Great cinema: 9 Bavarian production companies with impact

1. Bavaria Film

It is a Munich institution in the Bavarian film and TV landscape: Bavaria Film GmbH was founded in 1919 and today employs around 1,500 people. With annual sales of €311.4 million (fiscal year 2023/24), it is one of Bavaria’s highest-grossing production companies. Bavaria Film has enjoyed great success with productions such as “Das Boot” (2023) and “Sturm der Liebe” (since 2005). Not to be forgotten is the associated brand BAVARIA FICTION. With successful shows such as “Tatort” and “Rosenheim-Cops,” the Munich-based production company produces around 16,000 minutes of programming per year and reaches millions of viewers every week.

2. Constantin Film

Constantin Film is a major player in the international film business. The established production company began with family films such as “The Neverending Story,” which is now considered a German classic. The list of internationally successful films seems endless: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), the Eberhofer crime series (from 2013), Carnage (2011), Der Schuh/Das Kanu des Manitu (2001/2025), and 22 Bahnen (2025) are just a small selection.

3. LEONINE STUDIOS

LEONINE STUDIOS specializes in production, distribution, and licensing. Well-known productions from the company include “Girl You Know It’s True” (2023) and the regional series “Hubert und/ohne Staller” (since 2011). The Munich-based group employs around 1,000 people in a total of nine production companies, including Wiedemann & Berg Film, founded by Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann.

4. BETA Film 

65 years of company history, a film library with 30,000 hours of content, and collaborations with over 40 production companies—these are the figures provided by Munich-based Beta Film. Its successful titles include “Babylon Berlin” (2017), “Oktoberfest 1900” (2023), and “Der Schwarm” (2023).

5. Studio 100 International

Studio 100 International is one of Bavaria’s leading production and distribution companies focusing on children’s and family entertainment. Its portfolio includes internationally renowned brands such as “Maya the Bee” (2014), ‘Heidi’ (2025), and “Vicky the Viking” (2017). In 2018, the subsidiary Studio Isar Animation was founded, which is dedicated to the creation of colorful CGI content.

6. neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft (ndF)

Since 1975, the neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft based in Unterföhring has been one of the most successful companies in the German film and television industry. Its spectrum ranges from film adaptations of international bestsellers to popular TV series such as “Der Bergdoktor” and “Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst.”

7. Caligari Film- und Fernsehproduktions GmbH

Caligari is a well-known name in the production of children’s and family entertainment. The Munich-based company produces children’s favorites such as “Princess Lillifee” (2009) and “Felix – A Rabbit on a World Tour” (2005). Its portfolio also includes documentaries, such as for the ZDF program “Terra X.”

8. PANTALEON Films

Founded by actor Matthias Schweighofer, among others, the Munich-based production company PANTALEON Films has been producing and distributing film and series projects since 2009. It works with renowned partners such as Warner Bros., Prime Video, Netflix, Sky, and Paramount. Successful titles include “Oskar’s Dress” (2022), the Sky production ‘Unwanted’ (2022), and “Der geilste Tag” (2016). A sister company of PANTALEON is Storybook Studios, which specializes in film production with AI.

9. The Amazing Film Company (TAF)

With a focus on cinema and TV productions for the national and international market, The Amazing Film Company realizes projects in various genres – from comedy and novel adaptations to family entertainment and political films. The company has enjoyed success with cinema productions such as “Rate your Date” (2019) and “Die Hölle – Inferno” (2017). Its latest project is the six-part thriller series “Turmschatten.”