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Paramount Players
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Paramount Players is an American film production label of Paramount Pictures, focusing on "contemporary properties" while working with other Paramount Skydance Corporation brands. Founded on June 7, 2017, the name alludes to the company's earliest origins as Famous Players Film Company, before its 1914 founding by William Wadsworth Hodkinson.
Key Information
History
[edit]On June 7, 2017, Jim Gianopulos, who joined Paramount Pictures as the Chairman and CEO in March, announced the launch of the Paramount Players division with Brian Robbins, the founder and former CEO of AwesomenessTV, as president. Robbins will work with Viacom's Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET operations to generate projects while the new division focuses on "contemporary properties."[1] The division was created after Paramount and Viacom expressed disappointment at Comedy Central stars Jordan Peele and Amy Schumer producing their own films (2017's Get Out and 2015's Trainwreck, respectively) for Universal Pictures due to feeling "unwelcome" by Paramount's former executives.[2]
On August 17, 2017, Paramount Players acquired its first project, which is a film adaptation of the book Vacation Guide to the Solar System by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.[3]
On October 1, 2018, Brian Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom tapped him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he will remain involved with Paramount Players' Nickelodeon films (Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Playing with Fire). Wyck Godfrey, the president of Paramount Motion Picture Group, is serving as interim and will oversee day-to-day operations with support from Robbins until Paramount finds a new president for the studio.[4]
On June 30, 2020, Emma Watts replaced Wyck Godfrey as the president of Paramount Motion Picture Group and began on July 20 (Godfrey returned to producing).[5] In October, Watts tapped Jeremy Kramer as president.[6]
On March 8, 2022, Kramer stepped down and the studio's operations were merged into the purview of Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek, the head executives of the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, though Paramount Players and its current film inventory remains otherwise unaffected.[7]
Films
[edit]Released films
[edit]| Release date | Title | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2018 | Nobody's Fool | Co-produced by Tyler Perry Studios and BET Films | |
| February 8, 2019 | What Men Want | Co-produced by Will Packer Productions and BET Films | |
| August 9, 2019 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | Co-produced by Nickelodeon Movies, Walden Media, Media Rights Capital and Burr! Productions | |
| October 18, 2019 | Eli | Distributed by Netflix; co-produced by MTV Films, Intrepid Pictures and Bellevue Productions | [8] |
| November 8, 2019 | Playing with Fire | Co-produced by Nickelodeon Movies, Walden Media and Broken Road Productions | [9] |
| May 19, 2020 | Body Cam | Co-produced by Ace Entertainment and BET Films | |
| October 30, 2020 | Spell | Co-produced with LINK Entertainment and MC8 Entertainment | [10] |
| October 29, 2021 | Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin | Distributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Blumhouse Productions | [11] |
| February 11, 2022 | The In Between | Distributed by Paramount+ in the United States and Netflix in all other regions | [12] |
| May 13, 2022 | Senior Year | Distributed by Netflix; co-produced with Broken Road Productions | [13][14][15] |
| June 17, 2022 | Jerry & Marge Go Large | Distributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Landline Films and Levantine Films | [16] |
| August 19, 2022 | Orphan: First Kill | Co-produced by Dark Castle Entertainment, Entertainment One and Sierra/Affinity | [17] |
| September 23, 2022 | On the Come Up | Distributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Temple Hill Entertainment and State Street Pictures | [18] |
| September 30, 2022 | Smile | Co-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment | [19] |
| October 7, 2022 | Significant Other | Distributed by Paramount+; co-production with Quay Street Productions | |
| October 6, 2023 | Pet Sematary: Bloodlines | Distributed by Paramount+; co-production with Di Bonaventura Pictures and Room 101, Inc. | |
| January 12, 2024 | Mean Girls | Co-produced by Broadway Video and Little Stranger | |
| September 27, 2024 | Apartment 7A | Distributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Sunday Night Productions and Platinum Dunes | [20][21] |
| October 18, 2024 | Smile 2 | Co-produced with Temple Hill Entertainment |
In development
[edit]| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| American Son | Co-produced by Original Film[22] |
| Born A Crime | Co-produced by Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment and Eba Productions[23] |
