Philippe Lacheau: From Canal+ to Marsupilami, the Journey of a French Comedy King
PARIS, 25 January 2026 – As French cinemas prepare for the release of his latest family comedy Marsupilami on 4 February 2026, Philippe Lacheau stands as one of France’s most bankable cinematic forces. The actor, director, and writer, born in Fontenay-sous-Bois on 25 June 1980, has built a career on collaborating with his close-knit troupe, “La Bande à Fifi,” delivering a string of box office hits that have collectively drawn nearly 20 million spectators.
From Fun TV to the Big Screen
Philippe Lacheau’s career began on television, notably on Fun TV and later as part of the comedic “Bande à Fifi” on Canal+’s Le Grand Journal. His transition to cinema was marked by a small role in L’Arnacœur (2010). His breakthrough came in 2014 with Babysitting, a found-footage comedy he co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in. The film was a surprise smash, winning awards at the Alpe d’Huez International Comedy Film Festival and spawning a successful sequel, Babysitting 2 (2015). This established the formula: Lacheau directing and starring alongside his friends Julien Arruti, Tarek Boudali, and later Élodie Fontan.
Box Office Dominance
Lacheau’s films have consistently performed well, blending modern, referential humour with classic French comedic structures. His most successful film to date is Alibi.com 2 (2023). The following table details the performance of his major directorial works.
| Film | Year | French Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| Alibi.com 2 | 2023 | 4,277,971 |
| Alibi.com | 2017 | 3,581,581 |
| Babysitting 2 (co-dir.) | 2015 | 3,203,541 |
| Babysitting (co-dir.) | 2014 | 2,358,733 |
| Super-héros malgré lui | 2022 | 1,835,528 |
| Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon | 2018 | 1,684,404 |
Upcoming Projects: Marsupilami and Beyond
Lacheau’s immediate focus is Marsupilami, his seventh film as director. An adaptation of the beloved Belgian comic creature created by André Franquin, the film reunites his core troupe and adds stars like Jamel Debbouze and Jean Reno. The story follows David (Lacheau), who, to save his job, must transport a mysterious package from South America, which turns out to contain a baby Marsupilami. Filming took place in Thailand and France in 2024.
2026 will also see Lacheau star in Mauvaise Pioche, a comedy directed by Gérard Jugnot (who previously acted in Lacheau’s films). Furthermore, he is set to reunite with Tarek Boudali for the comedy Somnambule, scheduled for release on 3 February 2027. Beyond acting, Lacheau continues as the host of the popular Prime Video game show LOL: Qui rit, sort !.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “La Bande à Fifi”?
It is the name of the comedy troupe formed by Philippe Lacheau, Tarek Boudali, Julien Arruti, and Reem Kherici, originally gaining fame on Canal+ in the mid-2000s. The core members frequently collaborate on each other’s films to this day.
Is Philippe Lacheau only a director?
No, he is a multi-hyphenate. For most of his films, he serves as director, co-writer, and lead actor. He is also a television presenter and a voice actor for French dubs of animated films like The Secret Life of Pets.
When is his next film, Marsupilami, released?
Marsupilami is scheduled for release in French cinemas on 4 February 2026.