Walden Media
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film Television |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Micheal Flaherty Cary Granat |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Frank Smith (president & CEO) Benjamin Tappan (president of production) |
| Parent | Anschutz Entertainment Group (2001–present) |
| Divisions | Walden Pond Press |
| Website | walden |
Walden Media, LLC is a U.S.-based independent studio specializing in the development, production, and financing of feature films and television series for both domestic and international audiences. Its portfolio centers on narratives showcasing bravery inspired by biographies, historical accounts, literary works, and original scripts. The company additionally produces feature-length documentaries.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Walden Media is owned by Christian conservative entrepreneur Philip Anschutz, who prioritizes creating films that combine entertainment with ethical themes.
Among its prominent projects are Holes (2003), Because of Winn-Dixie (2005), Charlotte's Web (2006), Bridge to Terabithia (2007), three installments of The Chronicles of Narnia released in 2005, 2008, and 2010, as well as Ramona and Beezus (2010), alongside A Dog's Purpose and Wonder both from 2017. These productions are all adaptations of well-known literary works. Walden Media also operates the publishing imprint Walden Pond Press, a collaborative effort with HarperCollins, which focuses on middle grade literature.
History
Established in 2000 by Micheal Flaherty and Cary Granat, Walden Media was created with the goal of producing content that is both instructive and enjoyable for young audiences. Granat brought his background from Miramax's Dimension Films, while Flaherty contributed expertise from the educational sector. The company’s official launch took place in May 2001.
That same year, Walden secured agreements with Phoenix Pictures to co-produce and finance the film Holes, as well as a distribution deal with director James Cameron for the documentary Ghosts of the Abyss. Additionally, they acquired the rights to adapt The Chronicles of Narnia into motion pictures. Later in 2001, majority ownership was transferred to Anschutz Entertainment Group, with the original founders maintaining minority shares.
In 2002, Walden collaborated with Summit Entertainment to manage international pre-sales and entered a two-year first-look agreement with Walt Disney Pictures. Under this arrangement, Disney distributed Ghosts of the Abyss across North America and handled international distribution for Holes. The company’s initial theatrical release was Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey.
By 2004, Walden had signed a five-film production agreement with 20th Century Fox. This partnership expanded in 2006 to include releasing family-oriented films through the Fox label under the "Fox-Walden" banner, emphasizing G or PG-rated content with educational value. The first four titles under Fox-Walden were announced in 2007.
In 2008, Michael Bostick joined Walden as creative officer and later assumed the role of co-CEO following Cary Granat’s departure. That year also marked the inception of the joint publishing venture Walden Pond Press alongside HarperCollins. Despite these developments, due to disappointing box office results, Fox-Walden ceased independent operations in October 2008 and was integrated into 20th Century Fox as a division; however, collaboration between Walden and Fox persisted.
Frank H. Smith took over as CEO in 2013 after spending ten years with the company; his previous experience includes tenure at New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features. In April 2023, Benjamin Tappan—formerly affiliated with EPIX—was named President of Production, overseeing development across film and television projects.
Education initiatives
Walden Media sets itself apart within the film sector by partnering with educators, museums, and prominent national organizations to create supplementary educational content connected to its films and their original literary sources. The company offers classroom resources including instructional guides and teacher resource kits, in addition to organizing seminars and panel discussions where educators and filmmakers explore the integration of media in educational settings.
In 2006, Walden Media facilitated the "Break the World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web" campaign, which involved 547,826 participants across 2,451 global venues, dramatically exceeding the prior record. This effort exemplifies the company’s approach to harnessing its cinematic projects for both educational benefit and strategic market positioning.
Filmography
| Film category | |
|---|---|
| A | Animated feature |
| H | Hybrid live-action/animated film |
| L | Live-action feature |
| D | Documentary film |
Feature films
... [Additional entries follow with consistent formatting] ...| Title | Release date | Co-production partners | Distributors | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Ghosts of the Abyss | April 11, 2003 | Earthship Productions, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Golden Village, Telepool, UGC PH | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Summit Entertainment | |
| L | Holes | April 18, 2003 | Walt Disney Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Chicago Pacific Entertainment | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Summit Entertainment | |
| L | Around the World in 80 Days | June 16, 2004 | Spanknyce Films, Mostow/Lieberman Productions | ||
| L | I Am David | December 3, 2004 | Film and General | Lions Gate Films, Summit Entertainment | |
| D | Aliens of the Deep | January 28, 2005 | Walt Disney Pictures, Earthship Productions | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution | |
| L | Because of Winn-Dixie | February 18, 2005 | 20th Century Fox | ||
| L | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | December 9, 2005 | Walt Disney Pictures | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Television productions
| Title | Broadcast years | Network | Co-production partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Baby-Sitters Club | 2020–2021 | Netflix | co-produced with Terrible Baby Productions, Paulilu, and Michael De Luca Productions |
| Manhunt | 2024 | Apple TV+ | co-production involving Apple Studios, Lionsgate Television, Dovetale Productions, POV Entertainment, Monarch Pictures, and 3 Arts Entertainment |
| Upcoming projects | |||
| Holes | TBA | Disney+ | co-produced alongside 20th Television and Goddard Textiles |
Etymology and logo
The company derives its name from Walden Pond located in Concord, Massachusetts, and its emblem depicts a stone skipping across the surface of a pond.
External links
- American animation studios
- Film production companies of the United States
- Film distributors of the United States
- Walden Media films
- American companies established in 2000
- Entertainment companies based in California
- Companies based in Los Angeles
- Entertainment companies established in 2000
- 2000 establishments in California
- Anschutz Corporation
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment