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United International Pictures

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United International Pictures
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryFilm
PredecessorUnited Artists International
Cinema International Corporation (1970–1981)
Founded1981; 43 years ago (1981)
FoundersArthur Abeles
Lew Wasserman
HeadquartersLondon, England
ProductsMotion pictures
Owners
DivisionsCIC Video
UIP Pay TV
Websiteuip.com

United International Pictures (UIP) is a joint venture of Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures that distributes their films outside the United States and Canada. UIP also had international distribution rights to certain Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and United Artists (UA) films when MGM was part of the venture and also distributed Disney films in certain territories until 1987. In 2001, MGM left UIP,[1] and signed a distribution deal with 20th Century Fox's overseas arm. The company formerly distributed DreamWorks Pictures releases internationally as well until late 2005.

In 2002, 2007, and 2021, the 20 countries overseas reorganized their organizations, and Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures decided to have independent distribution systems.

Overview

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Cinema International Corporation (1970–1981)

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Paramount's early history with MCA dates back to the 1950s, when part of its talent pool worked for Paramount Pictures; Alfred Hitchcock was among the best known. In 1958, MCA purchased the pre-1950 Paramount sound feature film library. In 1962, MCA purchased Universal Pictures. In 1966, Gulf+Western purchased Paramount.

In a cost-cutting move, in 1970, as a result of American antitrust laws, and due to declining movie-going audiences, both Paramount and Universal agreed to merge their international operations into a new company, Cinema International Corporation, registered in England and Wales. It even operated in Canada and the Caribbean until the late 70s, when those territories were considered part of the "domestic" North American market.

In 1973, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer closed down its distribution offices and became a partner in CIC, which took over international distribution for MGM's films; however, United Artists took over the US, Canadian and Caribbean distribution for MGM's films that time. CIC also entered the home video market by forming CIC Video, which distributed Paramount and Universal titles on video worldwide. MGM however, had its own video unit, which later became a joint venture with CBS as MGM/CBS Home Video (later known as MGM/UA Home Video, which was later renamed to MGM Home Entertainment).

United International Pictures (1981–present)

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In 1981, MGM merged with United Artists, which had its own international distribution unit. CIC refused to let MGM drop out of the venture at the time, but let them merge UA's overseas arm into CIC, which led to the reorganization of the company as United International Pictures from November 1, 1981.[2] MGM eventually left the venture in 2001, when it moved its international distribution to 20th Century Fox. The last MGM film to be released through UIP was Return to Me in 2000.

In 1986, Ted Turner purchased MGM/UA, but later resold the company except for its film library, which included the pre-May 1986 MGM film and television library and the pre-1950 Warner Bros. film library (which the latter was sold to Associated Artists Productions in 1956, and got acquired by United Artists in 1958). After that library was acquired by Turner, UIP (through MGM/UA) signed a deal to continue distributing the pre-May 1986 MGM and pre-1950 Warner Bros. film libraries for theatrical release.

CIC's name lived on in its video division, which became directly managed as a joint venture of Paramount Home Video and MCA Videocassette, Inc. (later MCA Home Video and MCA/Universal Home Video). CIC Video survived until 1999, when Universal purchased PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and reorganised its video division (PolyGram Video) as Universal Pictures UK, while Paramount took over full ownership of CIC Video and merged it under its own video division as Paramount Home Entertainment UK.

UIP also had a subscription television arm, UIP Pay TV, which distributed Paramount, MGM/UA, and Universal releases to pay TV broadcasters outside the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Anglophone Caribbean. In 1986, Canal+ had signed an agreement with UIP Pay TV to handle up to eighty titles for the French television market.[3] UIP Pay TV was broken up in 1997 after a 4-year investigation by the European Union, as it accused UIP as a cartel-like organisation. The pay TV rights for the films were eventually transferred to Paramount International Television (later renamed CBS Paramount International Television and currently known as Paramount Global Distribution Group; today, the Paramount films are distributed by Trifecta Entertainment & Media), Universal Worldwide Television (currently known as NBCUniversal International Television Distribution) and MGM Worldwide Television.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution also had a theatrical distribution agreement with UIP since 1982 in which the latter distributed Disney and Touchstone films in Italy, Brazil and West Germany until 1987, when Warner Bros. took over theatrical distribution of Disney material in those territories.

