Gaumont, 130 years of history, innovation, and emotion.
In 2025, Gaumont is celebrating 130 years of cinema and emotion, an adventure that began in 1895 thanks to the bold vision of Léon Gaumont.
“The image must be animated, in color, with sound, and in relief.”
This quote illustrates the visionary ambition of Léon Gaumont, founder of the company in 1895 after acquiring the Comptoir Général de Photographie. He then committed himself to revolutionizing cinematic technology while placing the audience at the heart of his priorities. Gradually, his goal evolved: to transform films into true vehicles of emotion. In this year 2025, the company with the daisy is proud to celebrate its 130th anniversary! Let’s rewind and take a journey through 130 years of history and emotions.
Gaumont, Born with Cinema
Already specializing in the construction of photographic equipment, Léon Gaumont et Cie ventured into the world of cinema following the presentation of the Lumière brothers' cinematograph. The company quickly innovated by developing increasingly sophisticated recording and projection equipment. Under the direction of Alice Guy, it even produced its first short films to promote these devices.
Initially considered a fairground attraction, films soon found their place in dedicated theaters, and Gaumont turned to fiction films to offer audiences new emotions. In the early 20th century, audiences marveled at Alice Guy’s La Fée aux Choux, shuddered at Fantômas by Louis Feuillade, and laughed at the adventures of Onésime by Jean Durand.
A company always at the forefront
Over the years, Gaumont has demonstrated its ability to evolve with the times, pursuing the goal of creating powerful emotions through compelling stories. From the advent of sound cinema to the arrival of color, and up to the emergence of streaming platforms, the company has always managed to adapt.
Gaumont has invested in new media, such as television and streaming platforms, diversifying its storytelling through hit series like Lupin. From the first animated drawings of Fantoche, the character invented by Émile Cohl in the early 20th century, to recent releases like Stillwater and Samurai Rabbit, Gaumont has also committed to younger audiences, speaking to all generations.
130 years of cinematic and popular success
Over the decades, Gaumont has contributed to some of the greatest French and international successes: Intouchables, the third most-watched film in theaters in France; cult masterpieces such as Le Dîner de Cons, Les Visiteurs, Van Gogh, La Boum, Carmen, Illusions Perdues, and many more; as well as iconic series like Narcos, which have left a lasting impact on popular culture.
A celebration of 130 years of legacy
With more than 1,600 works in its catalog, Gaumont continues to produce and distribute original creations that resonate as much in the mind as in the heart. Through this exceptional legacy and its ever-forward-looking vision, Gaumont reaffirms its commitment to telling stories that touch all generations and stand the test of time.
In 2025, Gaumont embodies more than ever the art of creating emotions.
To learn more: GARÇON Francois, Gaumont – Since Cinema Has Existed, Paris, Gallimard, 2015 (reissue)