| Coachella | Co-produced by Gotham Group[24] |
| Creepy Crawlers | Co-produced by Original Film and Jakks Pacific[25] |
| Double Fault | Co-produced by Broken Road Productions[26] |
| Fashionista | Co-produced by Ethea Entertainment and Kellagio Entertainment[27] |
| Frankly in Love | Co-produced by Alloy Entertainment[28] |
| Gay Kid and Fat Chick | Co-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios[29] |
| Gucci Mane | Co-produced by Imagine Entertainment[30] |
| Indecent Proposal | [31] |
| Koreatown Ghost Story | Co-produced by Original Film[32] |
| Man of War | Co-produced by Vendetta Productions[33] |
| Marked Man | [34] |
| One Night in Compton | Co-produced by Khalabo Ink Society[35] |
| Opposite of Always | Co-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment[36] |
| Planet of the Nerds | Co-produced by Broken Road Productions[37] |
| Pumpkinhead | [38] |
| Queen for a Day | Co-produced by Brownstone Productions[39] |
| Quinceanerx | Co-produced by 'Twas Entertainment[40] |
| Razorblade Tears | Co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films[41] |
| Shhh | Co-produced by Ace Entertainment[42] |
| Slime | [43] |
| The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik | Co-produced by Gotham Group[44] |
| Vacation Guide to the Solar System | [45] |
| White Smoke | Co-produced by Ace Entertainment[46] |
| Whitney | Co-produced by Marginal Mediaworks and Peachtree & Vine Productions[47] |
| Unboxing | Co-produced by PocketWatch[48] |
| Untitled Aline Brosh McKenna film | [49] |
| Untitled Colin Minihan film | Co-produced by Vertigo Entertainment[50] |
| Untitled H. G. Wells film | Co-produced by OddBall Entertainment[51] |
| Untitled Jay Longino film | [52] |
| Untitled LeBron James film | Co-produced by SpringHill Company[53] |
| Untitled Third Smile Film | Co-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment |
Highest-grossing films
[edit]| Rank | Title | Year | Worldwide gross | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smile | 2022 | $217.4 million | $17 million |
| 2 | Smile 2 | 2024 | $138.1 million | $28 million |
| 3 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | 2019 | $120.6 million | $49 million |
| 4 | Mean Girls | 2024 | $104.4 million | $36 million |
| 5 | What Men Want | 2019 | $72.2 million | $20 million |
| 6 | Playing with Fire | 2019 | $68.6 million | $30 million |
| 7 | Orphan: First Kill | 2022 | $44 million | — |
| 8 | Nobody's Fool | 2018 | $33.5 million | $19 million |
References
[edit]- ^ a b McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". Retrieved October 14, 2018.
- ^ Faughnder, Ryan; James, Meg (April 24, 2018). "Paramount Pictures CEO says struggling studio is 'poised for a renaissance.' Inside Jim Gianopulos' first year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- ^ Ford, Rebecca. "Paramount's New Banner Lands 'Vacation Guide to the Solar System'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (June 30, 2020). "Paramount Pictures Names Emma Watts President of the Motion Picture Group". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ "Jeremy Kramer to Head Paramount Players". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 8, 2022). "Paramount Players Merged Under Studio Co-Heads Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek; Jeremy Kramer Departing". Deadline. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 12, 2018). "Netflix Buys Horror Pic 'Eli' From Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ "Paramount Dates 'Crawl' & 'Playing With Fire', Moves 'Loud House' Off Schedule". Deadline. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ Prange, Stephanie (October 1, 2020). "Thriller 'Spell' Coming to PVOD and Digital Oct. 30". Media Play News. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- ^ Welk, Brian (February 24, 2021). "New 'Pet Sematary' and 'Paranormal Activity' Films Headed to Paramount+". TheWrap. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Joey King Romance 'The In Between' Sets Paramount Plus Premiere — Film News in Brief". Variety. January 12, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ Kinane, Ruth (August 2, 2021). "Rebel Wilson transforms into '90s Britney Spears for Netflix movie". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 25, 2021). "Rebel Wilson To Star in Paramount Players Comedy 'Senior Year'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Chuba, Kirsten (May 13, 2022). "Events of the Week: 'Hacks,' 'Good Mourning' and More". