Top 10 Oldest Surviving Sound Film Studios Worldwide
This ranking is based on the year each global film studio introduced or began regular production of sound films. These studios are not only technological pioneers of the film industry but also cultural landmarks that witnessed the transition of global cinema from the silent era to the talkies.
Interesting Facts & Summary
The Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, is not only the pinnacle of the global film industry but also a living fossil of cinema history. Since its founding in 1923, it has evolved over a century, from the 1927 milestone of the world’s first 'talkie,' The Jazz Singer, to its current sprawling 110-acre (approx. 44.5-hectare) lot. Unlike many peers that were demolished or redeveloped after the Golden Age of Hollywood, Warner Bros. has preserved a significant portion of its original sets, including the iconic 'Midwest Street,' which remains the industry's ultimate 'chameleon' location. Interestingly, a walk through the lot might take you from the Friends café to the set of a DC superhero film in seconds—this density of cinematic heritage and production capacity creates a competitive barrier that newer studios simply cannot replicate.
| Rank | Studio Name | Year of Sound Production | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Warner Bros. Studios | 1927 | Burbank, California, USA | |
Paramount Pictures Studios | 1928 | Hollywood, California, USA | |
MGM Studios (now Sony Pictures) | 1929 | Culver City, California, USA | |
| 4 | Babelsberg Studio | 1929 | Potsdam, Germany |
| 5 | Shochiku Ofuna Studio | 1931 | Kanagawa, Japan |
| 6 | Ealing Studios | 1932 | London, UK |
| 7 | Film City (Mumbai) | 1934 | Mumbai, India |
| 8 | Mosfilm | 1935 | Moscow, Russia |
| 9 | Cinecittà Studios | 1937 | Rome, Italy |
| 10 | Shanghai Film Studio (Predecessor) | 1949 | Shanghai, China |