AMC Entertainment is taking a major step into film distribution with the launch of Leawood Films, a new company aimed at bringing movies from independent and emerging filmmakers to theaters without relying on the traditional distribution system.
This is AMC clearly betting that audiences are willing to show up for theatrical releases that come from outside the conventional Hollywood pipeline.
What makes this especially interesting is the focus on small- and mid-budget movies across all genres rather than chasing blockbuster tentpoles. With the pandemic and 2023’s SAG strike contributing to a thinner theatrical pipeline, AMC could help get more movies, which would otherwise remain orphaned, in front of audiences.
AMC also plans to work with other theater chains, potentially giving these films a much wider reach — Regal distributing an AMC movie? Not exactly out of the realm of possibility. There are also some serious industry veterans steering the ship, including former Warner Bros. film chief Toby Emmerich and Lionsgate distribution vet Kyle Davies.
This is such a great idea. It could benefit both exhibitors and filmmakers and potentially create some unusual breakout hits along the way — at least that’s the hope. The films will also have theatrical windows of at least 45 days before PVOD and 90 days or more before SVOD, while filmmakers will retain most of the revenue once the movies leave theaters.
The first releases aren’t expected until 2027 or 2028, but this could be a pretty interesting experiment in finding a new path for movies that might otherwise struggle to get a theatrical release. Every year, a bunch of Sundance and SXSW titles just disappear after premiering at those fests — if I’m Emmerich and Davies, those are the first places I’d check out.
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