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 26, 2022). "'Jerry And Marge Go Large' Premiere Date, First-Look Photos: Bryan Cranston & Annette Bening Lead Paramount+ Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ Kit, Borys (September 9, 2021). "Paramount Picks Up Horror Thriller 'Orphan: First Kill' From eOne, Dark Castle (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 27, 2022). "'On The Come Up': Paramount+ Sets Autumn Drop Date For Sanaa Lathan's Toronto Film Festival World Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (October 8, 2021). "Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn Join Paramount Players Horror 'Something's Wrong with Rose'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 14, 2022). "Dianne Wiest Joins Julia Garner In Paramount Thriller 'Apartment 7A'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (April 26, 2024). "'Apartment 7A': Julia Garner To Star In Paramount+ Prequel To 'Rosemary's Baby'; Natalie Erika James To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 14, 2020). "Paramount Players Taps Rapman to Direct Film Based on Oscar-Nominated 'A Prophet' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 16, 2019). "Janine Eser To Pen Trevor Noah's 'Born A Crime' Film Starring Lupita Nyong'o". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Leiber, Sarah Jae. "Paramount Players Buys Comedy Set at Coachella". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 29, 2018). "Paramount Players Lands Film Rights to Creepy Crawlers Toy Brand (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (August 4, 2022). "Rebel Wilson to Star in Tennis Comedy 'Double Fault' at Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Renner, Brian D. "Everything You Need to Know About Fashionista Movie (Development): Feb. 27, 2022 - changed the title from "Fashionistas" to "Fashionista"". Movie Insider. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 3, 2018). "Alloy Entertainment & Paramount Players Developing David Yoon's Upcoming YA Novel 'Frankly In Love' For The Big Screen". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Busch, Anita (April 5, 2018). "Amy York Rubin Attached To Direct Bo Burnham's 'Gay Kid And Fat Chick' For Paramount Players". Deadline. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ McNary, Dave (February 9, 2018). "Gucci Mane Biopic in the Works at Paramount Players, Imagine". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 30, 2018). "Paramount Players Plots Remake Of 'Indecent Proposal;' Erin Cressida Wilson Writing". Deadline. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 9, 2021). "Paramount Players Lands Rights To The Short Film 'Koreatown Ghost Story' With Teddy Tenenbaum And Minsun Park Directing". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 10, 2021). "Paramount Players Buys 'Man Of War' Pitch From Vendetta's Sheldon Turner & Jennifer Klein". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (October 26, 2021). "Paramount Players Options Gregg Hurwitz 'Marked Man' Books for Film Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (November 19, 2020). "Kenya Barris, Paramount Players Tackling Sci-Fi Adventure With 'One Night in Compton' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 20, 2019). "Paramount Players Lands YA Novel 'Opposite Of Always' For Temple Hill". Deadline. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (October 25, 2019). "Paramount Players Picks Up 'Planet of the Nerds' Comic (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Hamman, Cody (April 1, 2022). "Pumpkinhead remake coming from Paramount Players?". JoBlo.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 14, 2018). "Elizabeth Banks To Star In & Produce Paramount Players Pic On The Day A Wyoming Hotel Maid Won A Dream Date With Prince". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 31, 2021). "Paramount Players Steps To 'Quinceanerx,' Kevin Lima-Directed Musical On A 14-Year Old Genderfluid Youth Determined To Celebrate A Rite Of Passage". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (January 13, 2021). "Paramount Players Wins Rights Auction for S.A. Cosby's Forthcoming Novel 'Razorblade Tears' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Borys Kit (October 17, 2018). "Paramount Players Picks Up Horror Project 'Shhh' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ Mike Fleming Jr (January 15, 2019). "'Slime' Time For Paramount Players, Steve Pink & Jeff Morris". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2018). "Andrew Lanham Adapting David Arnold Novel 'The Strange Fascinations Of Noah Hypnotik' For Paramount Players". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ McNary, Dave (August 17, 2017). "Paramount Players Lands First Project: 'Vacation Guide to the Solar System'". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 29, 2019). "ACE Entertainment Sets Up Nicholas McCarthy Vatican Thriller 'White Smoke' At Paramount Players". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 12, 2019). "Tyler Perry's Peachtree & Vine, Marginal Mediaworks Set Deep South Thriller 'Whitney' At Paramount Players". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (November 13, 2018). "Paramount Players Acquires 'Unboxing' From 'Ice Age' Scribe Jim Hecht". Deadline. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (March 9, 2018). "Paramount Players Sets Female-Driven Comedy From Aline Brosh McKenna & 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Writers". Deadline. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (June 14, 2019). "'It' Producer, Paramount Players Team for Untitled Border Town Thriller (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (March 28, 2022). "Paramount Developing H.G. Wells Project From Wes Ball's OddBall Entertainment; Laura Gillis Tapped To Write Latest Draft Of The Script". Deadline. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 11, 2018). "Paramount Players Acquires Comedy Pitch From 'Uncle Drew' Scribe Jay Longino (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 11, 2018). "LeBron James in Talks to Star in Comedy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
