StudioCanal

{{short description|French film studio and distributor}}

{{use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox company

| name = StudioCanal S.A.S.

| logo = Studiocanal 2011 logo.svg

| logo_size =218px

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2011

| type = Subsidiary (Société par actions simplifiée)

| predecessors = {{ubl|Canal+ Image International|Paravision International|Carolco Pictures|Orange Studio}}

| former_names = Canal+ Production (1984–1990)
Le Studio Canal+ (1990–2000)
Canal+ D.A. (1992–2000)

| foundation = {{Start date and age|1984|9|7}}

| founder = Pierre Lescure

| location_city = Paris, France

| location_country =

| locations =

| defunct =

| key_people = Maxime Saada (Chairman)
Anna Marsh (CEO)

| area_served = Worldwide

| industry = Filmmaking
Film distribution

| products =

| services =

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| num_employees =

| owner =

| parent = Canal+

| divisions = {{plainlist|

  • StudioCanal Australia
  • StudioCanal GmbH
  • StudioCanal Kids & Family
  • StudioCanal Original
  • StudioCanal Stories
  • StudioCanal UK

}}

| subsid = {{ubl|Tandem Productions|Paddington and Company|Harvey Unna and Stephen Durbridge Limited|Red Production Company|Sixth Dimension|SAM Productions (25%)|SunnyMarch TV (20%)|Urban Myth Films|Bambú Producciones (33%)|Lailaps Films|ROK Studios|MultiChoice Studios (45%)|Zacu Entertainment|Marodi TV|British Pathé|Dutch FilmWorks (majority)|The Picture Company (minority)}}

| homepage = {{URL|https://www.studiocanal.com/}}

| footnotes =

| intl =

}}

StudioCanal S.A.S.{{cite web |url= https://www.prime1studio.com/t1-t-800-endoskeleton-hdmmt1-01ex.html |title=T-800 Endoskeleton}} (formerly known as Le Studio Canal+, Canal Plus, Canal+ Distribution, Canal+ D.A., and Canal+ Production and also known as StudioCanal International) is a French film & television production and distribution company which is a subsidiary of Canal+ S.A..

{{as of|May 2024}}, the company has 14 production companies in Europe and the United States, and holds around 9,000 titles in its extensive film library.

History

{{see also|Groupe Canal+#History}}

On 1 January 1987, Canal+ Productions was founded as a cinema film co-production subsidiary of the cable channel which had been established in November 1984, Canal+. The subscription channel was co-founded by André Rousselet and Pierre Lescure.{{cite web | last=Milmo | first=Dan | title=Lescure ousted at Canal Plus | website=The Guardian | date=16 April 2002 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/16/citynews.broadcasting2 | access-date=16 May 2024}}{{cite web | title=L'histoire du Groupe CANAL+ de 1983 à nos jours | website=Canal+ | date=1 January 2012 | url=http://www.canalplusgroup.com/pid163.htm#anch_29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205011344/http://www.canalplusgroup.com/pid163.htm#anch_29 | archive-date=5 February 2012 | url-status=dead}} This was to reduce Canal+'s dependence on the American major studios by building its own library that the pay-TV channel could use on their own channels and internationally.{{cite web | title=Canal Plus | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=18 May 2018 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/businesses-and-occupations/canal-plus | access-date=16 May 2024}}

By December 1990, Canal+ Productions rebranded to Le Studio Canal+, and released its first film, The Double Life of Veronique, by Krzysztof Kieslowski. By the early 1990s, it became apparent that Canal+ was a major contributor to the French film industry, with its obligation to spend 10% of its income on French-made films, as well as being Europe's largest buyer of American film rights. Canal+ also made investments in other companies. In 1991 it bought a five percent stake in the independent American studio Carolco Pictures. However, in 1992, Le Studio Canal+ suffered financial difficulties after Carolco Pictures entered a corporate restructure.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

