Gaumont

Overview

Gaumont is the oldest continuously operating film company in the world, founded in 1895 by Leon Gaumont. The company celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2025. Headquartered in Paris and listed on the Paris stock exchange, Gaumont operates across film production and distribution, television production for global streaming platforms, theatrical exhibition, and international sales.

In 2025, Gaumont reported consolidated revenue of €150.3 million, flat against €150.1 million in 2024. The company released 8 films theatrically in France, generating 5 million admissions, more than double the 2.3 million admissions from 10 films the previous year. Despite the theatrical improvement, Gaumont posted a net loss of €19.5 million, up 153% from the €7.7 million loss in 2024, driven by declining library deals, a 64% drop in streamer sales to €10.9 million, and a contraction in the animation market.

CEO Sidonie Dumas leads the company, with Nicolas Seydoux presiding as chairman. Gaumont employs approximately 100 staff across its Paris headquarters and production operations.

History

Leon Gaumont founded the Comptoir General de Photographie in 1895, initially manufacturing photographic equipment before pivoting to filmmaking. Gaumont hired Alice Guy-Blache, widely recognized as one of the first female film directors, who directed hundreds of films for the company between 1896 and 1906.

Gaumont built a global distribution network in the early 1900s and constructed the Gaumont Palace in Paris, which was the largest cinema in the world when it opened in 1911. The company has survived two World Wars, multiple ownership changes, and every major technological transition in cinema history.

In the modern era, Gaumont produced Intouchables (2011), which became the highest-grossing non-English-language film at the time with $426 million worldwide. Other notable releases include Lucy (2014, directed by Luc Besson, $463 million worldwide) and the Asterix animated franchise. The company expanded into international television with Lupin (Netflix, 2021), which became the first French series to reach Netflix's global top 10, and Narcos for Netflix.

2025 Financial Performance

Gaumont's 2025 results reveal a company navigating a transitional market:

The film division declined 23% year-over-year, hit by a 19% drop in sales to French broadcasters and the absence of the one-off VOD productions (like Squad 36 for Netflix and Carjackers for Amazon) that boosted 2024. The audiovisual division grew 38%, delivering 8 programs in 2025 versus 4 in 2024, driven by Lupin Part 4 and other Netflix productions.

The company holds €64.4 million in positive cash, with an undrawn €62.5 million revolving credit facility. Consolidated equity stands at €165.1 million, down 10% from €184.3 million in 2024.

Key 2025 Releases

Four of Gaumont's 8 theatrical releases exceeded their objectives:

• A Bear in the Jura (Un Ours dans le Jura) - Franck Dubosc's comedy sold 1.48 million admissions and won the Cesar Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 2026 ceremony.
• My Mother, God, and Sylvie Vartan (Ma Mere, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan) - Ken Scott's film sold 1.5 million tickets. Leila Bekhti earned a Cesar Best Actress nomination.
• The Stranger (L'Etranger) - Francois Ozon's film competed at Venice and sold 767,000 admissions. Pierre Lottin won the Cesar for Best Supporting Actor.
• Moon the Panda - Gilles de Maistre's family adventure sold 573,000 tickets.

2026 Productions

Gaumont has an ambitious 2026 slate with several high-budget productions:

• The Wizard of the Kremlin - Olivier Assayas' English-language political thriller, budgeted at approximately $25 million. Stars Jude Law as Vladimir Putin and Paul Dano as his spin doctor. Premiered at Venice, released in France in late January 2026. Vertical Entertainment distributes in the US.
• Rays and Shadows - Xavier Giannoli's WWII drama budgeted at $34 million, starring Jean Dujardin (The Artist) as journalist Jean Luchaire.
• Just an Illusion - Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's coming-of-age story, from the directing duo behind Intouchables. Stars Camille Cottin, Louis Garrel, and Pierre Lottin.
• High in the Clouds - Paul McCartney's 3D animated film with a voice cast including Celine Dion, Himesh Patel, Lionel Richie, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Fallon, and Idris Elba.

Two films have already been released in France in early 2026, attracting 1.2 million admissions combined. Gaumont plans 5 additional theatrical releases in 2026.

Streaming Productions

Gaumont remains active in streaming content despite the market contraction:

• Lupin Part 4 - Delivered to Netflix in 2025
• Mexico 86 - Starring Berenice Bejo and Diego Luna, for Netflix
• Unfamiliar - German spy thriller for Netflix
• The Hunt - For Apple, delayed due to plagiarism allegations

The audiovisual division delivered 8 programs in 2025, up from 4 in 2024, generating €70.3 million in revenue.

Operations

• Gaumont Film - Produces and distributes theatrical features for the French market. 8 releases in 2025, 5 million admissions.
• Gaumont Audiovisual - Produces scripted series for Netflix, Apple, and other global platforms. 8 deliveries in 2025.
• Gaumont-Pathe Cinemas - Joint venture operating approximately 1,100 screens across France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.
• Gaumont Library - Manages a catalog spanning over 1,000 titles from the company's 130-year history. 191 catalog films had their windows open in 2025.
• GP Archives - Distribution of archival images.

What Filmmakers Should Know

Gaumont actively develops and co-produces French-language and international projects. The company's production arm works with both established and emerging French filmmakers. Its international television division develops English-language series for global streaming platforms, with active projects at Netflix and Apple.

For international filmmakers seeking French co-production partners, Gaumont offers production financing, distribution in France, and access to one of Europe's most significant exhibition networks through Gaumont-Pathé Cinemas. The company's relationships with French film funding bodies (CNC, regional funds) are well established. Gaumont's 2025 film investments totaled €29.3 million, with audiovisual investments at €47.4 million.

The animation market downturn has affected Gaumont's strategy. The company pointed to "difficulties in the animation market and the absence of signed projects" in its 2025 financial report. However, High in the Clouds represents a significant bet on feature animation, with Paul McCartney attached as producer and a major voice cast.

Gaumont is a publicly traded company (EPA: GAM), which means its financial results are publicly available each year in March. Filmmakers and producers can review annual revenue, segment performance, and investment levels directly from the company's investor relations disclosures.

House Style & Genre Focus

Gaumont is the world's oldest film company, founded in 1895, and remains a major force in French and European cinema. The studio's house style spans prestige French productions, international co-productions, and high-end television series. Gaumont's filmography includes The Fifth Element (1997, Luc Besson), Leon: The Professional (1994), Intouchables (2011), and recent productions including The Pot-au-Feu (2023, Cannes Jury Prize winner, titled The Taste of Things internationally) and J'accuse (2019, Roman Polanski).

Gaumont's television division has gained international recognition with series including Lupin (Netflix, the first French series to reach Netflix's global top 10), Narcos (Netflix), and F is for Family (Netflix). The company operates Gaumont Animation, producing animated series and features for global audiences. Recent productions demonstrate Gaumont's commitment to both French-language prestige cinema and international co-productions with global streaming platforms.

Gaumont finds talent through French film industry networks, relationships with established directors, and co-production partnerships across Europe. The company does not have an open submission policy but works with established filmmakers and production companies. For international co-productions, Gaumont brings French financing, production infrastructure, and European distribution reach. The company's animation division accepts project submissions through established industry channels.

Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes

See Also

For understanding how European co-production and distribution work, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue across European territories, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. To calculate break-even on P&A spend for a European release, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.