But can Alvin and the Chipmunks now net their biggest prize yet: a $300 million paycheck? The franchise is onsale for around that amount, sources with knowledge of the matter have told CNBC.

My mother was a fan of the original 1960s Alvin and the Chipmunks cartoons while I grew up watching the 1980s Saturday morning series revival.

The Chipmunks Christmas song — how much money does it make each year? Ross Bagdasarian Jr., the creator's son, discusses the track's rich legacy.