StudioCanal's most notable productions from its early years include Terminator 2: Judgment Day, JFK, Basic Instinct, Cliffhanger, Under Siege, Free Willy, and the original Stargate movie. In those days, it was known as either Le Studio Canal+ or simply Canal+.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Other films the company financed include U-571, Bully, and Bridget Jones's Diary. StudioCanal also funded the last third of David Lynch's film Mulholland Drive.{{IMDb title|166924|Mulholland Drive}} StudioCanal also financed French-language films, such as Brotherhood of the Wolf (which became the sixth-highest-grossing French-language film of all time in the United States) and Intimate Strangers. Films such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day which grossed US$519 million, Basic Instinct which grossed US$352 million and The Tourist which grossed US$278 million worldwide, have been big box-office hits for StudioCanal.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3396699649/|title=Terminator 2: Judgment Day|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 22, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3997533697/|title=Basic Instinct|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 22, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1819772417/|title=The Tourist|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 22, 2013}}

In January 1996, Le Studio Canal+ made a $56 million bid for Carolco Pictures' library. 20th Century Fox, which had originally agreed to buy the library for $50 million, had dropped their bid to $47.5 million and ultimately dropped out of contention, making this acquisition Canal+'s first foray into library acquisitions.{{cite web | last=Bates | first=James | title=New Carolco Library Bid Sends Fox Running | website=Los Angeles Times | date=17 January 1996 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-17-fi-25405-story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113110509/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-17-fi-25405-story.html | archive-date=13 January 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=17 May 2024}}{{cite news|title= Carolco Pictures files for bankruptcy protection|work= New York Times|date=1995-11-11|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/11/business/company-news-carolco-pictures-files-for-bankruptcy-protection.html}}

Le Studio Canal+'s original plan was to build a pan-European distribution network. They made their first known acquisition into a foreign market in 1997 when they bought a 20% minority stake in Germany's Tobis Film; they would later increase the stake to 60% in February 2000, renaming the company Tobis StudioCanal.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal sells its share of Tobis|website=Cineuropa |first=Alexandra|last=Nartowicz|date=3 January 2003|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/18127/}}{{cite web|title=Le Studio Canal Plus maps German distrib|url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/le-studio-canal-plus-maps-german-distrib-1117776581/|website=Variety|date=February 17, 2000|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

On 1 December 1998, all of Canal+ film, television, music, video production activities, etc., were grouped into a new entity, Canal+ Image, which was rebranded as StudioCanal in 2000.

In December 2000, StudioCanal partnered with Italian public broadcasting company RAI to launch a joint venture distribution company in Italy, marking StudioCanal's first entry into the Italian film market; the company's name was revealed to be 01 Distribution in May 2001.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal buildup|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/studiocanal-buildup-1117790916/|website=Variety|first=Deborah|last=Young|date=December 21, 2000|access-date=December 21, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Smart start for StudioCanal-RAI's 01|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/smart-start-for-studiocanal-rai-s-01-1117799449/|website=Variety|first=David|last=Rooney|date=May 15, 2001|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

In July 2001, StudioCanal entered the Spanish film industry by acquiring a 45% stake in Sogepaq from Spanish pay television company Sogecable (Vivendi Universal owned 21% of Sogecable at the time) for $36.2 million, also giving the former a 73% controlling stake in its Spanish subsidiary StudioCanal España and a minority stake in the joint venture Warner Sogefilms.{{cite web|title=Vivendi U buys into Sogepaq|website=Variety |first=John|last=Hopewell|date=2 July 2001|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/news/vivendi-u-buys-into-sogepaq-1117802243/}}{{cite web|title=StudioCanal acquires 45% of Sogepaq for $36m|website=Screen International |first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=2 July 2002|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://www.screendaily.com/studiocanal-acquires-45-of-sogepaq-for-36m/406176.article}}{{cite web|title=StudioCanal acquires 45% of Sogepaq|website=Unifrance|date=5 July 2001|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://en.unifrance.org/news/203/studiocanal-acquires-45-of-sogepaq}} The following month, StudioCanal acquired a 52% stake in French television production powerhouse Expand.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal secures control of TV producer Expand|url=https://www.screendaily.com/studiocanal-secures-control-of-tv-producer-expand/406643.article|website=Screen Daily|first=Francoise Meaux|last=Saint Marc|date=August 20, 2001|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

In May 2002, StudioCanal expanded their Italian operations by setting up an in-house production outfit based in Rome named StudioCanal Urania, aiming to produce up to three films annually.{{cite web|title=Studio Canal unveils Italian film production unit|url=https://www.screendaily.com/studio-canal-unveils-italian-film-production-unit/409301.article|website=Screen Daily|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=May 18, 2002|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

