‘School of Magical Animals 2,’ ‘John Wick: Chapter 4′ Boost Leonine Studios’ Distribution Business

variety.com:

Ed Meza @edmezavar Since its establishment in 2019, Leonine Studios has become one of Germany’s leading film distributors. Forged by the merger of two companies, Concorde Film and Universum Film, the distribution powerhouse releases between20 and 25 films a year, including around five in-house productions or co-productions, says Bernhard zu Castell, Leonine Studios’ chief distribution officer. “Our aim is to offer a slate of event movies that is an optimal blend of genres for all target groups and all our partners in the highest possible quality,” adds zu Castell, who previously headed Universum Film. “This strategy was key in establishing ourselves as a reliable distributor and licensor for all content platforms.” The company last year enjoyed its biggest hit yet with “School of Magical Animals 2,” a fast-growing franchise that Leonine also co-produces.

The film sold more than 2.8 million admissions (3 million counting Austria), making it 2022’s most successful German release and the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year by admissions.

It also became the most successful German family film of the last 10 years in Germany and Austria, zu Castell points out. The film’s success helped make Leonine the leading domestic distributor after Disney, Universal, Warner, Paramount and Sony.

The first instalment in the “School of Magical Animals” franchise likewise became the most successful film of 2021 (with nearly 1.8 million admissions).