Flower Films
Flower Films is an American film and television production company founded in 1995 by actress Drew Barrymore and producer Nancy Juvonen in Los Angeles, California.[1][2] The company gained prominence with its debut feature, the romantic comedy Never Been Kissed (1999), starring Barrymore as a copy editor who goes undercover as a high school student, marking Flower Films' entry into Hollywood production.[3][4] Subsequent successes included the action-comedy Charlie's Angels (2000), which Barrymore co-produced and starred in alongside Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, grossing over $264 million worldwide and spawning a sequel in 2003.[5][6] Flower Films also backed cult favorites like the psychological thriller Donnie Darko (2001) and romantic comedies such as 50 First Dates (2004) with Adam Sandler and Fever Pitch (2005) with Jimmy Fallon.[7] In television, Flower Films has produced Netflix's dark comedy series Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019), starring Barrymore as a suburban zombie, and the syndicated daytime talk show The Drew Barrymore Show (2020–present), hosted by Barrymore herself.[8][2] The company continues to develop projects, including appointing a vice president of development in 2022 to oversee new content.[2]History
Founding
Flower Films was founded in 1995 in Los Angeles, California, by actress Drew Barrymore and producer Nancy Juvonen. The two women, who had met two years earlier in 1993 at a bar in Seattle through an introduction by Juvonen's brother, quickly formed a close professional and personal partnership after Barrymore, then 18, invited Juvonen to relocate to Los Angeles. Barrymore, emerging from a tumultuous period following her child stardom in films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, sought greater creative control over her projects and a platform to transition into producing, while Juvonen, who had limited prior experience in the industry, brought enthusiasm and complementary skills to the venture. Their collaboration was rooted in a shared passion for storytelling, with Barrymore noting that "we wouldn’t have the wholeness without each other."[9][10][11] From its inception, Flower Films focused on independent film production aimed at young audiences, emphasizing relatable narratives such as romantic comedies and stories with strong female perspectives. The company spent its first two years immersed in the industry, analyzing scripts, studying market trends, and building relationships to hone their approach, rather than rushing into productions. This deliberate preparation reflected their determination to be taken seriously as producers in a male-dominated field, prioritizing quality over speed.[10] The company's debut project was the 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, a $25 million production that marked Barrymore's producing debut alongside her starring role as a copy editor revisiting high school undercover. Distributed through a first-look deal with Fox 2000 secured 18 months earlier, the film drew on Barrymore's vision for empowering, lighthearted tales. Early challenges included a steep learning curve for the novice team and logistical hurdles during production, such as replacing an actor who dropped out with his twin brother at the last minute. Securing initial funding proved particularly demanding for the new outfit led by a young actress with a public history of personal struggles, but the studio partnership provided crucial support to bring the project to fruition.[11][10]Expansion and key milestones
Following its early successes in independent film production, Flower Films marked a significant expansion in 2000 with the co-production of Charlie's Angels, a major blockbuster in partnership with Sony Pictures' Columbia Pictures. This action-comedy, starring Drew Barrymore alongside Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, became the company's first high-budget feature, grossing over $264 million worldwide against a $93 million budget, establishing Flower Films as a viable player in mainstream Hollywood cinema.[12][13] The company ventured into television in 2011, rebooting Charlie's Angels as a one-hour drama series for ABC, co-produced with Sony Pictures Television and others.) This marked Flower Films' entry into scripted TV, though the series was canceled after one season due to low ratings, it demonstrated the company's intent to diversify beyond features. (Note: This source contextualizes broader TV moves; primary production credit via industry reports.) A pivotal partnership began in 2017 with Netflix, starting with the dark comedy series Santa Clarita Diet, starring Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, which ran for three seasons until 2019. This collaboration expanded Flower Films' footprint in streaming, emphasizing genre-blending content and leading to an ongoing relationship with the platform.[14][15] Recent developments include the 2022 addition of preschool animated content to its Netflix slate, such as Princess Power, a series promoting girl empowerment through fruit-themed princess adventures, produced in association with Atomic Cartoons and debuting in 2023. In 2024, Flower Films co-produced the reboot of the classic game show Hollywood Squares for CBS, with Barrymore as host and center square, airing from January 2025 and renewed for a second season in February 2025.[16][17][18][19] Over the years, Flower Films has evolved from indie films to a hybrid model encompassing scripted and unscripted television, with a core emphasis on empowering women in Hollywood through female-led projects and inclusive storytelling. This shift reflects broader industry trends toward streaming and diverse content, positioning the company as a multifaceted producer committed to uplifting narratives.[20]Productions
Feature films
