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Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios
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Amazon MGM Studios is an American film and television production and distribution company owned by Amazon, and headquartered at the Culver Studios complex in Culver City, California. Launched in November 2010 as Amazon Studios, the company adopted its name in October 2023 after its merger with MGM Holdings, which Amazon had acquired the year prior.[3]

Key Information

Productions from the studio are primarily distributed through theaters and Amazon's own streaming media service, Amazon Prime Video.[4]

Alongside Amazon Prime Video, the company constitutes one half of Amazon's membership in the Motion Picture Association (MPA), which it joined in October 2024.

History

[edit]

Formation and early success (2010–2021)

[edit]
Logo of Amazon Studios, used from 2010 to 2019

Scripts for television and films used to be submitted online to Amazon[5] and read by staff; however, the website states they no longer accept submissions. Amazon aimed to review submitted scripts within 90 days (although the process may be longer). If a project was chosen for development, the writer was paid $10,000.[6] If a developed script was selected for distribution as a full-budget movie, the creator was paid $200,000; if it was selected for distribution as a full-budget series, the creator was paid $55,000 as well as "up to 5 percent of Amazon's net receipts from toy and t-shirt licensing, and other royalties and bonuses."[7]

In 2008, Amazon expanded into film production, producing the film The Stolen Child with 20th Century Fox.[8] In July 2015, Amazon announced it had acquired Spike Lee's new film, Chi-Raq, as its first Amazon Original Movie.[9][10][11]

In 2010, Amazon Studios started allowing people to submit screenplays, which Amazon Studios and its customers would vote on. The top scriptwriters were told that they would earn cash prizes. This was named as "the scientific studio" by Jeff Bezos. This program stopped eight years later as submitted scripts were of low quality.[12]

Amazon Studios also released its only comic-book series, Blackburn Burrow, in 2012 as a free download.[13] It contained a survey allowing Amazon to collect feedback to determine whether or not it was worthwhile to make the comic into a film.[13]

Amazon Studios had received more than 10,000 feature screenplay submissions as of September 2012[13] and 2,700 television pilots as of March 2013;[14] 23 films and 26 television series were in active development as of March 2013.[13][6] In late 2016, it reorganized its film division into Prime Movies.[15]

Logo of Amazon Studios, used from 2019 to 2023

On July 27, 2017, it was announced that, starting with the December 2017 release Wonder Wheel, Amazon Studios would be its own self-distributing company. Previously, Amazon Studios had relied on multiple external studios to distribute their projects.[16] The company also acquired global television rights to The Lord of the Rings for $250 million.[17] However, Amazon still has external distribution clients outside of the United States, such as Elevation Pictures in Canada, as well as Warner Bros. and StudioCanal in the United Kingdom and France.

In April 2018, Amazon Studios announced that they would no longer accept open submissions of screenplays to limit the filmmakers they work with to those whom the studio has established working relationships with and turn away up-and-comers from pitching their projects, deeming them as "unsolicited material" and "not notable and talented enough to work with them."[18]

Acquisition of MGM and rebranding (2021–present)

[edit]

In May 2021, Amazon (parent company of Amazon Studios) entered negotiations to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). On May 26, 2021, it was announced that the studio would be acquired by Amazon for $8.45 billion, subject to regulatory approval, continuing to operate as a label alongside Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Video.[3] Amazon will continue to partner with United Artists Releasing (MGM and Annapurna Pictures' joint distribution venture), which will continue to operate and release MGM titles theatrically "on a case-by-case basis."

In August 2021, it was reported that Steven Prinz signed an overall television deal and a first-look deal with the studio.[19] In September 2021, it was reported that Brian Otaño had signed a deal with Amazon Studios.[20] Also in September, Eddie Murphy had signed a first-look film deal with Amazon Studios.[21]

In January 2022, Westbrook signed a multi-year first-look deal with Amazon Studios. That same month, Amazon Studios signed a ten-figure deal with 87North Productions.

