Warner Bros. U.K. is U.K.’s Number One Film Distributor for Third Time in Four Years

(January 2, 2014 – London, U.K.) – Warner Bros. U.K. has been named the U.K.’s number one film distributor for the third time in four years*, and the first studio to achieve this since records began**, it was announced today by Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain. Fuelled by the box office performances of, among others, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (£32.9m), “Man of Steel” (£29.9m), “Gravity” (£27.3m), “The Hangover Part III” (£19.3m), “The Great Gatsby” (£15.7m) and “The Conjuring” (£10.4m), Warner Bros. U.K. grossed £194m*** to claim the top spot in the theatrical distributor rankings and a 16.5% market share. Making notable contributions to the company’s 2013 success was the U.K.’s number one movie this Christmas, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and the British-produced, “Gravity,” starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, which is tipped for nominations in this year’s awards season. Equally impressive were the performances of “The Conjuring,” the horror film based on the true-life experiences of renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and the U.K. acquisition, “Blue Jasmine,” Woody Allen’s highest-ever grossing movie in the U.K., starring Cate Blanchett and delivering box office of £5.1m. Josh Berger said, “We’re thrilled to be named the U.K.’s number one film distributor for the third time in four years, a first for any studio here in the U.K. 2013 was one of the most tightly-contested years in recent memory and the result was only confirmed in December, following the stand-out performances of the hit British movie, ‘Gravity’ and the Christmas smash, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.’ This magnificent achievement is down to the creativity and expertise of our filmmaking colleagues and our market-leading team.” 2013 was also a year when Warner Bros. made headlines with the inauguration of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter by TRHs Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, the opening of its first-ever West End musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and the launch of Warner Bros. Creative Talent, a brand new investment in U.K. skills and training, which provides funding support and industry insight and experience across Warner Bros.’ U.K. film, TV, games and theatre operations to talented young people. 2014, meanwhile, promises to be another strong year for Warner Bros. U.K. Its movie slate includes “Godzilla,” Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” “Horrible Bosses 2,” “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” “Edge of Tomorrow” and “Jupiter Ascending.” “Our 2014 film slate looks as rich and as diverse as ever with something to appeal to everyone. What’s particularly exciting is the arrival of the first two movies to be produced at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden since it opened in June 2012 - the Doug Liman sci-fi action movie, ‘Edge of Tomorrow,’ starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, and the Wachowski siblings’ ‘Jupiter Ascending’ starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum,” added Berger. *2010: Warner Bros. grossed £204.1 million and 18.4% market share to claim number one U.K. distributor crown
2011: Warner Bros. grossed £205.8 million and 18.04% market share to claim number one U.K. distributor crown
** Records began in 1991
*** Figures according to Rentrak, based on calendar year 2013 performance ###