Mattel Films
FormerlyMattel Playground Productions (2013–2016)
TypeDivision
IndustryFilm production
PredecessorRadnitz-Mattel Productions
FoundedOctober 16, 2013 (2013-10-16)
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Robbie Brenner (Executive Producer)
  • Ivan Sanchez (Executive Producer, Creativity)
  • Kevin McKeon (Vice President)
ParentMattel

Mattel Films is the film production division of Mattel originally formed on October 16, 2013, as Mattel Playground Productions as part of Mattel Global Brands, a unified media structural and strategy unit.[1]

On March 31, 2016, Mattel placed the division within a newly created division at the time, Mattel Creations, absorbed its operations into it and, seven months later, made it defunct due to poor box office reception of the live-action film release of Max Steel.[2] On September 6, 2018, the division was revived and reformed as Mattel Films.[3]

History

A joint venture in 1970 with producer Robert B. Radnitz, which produced family films including Sounder, Where the Lilies Bloom,[4] and A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich.[5]

Former logo as Mattel Playground Productions

On October 26, 2013, Mattel launched Playground Productions (shortened as Mattel PGP or just PGP) as its in-house film studio to handle multimedia productions and foster creative storytelling for its brands for global multi-platform distribution.[6][7] Its first animated project was Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome!. Mattel had been developing a live-action Hot Wheels film at Legendary Entertainment and Universal Pictures, films featuring the Masters of the Universe and Barbie brands at Columbia Pictures, a Monster High film with Universal and a Max Steel film with Dolphin Entertainment. PGP was planned to set up three-year storytelling plans that incorporate every part of the company's core operations, from toy designers to consumer products and marketing.[6] David Voss, an acclaimed 20-year veteran in the toy and entertainment business, was appointed as the division's head and Senior Vice President.[6][8]

With WWE on March 17, 2014, Mattel PGP launched an online short form series, WWE Slam City, to go along with its dedicated toy line.[9] The series was picked up by Nicktoons' NickSports programming block from October 22, 2014.[10]

After Voss left the division in January 2016 for subscription service, Loot Crate,[11] Mattel placed PGP within Mattel Creations upon its formation along with its other two content production units: HIT Entertainment and the content creation team of American Girl at Middleton, Wisconsin.[12] After the critical and commercial failure of the live-action Max Steel film on October 20, 2016, Mattel Playground Productions was absorbed into Mattel Creations.[2]

Reformation as Mattel Films

On September 6, 2018, Mattel announced the launch of a film division, Mattel Films, that will make films based on the company's toy brands.[13] Outside Mattel, the division is widely recognized as the revival and replacement of Mattel PGP. Mattel Films with Academy Award-nominated film producer Robbie Brenner was appointed to head the division as executive producer and will report directly to Mattel's CEO, Ynon Kreiz.[3][14]

The division's first two projects were the Barbie and Masters of the Universe live-action films.[15] On January 7, 2019, it was announced that Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling would star in the Barbie film to be co-produced with Warner Bros. Pictures and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment.[16] Barbie released in theaters worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 21st, 2023, and to date has made over $1.4 billion at the global box office and became the #1 highest-grossing movie in Warner Bros. Pictures' 100-year history.[17]

With the Hot Wheels film rights option with Legendary Entertainment expired and reverted to Mattel, its film division shopped the property to Warner Bros. for a partnership on a film for the first time on January 29, 2019.[18][19] The company teamed up with Universal Pictures for the first time on July 16, 2020, on adaptation of Wishbone to film.[20]

On April 19, 2021, Mattel Films teamed up with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films for a live-action film adaptation of the 1966-launched toy, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, starring Vin Diesel, a Barney film with Daniel Kaluuya, a Polly Pocket film with Lena Dunham and Lily Collins.[21][22][23]

On June 24, 2021, Mattel Films and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer agreed to work on a live-action film for Polly Pocket.[24][25]

On December 16, 2021, Mattel Films announced its first project based on outside intellectual property: Christmas Balloon, which is written by Gabriela Revilla Lugo. The film is intended to be based on the true story of a young girl who tried to send her Christmas message to Santa via a balloon.[26][27][28][29]

In July 2022, Mattel Films and Skydance announced the development of a live-action movie based on the Matchbox die-cast toy vehicles.[30][31]

