STUDIOCANAL Kids & Family Ltd. arrived at Licensing EXPO 2026 last week with Paddington™ entering an exciting new phase of global growth, as the beloved brand scales its presence as a fast-growing, multi-format franchise across culture, retail and licensing.
With over $720 million at the global box office, Paddington remains the highest-grossing independent family film franchise of all time. The next chapter is already underway, with film 4 in development, alongside the brand’s first animated feature expanding the franchise into new formats and reaching younger global audiences.
Off screen, a wide array of live experiences is creating multiple brand touchpoints that make Paddington truly omnipresent. Paddington: The Musical continues its successful West End run, now extended through to February 2028, and swept the prestigious Olivier Awards winning 7 of its 11 nominations. At the same time, immersive attractions from The Paddington Bear Experience at London’s County Hall to the upcoming launch of the Paddington play-based attraction at K11 in Hong Kong, the brand’s first ticketed immersive playground destination outside of the UK, are bringing fans closer to the franchise in new and increasingly premium, culture-led environments.
Recognisable worldwide for his duffle coat, red hat and love of marmalade, Paddington blends British charm with universal themes of kindness and belonging making him a natural fit across markets, categories and generations. On screen, Paddington continues to travel the globe. Led by Nickelodeon as the brand’s primary broadcast partner, the series reaches audiences via Nick Jr. and Netflix in the UK; Canal+ and Disney+ in France; Nickelodeon and Prime Video in Germany; Nickelodeon and ABC in Australia; and RAI in Italy, underscoring the brand’s truly global footprint.
This growing cultural relevance is translating into innovative consumer products, with global licensing partners recognising Paddington’s potential across local markets. Leading the way, collaborations with Crayola are extending the brand into creative play and digital engagement, while a sell-out partnership with LUSH underscores its strength in lifestyle.
This builds on a strong foundation of long-standing partners across key categories, from plush to publishing, alongside a growing pipeline of new collaborations. Upcoming highlights include a new partnership with Crocs launching for AW 2026, a fourth collaboration with Cath Kidston, continued expansion at Primark and increasing engagement on Roblox, highlighting Paddington’s relevance across both physical retail and digital worlds. In China, the brand has recently partnered with The Peninsula Hotels to launch a Paddington-inspired Afternoon Tea and family activities. The strength of the growing programme has been acknowledged by the industry, with four nominations at the Licensing Excellence Awards.
Françoise Guyonnet, CEO, STUDIOCANAL Kids & Family Ltd. says:
“Paddington is a truly global brand with a timeless sensibility. Our focus is on protecting what makes him so special while continuing to evolve how audiences engage with him, creating partnerships that feel authentic, relevant and built for long-term growth.
Guyonnet adds, “As the brand continues to expand across film, live entertainment, experiential, retail and digital, we’re opening up new opportunities for partners around the world to connect with audiences across multiple categories and touchpoints, bringing Paddington’s story to life in new and meaningful ways.”
As STUDIOCANAL continues to evolve its global licensing strategy, Paddington stands out as a brand that doesn’t just travel, it connects, engages and grows.
