Cineverse has secured the North American rights to Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth", the three-time Academy Award-winning dark fantasy classic, with plans to re-release the film in theaters for its 20th anniversary in 2026. The move will give audiences a chance to experience once again del Toro's visually stunning and emotionally powerful tale on the big screen.
Set in 1944 Spain, following the end of the Spanish Civil War, Pan's Labyrinth tells the story of Ofelia, a young girl who moves with her pregnant mother to live under the control of her sadistic stepfather, Captain Vidal-a fascist officer tasked with eliminating the remaining resistance fighters in the nearby woods. In the midst of this cruelty, Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth guarded by a mystical Faun, who reveals that she is the reincarnation of a long-lost princess from a magical kingdom. To reclaim her throne, Ofelia must complete three perilous tasks, all while her mother's health declines and the violence of the real world closes in around her.
Written and directed by del Toro and produced by his company Tequila Gang, the film stars Ivana Baquero, Maribel Verdú (Y tu mamá también), Doug Jones (Hellboy II), and Sergi López (Dirty Pretty Things).
Cineverse's deal includes all North American distribution rights-covering theatrical, home entertainment, VOD, and streaming-as well as new companion content such as podcasts. The company also plans to release the film in premium wide-format screens, spotlighting the movie's Oscar-winning cinematography and art direction.
"Pan's Labyrinth" premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, where it received an astounding 22-minute standing ovation-the longest in the festival's history. Distributed in the U.S. by Picturehouse, the film went on to gross $37.6 million domestically and $87 million worldwide. At the 79th Academy Awards, the Spanish-language feature earned six nominations and won three Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Makeup. It remains one of the most critically acclaimed films of the century, holding a 95% Certified Fresh score from critics and a 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with 106 total wins from 115 nominations globally.
"Pan's Labyrinth turns 20 years old, and in Cineverse, we have found the perfect partner to make it live again on the big screen and in new and improved home presentations. Cineverse is committed and bold, and their track record for reaching a maximum audience is magnificent. Together we will reconnect the generations that have shared the film through the years and long to experience it theatrically again," del Toro said in a statement.
Cineverse Chief Motion Pictures Officer Yolanda Macias expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "Partnering with Guillermo del Toro and his team around this masterpiece is a dream come true. We can't wait to bring it back to theaters for fans to enjoy it as they did 20 years ago, and to find exciting and creative ways to introduce the film to new audiences who will be discovering this amazing cinematic story for the first time."
"Guillermo del Toro is a filming genius. I have always been in awe of his creative vision and could not be more pleased to have Cineverse partnering with him to bring Pan's Labyrinth back to film audiences in new premium theatrical formats to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary," added Cineverse Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk.
The re-release comes as Cineverse continues its successful theatrical streak, following the 2024 horror hit "Terrifier 3", which earned $53.9 million domestically and $90.3 million worldwide on a $2 million budget. The company's upcoming slate includes "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (Dec. 12), "Return to Silent Hill" (Jan. 23, 2026), "Wolf Creek: Legacy", and its first family feature, "Air Bud Returns".
Tags: cineverse, guillermo del toro, pan's labyrinth