In late-September 2002, StudioCanal announced that they and BAC Majestic had parted ways. Terms of the deal included the sale of their joint venture Mars Distribution to StudioCanal, while BAC Distribution would revert to BAC Majestic.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal grabs Mars Films, gives Bac new hope|website=Screen International|first=Francoise|last=Meaux Saint Marc|date=2 October 2002|access-date=26 November 2023 |url=https://www.screendaily.com/studiocanal-grabs-mars-films-gives-bac-new-hope/4010689.article}}{{cite web|title=Bac distribution splits up|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/9175/|website=Cineuropa|first=Fabien|last=Lemercier|date=November 27, 2002|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

Staff departures and its parent Vivendi Universal's debt forced StudioCanal to gradually sell off their interests in these companies:

  • Tobis StudioCanal was subject to a management buyout by CEO Kilian Rebentrost and shareholder Pathé in December 2002 and renamed back to Tobis Film, although the two companies maintained their business relations.{{cite web|title=Viv U scootin' Teuton distrib|website=Variety|first=Ed|last=Meza|date=1 December 2002|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/news/viv-u-scootin-teuton-distrib-1117876694/}}
  • Sogepaq was sold back to Sogecable in July 2003 for £48 million ($54.2 million).{{cite web|title=Viv U sells its Sogepaq stake|website=Variety|date=10 July 2003|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://variety.com/2003/biz/news/viv-u-sells-its-sogepaq-stake-1117889121/}}
  • Mars Films split from StudioCanal in 2007 to become independent; StudioCanal would later buy a 30% stake in the company in September 2015 and begin controlling its library in August 2021.{{cite web|title=Celerier says Mars can do it all|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=15 February 2008|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/celerier-says-mars-can-do-104981/}}{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Acquires 30% Of Mars Films; Appoints Didier Lupfer As President|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=29 September 2015|access-date=26 November 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/studiocanal-mars-distribution-didier-lupfer-president-vivendi-vincent-bollore-1201557666/}}{{cite web|title=Studiocanal to Operate Heavy-Hitting Mars Films Library as French Distributor Finalizes Restructuring|website=Variety|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=20 August 2021|access-date=26 November 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/mars-films-vivendi-restructure-plan-1235045456/}}{{cite web|title=Courson taking charge at Studio Canal|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/courson-taking-charge-at-studio-canal-1117958407/|website=Variety|first=Alison|last=James|date=January 31, 2007|access-date=December 21, 2007}}

Three years later, StudioCanal re-entered the international market by acquiring British film distributor Optimum Releasing in May 2006 as their first expansion into the United Kingdom, releasing their British film and television catalogue, including the EMI Films library, through the newly acquired company. A year later in 2007, Optimum Home Entertainment and Lionsgate UK acquired Elevation Sales, a home entertainment sales and distribution company.{{cite web|title=About Us|website=Elevation Sales|access-date=16 July 2022|url=https://elevationsales.co.uk/#about}}{{cite web|title=Optimum, Lionsgate to buy Elevation Sales|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Sam|last=Andrews|date=20 May 2007|access-date=16 July 2022 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/optimum-lionsgate-buy-elevation-sales-136746/}}

In August 2007, StudioCanal partnered with NBC Universal's international home entertainment division Universal Pictures International Entertainment to launch a joint venture home entertainment distribution subsidiary called Universal Studio Canal Video.{{cite web|title=Universal pacts with Studio Canal|url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/features/universal-pacts-with-studio-canal-1117971043/|website=Variety|first=Alison|last=James|date=August 29, 2007|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

In January 2008, StudioCanal acquired German-based film independent distributor Kinowelt, which had distributed StudioCanal's films there until then, marking a re-entry for StudioCanal into the German market.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal buys Kinowelt |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/studiocanal-buys-kinowelt-1117979210/|publisher=Variety|date=January 17, 2008}} Kinowelt also owned the DVD label Arthaus. Both Optimum Releasing and Kinowelt have since been merged into StudioCanal were rebranded as StudioCanal Limited and StudioCanal GmbH respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/optimum-kinowelt-to-be-rebranded-as-studiocanal/5029378.article |title=Optimum, Kinowelt to be rebranded as StudioCanal|publisher=Screen Daily|date=June 30, 2011}}

