AMC Launches Leawood Films to Bring More Independent Movies to Theaters

AMC Entertainment is stepping beyond its traditional role as a movie theater operator with the launch of Leawood Films, a new distribution company designed to help independent filmmakers bring small and mid-budget movies to theaters.

Announced August 31, the new label will distribute and market films that have already been fully financed by their filmmakers. AMC says Leawood Films will not compete with major studios or focus on blockbuster releases. Instead, the company wants to create more opportunities for movies that may struggle to secure traditional theatrical distribution.

The move comes as the film industry continues to deal with changes in production and moviegoing following the pandemic and the Hollywood labor strikes of 2023. Theater owners have also faced periods where there were not enough new releases to consistently fill screens. AMC believes Leawood Films can help address that shortage while giving filmmakers another path to theatrical audiences.

The company plans to keep the focus broad, with no specific genre requirement. AMC also expects its relationships with other theater operators could help Leawood titles reach audiences beyond AMC locations.

For filmmakers, the financial structure could be particularly significant. AMC says Leawood Films will honor a theatrical window of at least 45 days before a movie becomes available through premium video-on-demand and at least 90 days before reaching subscription streaming services. After a film leaves theaters, the majority of its subsequent revenue will remain with the filmmakers.

AMC has also recruited experienced entertainment executives to advise the venture, including former Warner Bros. film chief Toby Emmerich, former Walt Disney Studios marketing executive Ricky Strauss and former distribution executive Kyle Davies.

Leawood Films is not expected to release its first movies until 2027 or 2028, and AMC has not announced its initial slate.

The company’s decision reflects a broader shift in how independent films are reaching audiences. Recent successes from filmmakers working outside the traditional studio system have demonstrated that audiences will support movies that generate strong interest, even without massive production budgets.

For independent filmmakers, AMC’s new venture could provide something that has historically been difficult to secure: access to theater screens, marketing support and a direct pathway to moviegoing audiences.

As theatrical distribution continues to evolve, Leawood Films could become another major avenue for filmmakers looking to turn independently financed projects into theatrical releases.