Paramount Players
View on GrokipediaBackground
Founding
Paramount Players was launched on June 7, 2017, when Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos announced the creation of the new production label during a studio presentation.[1] The division was established to focus on developing films specifically tailored for younger demographics, including teens and young adults aged 12 to 24, by leveraging contemporary intellectual properties from Viacom brands such as Nickelodeon, MTV, and BET.[9] This initiative aimed to bridge Paramount's film production capabilities with Viacom's extensive library of youth-oriented content, enabling adaptations across genres like comedies and horrors.[10] On the day of the announcement, Brian Robbins, co-founder of AwesomenessTV, was appointed as the first president of Paramount Players, reporting directly to Gianopulos.[2] In this role, Robbins was tasked with overseeing the development and production of the label's projects, emphasizing genre films and adaptations that resonate with contemporary audiences.[1] His appointment underscored the studio's intent to infuse digital-native expertise into traditional filmmaking.[9] Headquartered in Hollywood, California, Paramount Players operated as a specialized division within Paramount Pictures, facilitating close integration with the parent company's resources.[11] Early efforts included announced collaborations with internal Viacom units to adapt existing IP for theatrical release, positioning the label to capitalize on cross-media synergies from the outset.[10]Strategic Focus
Paramount Players operated as a specialized film production label under Paramount Pictures, with a core mission to develop and produce movies that resonated with younger demographics, particularly millennials and Generation Z, through diverse and relatable narratives. This strategic emphasis targeted audiences seeking fresh, culturally relevant stories that reflected contemporary societal dynamics. The label's approach drew from ViacomCBS's commitment to content diversification.[10] In terms of intellectual property sourcing, Paramount Players focused on adapting modern assets from the extensive ViacomCBS libraries, such as transforming Nickelodeon animated series into live-action adaptations or leveraging MTV-associated concepts, rather than relying on historical franchises. This strategy enabled the creation of genre-specific films in areas like comedy, horror, thrillers, and family adventures, balancing original ideas with reboots to ensure cultural timeliness and audience engagement.[9][10] The production model centered on mid-budget films, typically ranging from $20 million to $50 million, designed for efficient scalability across multiple platforms. This cost structure supported a mix of theatrical releases, streaming distribution via Paramount+ or partners like Netflix, and hybrid models that gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, allowing for optimized global reach without excessive financial risk. By emphasizing modest budgets for targeted genres, the label aimed to maximize return on investment through versatile release strategies and partnerships that extended accessibility to international markets.[12][13]Leadership and Organization
Key Executives
Brian Robbins served as the first president of Paramount Players from its launch in 2017 until 2018.[7] With a background in youth-oriented content, including directing the family comedy Norbit (2007) and producing Nickelodeon series such as All That and Kenan & Kel, Robbins was selected for his expertise in leveraging Viacom's synergies for film development.[14][15] During his tenure, he oversaw the initial slate of projects aimed at contemporary intellectual properties tied to Viacom brands, focusing on genre films for younger audiences.[16] Robbins departed in 2018 to become president of Nickelodeon, later ascending to chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures in 2021.[17] Jeremy Kramer succeeded as president of Paramount Players from October 2020 to March 2022.[18] Bringing prior experience as an executive and producer at 20th Century Fox (formerly Fox 2000 Pictures), where he handled genre and mid-budget films, Kramer was chosen for his track record in developing accessible content that aligned with ViacomCBS's youth-focused assets.