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Paramount Players
Paramount Players
from Wikipedia

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]
Highest-grossing films
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]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Paramount Players was a film production label and division of , launched in 2017 to develop and produce theatrical films based on contemporary intellectual properties from the ViacomCBS (later ) portfolio, with a focus on content appealing to younger and diverse audiences. The division was established by then-chairman Jim Gianopulos to expand Paramount's output by leveraging popular brands such as , , and , aiming to create accessible, genre-driven movies including comedies, adventures, and horror. Veteran producer , formerly of AwesomenessTV, was appointed as its first president, reporting to Gianopulos and collaborating closely with Viacom brand heads to adapt existing IP for the big screen. Under Robbins' oversight, Paramount Players quickly ramped up production, releasing its debut film Nobody's Fool in 2018, a Tyler Perry-directed starring that marked the label's entry into wide theatrical distribution. Subsequent releases included the sports What Men Want (2019) with , and the adventure Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) based on the Nickelodeon series, contributing to a slate that emphasized star-driven projects and franchise potential. Other notable titles included Playing with Fire (2019), a comedy that grossed $44.5 million in the United States and (and $68.6 million worldwide). In March 2022, amid broader studio restructuring, Paramount Players was merged into the Motion Picture Group, with its operations integrated under co-presidents Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland; president Jeremy Kramer, who had succeeded Robbins in 2021, departed as part of the changes. Following the merger, projects previously under the label, such as (2022) and (2022), continued production within the main studio framework. Robbins, who had risen to co-CEO of Paramount in 2024, exited the company in August 2025 after the acquisition, leaving the former Paramount Players initiatives absorbed into Paramount's overall film strategy.

Background

Founding

Paramount Players was launched on June 7, 2017, when Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos announced the creation of the new production label during a studio presentation. 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 , , and . This initiative aimed to bridge 's film production capabilities with Viacom's extensive library of youth-oriented content, enabling adaptations across genres like comedies and horrors. On the day of the announcement, , co-founder of AwesomenessTV, was appointed as the first president of Paramount Players, reporting directly to Gianopulos. 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. His appointment underscored the studio's intent to infuse digital-native expertise into traditional filmmaking. Headquartered in Hollywood, , Paramount Players operated as a specialized division within , facilitating close integration with the parent company's resources. 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.

Strategic Focus

Paramount Players operated as a specialized film production label under , with a core mission to develop and produce movies that resonated with younger demographics, particularly and , 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. In terms of sourcing, Paramount Players focused on adapting modern assets from the extensive ViacomCBS libraries, such as transforming 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. 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 , and hybrid models that gained prominence during the starting in 2020, allowing for optimized global reach without excessive financial risk. By emphasizing modest budgets for targeted genres, the label aimed to maximize through versatile release strategies and partnerships that extended accessibility to international markets.

Leadership and Organization

Key Executives

Brian Robbins served as the first president of Paramount Players from its launch in 2017 until 2018. With a background in youth-oriented content, including directing the family comedy (2007) and producing series such as and , Robbins was selected for his expertise in leveraging Viacom's synergies for film development. 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. Robbins departed in 2018 to become president of , later ascending to chairman and CEO of in 2021. Jeremy Kramer succeeded as president of Paramount Players from October 2020 to March 2022. Bringing prior experience as an executive and producer at 20th Century Fox (formerly ), 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. Under his leadership, he greenlit key horror projects like (2022), which originated as a Paramount+ title before shifting to theatrical release amid streaming strategy adjustments. His exit coincided with a studio reorganization integrating Players into the broader motion picture group. Jim Gianopulos, as chairman and CEO of from March 2017 to September 2021, played a pivotal role in the label's inception and early direction. 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. Drawing from his extensive studio experience at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw hits like Avatar and , Gianopulos influenced initial IP choices to capitalize on ViacomCBS synergies post-merger.

