As we continue to gear up for Licensing Expo, another focus for IP owners at the show will be the big anniversaries they have coming up for their brands in 2026.
Anniversaries are the perfect moment to celebrate an IP, drive sales amongst the existing fan base as well as bring in new fans, through re-released and limited edition products and experiences. It gives licensees and retailers a reason to invest in new products and give over shelf space, to ride off the back of the brand buzz the anniversary will create.
2026 is looking packed with anniversaries covering film franchises, superheroes, video games, classic publishing properties and well loved board games.
Starting off though in the world of sports and the NBA will be celebrating 80 years since its foundation in 1946. Founded on June 6, 1946 in New York City as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), The National Basketball Association came into existence in 1949 when the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL). The NBA is a cultural phenomenon with a vast global reach through television, digital platforms, and social media, captivating millions of fans. Expect the global fandom to want to mark this landmark with special events and products.
In the world of food, Haribo, the candy kids and adults love, is celebrating 100 years and is ripe to make a bigger splash licensing. With great brand recognition and several sub brands, there is a huge opportunity for cross category ranges of products as well as special limited edition sweets.
Superhero-wise both Aquaman and Wonder Woman celebrate 85 years in 2026 so expect limited edition collectibles, apparel ranges and more to keep interest in these characters as they wait to be resurrected on the big screen, in the new DC cinematic universe.
Turning to publishing, and evergreen mainstay Beatrix Potter celebrates 160 years and UK comic book character Dennis the Menace from the Beano turns 75. These British publishing mainstays will likely see strong anniversary programs that extend further than just Great Britain.
Star Trek celebrates 60 years since the IP began with The Original Series. Expect to see products and experiences celebrating the full franchise of films and TV shows and its mantra of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.
Other film franchises are also celebrating anniversaries. It's been 25 years since the first Harry Potter and LOTR films hit theaters. Space Jam and the Mission Impossible (film) franchise turn 30, Top Gun turns 40, the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory turns 55 and the 1976 King Kong film, with Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges, turns 50.
Pixar is turning 40, so expect a celebratory and licensing program covering their vast portfolio of 30+ films. Everyone has a favourite - from Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Mosnters Inc, to Cars, Coco and Luca.
Marilyn Monroe celebrates 100 years and I would be surprised if its not used as the perfect moment to introduce her to new generations of potential fans through fashion and health & beauty collaborations.
Already huge in licensing, the behemoth that is Pokemon celebrates 30 years. Barely a week goes by without a new product launch or collaboration so it will be interesting to see just how big they can go to celebrate this milestone.
Sonic the Hedgehog, on a high from a trilogy of great movies, turns 35 so expect SEGA to celebrate this anniversary in style with products spanning the many iterations of the blue hedgehog, for kids and adults alike.
Tomb Raider turns 30 and with a new movie due to arrive this year it will hopefully be riding high and and have brought in a new wave of fans to the franchise.
The Legend of Zelda will be turning 40. With a raft of games (21 to be exact) over the years, including the most recent 'Tears of the Kingdom', and hugely popular around the world, the game franchise is ready to ‘do a Mario’ and make the jump to theaters, and sure enough a live action movie is planned to go into production in the coming years.
Hasbro has a huge raft of anniversaries for some of its biggest brands and board games in 2026. Play-Doh and Yahtzee hit 70, Twister 60, Weebles marks 55 years, Stretch Armstrong and Tonka turn 50. It will be interesting to see how they pack all of these into 12 months - celebrating all at once or spreading them out across the year.
And finally we couldn’t not include a brand hitting an incredible 200 years - London Zoo - the world's oldest scientific zoo. Attitudes towards zoos have, and continue to, change but surely there is a great potential program based around the animals and the admirable conservation and educational efforts.
So do any of those fit with your business growth plans? As ever, reach out via Negosh to any of these brands we have on the platform. And even if the one you want to work with isn’t on Negosh we can still help put you in contact through our Connector’s program.
Check out the Negosh Event Calendar for the up to date release schedule and information for the films, TV shows, video games and anniversaries that are likely to be big for licensing.
Not sure where to start? Negosh Connector can help put you in touch with any brand or IP owner you’d like to work with. Get Started here