AMC said in a statement on Monday that it has created a new distribution division named Leawood Films to help get more movies into theaters. The company said Leawood will target titles that otherwise would struggle to secure a broad theatrical rollout and will distribute films made by what it described as "emerging filmmakers."
Leawood will not fund production of the films it releases, and its titles will run exclusively in theaters for 45 days before wider platforms gain access. The films will remain unavailable on streaming services until 90 days after their release dates, and they will be shown at AMC locations as well as at other theater chains.
AMC, headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, is the largest owner of movie theaters in the world and has sometimes released films on its own, including concert movies featuring Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The company holds a one-third stake in Fathom Entertainment, a firm focused on classic titles, and previously owned a half interest in Open Road Films. Advisers to the new venture will include Toby Emmerich, who once chaired Warner Bros. Pictures; Ricky Strauss, who previously led marketing at Walt Disney Studios; and Kyle Davies, formerly the distribution chief at Paramount Pictures.
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