Structural Changes

Paramount Players underwent significant leadership transitions shortly after its inception. On October 1, 2018, founding president departed the label to assume the role of president of , prompting a search for a successor. In the interim, , then-president of Paramount's Motion Picture Group and a former executive at , oversaw operations. Godfrey's oversight continued until June 2020, when Emma Watts, another 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 , reported directly to Watts and focused on developing contemporary properties. Kramer's tenure lasted until March 8, 2022, when he stepped down amid a broader at . 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 of co-heads Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek, who emphasized a more streamlined approach to production across Paramount's divisions. The 2022 merger marked a pivotal shift toward a collaborative operational model, leveraging synergies with and 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. As of 2025, Paramount Players remains active as a production imprint within , 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.

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 , 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 for targeted audiences. Co-productions with entities like Films and 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 DateTitleGenreCo-ProducersDistributionBudget (if available)
November 2, 2018Nobody's FoolComedyTyler Perry Studios, BET FilmsTheatrical$27 million
February 8, 2019What Men WantComedyWill Packer Productions, BET FilmsTheatrical$20 million
August 9, 2019Dora and the Lost City of GoldAdventure/ComedyTemple Hill Entertainment, Kearny ProductionsTheatrical$49 million
October 18, 2019EliHorrorM3G Productions, Intrepid PicturesTheatrical/VODNot disclosed
November 8, 2019Playing with FireComedyBroken Road ProductionsTheatrical$35 million
May 19, 2020Body CamHorrorRadiant Films InternationalVODNot disclosed
October 16, 2020SpellHorrorMarcy Media Films, McG's Wonderland Sound and VisionTheatrical/VOD$18 million
October 16, 2020Love and MonstersSci-Fi/Adventure21 Laps EntertainmentTheatrical/VOD (later Netflix)$30 million
October 29, 2021Paranormal Activity: Next of KinHorrorBlumhouse Productions, Solana FilmsParamount+$7 million
February 11, 2022The In BetweenDrama/RomanceAWOL TomorrowParamount+Not disclosed
June 17, 2022Jerry & Marge Go LargeComedy/DramaMRC, Levantine FilmsParamount+Not disclosed
July 29, 2022Orphan: First KillHorrorDark Castle Entertainment, LionsgateTheatrical/VOD (Paramount+ internationally)$7.7 million
May 13, 2022Senior YearComedyBlack Bear Pictures, NetflixNetflixNot disclosed
August 5, 2022On the Come UpDrama/MusicalOne Community FilmsParamount+Not disclosed
September 23, 2022Significant OtherHorror/ThrillerRound Table EntertainmentParamount+Not disclosed
September 30, 2022SmileHorrorTemple Hill EntertainmentTheatrical$17 million
January 12, 2024Mean GirlsMusical/ComedyBroadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc.Theatrical$36 million
September 27, 2024Apartment 7AHorror/ThrillerParamount Television StudiosParamount+Not disclosed
October 18, 2024Smile 2HorrorTemple Hill EntertainmentTheatrical$25 million
Production notes for these films underscore Paramount Players' integration of ViacomCBS assets, as seen in the Nickelodeon-derived Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which adapted the animated series into a live-action family adventure. Post-2020 releases increasingly emphasized horror-thrillers, with titles like Smile and its sequel blending psychological tension with marketable scares, often co-produced with specialized genre studios to capitalize on streaming demand. This approach has allowed the original label to diversify beyond initial comedy focuses, incorporating IP revivals like the Paranormal Activity franchise extension.