[6] Under his leadership, he greenlit key horror projects like Smile (2022), which originated as a Paramount+ title before shifting to theatrical release amid streaming strategy adjustments.[19] His exit coincided with a studio reorganization integrating Players into the broader motion picture group.[20] Jim Gianopulos, as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures from March 2017 to September 2021, played a pivotal role in the label's inception and early direction.[21] He announced the launch of Paramount Players in June 2017, emphasizing selections of intellectual properties from Viacom's portfolio to create youth-targeted films with broad appeal.[22] Drawing from his extensive studio experience at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw hits like Avatar and Deadpool, Gianopulos influenced initial IP choices to capitalize on ViacomCBS synergies post-merger.[23]Structural Changes
Paramount Players underwent significant leadership transitions shortly after its inception. On October 1, 2018, founding president Brian Robbins departed the label to assume the role of president of Nickelodeon, prompting a search for a successor. In the interim, Wyck Godfrey, then-president of Paramount's Motion Picture Group and a former executive at Fox, oversaw operations.[24][25] Godfrey's oversight continued until June 2020, when Emma Watts, another Fox veteran, was appointed president of the Paramount Motion Picture Group, thereby extending her purview to Paramount Players. Under Watts, the label saw renewed activity, culminating in the appointment of Jeremy Kramer as president on October 20, 2020. Kramer, previously an executive at 20th Century Studios, reported directly to Watts and focused on developing contemporary properties.[26][18] Kramer's tenure lasted until March 8, 2022, when he stepped down amid a broader restructuring at Paramount Pictures. This change coincided with the integration of Paramount Players' operations into the larger Motion Picture Group, eliminating the need for a dedicated president. The label's activities were subsequently folded under the leadership of co-heads Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek, who emphasized a more streamlined approach to production across Paramount's divisions.[20][6] The 2022 merger marked a pivotal shift toward a collaborative operational model, leveraging synergies with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies to enhance efficiency in developing family-oriented and contemporary films. This integration allowed for shared resources and cross-divisional partnerships, reducing silos and aligning projects more closely with Paramount's overall slate.[27] As of 2025, Paramount Players remains active as a production imprint within Paramount Pictures, with ongoing projects managed by the broader studio teams rather than a standalone executive structure. This evolution has preserved the label's focus on targeted content while embedding it within Paramount's expanded ecosystem.[28]Films
Released Films
Films developed under Paramount Players were released from 2018 to 2024, with projects after the division's March 2022 merger into the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group continuing production and distribution under the main studio. These productions span multiple genres, with a notable concentration in horror and comedy, reflecting the label's strategy to blend familiar IPs with broad-appeal narratives. Distribution has varied, including wide theatrical releases for higher-budget titles and streaming premieres on platforms like Paramount+ and Netflix for targeted audiences. Co-productions with entities like BET Films and Temple Hill Entertainment have been common, enabling genre experimentation and diverse casting. The output includes 7 horror films, 5 comedies, 3 adventures or family-oriented titles, and 4 dramas or thrillers, showcasing a post-2020 pivot toward horror-thrillers amid shifting market dynamics. Budgets for these films have ranged from low-to-mid seven figures for streaming exclusives to upwards of $50 million for theatrical adventures, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed for all projects. Key examples highlight the label's role in revitalizing IPs, such as the live-action Dora and the Lost City of Gold, while originals like Smile demonstrate success in genre revival.| Release Date | Title | Genre | Co-Producers | Distribution | Budget (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2018 | Nobody's Fool | Comedy | Tyler Perry Studios, BET Films | Theatrical | $27 million |
| February 8, 2019 | What Men Want | Comedy | Will Packer Productions, BET Films | Theatrical | $20 million |
| August 9, 2019 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | Adventure/Comedy | Temple Hill Entertainment, Kearny Productions | Theatrical | $49 million[29] |
| October 18, 2019 | Eli | Horror | M3G Productions, Intrepid Pictures | Theatrical/VOD | Not disclosed |
| November 8, 2019 | Playing with Fire | Comedy | Broken Road Productions | Theatrical | $35 million |