Flower Films entered the feature film market with a focus on romantic comedies and character-driven stories, often starring Drew Barrymore and emphasizing female empowerment themes. The company's productions have spanned genres from action franchises to period dramas, with Flower Films typically serving as a key producer or executive producer alongside major studios. These films have achieved significant commercial success, collectively grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide for major releases, while earning praise for revitalizing the rom-com genre through witty dialogue and relatable narratives. The debut production, Never Been Kissed (1999), was a romantic comedy directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Barrymore as an awkward journalist revisiting high school. Flower Films led production in collaboration with Fox 2000 Pictures, with a budget of $25 million. The film earned $84 million worldwide and received mixed critical reception, lauded for Barrymore's charismatic performance but critiqued for formulaic plotting, holding a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[21] This was followed by Charlie's Angels (2000), an action-comedy reboot directed by McG that kickstarted a franchise centered on three female detectives. Flower Films co-produced the film with Columbia Pictures on a $93 million budget, achieving a global gross of $264 million and establishing the series' blend of high-energy stunts and humor. Critics appreciated its campy fun and star power from Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu, awarding it a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score.[22] The franchise continued with Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), directed by John Eng, reuniting the original cast for more action-packed adventures. Flower Films co-produced with Columbia Pictures on a $120 million budget, grossing $251 million worldwide. It maintained the series' playful tone, earning a 44% Rotten Tomatoes score for its over-the-top spectacle.[23] Flower Films also produced Duplex (2003), a black comedy directed by Danny DeVito and starring Ben Stiller and Barrymore as a couple dealing with an eccentric tenant. Co-produced with Miramax Films on a $40 million budget, it grossed $9.7 million worldwide and received mixed reviews, with a 39% Rotten Tomatoes rating, noted for its dark humor.[24] In 2001, Flower Films executive produced Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly's cult psychological thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a troubled teen haunted by visions. With a modest $6 million budget, it initially grossed $7.5 million worldwide but gained enduring popularity through home video and festivals. The film's innovative time-travel narrative and atmospheric tension earned strong acclaim, with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes rating, highlighting Flower Films' early support for auteur-driven projects.[25] The 2004 collaboration 50 First Dates, a romantic comedy reteaming Barrymore with Adam Sandler under director Peter Segal, explored memory loss through a lighthearted lens. Flower Films co-produced with Happy Madison Productions on a $75 million budget, resulting in $198 million worldwide. It was a commercial hit, praised for its heartfelt chemistry and humor, though some critics noted its sentimental excesses, reflected in a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score.[26] Fever Pitch (2005), a sports romantic comedy adapted from Nick Hornby's novel and directed by the Farrelly brothers, starred Jimmy Fallon and Barrymore in a tale of baseball fandom clashing with romance. Flower Films produced alongside Zanuck Company, with a $30 million budget yielding $50 million globally. The film received positive notices for its charm and Boston Red Sox tie-in, earning a 66% Rotten Tomatoes approval.[27] Music and Lyrics (2007), directed by Marc Lawrence and starring Hugh Grant and Barrymore as a faded pop star and plant-waterer turned lyricist, exemplified Flower Films' rom-com strengths. Co-produced with StudioCanal on $40 million, it grossed $146 million worldwide and was well-received for its infectious songs and banter, achieving a 63% Rotten Tomatoes rating.[28] The ensemble rom-com He's Just Not That Into You (2009), directed by Ken Kwapis and based on a self-help book, featured an all-star cast including Barrymore, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Aniston navigating modern dating. Flower Films co-produced with Warner Bros. on a $40 million budget, grossing $179 million globally. It was commended for its sharp insights into relationships, earning a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score amid divided opinions on its preachiness.[29] That same year, Whip It marked Barrymore's directorial debut, a coming-of-age sports drama about roller derby starring Ellen Page. Flower Films led production with Fox Searchlight on a $15 million budget, grossing $13 million domestically despite limited release. Critics celebrated its energetic direction and empowering message, awarding it an 86% Rotten Tomatoes rating.[30] Going the Distance (2010), a long-distance romance comedy directed by Nanette Burstein and starring Barrymore opposite Justin Long, offered a more adult take on relationships. Flower Films co-produced with Warner Bros. on $32 million, earning $42 million worldwide. It garnered mixed reviews for its realism versus rom-com tropes, with a 54% Rotten Tomatoes score.[31] The ensemble rom-com How to Be Single (2016), directed by Christian Ditter and starring Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, explored New York City singledom. Flower Films co-produced with New Line Cinema on $38 million, achieving $212 million globally. It was noted for its fun ensemble and city energy, earning a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score.[32]| Film | Year | Genre | Worldwide Gross | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Key Production Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never Been Kissed | 1999 | Romantic Comedy | $84 million | 56% | Lead Producer |
| Charlie's Angels | 2000 | Action Comedy | $264 million | 68% | Co-Producer |
| Donnie Darko | 2001 | Psychological Thriller | $7.5 million (initial) | 88% | Executive Producer |
| Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | 2003 | Action Comedy | $251 million | 44% | Co-Producer |
| Duplex | 2003 | Black Comedy | $9.7 million | 39% | Producer |
| 50 First Dates | 2004 | Romantic Comedy | $198 million | 45% | Co-Producer |
| Fever Pitch | 2005 | Sports Romantic Comedy | $50 million | 66% | Producer |
| Music and Lyrics | 2007 | Romantic Comedy | $146 million | 63% | Co-Producer |
| He's Just Not That Into You | 2009 | Romantic Comedy | $179 million | 42% | Co-Producer |
| Whip It | 2009 | Sports Drama | $13 million (domestic) | 86% | Lead Producer (Barrymore's directorial debut) |
| Going the Distance | 2010 | Romantic Comedy | $42 million | 54% | Co-Producer |
| How to Be Single | 2016 | Romantic Comedy | $212 million | 45% | Co-Producer |