What Paramount Pictures does

Paramount Pictures Corporation, founded in 1912 by Adolph Zukor, is one of Hollywood's oldest operating major film studios, now operating as a subsidiary of Paramount Skydance Corporation following the August 2025 completion of its merger with Skydance Media under CEO David Ellison. The studio's business spans theatrical film production and global distribution, streaming via the proprietary Paramount+ platform (combined with Discovery+ to reach 172 million subscribers post-WBD merger), physical media distribution through Alliance Entertainment (top 3 U.S. disc retailer partnership covering 4K UHD and Steelbook editions), IP licensing and merchandise, studio lot tours ($69-$220 per ticket across three tiers), and special events at the 65-acre Hollywood lot. Core technology centers on the Paramount+ direct-to-consumer platform, 30 production stages including a unique New York Street backlot, and 3D concert film production capability (notably the Billie Eilish tour film co-directed by James Cameron).

Revenue is generated across five streams — theatrical box office (one-time license), streaming subscriptions (recurring), physical media sales, licensing royalties, and studio services — monetizing an iconic franchise library including Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Transformers, Scream, Sonic the Hedgehog, SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, and the Godfather. The go-to-market motion combines enterprise theatrical field sales with channel partners (Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, UIP, Alliance Entertainment) and first-look talent agreements (Duffer Brothers, Jon M. Chu, Dan Trachtenberg, James Wan, Warner Music Group). For 2026 the studio plans 16 films, doubling from the inherited slate of 8, with a post-WBD commitment to a 45-day exclusive theatrical window and a minimum of 30 films annually. Co-financing arrangements (Spyglass on Scream at $45M, Miramax on Scary Movie at $30M, Legendary on Street Fighter) materially de-risk individual greenlights.

The customer base spans general moviegoing audiences, Paramount+ streaming subscribers, families and children's market segments (SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, Sonic, Smurfs, TMNT), and enterprise production partners and licensees across gaming (Sega, Capcom, Activision), music (Billie Eilish, WMG roster), broadcast (Amazon Prime Video), and consumer products (Mattel, Burger King, Yaamava' Resort). The proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, backed by Larry Ellison's $40.4 billion personal guarantee, would create a combined studio with ~$170 billion market cap and 30+ annual releases, though the deal remains pending regulatory and shareholder approval and faces public opposition from over 1,000 Hollywood professionals. The current film division is operating at a widened loss of $232 million for calendar year 2025.

Name

Paramount Pictures

Legal name

Paramount Pictures Corporation

Website

http://www.paramountpictures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Paramount Pictures is a 113-year-old Hollywood film studio and subsidiary of Paramount Skydance Corporation, producing and globally distributing theatrical films, streaming content via Paramount+, physical media, and licensed merchandise across franchise IP including Top Gun, Scream, Sonic, and SpongeBob.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production and Distribution

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Scripted Feature Film Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA), Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH)

Keywords

• Feature film production
• Theatrical film distribution
• Streaming entertainment platform
• Franchise film licensing
• Studio production facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Distribution: Box office revenue from theatrical releases across global cinema chains. Major franchise releases including Top Gun 3, Mission: Impossible, Scream, Sonic, Transformers, and animated features.
2. Streaming Subscription (Paramount+): Subscription video-on-demand service offering original series, Paramount library content, and first-window streaming for theatrical releases
3. Physical Media Distribution: Sales and distribution of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K UHD collectible editions through retailers and e-commerce platforms
4. Licensing and Merchandising: IP licensing for merchandise, music-based film adaptations, and promotional partnerships generating licensing royalties and fees
5. Studio Tours and Events: VIP studio tours, special events hosting, premieres, and corporate events at the Paramount lot facilities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Paramount Pictures produces and distributes theatrical feature films across major franchises including Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Scream, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Paw Patrol. The studio operates the Paramount+ direct-to-consumer streaming platform for first-window and original content, Paramount Television Studios for premium scripted series, and Paramount Animation for animated features. Additional services include physical media distribution, IP licensing, and studio lot tours and events.

