Davis Entertainment (also known as Davis Entertainment Company) is an American independent film and television production company, founded by John Davis in 1984.
Davis's three divisions–feature film, independent film, and television–develop and produce film and television projects for the major studios, independent distributors, networks and cable broadcasters. The company itself has enjoyed a long-standing first-look production deal at 20th Century Studios, although it also produces projects for all studios and mini-majors.
History The company was founded in 1984 by filmmaker John Davis and it was incorporated in Nevada on December 2, 1985. The company was officially established on May 21, 1986, in order to produce mid-to-high budget action films that were financed entirely by a studio, starting with Predator, a co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures, and a series of other films that were planned for release by 20th Century Fox. It was decided that it would be done independently with co-investors, and it would help anticipate the expansion of telefilms and sitcoms.
On February 18, 1987, Davis Entertainment partnered with Mark L. Lester of his Mark Lester Films company in order to handle the development of action-adventure films which were produced by the company, directed by Mark L. Lester, and it was independently financed by the two companies. The films that were made by the Lester/Davis alliance had ranked in the $5–10 million range, and would expect the co-venture to handle the production of two films before the yearend.
In 1994, it launched its first foray into interactive games, and launched Catapult Entertainment, Inc., intended to produce a modem that would link video game players by telephone lines; this would end up becoming the XBAND. That same year, Davis Entertainment Company signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox to develop feature films.
In 1995, Davis Entertainment launched its art-house division Davis Entertainment Classics, which was subsequently renamed Davis Entertainment Filmworks in 2002. In 1998, Davis Entertainment struck a deal with 20th Century Fox Television to produce television shows for its networks, both broadcast and cable.
In 2007, Michael Dorman joined its television division. At the same time, they signed a development pact with Fox Television Studios to produce series for television.
In 2011, John Fox, a former employee of 20th Century Fox, joined the company. In 2013, it signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television shows for platforms, broadcast, cable and streaming.
Filmography
Theatrical films
1980s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes1987Predator Note - the link provided is to part two of the article; part one is located here.John McTiernan20th Century Foxco-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver PicturesThree O'Clock HighPhil JoanouUniversal Picturesuncredited; co-production with Aaron Spelling Productions1988License to DriveGreg Beeman20th Century Foxco-production with Licht/Mueller Productions1989Little MonstersRichard Alan GreenbergMGM/UA Distribution Co.co-production with Licht/Mueller Productions, Vestron Pictures and United Artists
1990s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes1990The Last of the FinestJohn MackenzieOrion PicturesPredator 2Stephen Hopkins20th Century Foxco-production with Gordon Company and Silver Pictures1991ShatteredWolfgang PetersenMGM/UA Distribution Co.co-production with Capella International, Palace Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer1992FortressStuart GordonDimension FilmsColumbia Picturesco-production with Village Roadshow Pictures StoryvilleMark Frost20th Century Fox1993The FirmSydney PollackParamount Pictures The Thing Called LovePeter Bogdanovich Grumpy Old MenDonald PetrieWarner Bros. 1994GunmenDeran SarafianDimension FilmsLIVE EntertainmentRichie RichDonald PetrieWarner Bros.co-production with The Harvey Entertainment Company and Silver Pictures1995The HuntedJ.F. LawtonUniversal Picturesco-production with Bregman/Baer Productions, Inc.WaterworldKevin Reynoldsco-production with Gordon Company and Licht/Mueller Film CorporationGrumpier Old MenHoward DeutchWarner Bros.The Grass HarpCharles MatthauFine Line Featuresco-production with Alliance Communications1996Denise Calls UpHal SalwenSony Pictures Classicsco-production with Skyline Entertainment Partners, Dark Matters Productions, J. Thomas Harris Productions and Alliance CommunicationsThe ChamberJames FoleyUniversal Picturesco-production with Imagine EntertainmentDaylightRob Cohenco-production with Joseph M. Singer EntertainmentCourage Under FireEdward Zwick20th Century Foxco-production with Fox 2000 Pictures, Joseph M. Singer Entertainment and Friendly Films1997Out to SeaMartha Coolidgeco-production with Friendly Films1998Dr. DolittleBetty Thomasco-production with Joseph M. Singer Entertainment and Friendly Films1999Dudley-Do-RightHugh WilsonUniversal Picturesco-production with Jay Ward Productions and Joseph M. Singer Entertainment
2000s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes2001HeartbreakersDavid MirkinMGM Distribution Co.co-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Winchester FilmsDr. Dolittle 2Steve Carr20th Century FoxBehind Enemy LinesJohn Moore2002Life or Something Like ItStephen Herekco-production with Aei Entertainment, Regency Enterprises and New Regency2003Daddy Day CareSteve CarrSony Pictures Releasingco-production with Columbia Pictures and Revolution StudiosPaycheckJohn WooParamount Picturesco-production with DreamWorks Pictures and Lion Rock Productions2004GarfieldPeter Hewitt20th Century Foxco-production with Paws, Inc.I, RobotAlex Proyasco-production with Mediastream IV, Laurence Mark Productions and Overbrook FilmsAlien vs. PredatorPaul W.S. Andersonco-production with Brandywine Productions, Impact Pictures and Stillking FilmsFirst DaughterForest Whitakerco-production with Regency Enterprises and New RegencyFat AlbertJoel ZwickFlight of the PhoenixJohn Moore2006When a Stranger CallsSimon WestSony Pictures Releasingco-production with Screen GemsGarfield: A Tail of Two KittiesTim Hill20th Century Foxco-production with Paws, Inc.EragonStefen Fangmeier2007NorbitBrian RobbinsParamount Picturesco-production with DreamWorks Pictures and Tollin/Robbins ProductionsDaddy Day CampFred SavageSony Pictures Releasingco-production with TriStar Pictures and Revolution StudiosThe Heartbreak KidFarrelly brothersParamount Picturesco-production with DreamWorks Pictures, Radar Pictures and Conundrum EntertainmentAliens vs. Predator: RequiemStrause brothers20th Century Foxco-production with Brandywine Productions and Dune Entertainment2008The Express: The Ernie Davis StoryGary FlederUniversal Picturesco-production with Relativity Media
2010s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes2010MarmadukeTom Dey20th Century Foxco-production with Dune Entertainment and Regency EnterprisesPredatorsNimród Antalco-production with Dune Entertainment and Troublemaker StudiosGulliver's TravelsRob Lettermanco-production with Dune Entertainment2011Mr. Popper's PenguinsMark WatersA Little Bit of HeavenNicole KassellMillennium Entertainmentco-production with The Film Department2012ChronicleJosh Trank20th Century Foxco-production with Dune Entertainment2014Devil's DueMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler Gillettco-production with Radio Silence Productions2015The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Guy RitchieWarner Bros. Picturesco-production with RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Ritchie/Wigram Productions and Turner Entertainment Co.Victor FrankensteinPaul McGuigan20th Century FoxJoyDavid O. Russellco-production with Annapurna Pictures and Fox 2000 Pictures2017FerdinandCarlos Saldanhaco-production with Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation2018Game NightJohn Francis DaleyJonathan GoldsteinWarner Bros. Picturesco-production with New Line Cinema, Access Entertainment and Aggregate FilmsThe PredatorShane Black20th Century Fox2019ShaftTim StoryWarner Bros. Picturesco-production with Netflix and New Line Cinema
2020s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes2021Jungle CruiseJaume Collet-SerraWalt Disney Studios Motion Picturesco-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Company2024Harold and the Purple CrayonCarlos SaldanhaSony Pictures Releasingco-production with Columbia Pictures2025 Flight Risk Mel Gibson Lionsgate co-production with Icon Productions, Hammerstone Studios, Flight Risk Films and Media Capital Technologies The Pickup Tim Story Amazon MGM Studios co-production with The Story Company and Eddie Murphy Productions Predator: Badlands Dan Trachtenberg Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures co-production with 20th Century Studios and Lawrence Gordon Productions Song Sung Blue Craig Brewer Focus Features 2026 72 Hours Tim Story Netflix co-production with Sony Pictures, Hartbeat Productions, Counterbalance Entertainment, and The Story Company
Direct-to-video films
1990s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes1990Enid Is SleepingMaurice PhillipsLive Home Videoco-production with Vestron Pictures
2000s YearTitleDirectorDistributorNotes2000The SettlementMark SteilenMTI Home Videoco-production with CineTel Films, Dosgmile Pictures and JeanRoy EntertainmentLabor PainsTracy AlexsonUSA Home Entertainmentuncredited; co-production with Dogsmile Pictures and Prosperity Pictures2006Dr. Dolittle 3Rich Thorne20th Century Home Entertainment2007Garfield Gets RealMark A.Z. Dippéco-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.2008Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the ChiefCraig ShapiroGarfield's Fun FestMark A.Z. Dippéco-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.2009Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar MuttsAlex ZammGarfield's Pet ForceMark A.Z. DippéKyung Ho-Leeco-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.
Television/streaming films
1990s YearTitleDirectorNetworkNotes1990Curiosity KillsColin BuckseyUSA Networkco-production with MTEDangerous PassionMichael MillerABCco-production with Stormy Weather Productions and Carolco PicturesSilhouetteCarl SchenkelUSA Networkco-production with Faye Dunaway Productions and MTE1992Wild CardMel Damskico-production with MTE1993The Last OutlawGeoff MurphyHBOco-production with HBO PicturesVoyageJohn MackenzieUSA Networkco-production with ITC Entertainment, Quinta Communications and USA Pictures1994This Can't Be LoveAnthony HarveyCBSco-production with World International Network and Pacific Motion PicturesOne ChristmasTony BillNBCco-production with Karpf ProductionsTears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers StoryOz ScottNew EdenAlan MetzgerSci-Fi Channelco-production with MTE1997AsteroidBradford MayNBCco-production with NBC StudiosVolcano: Fire on the Mountain Note - Link to second part of the article.Graeme CampbellABCco-production with Pacific Motion Pictures and World International Network1998Miracle at MidnightKen Cameronco-production with Walt Disney Television1999The Jesse Ventura StoryDavid JacksonNBCco-production with NBC Studios
2000s YearTitleDirectorNetworkNotes2000Little RichardRobert TownsendNBCco-production with Fox Television Studios2001Sunk on Christmas EveBill JardineNational Geographic Channel2005Nadine in Date LandAmie SteirOxygenco-production with Departure StudiosLife Is RuffCharles HaidDisney Channelco-production with Salty Pictures2007Jump In!Paul Hoenco-production with Hop, Skip and Jump Productions
2010s YearTitleDirectorNetworkNotes2011Locke & KeyMark RomanekFoxtelevision pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television, DreamWorks Television and K/O Paper Products2017Behind Enemy LinesMcGtelevision pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television and Temple Hill Entertainment2019Dolemite Is My NameCraig BrewerNetflixlimited theatrical release
2020s