Dutch FilmWorks B.V. is a Dutch film distributor founded in 1998, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, focusing on Benelux rights mainly to release films theatrically, on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD. They are also a publisher and distributor of books and magazines.
They have recently released several TV series in the CBS library on DVD, under license from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.
In 2022, StudioCanal acquired a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks.
Background Originally a home media distributor, Dutch Filmworks purchases film licenses and releases these in the Benelux, and has a distribution library of over 2,500 titles. Large titles distributed by Dutch FilmWorks include Exorcist: The Prequel, The Grudge, The Aviator, Unleashed, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, The Final Cut and Saw, as well as Dutch products such as the television series Westenwind and the film 06/05.
'The House of Knowledge' is a separate branch of the business that distributes documentaries, including those from Discovery Channel.
'Moefieklub' was a separate branch of the business that distributes Children's movies/TV shows, including those from Junior. The company was founded in late 2005 and the company became defunct in early 2010s. The company sold its NTR sales to JustBridge in late 2011.
In 2005, Dutch FilmWorks, along with Inspire Pictures and Lumière founded Benelux Film Distributors to distribute films theatrically. In June 2011, Dutch FilmWorks left BFD to start its own theatrical unit.
In June 2022, French company StudioCanal acquired a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks, adding the company to StudioCanal's vast belt of successful television and film companies in Europe. DFW will focus on both movies and television, with its management and operations unchanged. StudioCanal's first collaboration with Dutch FilmWorks is an adaptation of the Magical Pharmacy book series, co-produced by DFW and StudioCanal's German arm.
Legal issues Dutch FilmWorks submitted plans, on 17 March 2017, to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) to work with ISP's to combat “the unlawful dissemination of copyright protected works”. This involved connecting the names and addresses of known IP addresses involved in disseminating copyrighted material. The Dutch Data Protection Authority published their draft judgement, which would grant permission to Dutch FilmWorks, after a period for public comment which lasted until 25 August 2017.
Legal enforcement has been challenging, with some ISPs refusing to provide the names and addresses of customers. A lawsuit brought against Ziggo in 2019, by Dutch FilmWorks, was found to be without basis by the Central Netherlands Court. The ruling found that Ziggo did not need to provide names and addresses of customers to Dutch FilmWorks based on privacy concerns.
Filmography Dutch films Release date Title Notes 2010s 15 February 2012 Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet Produced by Bijker Film & TV, Rinkel Film and Evangelische Omroep 19 December 2012 Het Bombardement Produced by Fu Works 20 June 2013 Regret! Produced by Shooting Star Filmcompany and Katholieke Radio Omroep 26 September 2013 De Nieuwe Wildernis Produced by EMS FILMS 3 July 2014 Secrets of War 29 April 2015 The Little Gangster 18 June 2015 SpangaS in Actie 16 July 2016 Meester Kikker 8 September 2016 Adios Amigos 29 September 2016 De Held 13 October 2016 Prey 8 March 2018 The Resistance Banker 9 May 2019 Singel 39 2020s 30 January 2020 Men at Work: Miami 1 July 2020 Pirates Down the Street 29 July 2020 Life as It Should Be 9 September 2021 My Best Friend Anne Frank 14 October 2021 Anne+ 28 April 2022 Costa!! 25 June 2022 Zwanger & Co 13 July 2022 Silverstar 15 September 2022 Soof 3 12 October 2022 De Club van Sinterklaas en de Race Tegen de Klok 14 December 2022 Hotel Sinestra 2 March 2023 Broken 12 July 2023 De Bellinga's: Vakantie op stelten 11 December 2023 Neem me mee 21 March 2024 Memory Lane 8 May 2025 Dochters 6 October 2025 Onze Jongens 3
Non-Dutch films 2011
50/50 (01/12/11) Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (24/11/11) Come as You Are (24/11/11) The Three Musketeers (13/10/11)
2012
Alex Cross (06/12/12) ATM (20/09/12) Bait 3D (19/04/12) The Bay (22/11/12) The Cabin in the Woods (19/04/12) The Company Men (12/04/12) The Divide (17/05/12) The Double (05/07/12) The Expendables 2 (16/08/12) A Few Best Men (11/10/12) God Bless America (30/08/12) A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (26/01/12) The Grey (08/03/12) Hesher (23/02/12) Killing Them Softly (18/10/12) LOL (05/07/12) Playing for Keeps (20/12/12) Now Is Good (04/10/12) Red Lights (30/08/12) What to Expect When You're Expecting (24/05/12) The Woman in Black (23/02/12) The Words (13/12/12)
2013
Arbitrage (21/02/13) Behind the Candelabra (08/08/13) Broken City (14/03/13) Catch 44 (27/06/13) Escape Plan (17/10/13) The Haunting in Georgia (23/05/13) Homefront (28/11/13) Hummingbird (11/07/13) The Iceman (06/06/13) Love and Honor (04/07/13) Make Your Move (25/07/13) Movie 43 (21/02/13) Olympus Has Fallen (09/05/13) Riddick (05/09/13) Thérèse Desqueyroux (21/03/13) Walking with Dinosaurs (21/03/13) You're Next (22/08/13)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
References
External links Official site Dutch Filmworks at the IMDb