A fourth live-action Paddington film is in development, Canal+ Chief Executive Maxime Saada said on Tuesday, adding fresh momentum to one of StudioCanal’s most successful international franchises.
Saada said the upcoming film would feature A-list talent, although Canal+ and StudioCanal did not disclose the cast, release date or distribution plans.
The announcement comes as Canal+ strengthens its position in the French film market through a renewed agreement with French cinema organisations, securing early access to new theatrical releases.
Under the agreement, which was renewed on Monday and runs until 2032, Canal+ will invest about €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in French and European cinema over five years beginning in 2028.
In return, the pay-TV group will receive privileged access to new films following their theatrical release, both for productions it acquires and its own films.
The agreement is particularly significant as traditional television and cinema companies compete with global streaming platforms for audiences and subscribers.
Canal+ will be the first platform to bring Paddington 4 to television screens in France, just six months after its theatrical release. The group did not say when the film would reach cinemas.
“When we buy and we have deals with Universal, Warner, Paramount... all of these movies are available on the Canal+ platform in France six months after release”, Saada said.
“When Netflix has a deal with Universal, they have to wait until 15 months to broadcast the movie in France”, he added.
The investment represents part of Canal+’s broader spending on content. The group spent €2.25 billion on content during the first half of 2026 alone, covering films, television and sports across its international markets.
France remains Canal+’s largest individual market, generating €1.77 billion in revenue during the first half of the year.
The Paddington franchise, based on the beloved character created by British author Michael Bond, has become one of StudioCanal’s most recognisable global properties.
The first two live-action films, released in 2014 and 2017, were widely praised for combining family-friendly humour with a warm, nostalgic tone. Paddington in Peru, the third film, continued the character’s adventures and further expanded the franchise internationally.
With a fourth film now in development, the announcement signals that the marmalade-loving bear’s cinematic journey is set to continue, while Canal+ seeks to reinforce its role as a major investor and distributor in European cinema. — Reuters
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