In January 2012, StudioCanal expanded its European operations by acquiring a majority stake in Munich-based producer and distributor Tandem Productions, marking the company's first major move into television production. StudioCanal would later buy out the company's remaining shares in May 2020.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal acquires Tandem |url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/studiocanal-buys-tandem-1118048377/ |website=Variety|first1=Ed|last1=Maza|first2=John |last2=Hopewell|date=January 12, 2012|access-date=May 2, 2024}}{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Takes Full Control of 'Pillars of the Earth' Producer Tandem|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/studiocanal-takes-full-control-pillars-earth-producer-tandem-1294303/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 12, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In July 2012, StudioCanal made a deal with Australian & New Zealand cinema chain Hoyts to acquire the latter's independent film distribution division Hoyts Distribution, marking StudioCanal's first acquisition outside of Europe; the company was rebranded to StudioCanal Pty Limited in April 2013.{{cite web|title=Studiocanal buys Hoyts Distribution|url=https://variety.com/2012/scene/markets-festivals/studiocanal-buys-hoyts-distribution-1118056641/|website=Variety|date=July 17, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.if.com.au/2013/04/03/article/Hoyts-Distribution-renamed-STUDIOCANAL-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/MBDQJXMERM.html|title=Hoyts Distribution renamed STUDIOCANAL in Australia and New Zealand| publisher=IF Magazine|date=March 4, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409041010/http://if.com.au/2013/04/03/article/Hoyts-Distribution-renamed-STUDIOCANAL-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/MBDQJXMERM.html| archive-date=9 April 2013}}

In December 2013, StudioCanal announced its acquisition of a majority stake in the British independent TV production company Red Production Company.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal acquires stake in Red Production Company|url=https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/studiocanal-acquires-stake-red-production-company/|website=Screen Daily|first=Stephen|last=Chapman|date=December 5, 2013|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In May 2014, StudioCanal expanded their operations into the Scandinavian market, joining forces with Danish screenwriter & author Søren Sveistrup, screenwriter Adam Price and film & television producer Meta Louise Foldager to launch a new Danish television production company based in Copenhagen named SAM Productions, with the latter becoming CEO of the new production company.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Teams With 'The Killing' & 'Borgen' Creators In SAM Production Co|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/studiocanal-teams-with-the-killing-borgen-creators-in-scandinavian-production-company-sam-729980/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=May 14, 2014|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

In September 2014, StudioCanal announced a first-look deal with the newly established American entertainment company The Picture Company, founded by former Silver Pictures employees Andrew Rona and Alex Heinemann. The deal was extended in May 2023, with StudioCanal acquiring a minority stake in the company alongside a new five-year deal.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Acquires Mintory Stake in The Picture Company|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/studiocanal-buys-minority-stake-the-picture-company-partners-andrew-rona-alex-heineman-new-5-year-deal-cannes-1235375707/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In May 2015, StudioCanal collaborated with Japanese publishing company Kadokawa Corporation to restore Akira Kurosawa’s highly acclaimed film Ran for its 30th anniversary with French film processing company Éclair restoring the film in 4K under the supervision of the two companies ahead of the film's re-release in Japanese theatres before releasing it to French cinemas.{{cite web|title=Akira Kurosawa's Ran will return to cinemas|url=https://akirakurosawa.info/2015/05/05/akira-kurosawas-ran-will-return-to-cinemas/|website=Akira Kurosawa Info|first=Vili|last=Maunula|date=May 5, 2015|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

In April 2016, StudioCanal acquired a 20% stake in two London-based British film and television production companies: actor Benedict Cumberbatch's film and television production company SunnyMarch TV and Johnny Capps & Julian Murphy's television production company Urban Myth Films, also acquiring a 33% stake in Spanish television production company Bambú Producciones.{{cite web|title=MipTV: Studiocanal Buys Into Benedict Cumberbatch's Sunny March, Urban Myth, Spain's Bambu|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/studiocanal-cumberbatch-urban-myth-bambu-1201744441/|website=Variety|first1=John|last1=Hopewell|first2=Elsa|last2=Keslassydate=April 4, 2016|date=4 April 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Studiocanal Invests In 3 Euro Indies; Benedict Cumberbatch's SunnyMarch Among Them – MIPTV|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/studiocanal-acquires-stakes-benedict-cumberbatcs-sunny-march-bambu-urban-myth-miptv-1201731413/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

