Metropolitan Filmexport

Founded in 1978 by brothers Samuel and Victor Hadida alongside their father David, Metropolitan Filmexport carved out a dominant niche in the French film market. The company built its reputation by securing distribution rights for major Hollywood franchises that defined pop culture across Europe. Their catalog reads like a greatest hits list of horror and blockbuster cinema, serving as the primary gateway for audiences to access titles from New Line Cinema before Warner Bros. took over direct operations in 2009.

The firm operates from Paris with a lean team of approximately 41 employees, navigating the industry's shift from physical media to digital streaming while maintaining independence. They handle video publishing, executive production, and foreign sales, balancing a portfolio that spans horror, action, and drama. Recent strategic moves include acquiring streaming rights for The Hunger Games and The Lord of the Rings on Amazon Prime Video in France, ensuring their catalog remains accessible to new generations of viewers.

Beyond distribution, the company actively produces content through partnerships like Kinology. Projects such as the World War I survival thriller Trompe-la-Mort demonstrate their commitment to original storytelling alongside familiar blockbusters. Their YouTube channel boasts over 162,000 subscribers and hundreds of millions of views, reflecting a robust digital engagement strategy that complements their traditional release model. [edit]

To bring international films to French-speaking audiences while supporting local production. The company aims to bridge cultural gaps by distributing diverse genres ranging from mainstream blockbusters to independent dramas, ensuring high-quality cinematic experiences reach theaters and homes across France. [edit]

The Hadida family established the company in 1978, initially focusing on importing American films that were difficult to distribute in France at the time. A pivotal moment occurred when they secured exclusive rights to New Line Cinema titles, becoming the go-to partner for iconic horror franchises like Saw. This relationship lasted until Warner Bros. launched its own French subsidiary in 2009, but by then Metropolitan had cemented its status as a cultural staple.

Over the decades, the organization expanded its scope beyond mere distribution. They began producing films and co-producing projects with other studios to diversify their output. In 2012, a significant milestone was reached when they signed an output deal with Lionsgate, further solidifying their position as a key partner for major US studios in the region.

Recent years have seen the company adapt aggressively to the streaming era. In April 2023, they announced a deal to stream The Hunger Games and The Lord of the Rings on Amazon Prime Video in France. This move highlighted their ability to pivot from physical DVD sales to digital licensing while retaining control over valuable intellectual property in the French market. [edit]