The Hollywood studios

This listing summarises the ownership situation of the major Hollywood studios, noting their associated UK activities. Unless otherwise stated, studios will generally control the distribution of - and certain rights to - the films they have produced.

Please note: all information detailed here is subject to change and different circumstances may apply in other territories or for certain usages. This material is offered as a starting point for research and is based on the information available to the BFI at the time at which this page was updated.

MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) and United Artists

United Artists (UA) was acquired by MGM in 1981. MGM was acquired by Sony and Comcast in 2004. Certain rights to older (pre-1986) MGM titles are owned by Warner Bros. MGM own the rights to MGM productions from 1986 onwards and all UA titles.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical releases - c/o 20th Century Fox International (UK)
• back catalogue theatrical distribution (MGM 1986 onwards & UA) – c/o Park Circus
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - MGM Home Entertainment (Europe)

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. Paramount owns its back library of titles dating from 1948 onwards. Pre-1948 titles are owned by Universal Pictures.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical distribution - Paramount Pictures (UK)
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)

Sony Pictures / Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures Corporation is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical releases - Sony Pictures Releasing
• back catalogue theatrical distribution – c/o Park Circus
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (UK)

Twentieth Century Fox

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation is part of Fox Inc., a subsidiary of News Corporation.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical distribution - 20th Century Fox International (UK)
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is part of NBC Universal, formed in 2004 when GE NBC acquired Universal from its former parent company Vivendi.

Universal own a catalogue of titles produced from 1996 onwards by Polygram Filmed Entertainment.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical distribution - Universal Pictures (UK)
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - Universal Pictures Video

The Walt Disney Company / Buena Vista

Touchstone and Buena Vista are parts of The Walt Disney Company.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical releases - Buena Vista International (UK)
• back catalogue theatrical distribution – c/o Park Circus
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. is a subsidiary of Time Warner (formerly AOL Time Warner). They own certain rights to a catalogue (which has previously been called the Turner Library) consisting of pre-1986 MGM titles and titles made by RKO.

current UK distribution:

• theatrical distribution - Warner Bros. Distributors (UK)
• non-theatrical distribution – c/o Filmbank
• home DVD - Warner Home Video

Please see our Researchers' Guide directory for current contact information for UK film distributors.

Any information that can assist in keeping this guide up-to-date is gratefully received by BFI Information Services.