In a testament to its enduring popularity, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) has surpassed 220 million copies sold worldwide, as revealed by Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick in a recent interview following the company's Q2 FY2026 earnings report. Even more astonishingly, the game moved approximately 20 million units in the past year alone, up from around 200 million reported in May 2024.
Launched on September 17, 2013, by Rockstar Games, GTA 5 shattered records from day one, which generated over $800 million in sales and sold 11.21 million copies in its first 24 hours. This made it the fastest-selling entertainment product in history at the time. It reached the $1 billion mark in just three days.
A Timeline of Unprecedented Success
GTA 5's sales milestones paint a picture of relentless growth, fueled by re-releases on new platforms, the evergreen appeal of its single-player story, and the ever-expanding GTA Online.
| Date/Milestone | Copies Sold/Shipped | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September 2013 (Day 1) | 11.21 million | $815 million revenue. |
| October 2013 (6 weeks) | 29 million | Exceeded GTA IV lifetime sales. |
| December 2014 | 45 million | Including enhanced versions. |
| July 2018 | ~100 million | Approaching century mark. |
| August 2021 | 150 million | Steady post-pandemic surge. |
| May 2024 | ~200 million | Continued momentum. |
| November 2025 | >220 million | Latest figure; #2 best-selling game ever. |
The secret to GTA 5's longevity lies in GTA Online, which continues to deliver "terrific results" with regular content updates. The subscription service GTA+ has seen 20% year-over-year membership growth, providing exclusive benefits like double payouts and free vehicles. Combined, these elements have generated nearly $10 billion in lifetime revenue for the title.
This success outpaces entire nations, since 220 million copies exceed Brazil's population of about 213 million. It solidifies GTA 5 as the second-best-selling video game of all time, trailing only Minecraft's 300+ million.
Amid GTA 6 Delay, Confidence Remains High
The milestone comes as Rockstar announced a delay for Grand Theft Auto VI to November 26, 2026, prioritizing "perfection." Zelnick reassured investors: "We feel really good about this release date." GTA 5's performance, which is listed among top contributors to Take-Two's record $1.96 billion Q2 net bookings, cushions the blow.
Twelve years on, GTA 5 proves that quality endures. As fans await GTA 6, Rockstar's crown jewel continues to redefine gaming longevity.
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