Courtney Solomon

Biography

Courtney Solomon is a Canadian film producer, director, and entrepreneur known for his extensive involvement in the production, marketing, and distribution of over 80 films. His career is characterized by his work across various genres, particularly horror, thriller, and action, and his ability to establish and manage successful production companies.

Biography and Early Career:

Born on September 1, 1971, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Solomon's childhood was spent on film sets, where his mother worked in various crew capacities, providing him with early exposure to the industry. At the age of 19, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by forming Sweetpea Entertainment, his first production company. His initial vision was to acquire the rights to and adapt the "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS" property for the big screen.

A Career in Filmmaking and Business:

Solomon made his mark as a director and producer with the 2000 film "Dungeons & Dragons," which, despite mixed critical reception, grossed over $75 million globally. This project, undertaken when he was 26, was his first major foray into both directing and producing.

Following this, Solomon founded After Dark Films, a label specifically designed to produce horror, thriller, and action titles. He launched After Dark with "An American Haunting" (2005), a film he wrote, produced, and directed, based on the Bell Witch legend. 

This film was notable for its successful theatrical release, opening at #2 in the US box office and remaining in the top ten for six weeks, a testament to Solomon's hands-on approach to marketing and distribution. This success led to a long-term distribution and co-production agreement with Lionsgate Films. After Dark Films now boasts its library of over 80 films.

Solomon also created the annual "8 Films To Die For" event under the After Dark Films banner, encouraging horror fans to dress as their favorite characters and "make a weekend of it" at theaters. This event ran for six years.

In 2014, Solomon partnered with Mark Canton on several films, further expanding his production portfolio. His notable producer credits include:

• "Cake" (2014)
• "Mr. Church" (2016) starring Eddie Murphy
• "The Comedian" (2016) starring Robert De Niro and Leslie Mann
• "The Yellow Birds" (2017)
• "Burn Your Maps" (2016)

• The "After" film series, including "After" (2019), "After We Collided" (2020), "After We Fell" (2021), and "After Everything" (2023).
• "The Freak Brothers" (2020-2023), an adult animated series for which he served as an executive producer.
• Upcoming projects include "The Strangers: Chapter 1" (2024), "Arthur the King" (2024), "Red Sonja" (2025), "The Strangers: Chapter 2" (2025), and "The Strangers: Chapter 3" (2025).

As a director, his credits include "Dungeons & Dragons" (2000), "An American Haunting" (2005), and "Getaway" (2013). He is also credited as a writer for "An American Haunting" (2005) and developed "The Freak Brothers" (2020-2023).

Courtney Solomon's career highlights his dedication to filmmaking, encompassing various roles and showcasing his ability to both create and manage successful ventures within the competitive film industry.