it was started in 2000 by michael flaherty and cary granat. this was when granat was the leader of dimension films. flaherty was interested in good education for children. they had lived together at tufts university when they were younger. they said the purpose of walden media was to make kids have fun. the company is owned by a christian named philip anschutz. anschutz is known for his strong political opinions. he also said he wanted the movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message."