Product overview

Paramount Pictures operates as a major film and television studio offering theatrical film distribution, television production, and animation services. The portfolio includes major theatrical releases across genres (horror, comedy, action, family), television series produced through Paramount Television Studios for streaming platforms (Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV, Netflix), and animated features through Paramount Animation. Additional services include studio lot tours, special event venues, and the Page Program talent pipeline. Key film franchises include Scream, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob, and Paw Patrol, with new releases including Street Fighter (2026), Top Gun 3 (announced), and Heart of the Beast (2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paramount Animation: The animation division of Paramount Pictures, reinvigorated in 2017 with a renewed mission to develop and produce top-quality animated and hybrid-animation titles.

Products and services

• Paramount Pictures Theatrical Films Major theatrical film releases distributed globally by Paramount Pictures, including franchise blockbusters, horror films, comedies, and animated features, targeted at general moviegoing audiences.
• Paramount Television Studios

Quantifiable outcome

• Scream 7 franchise-best $64.1 million domestic opening weekend
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, major, strategic, regional, flagship and former.

• Upside Down Pictures (Duffer Brothers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Exclusive four-year agreement with Duffer brothers (creators of Stranger Things) for theatrical, television, and streaming projects. First feature film scheduled November 3, 2028 theatrical release, marking major shift from Netflix streaming roots to big-screen filmmaking.
• Yaamava' Resort & CasinominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 202640th anniversary celebration of Ferris Bueller's Day Off with promotional event featuring replica of Cameron's Ferrari giveaway. Club Serrano members sweepstakes June 1-25 with finale June 25, 2026.
• Amazon MGM StudiosmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 May 2026Jack Ryan: Ghost War feature film produced by Paramount, Skydance, and Amazon MGM Studios, streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video May 20, 2026. Co-financing and distribution partnership with Amazon for franchise expansion.
• Warner Music GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Multi-year first-look deal for theatrical films based on WMG artist catalog including Madonna, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, Charli Xcx, and Dua Lipa. Working with production partner Unigram led by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron. Robert Kyncl (WMG CEO) and Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg (Paramount co-chairs) highlighted strategic alignment combining two innovative entertainment companies to bring artists' stories to global audiences.
• Legendary EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Co-producing live-action Street Fighter film with Paramount Pictures and Capcom. Street Fighter trailer released April 16, 2026 with theatrical release scheduled October 16, 2026. Cast includes Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, and Andrew Koji.
• James WanstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026James Wan attached to direct The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil remake for Paramount Pictures with original star Don Lee attached. Produced by Wan and Michael Clear.
• United International Pictures (UIP)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 February 2026UIP appointed Nile Entertainment as exclusive theatrical distribution partner for Paramount and Universal films in Anglophone West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana). Partnership follows decline in Paramount's West Africa market share from 13% to 8.72%.
• Dan TrachtenbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Three-year first-look deal with filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg (director of 10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey) including potential Predator franchise development. Deal signals commitment to genre horror/thriller talent.
• ActivisioncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 September 2025Call of Duty film adaptation partnership with Paramount Pictures as distributor. Peter Berg attached as director, Taylor Sheridan as co-writer. Scheduled for June 2028 theatrical release. Long-gestating video game-to-film project based on popular Activision franchise.
• Skydance MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParamount completed merger with Skydance Corporation in 2025 under CEO David Ellison. Merger positioned to create $170 billion market cap entity with 172 million combined subscribers. Post-merger plans include 45-day theatrical window commitment and minimum 30 films annually.
• Warner Bros. DiscoveryflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner$111 billion proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery pending shareholder approval and government regulatory review. Would create combined studio with 30+ annual releases. Concerns raised about anticompetitive impact, potential $6 billion savings through job cuts. Over 1,000 Hollywood professionals including Denis Villeneuve and Kristen Stewart voiced opposition in open letter.
• Alliance EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlliance Entertainment ranked among top 3 U.S. disc retailers with exclusive licensing partnerships for Paramount Pictures physical media including 4K UHD and Steelbook collectors' editions. Company reported 21% YoY net revenue growth in Q3 FY2026 with $1 billion+ annual revenue.
• CapcomcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIP licensor for Street Fighter film adaptation. Film based on popular video game franchise with global fanbase. 1993-set storyline featuring Ryu, Ken, and World Warrior Tournament.
• NetflixformerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetflix lost billion-dollar deal with Warner Bros to David Ellison's Paramount Pictures. Netflix previously home to Stranger Things creators Duffer Brothers before their exclusive deal moved to Paramount for theatrical feature film scheduled November 3, 2028.
• Skydance Sports (NFL)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL partnership with Skydance Sports creating content studio producing theatrical movies and scripted streaming series including John Madden biopic and Christmas Day Paramount release about John Tuggle. NFL leveraging 84 of top 100 most-watched shows viewership to attract audiences.
• MattelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHot Wheels 'Fandom in the Fast Lane' collection featuring Paramount Pictures Top Gun 40th Anniversary Set at $35 exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con July 2026. Partnership for collectible merchandise leveraging film IP.
• HillwoodstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hillwood building largest TV studio in Texas at AllianceTexas in Fort Worth. Major development in Texas film production infrastructure.
• MiramaxmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMiramax producing and financing Scary Movie franchise reboot with Paramount distributing. Wayans brothers returned after 25 years. Film grossed $105.5 million globally on $30 million budget.
• Spyglass Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of Scream franchise with Paramount co-financing half of $45 million budget. Ghostface mask ownership lawsuit filed jointly against Alterian Ghost Factory ahead of Scream 7 release.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Warner Bros. Pictures (Warner Bros. Discovery): Warner Bros. Pictures is the most direct comparable as one of Hollywood's historic 'Big Five' studios with feature film production, theatrical distribution, TV production, and a streaming service (Max). Paramount's $111B pending acquisition of its parent makes this the single most relevant peer—even after the merger, the combined entity will compete against Warner Bros. as a studio unit within the new structure.
• Walt Disney Studios: Disney's studio arm encompasses theatrical production (Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, live-action), streaming via Disney+, and a massive family IP library—the most direct full-stack competitor to Paramount's theatrical-plus-streaming model and family franchises like SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, and Sonic.
• Universal Pictures (NBCUniversal): Universal Pictures is a major film studio with theatrical distribution and co-exhibits animated/Fast & Furious/Jurassic World franchises. It is Paramount's shared global distribution partner through United International Pictures (UIP) and the only other studio with a full theatrical-plus-Peacock streaming pipeline.
• Sony Pictures Entertainment: Sony Pictures operates Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation with theatrical distribution and TV production (including partnership with Domain Capital Group alongside Paramount). Comparable scale in feature production and direct franchise overlap with animated/family IP.
• 20th Century Studios (Disney): 20th Century Studios is a major live-action and animated feature film studio of comparable vintage to Paramount—Disney's post-Fox theatrical arm handling franchise production and global distribution.

