The movie theater industry is witnessing a significant shift as AMC Theatres the world’s largest movie theater chain, ventures into indie film distribution with the launch of Leawood Films. This new initiative aims to bring more diverse and independent content to theaters, addressing the growing demand for varied theatrical experiences.
The venture is advised by a trio of industry veterans, including Toby Emmerich former chairman of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Ricky Strauss ex-president of marketing at Disney, and Kyle Davies former head of distribution at Paramount. Davies will also serve as a full-time employee, piloting the label’s operations.
The Vision Behind Leawood Films
Leawood Films is set to focus on films that are either fully financed by their makers or already completed. The label will leverage AMC’s extensive exhibition, marketing, and distribution expertise to expand the supply of movies for theater operators across the U.S. and internationally. This move comes at a time when the domestic box office is experiencing a remarkable revival, with hits like ObsessionThey Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day drawing audiences back to theaters.
The label is named after AMC’s headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, and is designed to complement, not compete with, the company’s longstanding relationships with major studios. Leawood Films will seek out films at annual film festivals, adding to the pool of content available to moviegoers. However, it remains unclear whether AMC will allocate a dedicated marketing budget for these indie releases.
Addressing the Need for More Content
AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron emphasized that the primary goal of Leawood Films is to address the excess capacity in the movie theater industry by bringing more movies to theaters. This initiative is expected to benefit not only AMC and its European counterpart Odeon but also other exhibitors in the industry.
The venture will respect a theatrical exclusive window of at least 45 days before films become available on premium video on demand (PVOD) and a 90-day window before streaming on video on demand (SVOD). The majority of revenue generated from these titles after their theatrical run will go back to the filmmakers, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership.
The Team Behind the Venture
Leawood Films is backed by a team of seasoned industry professionals. Emmerich and Strauss will serve as consultants, while Davies will oversee the label’s day-to-day operations. The company is represented by Craig Jacobson a leading entertainment attorney and founding partner of Hansen Jacobson.
This is not AMC’s first foray into distribution. The company previously successfully distributed concert films like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance. With Leawood Films, AMC aims to replicate this success on a broader scale, bringing a variety of indie films to theaters.
While the initial slate of films for Leawood Films has not yet been announced, the company expects to start releasing titles in 2027 or 2028. This initiative underscores AMC’s commitment to enhancing the moviegoing experience by providing a wider range of content to audiences worldwide.