In 1999, Universal Pictures nearly pulled out of UIP when it acquired PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, which had its international division, The division would promptly be rebranded as Universal Pictures International.[4] Only a small handful of films would be released theatrically by Universal Pictures International until the release of Mickey Blue Eyes, when Universal instead opted to merge its international theatrical unit with UIP, and UIP becoming the exclusive theatrical distributor for Universal films, and took some of the planned films released by Universal Pictures International with them, namely The Green Mile and Angela's Ashes.[5] The agreement came in after Universal opted to renew its agreement with UIP until 2006.[6][7] MGM, meanwhile left UIP and moved its distribution to 20th Century Fox that year, in 1999. The deal, however, was extended up until 2010 due to the MGM's financial crisis in the same year.[8] Subsequently, MGM would revive its theatrical distribution unit in 2018 and licensed their films to Universal Pictures outside of the United States and Canada before Warner Bros. replaced Universal as a new distributor in 2022.

2007 reorganisation and post-reorganisation

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As the international box office started to exceed the US box office, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures started discussions about the future of United International Pictures under Universal Pictures vice chairman Marc Shmuger and Paramount vice-chairman Rob Friedman. Shmuger completed them with Rob Moore, recently appointed Paramount Pictures president of worldwide marketing and distribution. The two firms agreed on the countries where UIP would continue operating and on a draft system to select countries where that company would take over UIP operations and the other would have to start up operations. Either may sub-distribute films in the other former UIP countries until 2009. Starting January 1, 2007, United International Pictures considerably reduced its international operations. At least 15 key countries are now directly managed separately by Universal, taking over operations in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, South Korea, Spain and Switzerland, and Paramount, taking over operations in Australia, Brazil, France, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In Russia, Central Partnership took over distribution rights of Paramount Pictures' titles since 2008.[9] UIP was planned to continue in Japan, Korea, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.[10] Universal announced in November 2007 their withdrawal from UIP in South Korea to set up its own branch at the same time as the other UIP operation ceased; Paramount announced that in that country, CJ Entertainment would be the company's exclusive distributor until 2015 when Lotte Entertainment took over Paramount's films.[11] UIP president and chief operating officer Andrew Cripps[10] was hired as the head of Paramount Pictures International. In its first year, Paramount Pictures International distributed films that made the 1 billion mark in July 2007, the fifth studio that year to do so.[12]

Though their Japanese operations were initially planned to be kept intact, United International Pictures withdrew from the Japanese market in late 2007.[13] As a result, Paramount Pictures started handling their Japanese distribution of their movies themselves until January 31, 2016, when Toho-Towa took over for Japanese theatrical distribution of their films, starting with The Big Short on March 4, 2016.[14] Universal Pictures Japan also formed distribution alliances with TOHO-TOWA Company, Ltd. for theatrical distribution[15] and Geneon Entertainment (now NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan) for home entertainment distribution.[16]

In the Philippines, United International Pictures films were distributed through Warner Bros. until 2000 (with the exception of Twister where Warner handled theatrical distribution by themselves), when distribution switched to Viva International Pictures. Solar Entertainment Corporation through its Solar Films subsidiary distributed UIP films from 2004 to 2014 and Sony Pictures Releasing International later distributed them from 2014 to 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing its cinemas to shutting down, UIP withdrew from the local market, leading to a breakup of the company in the Philippines. In October 2021, it was announced that Universal Pictures International signed a distribution alliance with Warner Bros. for Philippine theatrical distribution of their films, starting with No Time to Die on December 15, 2021, following its success of the alliance for Home Entertainment distribution in North America, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Japan, as well as the success of their theatrical distribution alliance in Australia while distribution of select Focus Features titles went through a local start-up distribution company, UPSTREAM (which reverted to Warner after UPSTREAM's closure)[17] Paramount Pictures meanwhile, has renewed its distribution alliance with Sony Pictures for Philippine theatrical distribution of their films.

