Credits with $50,000 annual spend*
The new credit card adds to the existing Caesars Rewards Visa suite, including the Caesars Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card. Whether members are gaming, dining, or on the go, Caesars and Bread Financial have cardmembers covered with two distinct credit card programs to choose from and limitless ways to earn. The Caesars Rewards Visa card has also been elevated with a sophisticated new black design, bringing a sleek, modern edge to a card that delivers everyday perks with timeless luxury.
The post Caesars Entertainment and Bread Financial Introduce New Caesars Rewards® Prestige Visa, a Premium-Level Credit Card Allowing Caesars Rewards Members to Earn Tier Status Faster and Unlock Luxury Rewards with Every Purchase appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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