As the biggest summer season at the North American box office since the pandemic winds down, the world’s largest cinema chain AMC said it is moving into distribution with the launch of Leawood Films.
Based in Los Angeles and AMC’s headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, the new venture will release fully-financed or completed small and medium-sized films. Kyle Davies has departed as president of Bleecker Street to serve full-time at Leawood Films, alongside consultants Toby Emmerich, the former Warner Bros Pictures group chairman, and Ricky Strauss, who served as head of marketing at Apple TV and Walt Disney Studios.
The initial roster has not been identified and the first films are likely to be released in 2027 or 2028, with a 45-day “or greater” PVoD window and a 90-day “or more” SVoD window.
Leawood Films will embrace features of all genres and not solely concert films, where AMC has enjoyed success. The parent company previously dipped its toes into direct distribution with the release of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, and Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé in 2023, and Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party Of A Showgirl in 2025.
Working with distribution partners including Variance Films in North America and Piece of Magic Entertainment internationally, the idea behind the new venture is to respond to audience appetite and bring a select number of films that may have struggled to secure distribution.
AMC’s exhibiting films from studio and distribution partners remains the primary business. AMC CEO Adam Aron said on Monday that it was “highly unlikely” Leawood would release tentpoles. ”Leawood Films effort is intended to complement, not compete with, the crucial work of our longstanding existing partnerships with major studios and key distribution partners,” he said.
Once Leawood Films finish their theatrical run, the goal in the “vast majority” of cases is for filmmakers to retain IP ownership. AMC added, “Accordingly, certain economic benefits enjoyed by film makers working with Leawood Films often may differ markedly from traditional studio distribution arrangements.”
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