In November 2022, it was announced that Jennifer Salke, in addition to Amazon Studios, will be given full control of MGM's film and television divisions, with Brearton stepping down as COO to become the Vice President of PVS Corporate Strategy for MGM+ and MGM Alternative Television.[22]

In December 2022, Intrepid Pictures signed a multi-year overall television deal with Amazon Studios.[23] The studio is one of the largest employers in Culver City with roughly 2,700 staffing their headquarters and production facilities.[24] In January 2023, Critical Role Productions signed a multi-year overall television and first-look film deal with Amazon Studios.[25]

In March 2023, it was announced in response to the decision to release Air into theaters worldwide instead of Prime Video, that Amazon had shut down United Artists Releasing and folded the distributor's operations into MGM, making Creed III the first film to be distributed by the latter studio itself under Amazon's ownership.[26] Also in March, Joe Quesada signed an exclusive first-look deal with Amazon Studios, and the studio also signed a multi-year first-look film deal with Imagine Entertainment.[27][28]

In May 2023, Amazon Studios created Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, an international film and television distribution unit for Amazon and MGM projects.[29] The distributor's first films were Saltburn, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2023, Sitting in Bars with Cake, which was released on Prime Video on September 8, 2023, and A Million Miles Away which was released on Prime Video on September 15, 2023, all 3 films were released through the MGM banner.[30][31] On October 4, 2023, Pablo Iacoviello, the studio's director of monetization for local originals, announced at the TV forum Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid that Amazon Studios would merge with MGM Holdings and would be renamed to Amazon MGM Studios itself to reflect this. This would also result in the on-screen 2016 animated Amazon Studios logo designed by Monster Creative being retired, with all film productions going forward, as of September 2023, opening with the 2021 MGM Leo the Lion logo designed by Baked Studios.[32]

In December 2023, Amazon MGM Studios secured a deal with Games Workshop, the creator of Warhammer 40,000, to adapt its characters and stories for film and television. The agreement, involving British actor Henry Cavill as an executive producer and actor, enables Amazon MGM to produce Warhammer 40,000 themed movies and TV shows.[33] In January 2024, Amazon announced hundreds of layoffs across Amazon MGM Studios, Prime Video and Twitch in order to "prioritize our investments for the long-term success of our business, while relentlessly focusing on what we know matters most to our customers," according to Mike Hopkins.[34] In March 2024, beginning with the Prime Video release of the remake of Road House, Amazon MGM Studios marked the centennial anniversary celebration of the founding of MGM with a "100 Years" logo variant appearing on all films produced and released by the studio throughout the year.

In April 2024, Amazon MGM, in collaboration with Fandango at Home, Rotten Tomatoes and iTunes, offered customers a "100 Essential Movies" bundle of 100 films from the MGM library as part of the studio's centennial for a limited time.[35] That same month, they signed a three-year first-look deal with Jake Gyllenhaal's Nine Stories Productions banner, for which they will have a first look on films the latter company intends to produce for theatrical and streaming releases, including a film adaptation of the musical Fun Home.[36]

In July 2024, the company announced the revival of United Artists after more than a decade of dormancy as a label, entering a multi-year partnership with Scott Stuber, former Chief of Film at Netflix and Vice Chairman at Universal Pictures. Under the deal, Stuber will produce films under his newly formed production company for United Artists, with Stuber involved with all projects released by the freshly revived banner.[37]

In late-August 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced they were planning to sell its unscripted production studio MGM Alternative as an independent company including its subsidiaries Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment.[38]

In September 2024, it was announced that Amazon MGM and Prime Video would join the Motion Picture Association (MPA) as its seventh member starting October 1, the second non-studio to do so after Netflix in 2019; this would also mark a return to the MPA for MGM after it lost membership in 2005 following a buyout led by Sony Pictures.[39]

In February 2025, Amazon MGM and Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions announced its intentions to form a joint venture to manage the franchise rights to James Bond. Following the closing of the transaction, Amazon MGM would have full creative control over the Bond film franchise.[40] The deal cost Amazon MGM an estimated $1 billion for creative control, on top of what Amazon originally paid for MGM.[41][42] According to reports, Bezos himself directed Amazon MGM executives to "get rid" of Broccoli "no matter how much it costs."[43][44]