Similarly in early 2021, the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense authorized the Brazilian distribution arm of Warner Bros. Pictures to license Universal's releases in Brazil.[18] The first film under the new deal was Promising Young Woman, released in Brazil in May 2021.[19]

In 2002, United International Pictures withdrew from the Finnish market. As a result, their releases in that country from that point onwards were handled by Buena Vista International Finland until 2006, when distribution passed on to national cinema operator Finnkino.

In 2003, UIP started distributing Sony Pictures films in Poland.

Past organisation

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The company was formerly based in London, United Kingdom, though their operations in that country have been taken over by Paramount Pictures. However, as of August 2022, they continue to directly distribute films in 15 countries, Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, France, Hungary, Malaysia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey. In addition, the company has distribution agreements with locally owned distribution companies in a further 47 countries.[20] One such example is Bontonfilm in the Czech Republic, who previously distributed material from CIC & UIP in both the Czech and the Slovak markets.

In Denmark, UIP distributed films released by Mis. Label. In Spain, UIP distributed films released by Araba Films. In Turkey, UIP distributed select films released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through their Buena Vista International distribution label, Fida Film, TMC Film and Film Pop.

Film library

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Film series

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Main articles: Lists of Paramount Pictures films, Lists of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films, List of United Artists films, List of DreamWorks Pictures films, and Lists of Universal Pictures films
Title Release date No. Films Studio(s) Notes
Saturday Night Live films 1980–2023 11 Universal/Paramount Co-production with SNL Studios; From The Blues Brothers to Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain; except for It's Pat which was distributed by Touchstone Pictures
Indiana Jones 1981–2023 5 Paramount From Raiders of the Lost Ark to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; Studio credit for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny; Co-production with Lucasfilm
Hanna-Barbera 1982–2000 4 Paramount/Universal From Heidi's Song to The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
James Bond 1983–2021 8 MGM/United Artists (formerly)/Universal Co-production with Eon Productions; From Octopussy to No Time to Die
Crocodile Dundee 1986–2001 3 Paramount/Universal Co-production with Rimfire Films; The first two films are released by Hoyts Distribution in Australia and 20th Century Fox released the first film theatrically in other international countries.
Fierce Creatures 1988–97 2 MGM/Universal Co-production with Prominent Films and Jersey Films
Child's Play/Chucky 1988–2019 7 MGM/United Artists/Universal Except for Seed of Chucky, which was distributed by Rogue Pictures
The Addams Family 1991–2021 4 Paramount/MGM/United Artists (Formerly)/Universal Co-production with Scott Rudin Productions, Columbia Pictures, Orion Pictures, and Bron Creative
Jurassic Park 1993–present 6 Universal co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Twister 1996–2024 2 Co-production with Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
Mission: Impossible 1996–present 8 Paramount Co-production with Cruise/Wagner Productions, Skydance Media, Bad Robot, and TC Productions
The Mummy 1999–2017 4 Universal Co-production with Alphaville Films, WWF Entertainment, The Sommers Company, and TC Productions
Meet the Parents 2000–10 3 Universal/DreamWorks/Paramount Co-production with TriBeCa Productions
Dr. Seuss films 2000–18 4 Universal/DreamWorks From How the Grinch Stole Christmas to The Grinch; Co-production with Imagine Entertainment and Illumination; Except for Horton Hears a Who!, which was distributed by 20th Century Fox
Gladiator 2000–present 1 DreamWorks/Universal/Paramount Co-production with Scott Free Productions and Red Wagon Entertainment
Hannibal Lecter 2001–02 2 Universal/MGM
Bridget Jones 2001–present 4 Universal Co-production with Miramax, StudioCanal, and Working Title Films
Shrek 2001–present 7 DreamWorks/Paramount/Universal Co-production with DreamWorks Animation
Fast & Furious 11 Universal
The Ring 2002–17 3 DreamWorks/Paramount
G.I. Joe 2003–present 6 Paramount co-production with Hasbro and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
The Grudge 2004–06 2 Universal/Paramount UK distribution only; produced by Columbia Pictures
SpongeBob SquarePants 2004–present 4 Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies Co-production with Nickelodeon; Except for Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, which was distributed by Netflix
Madagascar 2005–present 3 DreamWorks/Paramount Co-production with DreamWorks Animation; Except for Penguins of Madagascar, which was distributed by 20th Century Fox
Transformers 2007–present 8 Co-production with Hasbro
Marvel Cinematic Universe 2008–11 (2012–13) 5 (7) Paramount/Universal Co-production with Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios; From Iron Man to Captain America: The First Avenger. Studio credit for The Avengers and Iron Man 3
Kung Fu Panda 2008–present 3 Co-production with DreamWorks Animation; Except for Kung Fu Panda 3, which was distributed by 20th Century Fox
How to Train Your Dragon 2010–present 2 Co-production with DreamWorks Animation; Except for How to Train Your Dragon 2, which was distributed by 20th Century Fox
Despicable Me 6 Universal Co-production with Illumination
Pitch Perfect 2012–17 3 Co-production with Gold Circle Films and Brownstone Productions
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014–present Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies Co-production with Nickelodeon; Except for Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, which was distributed by Netflix
Super Mario Bros. 2023–present 1 Universal Co-production with Illumination and Nintendo