In June 2016, StudioCanal acquired the Paddington Bear brand along with Paddington & Company and The Copyrights Group, the franchise's merchandise licensing agent. StudioCanal then announced that it would be producing three more Paddington films, including a show on Nick Jr. in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/global/studiocanal-acquires-paddington-brand-third-movie-1201799112/|title=Studiocanal Acquires Paddington Bear Brand, Plans Third Paddington Movie |first1=John |last1=Hopewell |first2=Elsa |last2=Keslassy |date=20 June 2016 |website=Variety}}

In July 2021, StudioCanal announced its acquisition of German production company Lailaps Films.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal buys German prodco Lailaps|date=July 7, 2021 |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/studiocanal-buys-german-prodco-lailaps/www.viaplaycontentdistribution.com/ |website=C21Media |access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In June 2022, StudioCanal expanded into the Benelux market by acquiring a majority stake in the Dutch independent film production and distribution firm Dutch FilmWorks.{{cite web |title=StudioCanal Takes Majority Stake in Dutch Filmworks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/studiocanal-acquires-dutchfilmworks-1235168435/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 20, 2022|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In October 2022, StudioCanal entered a partnership with Rome-based Italian film production company Elsinore Film to jointly co-develop and co-produce a slate of scripted and unscripted content for the international market.{{cite web|title=Studiocanal Moves Into Production in Italy by Forging Partnership With Elsinore Film (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/studiocanal-production-italy-partnership-elsinore-film-1235400638/|website=Variety|first=Nick|last=Vivarelli|date=October 2022|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

In March 2024, StudioCanal launched their first in-house production label, an unnamed film & television production genre label dedicated to horror, thriller and sci-fi action movies and had hired former StudioCanal UK executive Jed Benedict as the CEO of the label.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Launches Genre Label, Jed Benedict to Run|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/studiocanal-launches-genre-label-with-jed-benedict-to-run-1235844400/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Scott|last=Roxborough|date=March 6, 2024|access-date=December 20, 2024}}{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Hires Jed Benedict To Launch In-House Genre Label|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/studiocanal-jed-benedict-genre-label-2024-1235847472/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Zac|last=Ntim|date=March 6, 2024|access-date=December 20, 2024}} In February 2025, the label, now christened Sixth Dimension, made its first acquisition by acquiring distribution rights outside North America to an upcoming reboot of the Silent Night, Deadly Night series from Cineverse.{{cite web|title=Studiocanal's New Genre Label Sixth Dimension Sets First Title As Reboot Of 1984 Slasher 'Silent Night, Deadly Night'; Cineverse Releasing In North America With Sales Launching At EFM|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Diana|last=Lodderhose|date=6 February 2025|access-date=6 February 2025|url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/studiocanal-sixth-dimension-silent-night-deadly-night-1236280246/}}

In April 2024, StudioCanal launched a production label dedicated to publishing book-to-screen adaptations called StudioCanal Stories.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal Launches Literary Adaptations Label|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/studiocanal-stories-literary-adaptations-label-launches-1235898322/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Jesse|last1=Whittock|first2=Max|last2=Goldbart|date=April 29, 2024|access-date=May 2, 2024}}

In July 2024, StudioCanal expanded their American operations by launching their second American office based in New York City and had promoted former global distribution sales chief Anne Chérel to oversee the office as StudioCanal's American CCO.{{cite web|title='Back To Black' Maker Studiocanal Opening New York Office|url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/studiocanal-opening-new-york-office-1236015417/|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Jesse|last=Wittock|date=July 19, 2024|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

