Now You See Me and Behind the Candelabra also helped increase film revenues at the producer-distributor.

Entertainment One has reported a 40% increase to its revenues year-on-year over the first quarter of its fiscal year.

Digital revenues at the group more than doubled and now represents more than 20% of eOne’s revenues.

The company plans to release more than 250 films during the current financial year including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, RED2, Now You See Me and Ender’s Game.

Investment in content and programmes is expected to increase to more than $385m (£250m) in the current financial year.

Film revenues have increased by more than 65% on the prior year driven by 68 box office releases, compared to 49 the previous year. The revenue hike was also driven by the performance of the enlarged library of films across the group, following the $230m acquisition of Alliance Films earlier this year which created the largest independent film distributor in the UK and Canada.

Total box office takings of $68m were more than three times prior year levels with theatrical releases including Now You See Me, Mud, The Place Beyond the Pines, Scary Movie 5, The Big Wedding and Behind the Candelabra.

DVD releases included Django Unchained, The Impossible, Silver Linings Playbook and Bullet to the Head.

TV production saw the delivery of 26 half hours in the first quarter, and the production slate includes renewals for Saving Hope, Hell on Wheels andHaven.  New shows in production include Klondike, the Discovery Channel’s first scripted mini-series. 

Kids animation Peppa Pig continues to perform well internationally, and now has two primetime slots on Nick Jr. 

Full year earnings are expected to be in line with management expectations, according to a statement from eOne.

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