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Studiocanal has launched Studiocanal Classics, a new worldwide catalogue label, drawing on a library of more than 18,000 titles the company describes as the largest outside the U.S.
The library spans 100 years of film
history. Studiocanal has put some €25 million ($29 million) into 4K restorations of nearly 1,000 classic feature films over the past seven years, according to the company.
Studiocanal’s distribution footprint covers the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, Poland, Australia and New Zealand, with additional partners handling Scandinavia and South Africa. The company puts out about 112 theatrical titles and 170 home entertainment titles per year as part of what it calls a 360-degree approach spanning development, production, distribution and catalogue management.
Studiocanal Classics’ theatrical lineup includes Michael Mann’s “Manhunter: The Final Cut,” a 4K restoration marking the film’s 40th anniversary. The restoration opened in U.S. theaters July 24 following a debut at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and opens in the U.K. on Sept. 25.
James Cameron’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” returns to theaters worldwide in 2D, 3D, 4DX and D-BOX starting Aug. 27, marking the sci-fi classic’s 35th anniversary. Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” gets a new 4K restoration this fall for its 20th anniversary; Studiocanal acquired international rights to the film following its collaboration with del Toro on “The Devil’s Backbone” and unveiled the deal at the Cannes Film Festival, where “Pan’s Labyrinth” screened in the Cannes Classics strand. The restoration will be available in 3D formats.
The label is also presenting a Jacques Tati retrospective in 4K across European theaters, and a restoration of Ernst Lubitsch’s “To Be or Not to Be” will premiere at the Venice Film Festival’s Venice Classics strand.
On the home entertainment side, Studiocanal Classics’ fall slate includes the Coen Brothers’ “Blood Simple Director’s Cut” and “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the Joseph Losey-directed, Harold Pinter-scripted “Accident,” Richard Attenborough’s 1992 film “Chaplin” starring Robert Downey Jr. in an Oscar-nominated turn as the title character, and Jean-Pierre Melville’s final film, “Un Flic.” A home entertainment edition of the Tati retrospective follows in November.
In the U.K., the “Manhunter: The Final Cut” 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition has sold out ahead of its Nov. 30 release. The edition, overseen by Mann, includes 13 extras, among them freshly designed and vintage posters along with a director interview.
Studiocanal Classics plans to reveal its 2027 theatrical and home entertainment slate at a later date, including a David Lynch collection.
Anna Marsh, chief executive of Studiocanal and chief content officer of Canal+ Group, said: “Our world-class library represents a unique opportunity to champion some of the most beloved, iconic, timeless and influential films spanning more than 100 years of cinema history. Through expert restoration, thoughtful curation and innovative audience engagement, we have a responsibility to preserve the enduring impact and cultural legacy of these extraordinary films and filmmakers, while bringing celebrated classics back to cinemas around the world. We believe that every generation, in every corner of the world, should have the opportunity to discover, celebrate and revere some of the greatest films ever made. Because great films live forever.”
Studiocanal also licenses elements of its catalogue outside traditional distribution, including partnerships tying “Terminator 2” to Epic Games’ “Fortnite” and Activision’s “Call of Duty,” cine-concert productions built around “The King and the Mockingbird” and “Terminator 2,” and clip-licensing deals with brands including Chanel and Cartier. The library is regularly showcased at festivals including Cannes Classics and Il Cinema Ritrovato.