In September 2024, StudioCanal rebranded their merchandising and licensing company The Copyrights Group to StudioCanal Kids & Family to expand their kids and family brand portfolio; they will also lead on worldwide brand development, licensing and retail services including their own IP Paddington Bear, with Francoise Guyonnet continuing to be the CEO of the renamed division.{{cite web|title=StudioCanal rebrands The Copyrights Group as StudioCanal Kids & Family|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/studiocanal-rebrands-the-copyrights-group-as-studiocanal-kids-family/|website=C21Media|first=Neil|last=Batey|date=September 18, 2024|access-date=September 19, 2024}}{{cite web|title=The Copyrights Group rebrands as StudioCanal Kids & Family|url=https://kidscreen.com/2024/09/18/the-copyrights-group-rebrands-as-studiocanal-kids-family/|website=Kidsreen|first=Cole|last=Watson|date=September 18, 2024|access-date=September 19, 2024}}

In October 2024, StudioCanal signed an international distribution deal with American independent film production company River Road Entertainment for nine feature films and two documentaries for theatrical, TV, SVOD and other media.{{cite web|title=Studiocanal Acquires Key International Rights to '12 Years a Slave,' 'The Tree of Life' and More River Road Entertainment Titles (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/river-road-entertainment-titles-acquired-by-studiocanal-1236182171/|website=Variety|first=Lise|last=Pedersen|date=October 18, 2024|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

Film library

StudioCanal acquired film libraries from studios that either became defunct or had merged with it over the years, currently holding more than 9,000 titles as a result.{{cite web | title=Our activities: From a French television channel to a global audiovisual group | website=CANAL+ Group | date=7 May 2024 | url=https://www.canalplusgroup.com/en/group | access-date=16 May 2024}}

StudioCanal owns the libraries of the following companies:

  • Carolco Pictures{{cite web|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|title=The rise and fall of Carolco|date=March 11, 2014|publisher=Den of Geek|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-rise-and-fall-of-carolco/|access-date=April 24, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Lambie|first=Ryan|title=Exclusive: CEO Alex Bafer Tells Us About The Return of Carolco|date=January 26, 2015|publisher=Den of Geek |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/carolco/243077/exclusive-ceo-alex-bafer-tells-us-about-the-return-of-carolco|access-date=April 24, 2015}}
  • The Vista Organization
  • Seven Arts (joint venture with New Line Cinema)
  • Paravision International
  • Parafrance Films
  • De Laurentiis Entertainment Group{{cite web|last=Hammer|first=Joshua|title=Total Free Fall|date=March 8, 1992|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/total-free-fall-195938|access-date=April 24, 2015}}
  • Embassy Pictures{{cite web|last=Friendly|first=David T.|title=De Laurentiis Rejoins The Ranks--at Embassy|date=November 16, 1985|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-11-16-ca-2810-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 24, 2015}}
  • Lumiere Pictures and Television{{cite web|last=Hopewell|first=John|title=Lumiere rocks to French classics|date=October 20, 2012|publisher=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/lumiere-rocks-to-french-classics-1118061036/|access-date=April 24, 2015}} (currently owned as a result of parent company Canal+ Group's acquisition of cinema operator UGC who acquired those companies, via Weintraub Entertainment Group)
  • EMI Films"A.B. Pictures Acquire 50% Of Anglo Amalgamated." The Times [London, England]; April 5, 1962: 21. The Times Digital Archive."Associated British Picture Corporation." Sunday Times [London, England] September 3, 1967: 44. The Sunday Times Digital Archive.
  • British Lion Films{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Wendy|title=Network Distributing acquires rights to 450 films from StudioCanal library|date=December 17, 2012|publisher=Screen Daily|url=https://www.screendaily.com/network-distributing-acquires-rights-to-450-films-from-studiocanal-library/5049999.article|access-date=April 24, 2015}}
  • Individual Pictures
  • The 1947–1955 London Films library (pre-1947 titles owned by ITV Studios)
  • Anglo-Amalgamated
  • Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors
  • Associated British Picture Corporation
  • ABC Weekend TV
  • Associated British Productions
  • British International Pictures{{cite web|url=http://bufvc.ac.uk/archives/index.php/collection/117|title=STUDIOCANAL|website=British Universities Film & Video Council}}
  • Ealing Studios{{cite web|last=Haflidason|first=Almar|title=Ealing Comedy Boxset 2 DVD (1947-1953)|publisher=BBC Online|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2003/04/28/ealing_comedy_boxset_2_dvd_review.shtml|access-date=April 25, 2015}}{{cite web |last=French|first=Philip|title=The Ealing Studios Collection Vol 1 review – Philip French on three immaculately restored Ealing classics |date=August 9, 2014|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/10/ealing-studios-vol-1-philip-french-dvd-review-kind-hearts-lavender-man-white|access-date=April 24, 2015}}
  • Associated Talking Pictures and Associated British Film Distributors
  • Pathé News
  • Welwyn Studios
  • Almi Pictures/Television catalog
  • Romulus Films{{cite web|url=https://www.studiocanal.com/news/studiocanal-acquires-the-romulus-films-catalogue/|title=STUDIOCANAL acquires the Romulus Films catalogue|publisher=StudioCanal|date=April 6, 2021}}
  • Hammer Film Productions (distribution rights){{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/studiocanal-inks-library-deal-with-classic-horror-brand-hammer-films-1202747967|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930095006/https://deadline.com/2019/09/studiocanal-inks-library-deal-with-classic-horror-brand-hammer-films-1202747967/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2019|title=Studiocanal Inks Library Deal with Classic Horror Brand Hammer Films|date=30 September 2019}}
  • Alexander Salkind/Pueblo Film Licensing (the non-Superman films not owned by Warner Bros.)
  • Quad Cinema{{cite web|title=Studiocanal Acquires Library of 'The Intouchables' Producer|date=October 1, 2018|publisher=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/studiocanal-the-untouchables-production-library-toledano-nakache-1202962957/|access-date=October 1, 2018}}
  • Regency Enterprises (TV rights only, France)
  • Spyglass Entertainment (TV rights only, France, Benelux, Sweden and Poland)
  • American Zoetrope (distribution rights)

