Walden Media, LLC is an American independent studio that develops, produces, and finances feature films and television series for the U.S. and global markets. Its films focus on stories of courage drawn from biographies, historical events, and literature adaptations, as well as original screenplays. The company has also produced feature documentaries.
The corporate headquarters of Walden Media are located in Los Angeles, California. The company is owned by the Christian conservative Philip Anschutz, who has said he expects their movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message."Berkowitz, Bill. "The movie, the media, and the conservative politics of Philip Anschutz". Media Transparency, 2 December 2005.
The company's notable releases include Holes in 2003, Because of Winn-Dixie in 2005, Charlotte's Web in 2006, Bridge to Terabithia, in 2007, three adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia in 2005, 2008 and 2010, Ramona and Beezus in 2010, and both A Dog's Purpose and Wonder in 2017.Between Hollywood and Godlywood: the Case of Walden Media by Nathalie Dupont, Peter Lang, 2015 All of these films are adaptations of popular books. Walden Media operates Walden Pond Press, a joint venture with HarperCollins, which publishes middle grade books.HarperCollins Children's Imprints
History Walden Media was founded in 2000 by Micheal Flaherty and Cary Granat as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids. Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division,Jensen, Jeff. "The Family Business". Entertainment Weekly, 28 April 2006: 58–61. and Flaherty came from the world of education. The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths, and later reunited to form the company. The company's formation was officially announced in May 2001. During the summer of 2001, Walden entered into their first film deals; with Phoenix Pictures to finance and co-produce Holes, an adaption of the children's book of the same name, in July and with director James Cameron to distribute his documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, focusing on the remains of the RMS Titanic, in August. In December, Walden announced that they had acquired the rights to produce films based on The Chronicles of Narnia. In late 2001, Anschutz Entertainment Group purchased a majority stake in the company, leaving the founders as minority shareholders.
In February 2002, Walden entered into a partnership with Summit Entertainment who would pre-sell their films internationally. In September, Walden entered into a two-year first-look agreement with The Walt Disney Company following their acquisition of the distribution rights to Ghosts of the Abyss in North America and the United Kingdom, and Holes in a majority of territories. Walden's first film, Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey, was released theatrically that same month.
In July 2004, Walden signed a five-picture production and deal with 20th Century Fox.
On August 9, 2006, Walden Media announced an extension to their partnership with Fox Filmed Entertainment, which would release education-themed family-friendly pictures that would be released under G or PG ratings. All films would be released under the 20th Century Fox banner. The company, now named "Fox-Walden", announced the release of its first four films in May 2007.
In March 2008, Michael Bostick, formerly of Imagine Films, was hired as creative officer. Cary Granat was released from his co-CEO title effective December 1, 2008, with Bostick replacing him. Walden Media created a joint publishing venture with HarperCollins during the same year called Walden Pond Press. On October 2, 2008, it was announced that Fox-Walden would reduce its staff and cease operations as a standalone company, being folded into 20th Century Fox as a division. This was after all the films released under the venture had flopped at the box office in North America. The downsizing of Fox-Walden did not affect the partnership between both Fox and Walden Media and they would still release family-friendly movies together under the Fox-Walden banner.
Frank Smith was named CEO in 2013 after working with the company for ten years. Prior to joining the Anschutz Film Group, Smith worked at New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features.
In April 2023, Benjamin Tappan, a former EPIX executive, was named President of Production for Walden, overseeing the company's film and television development and production.
Education program Walden Media is unique among film production and distribution companies in that it works with teachers, museums, and national organizations to develop supplemental educational programs and materials associated with its films and the original events and/or novels that inspire the films.
Walden Media offers in-class teaching tools like educational guides and teacher kitsDeahl, Rachel. "Walden Media Works to Make Moviegoers Readers". Publishers Weekly, 16 January 2006. and sponsors seminars and forums for teachers to discuss their practice and to share ideas on using media in the classroom. Directors, writers, and stars of the productions participate in these events.
In 2006, Walden Media sponsored the "Break the World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web". At noon on Wednesday, December 13, 547,826 readers in 2,451 locations, 50 states and 28 countries read an excerpt from Charlotte's Web, breaking the world record of 155,528 students from 737 schools in the United Kingdom who read William Wordsworth's poem, "Daffodils" in 2004.Toomey, Shamus. "I've Never Broken a World Record" . Chicago Sun-Times, 14 December 2006.