Emerging players

• Lionsgate Films: Lionsgate is a smaller but full-stack film and TV studio competing in similar genres (horror, action franchise exploitation). Comparable in theatrical distribution scale but smaller budget envelope, and Paramount recently hired Lionsgate's Shaun Barber for domestic theatrical distribution.
• Legendary Entertainment: Legendary is a film production company that co-produces theatrical franchises with major studios (e.g., Street Fighter with Paramount/Capcom). Comparable as a co-financing production partner operating in the same feature film ecosystem.
• Skydance Media: Skydance merged with Paramount in 2025 to form Paramount Skydance Corporation. Comparable as a film and TV production company producing theatrical releases (Mission: Impossible, Top Gun: Maverick) and live-action adaptations under one umbrella; now the same parent entity.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon MGM Studios: Amazon MGM Studios is both a streaming incumbent and a production partner to Paramount (co-financing Jack Ryan: Ghost War). Comparable as a feature film producer/distributor backed by a streaming platform with global reach—competes for franchise IP and theatrical exhibition deals.
• Netflix Studios: Netflix is a streaming incumbent and former partner of the Duffer Brothers before Paramount secured them. Comparable in original film and series production and competes for the same premium talent pool and IP rights, though primary distribution model is streaming rather than theatrical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/paramountpics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paramount-pictures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

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Frequently asked questions about Paramount Pictures