Pathé

Founded in 1896 by the Pathé brothers, this French giant stands as the second-oldest film company still in operation after Gaumont. What began as a local network of businesses quickly expanded to dominate the global market for film equipment and production during the early 1900s. The group also pioneered phonograph records and invented the newsreel format in 1908, a staple that played before feature films for decades. Today, the brand operates under the stylized name PATHÉ! and maintains a massive footprint across Europe through its subsidiary Pathé Cinémas. The company currently runs the oldest active cinema circuit in the world after acquiring Gaumont's theaters in 2017. It holds the title of the largest theater chain in both France and the Netherlands while continuing to function as a major production house. Recent projects include The Count of Monte Cristo, released in 2024 with a budget hovering around $50 million. This blend of historic legacy and modern financial muscle keeps the studio at the center of European cinema.[edit]