Filmography + Key to the colors used below Type of film A Animated film H Live-action and animated film L Live-action film D Documentary film
Feature films TitleRelease dateCo-production(s)Distributor(s)Ref. DGhosts of the AbyssApril 11, 2003Earthship ProductionsAscot Elite Entertainment GroupGolden VillageTelepool and UGC PH Buena Vista Pictures DistributionSummit Entertainment LHolesApril 18, 2003Walt Disney PicturesPhoenix PicturesChicago Pacific Entertainment LAround the World in 80 DaysJune 16, 2004Spanknyce FilmsMostow/Lieberman Productions LI Am DavidDecember 3, 2004Film and GeneralLions Gate FilmsSummit Entertainment DAliens of the DeepJanuary 28, 2005 Walt Disney PicturesEarthship Productions Buena Vista Pictures Distribution LBecause of Winn-DixieFebruary 18, 2005 N/A 20th Century Fox LThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeDecember 9, 2005 Walt Disney Pictures Buena Vista Pictures Distribution LHootMay 5, 2006 The Kennedy/Marshall Company New Line Cinema LHow to Eat Fried WormsAugust 25, 2006 Gran Via Productions LCharlotte's WebDecember 15, 2006The K Entertainment CompanyNickelodeon MoviesParamount Pictures LBridge to TerabithiaFebruary 16, 2007Walt Disney Pictures Buena Vista Pictures DistributionSummit Entertainment LThe Seeker: The Dark is RisingOctober 5, 2007 N/A 20th Century Fox (Fox-Walden) LMr. Magorium's Wonder EmporiumNovember 16, 2007 Mandate Pictures 20th Century Fox (Fox-Walden)Mandate Pictures LThe Water Horse: Legend of the DeepDecember 25, 2007Columbia PicturesRevolution StudiosStrike EntertainmentEcosse FilmsWeta WorkshopBeacon Pictures Sony Pictures Releasing LNim's IslandApril 4, 2008 N/A 20th Century Fox (Fox-Walden)Universal PicturesSummit Entertainment LThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianMay 16, 2008 Walt Disney Pictures Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures LJourney to the Center of the EarthJuly 11, 2008 New Line Cinema Warner Bros. Pictures LCity of EmberOctober 10, 2008 Playtone 20th Century Fox (Fox-Walden)Summit Entertainment LBandslamAugust 14, 2009 N/A Summit Entertainment LTooth FairyJanuary 22, 2010 Mayhem PicturesBlumhouse ProductionsDune Entertainment 20th Century Fox LRamona and BeezusJuly 23, 2010 Di Novi PicturesDune Entertainment DWaiting for "Superman"September 24, 2010 Participant Media Paramount Vantage LThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn TreaderDecember 10, 2010 Dune Entertainment 20th Century Fox LJourney 2: The Mysterious Island February 10, 2012New Line CinemaContrafilm Warner Bros. Pictures LTooth Fairy 2March 6, 2012 N/A 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment LWon't Back Down September 28, 2012Gran Via Productions20th Century Fox LChasing MavericksOctober 26, 2012 Deuce Three Productions LParental GuidanceDecember 25, 2012 Chernin EntertainmentFace ProductionsDune Entertainment LReturn to Nim's IslandMarch 15, 2013 ARC Entertainment Hallmark Channel L Dear Dumb Diary September 6, 2013 ARC EntertainmentZucker ProductionsTriple D Productions LThe GiverAugust 15, 2014 N/A The Weinstein Company LEverestSeptember 18, 2015 Cross Creek PicturesWorking Title Films Universal Pictures LThe BFGJuly 1, 2016 Walt Disney PicturesAmblin EntertainmentReliance EntertainmentThe Kennedy/Marshall CompanyThe Roald Dahl Story Company Walt Disney Studios Motion PicturesReliance EntertainmentMister Smith Entertainment LThe Resurrection of Gavin StoneJanuary 20, 2017 Blumhouse TiltVertical Church Films WWE StudiosBH Tilt LA Dog's PurposeJanuary 27, 2017 Universal PicturesAmblin EntertainmentReliance EntertainmentPariah Entertainment Group Universal PicturesReliance EntertainmentMister Smith Entertainment LWonder November 17, 2017 Participant MediaMandeville Films Lionsgate AThe Star Columbia PicturesSony Pictures AnimationAffirm FilmsFranklin EntertainmentThe Jim Henson Company Sony Pictures Releasing L A Dog's Journey May 17, 2019 Universal PicturesAmblin EntertainmentReliance EntertainmentAlibaba PicturesPariah Entertainment Group Universal PicturesReliance EntertainmentMister Smith Entertainment H Dora and the Lost City of Gold August 9, 2019 Paramount PlayersNickelodeon MoviesMedia Rights CapitalBurr! Productions Paramount Pictures L Playing with Fire November 8, 2019 Paramount PlayersNickelodeon MoviesBroken Road Productions L A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting October 15, 2020 The Montecito Picture Company Netflix L Finch November 5, 2021 Amblin EntertainmentReliance EntertainmentImageMoversMisher Films Apple TV+ A Rumble December 15, 2021 Paramount AnimationWWE StudiosReel FX Animation Studios Paramount+ L Nuremberg November 7, 2025 Bluestone EntertainmentMythology EntertainmentTitan Media Sony Pictures Classics Upcoming L Billion Dollar Spy TBA Weed Road PicturesPioneer Stillking FilmsHanWay Films TBA A Flat Stanley and the Eye of Odin TBA 20th Century Animation Disney+
Television series Title Years Network Co-production(s) Ref. The Baby-Sitters Club 2020–2021 Netflix co-production with Terrible Baby Productions, Paulilu, and Michael De Luca Productions Manhunt 2024 Apple TV+ co-production with Apple Studios, Lionsgate Television, Dovetale Productions, POV Entertainment, Monarch Pictures and 3 Arts Entertainment
Etymology and logo The company is named after Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Its logo is a stone skipping across a pond.
References
External links Official website FoxWalden website