Highest-grossing films

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References

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  1. ^ "Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures to begin self-distribution of films in 15 key countries beginning in January 2007". IndependentFilm.com. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  2. ^ "CIC Status Update". Variety. October 14, 1981. p. 5.
  3. ^ "Gaul's Canal Plus Picks Up 80 Films From UIP Library". Variety. 1986-09-17. p. 48.
  4. ^ Carver, Benedict; Dawtrey, Adam (1999-02-10). "U to start int'l distrib". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  5. ^ Groves, Don (1999-10-08). "'Eyes' to close UPI slate". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  6. ^ Dawtrey, Adam; Petrikin, Chris (1999-10-04). "A Universal appeal". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  7. ^ Petrikin, Chris (1999-10-15). "U, Par extend UIP pact". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  8. ^ Peers, Martin; Petrikin, Chris (1999-06-22). "Lion fills Fox den". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  9. ^ "Paramount breaks ground in Russia". Variety. 2008-09-16. Archived from the original on 2022-08-18.
  10. ^ a b Thompson, Anne (September 7, 2005). "'End of an Era' for United International Pictures". Backstage. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  11. ^ Whiteman, Bobbie (November 29, 2006). "CJ to carry Paramount pix for South Korea". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  12. ^ McNary, Dave (August 1, 2007). "Paramount joins billion-dollar club". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  13. ^ "Foreign film distributor closing down". The Japan Times Online. 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  14. ^ Variety Asia Online Archived August 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Show Biz Japan!#7 - JETRO USA - Japan External Trade Organization". Jetro.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  16. ^ "Geneon to Merge with Universal Pictures Japan - News". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  17. ^ "'No Time To Die' — Daniel Craig's Final Bond Film — Premieres in Cinemas This December 15" (Press release). Universal Pictures/Warner Bros. (F.E.) Inc. November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021 – via Click the City. From Universal Pictures International PH, distributed by Warner Bros., No Time To Die opens December 15 in Philippine cinemas.
  18. ^ "Cade autoriza que Warner passe a distribuir os filmes da Universal no Brasil". 12 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Após a Universal Pictures "deixar" o Brasil, Warner começa a distribuir seus filmes – CinePOP Cinema".
  20. ^ UIP website: Who We Are Retrieved 2012-09-10
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