Upcoming Projects

Projects originally developed under Paramount Players continue in development and under , following the 2022 merger and the August 2025 Skydance Media acquisition of , 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 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 , continuing the curse storyline from the previous films; production is slated to begin in 2025, co-produced by .
  • Born a Crime: Adaptation of Trevor Noah's memoir about his childhood in apartheid-era , starring as Noah's mother and directed by ; currently in script refinement, co-produced by Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment, and Eba Productions.
  • Razorblade Tears: Thriller adaptation of S.A. Cosby's about two fathers seeking vengeance for their sons' murder; directed by and Martin Roe, co-produced by , with script by Sherman Payne.
  • Quinceanerx: Original musical about a genderfluid 14-year-old celebrating a quinceañera-style ; directed by with script by Alvaro Rodriguez, co-produced by 'Twas Entertainment, blending Latin cultural elements with Gen Z identity themes.
  • Curfew: Monster about a town enforcing a strict nighttime ; directed by Adam Randall (Night Teeth), based on a script, exploring small-town secrets.
  • 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 music festival, described as a mix of The Devil Wears Prada and ; co-produced by , focusing on youth culture and festival chaos.
This pipeline underscores the original Paramount Players' commitment to versatile, IP-driven content that balances commercial appeal with fresh , including ongoing updates in 2024-2025 such as advanced on horror sequels and new diverse acquisitions under the merged entity.

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 earnings, incorporating theatrical grosses primarily, as streaming revenue is not uniformly reported in traditional metrics.
RankTitleYearWorldwide GrossProduction Budget
12022$217.4 million$17 million
2Smile 22024$138.1 million$28 million
3Dora and the Lost City of Gold2019$120.6 million$49 million
42024$104.9 million$36 million
52019$72.2 million$20 million
6Playing with Fire2019$69.4 million$30 million
7Orphan: First Kill2022$45.6 million$8 million
8Nobody's Fool2018$33.7 million$19 million
These figures represent cumulative worldwide box office earnings as of November 2025, sourced from Box Office Mojo, including theatrical releases where applicable; limited or direct-to-streaming titles like Love and Monsters and Spell reflect minimal theatrical performance before shifting to digital platforms. The Smile franchise exemplifies the dominance of horror in Paramount Players' portfolio, occupying the top two spots and highlighting the genre's profitability for the label. Collectively, the top five films have generated over $653 million worldwide, underscoring efficient production strategies that prioritize genre appeal to younger audiences. Notable budget-to-gross ratios include Smile's approximately 12.8x return, which significantly outperformed expectations and established a benchmark for low-budget horror success.

Critical and Commercial Reception

Paramount Players' films have collectively grossed over $800 million worldwide as of November 2025, reflecting a mix of theatrical successes and pandemic-impacted releases. With around 14 titles released since the label's 2017 inception, the average per-film gross stands at approximately $45 million, though this figure is moderated by several direct-to-streaming or video-on-demand (VOD) debuts during the era that limited traditional potential. Streaming deals with Paramount+ have bolstered overall revenue metrics, enabling hybrid models where films like Smile 2 (2024) achieved strong post-theatrical viewership despite shorter theatrical runs. Critically, Paramount Players' output has garnered mixed consensus, with an aggregate Rotten Tomatoes score hovering around 60% across its catalog, though subgenres vary significantly. Horror entries often fare better, averaging about 55% but with standouts like (2022) earning 80% for its original psychological terror and atmospheric dread. Comedies and adaptations, however, have drawn common critiques for formulaic storytelling, as seen in reviews of (2019), which noted predictable tropes despite strong performances. Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) bucked trends with 85% approval, lauded for its empowering live-action take on a children's icon. Commercially, the label has played a pivotal role in Paramount's strategy to capture younger demographics, blending YA adaptations and genre fare to appeal to Gen Z audiences. Dora and the Lost City of Gold exemplified international success, earning $60 million overseas from diverse markets in and , contributing to its $120 million global total. On streaming, titles like Smile 2 achieved strong viewership on Paramount+, underscoring the label's digital viability and extending reach beyond theaters. In terms of industry legacy, Paramount Players has contributed to the mid-2020s horror revival through the franchise, which blended with innovative scares to gross over $350 million combined and inspire imitators in elevated horror. The musical (2024) earned nominations including a for Outstanding Film, highlighting its cultural resonance in representing queer youth narratives. Yet, challenges such as disruptions forced several projects—like Love and Monsters (2020)—into VOD exclusivity, reshaping release strategies and emphasizing the label's adaptability amid industry shifts.

References

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