| May 19, 2020 | Body Cam | Horror | Radiant Films International | VOD | Not disclosed |
| October 16, 2020 | Spell | Horror | Marcy Media Films, McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision | Theatrical/VOD | $18 million |
| October 16, 2020 | Love and Monsters | Sci-Fi/Adventure | 21 Laps Entertainment | Theatrical/VOD (later Netflix) | $30 million[30] |
| October 29, 2021 | Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin | Horror | Blumhouse Productions, Solana Films | Paramount+ | $7 million[31] |
| February 11, 2022 | The In Between | Drama/Romance | AWOL Tomorrow | Paramount+ | Not disclosed |
| June 17, 2022 | Jerry & Marge Go Large | Comedy/Drama | MRC, Levantine Films | Paramount+ | Not disclosed |
| July 29, 2022 | Orphan: First Kill | Horror | Dark Castle Entertainment, Lionsgate | Theatrical/VOD (Paramount+ internationally) | $7.7 million |
| May 13, 2022 | Senior Year | Comedy | Black Bear Pictures, Netflix | Netflix | Not disclosed |
| August 5, 2022 | On the Come Up | Drama/Musical | One Community Films | Paramount+ | Not disclosed |
| September 23, 2022 | Significant Other | Horror/Thriller | Round Table Entertainment | Paramount+ | Not disclosed |
| September 30, 2022 | Smile | Horror | Temple Hill Entertainment | Theatrical | $17 million[32] |
| January 12, 2024 | Mean Girls | Musical/Comedy | Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. | Theatrical | $36 million |
| September 27, 2024 | Apartment 7A | Horror/Thriller | Paramount Television Studios | Paramount+ | Not disclosed |
| October 18, 2024 | Smile 2 | Horror | Temple Hill Entertainment | Theatrical | $25 million |
Upcoming Projects
Projects originally developed under Paramount Players continue in development and pre-production under Paramount Pictures, following the 2022 merger and the August 2025 Skydance Media acquisition of Paramount Global, prioritizing youth-oriented stories, horror sequels, and adaptations of contemporary IP such as books, memoirs, and toys, with an eye toward both theatrical releases and Paramount+ streaming compatibility. Recent announcements highlight expansions in horror, including sequels to successful franchises, alongside diverse projects like musicals exploring cultural rites of passage. Key upcoming projects originally from Paramount Players include:- Smile 3: A horror sequel directed by Parker Finn, continuing the supernatural curse storyline from the previous films; production is slated to begin in 2025, co-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment.[33]
- Born a Crime: Adaptation of Trevor Noah's memoir about his childhood in apartheid-era South Africa, starring Lupita Nyong'o as Noah's mother and directed by Liesl Tommy; currently in script refinement, co-produced by Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment, and Eba Productions.[34]
- Razorblade Tears: Thriller adaptation of S.A. Cosby's novel about two fathers seeking vengeance for their sons' murder; directed by Travon Free and Martin Roe, co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films, with script by Sherman Payne.[35]
- Quinceanerx: Original musical about a genderfluid 14-year-old celebrating a quinceañera-style rite of passage; directed by Kevin Lima with script by Alvaro Rodriguez, co-produced by 'Twas Entertainment, blending Latin cultural elements with Gen Z identity themes.[36]
- Curfew: Monster horror film about a town enforcing a strict nighttime curfew; directed by Adam Randall (Night Teeth), based on a Blood List script, exploring small-town secrets.[37]
- Fashionista: Drama centered on the fashion industry; co-produced by Ethea Entertainment and Kellagio Entertainment, in script development with themes of ambition and identity.
- Coachella: Comedy set at the Coachella music festival, described as a mix of The Devil Wears Prada and Adventures in Babysitting; co-produced by Gotham Group, focusing on youth culture and festival chaos.
Performance and Impact
Highest-Grossing Films
Paramount Players' highest-grossing films demonstrate the label's success in producing commercially viable content, particularly within the horror and family adventure genres, with a focus on low-to-mid budget productions that achieve strong returns. The following table ranks the top eight films by worldwide box office earnings, incorporating theatrical grosses primarily, as streaming revenue is not uniformly reported in traditional box office metrics.[39]| Rank | Title | Year | Worldwide Gross | Production Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smile | 2022 | $217.4 million | $17 million |
| 2 | Smile 2 | 2024 | $138.1 million | $28 million |
| 3 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | 2019 | $120.6 million | $49 million |
| 4 | Mean Girls | 2024 | $104.9 million | $36 million |
| 5 | What Men Want | 2019 | $72.2 million | $20 million |
| 6 | Playing with Fire | 2019 | $69.4 million | $30 million |
| 7 | Orphan: First Kill | 2022 | $45.6 million | $8 million |
| 8 | Nobody's Fool | 2018 | $33.7 million | $19 million |
