Paramount Pictures has stepped up to become the distributor of the Martin Scorsese-directed 3D film Hugo Cabret, with the studio locking a November 23 release date, the day before Thanksgiving. The adaptation of the Brian Selznick novel is produced and financed by GK Films and Graham King felt strongly that the five-day Thanksgiving holiday was the optimum time for the picture to open. Hugo Cabret was originally slated to be distributed by Sony Pictures, under GK Films' output deal. Sony had the film originally scheduled for a December 9 release and when the studio couldn't provide the requested Thanksgiving date, Sony Pictures agreed to let GK Films move the picture.

Paramount has an overall deal with Scorsese and chairman Brad Grey has a close relationship with the director and King. The studio, which didn't have a big Thanksgiving release, jumped at the chance to be part of Scorsese's first 3D film. The picture stars Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law and Emily Mortimer.