Filmography

Mattel Playground Productions
Title Release date(s) Type Production
partner(s)		 Distributor Notes
Monster High October 20, 2013 – April 3, 2016 2D-animated shorts and web series Nerd Corps Entertainment YouTube
Monster High 2013–2016 CGI-animated films DHX Media Vancouver
Nerd Corps Entertainment		 Television:
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release)		 61–75 minutes
Barbie and the Secret Door October 16, 2014 CGI-animated film Rainmaker Entertainment Television:
  • Cartoon Network (Latin America)
  • Nickelodeon (U.S.; international)
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release)[32]
Team Hot Wheels June 7, 2014 Animated Mercury Filmworks
Titmouse, Inc.		 Digital platforms
YouTube
  • 22-minute origin story (Spring)[8]
  • 11 2-minute shorts (Summer)
  • 74-minute direct-to-video film (Autumn/Fall)
WWE Slam City March 17, 2014 Stop motion Stoopid Buddy Stoodios[10] Digital platforms[9]
Nicktoons[10]		 26-episode 2-minute shorts series[9]
Ever After High[33] May 30, 2013 – June 20, 2016 "Legacy Day" 15-minute special Guru Studio Netflix Fairy tale web series
"True Hearts Day" 22-minute webisode special
  • Nickelodeon (U.S.; international)
  • YouTube
  • EverAfterHigh.com
"Thronecoming" 44-minute television special
66 3-minute webisodes
Barbie in Princess Power March 3, 2015[34] CGI-animated film Rainmaker Entertainment Nickelodeon (U.S. broadcast)
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Home video release)[35][36][37][38]
Barbie in Rock 'N Royals August 13, 2015[39]
Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure October 8, 2015[40]
Barbie: Spy Squad January 15, 2016[41]
Max Steel October 26, 2016[42] Live-action film Dolphin Films
Ingenious Media		 Open Road Films[8] Final production before the absorption of Mattel PGP into Mattel Creations.
As Mattel Films
Barbie July 21, 2023 Live-action film Heyday Films
LuckyChap Entertainment
NB/GG Pictures		 Warner Bros. Pictures First movie from the division to receive a PG-13 rating.
Untitled Barney film TBA 59% Productions
Valparaiso Pictures[43]		 TBA
Hot Wheels TBA Bad Robot Productions[44] Warner Bros. Pictures[19]
American Girl TBA Temple Hill Entertainment Paramount Pictures[45]
Christmas Balloon TBA Vital Pictures[46] TBA
Magic 8 Ball[47][48] TBA TBA TBA
Major Matt Mason TBA Playtone
Weed Road Pictures		 Paramount Pictures[49]
Matchbox TBA Skydance Media[51] TBA
Polly Pocket TBA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Good Thing Going[52]		 Amazon MGM Studios
Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots TBA One Race Films Universal Pictures[53]
Thomas & Friends: The Movie TBA 2Dux2[54] TBA
Uno TBA Quality Films[55] TBA
View-Master TBA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[56] Amazon MGM Studios
Wishbone TBA TBA Universal Pictures[57]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Goldman Getzler, Wendy (October 16, 2013). "With profits up, Mattel launches in-house studio Playground Productions". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Thompson, Luke Y. (September 7, 2018). "Why Mattel's Latest Movie Studio Announcement Doesn't Impress". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Ng, David. "Mattel creates new film division to turn toys into movies". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  4. ↑ Nelson, Valerie J. (June 10, 2010). "Robert B. Radnitz dies at 85; Hollywood producer of distinguished family films". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  5. ↑ "A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich". AFI Catalog. AFI. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 Graser, Marc (November 5, 2013). "Mattel's Bold Plan to Take Control Back From Hollywood". Variety. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ Getzler, Wendy Goldman (October 16, 2013). "With profits up, Mattel launches in-house studio Playground Productions". Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Graser, Marc (October 15, 2013). "Mattel to Create Original Entertainment Through Playground Productions Banner". Variety. Archived from the original on June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Goldman Getzler, Wendy (March 17, 2014). "Mattel and WWE producing 26-episode web series for kids". StreamDaily. Brunico Communications Ltd. Kidscreen. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 Dickson, Jeremy (October 22, 2014). "Nickelodeon takes WWE Slam City from web to TV". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  11. ↑ Castleman, Lana (March 31, 2016). "Mattel centralizes content output in new division". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  12. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (March 31, 2016). "Mattel Creations Formed To Centralize Toy Giant's Theatrical, TV & Digital Content". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ Whitten, Sarah (September 6, 2018). "Mattel takes a page from Hasbro's playbook, launches film division". CNBC. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ Ziobro, Paul (September 6, 2018). "Mattel, After Years Toying With Big Screen, Creates Film Division". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  15. ↑ Townsend, Matthew (September 6, 2018). "Mattel's New CEO Starts Movie Unit to Jump-Start Film Franchises". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  16. ↑ Kroll, Justin (January 8, 2019). "Margot Robbie's 'Barbie' Film Moves Ahead as Warner Bros. Closes Deal With Mattel". Variety. Archived from the original on January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  17. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (August 28, 2023). "'Barbie' Becomes Biggest Warner Bros. Movie Ever at Global Box Office, Beating Final 'Harry Potter' Pic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ "El Segundo-based Mattel Announces "Hot Wheels" Movie". El Segundo Information Service. February 19, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Kroll, Justin (January 30, 2019). "'Hot Wheels' Live-Action Movie in the Works With Mattel, Warner Bros". Variety. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  20. ↑ Kroll, Justin (July 15, 2020). "'Wishbone' Film Adaptation in the Works From Mattel and Universal With Peter Farrelly Producing". Variety. