Company History
Walden Media was founded in 2001 by Michael Flaherty and Cary Granat. Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division, and Flaherty came from the world of education. Flaherty was called an “entrepreneur in education” by The Boston Globe for his work with innovative programs meant to help underprivileged students gain access to quality education. The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths and then reuniting to form Walden Media as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids. The company is owned by the Christian conservative Philip Anschutz, who has said he expects their movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message."
The company's notable releases include Holes in 2003, Because of Winn-Dixie for Twentieth Century Fox in 2005, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, How to Eat Fried Worms and Charlotte's Web in 2006, Bridge to Terabithia, in 2007, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian released by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media in 2008, and their latest film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by Fox and Walden Media in 2010. All of these films are adaptations of popular children's books.
On August 8, 2006, Walden Media announced a joint venture with 20th Century Fox called FoxWalden. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and The Dark Is Rising were the first films released under the venture. Previously announced films at other studios will remain in place.
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