=Former agreements=

= Television series =

StudioCanal currently{{when|date=May 2024}} owns the rights to over 30 television series, mostly produced by TANDEM Productions and Red Production Company, including The Avengers, Rambo: The Force of Freedom, Paranoid, Public Eye, Crazyhead, Take Two, Wanted Dead or Alive, The Adventures of Paddington (2019), and international rights to The Big Valley.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Distribution

Outside France, the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand and Germany, StudioCanal does not have a formal distribution unit per se, instead relying on other distribution studios and home video distributors to handle their titles. In North America for example, The Criterion Collection, Rialto Pictures, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (for the Embassy catalog), Universal Pictures (for co-productions), Shout! Studios and Kino Lorber distribute StudioCanal's back catalogue on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (in addition, Anchor Bay Entertainment and Image Entertainment previously owned several of their titles). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has handled distribution of StudioCanal/Hoyts Distribution films in Australia and New Zealand on DVD and Blu-ray since early 2013.

From the 1990s to early 2000s, Warner Home Video formerly handled distribution of select StudioCanal titles through the Canal+ Image label in the United Kingdom on VHS and DVD until 2006 when StudioCanal opened its own distribution unit in the UK, with titles distributed through Optimum Releasing (via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment from 2006 to 2007 and Elevation Sales since 2007).{{cite magazine|last=James|first=Alison|title=Studio Canal moves into Blighty |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/news/studio-canal-moves-into-blighty-1200505900/|magazine=Variety|access-date=2011-09-04|author2=Dawtrey, Adam |date=2006-05-07}}

StudioCanal had the European home video distribution rights to 550 titles from the Miramax library, shared with Lionsgate in the UK and Ireland, from 2011 to 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek/ap/financialnews/D9LALCDG3.htm|title=Lionsgate, StudioCanal to distribute Miramax films|publisher=BusinessWeek|date=February 11, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lionsgate-Studiocanal-and-prnews-2517243937.html?x=0|title=Lionsgate, Studiocanal and Miramax Enter Into Home Entertainment Distribution Agreements|publisher=Yahoo! Finance|date=February 11, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} when ViacomCBS bought a minority stake in Miramax.

On 13 October 2021, StudioCanal announced that its global distribution deal with Universal would expire in January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/studiocanal-nbcuniversal-distribution-rights-deal-ends-1235087972|title='Terminator 2,' 'Basic Instinct' to Return to Studiocanal Distribution Portfolio as NBCUniversal Deal Ends – Global Bulletin|date=October 13, 2021}}

Selected films produced by StudioCanal or associated companies

{{Main|List of StudioCanal films}}

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References

{{Reflist|2}}