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  21. ↑ Stone, Loryn (April 20, 2021). "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Toy-Wizards.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (April 20, 2021). "Mattel hits the big screen with Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots". Kidscreen. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Mattel Films to Develop Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Live-Action Motion Picture with Universal Pictures and Vin Diesel's One Race Films". Yahoo! Finance. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  24. ↑ Hutchins, Robert (June 25, 2021). "Mattel is developing a live action Polly Pocket movie with MGM". ToyNews. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  25. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (June 24, 2021). "Lena Dunham Tackling 'Polly Pocket' Movie Starring Lily Collins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  26. ↑ Kazakos, Niki; Karaca, Kristine (December 16, 2021). "Mattel Films to Develop Family Drama Christmas Balloon Live-Action Motion Picture". Mattel Films (Press release). Mattel. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  27. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 16, 2021). "Live-Action 'Christmas Balloon' Movie in the Works at Mattel Films". TheWrap. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  28. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (December 16, 2021). "Mattel Developing Holiday Feature 'Christmas Balloon'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Mattel Films to Develop Family Drama Christmas Balloon Live-Action Motion Picture" (Press release). Mattel, Inc. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  30. ↑ Chapman, Wilson (July 19, 2022). "Matchbox Cars Live-Action Movie in the Works from Mattel and Skydance". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  31. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 19, 2022). "Skydance & Mattel Revving Up Matchbox Cars Live-Action Movie". Deadline. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Barbie and The Secret Door". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. March 8, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  33. ↑ Rusak, Gary (April 3, 2014). "Mattel plays around with digital distribution strategies". StreamDaily. Brunico Communications Ltd. iKids. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Barbie in Princess Power (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Barbie in Princess Power". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. March 21, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Barbie in Rock 'N Royals". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. June 10, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. July 23, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Barbie: Spy Squad". Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Barbie in Rock 'N Royals (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. July 30, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. October 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  42. ↑ McNary, Dave (February 23, 2016). "Robert De Niro Boxing Movie 'Hands of Stone' Set for August Release". Variety. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Mattel Films, Daniel Kaluuya's 59%, and Valparaiso Pictures announce plans to bring "Barney" to the Big Screen". Mattel.
  44. ↑ Grobar, Matt (April 25, 2022). "J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot To Produce Live-Action 'Hot Wheels' Film For Mattel & Warner Bros". Deadline Hollywood.
  45. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2023). "'American Girl' Movie In The Works With Mattel, Paramount & Temple Hill; Lindsey Anderson Beer Writing & Producing". Deadline. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  46. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (December 16, 2021). "Barbie and Beyond: How Mattel Studios Executive Robbie Brenner Brings Beloved Toys to Screen". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  47. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 3, 2019). "Mattel Films & Blumhouse Team For 'Magic 8 Ball', 'Truth Or Dare's Jeff Wadlow Set To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  48. ↑ Whitten, Sarah. "Blumhouse, studio known for highly profitable horror films, is no longer producing Mattel's Magic 8 Ball movie". CNBC. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  49. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (September 7, 2019). "Tom Hanks, Akiva Goldsman Set Live Action Mattel Adaptation 'Major Matt Mason' at Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  50. ↑ Gemmill, Allie (September 8, 2019). "Tom Hanks to Star in Mattel Live-Action Movie Written by Akiva Goldsman". Collider. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  51. ↑ Anthony D'Alessandro (July 19, 2022). "Matchbox Cars Movie In The Works From Skydance & Mattel". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Polly Pocket Movie in the Works with Lena Dunham Writing & Directing, Lily Collins Starring for Mattel & MGM". June 24, 2021.
  53. ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (April 20, 2021). "Mattel hits the big screen with Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots". Kidscreen. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  54. ↑ Anthony D'Alessandro (October 6, 2020). "Thomas & Friends New Movie In The Works From Mattel Films & Marc Forster's 2Dux²". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Lil Yachty Developing Action Heist Movie Based on Card Game Uno". Variety. February 4, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  56. ↑ Kit, Boris (February 27, 2019). "View-Master Movie In the Works at MGM and Mattel Films (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  57. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 15, 2020). "Universal & Mattel Developing 'Wishbone' Feature Based On PBS Jack Russell Terrier TV Series; Peter Farrelly Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
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