In March 2025, it was announced that Jennifer Salke would step down from her role at the helm of Amazon MGM to become a producer instead.[45] In April 2025, the studio made its first appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, with the plan to release more films theatrically in 2026 than in previous years.[46]

In June 2025, Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios formed a multi-year deal in which Sony would handle the international theatrical distribution of titles from the latter studio following the conclusion of its four-year deal with Warner Bros. Pictures. However, this does not include home entertainment rights as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will continue to distribute MGM's products. This deal would reunite Sony with MGM for the first time since 2020.[47]

Accolades

[edit]

In 2015, Transparent was the first show produced by Amazon Studios to win a major award and the first show produced by a streaming media service to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (a.k.a. "Golden Globe for Best Series").[48]

In 2017, for Manchester by the Sea, Amazon Studios became the first streaming media service to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture;[49] the film was nominated for a total of six Academy Awards, winning two: Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Best Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.

The film The Salesman (2016) won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; it was directed by Asghar Farhadi and distributed in the US by Amazon Studios.[50]

In 2018, the period comedy-drama television series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, starring Rachel Brosnahan, won two Golden Globe Awards (Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy for Brosnahan) and five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Brosnahan.

United Artists Releasing's Women Talking earned a nomination for Best Picture at the 95th Academy Awards and won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

In 2023, Orion Pictures' American Fiction earned Amazon MGM Studios its first win for the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival following the studio's rebrand.[51] The film went on to receive five nominations at the 96th Academy Awards; including Best Picture, and won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.[52]

Assets

[edit]
See also: MGM Holdings § Assets

Film production and distribution

[edit]
Logos of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists and Orion Pictures, the studio's primary film units.

Television

[edit]
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television
    • MGM Alternative Television
    • MGM International Television
    • MGM On Demand
    • MGM/UA Television
  • Big Fish Entertainment LLC
    • Half Moon Pictures
  • Evolution Media
  • Gato Grande Productions (joint venture with Mexican entrepreneurs Miguel Aleman and Antonio Cué)
  • Lightworkers Media

Channels

[edit]
  • MGM+
    • MGM+ Marquee
    • MGM+ Hits
    • MGM+ Drive-In
    • MGM+ On Demand
  • ScreenPix
    • ScreenPix Action
    • ScreenPix Westerns
    • ScreenPix Voices
    • ScreenPix On Demand
  • Impact (joint venture with Comcast)
  • MGM Sci-Fi (Roku linear channel)

Others

[edit]

Production libraries

[edit]
Further information: List of libraries owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Television series

[edit]
Main articles: List of Amazon Prime Video original programming, List of ended Amazon Prime Video original programming, and List of MGM Television programs

Films

[edit]
Main articles: List of Amazon MGM Studios films and List of Amazon Prime Video original films

Highest-grossing films

[edit]
Highest-grossing in North America
Rank Title Year Gross
1 Red One 2024 $97,000,759
2 The Beekeeper $66,220,535
3 The Accountant 2 2025 $65,486,713
4 The Boys in the Boat 2023 $52,641,306
5 Air $52,460,106
6 Challengers 2024 $50,119,408
7 A Working Man 2025 $37,000,711
8 Blink Twice 2024 $23,093,906
9 American Fiction 2023 $21,098,470
10 Late Night 2019 $15,499,454
Highest-grossing worldwide
Rank Title Year Gross
1 Red One 2024 $185,900,759
2 The Beekeeper $162,619,535
3 The Accountant 2 2025 $102,086,713
4 A Working Man $99,054,702
5 Challengers 2024 $96,119,408
6 Air 2023 $90,060,106
7 The Boys in the Boat $55,521,574
8 Blink Twice 2024 $48,093,906
9 American Fiction 2023 $23,026,243
10 Late Night 2019 $22,386,555

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Amazon MGM Studios

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from Grokipedia
Amazon MGM Studios is a leading American film and television production and distribution company owned by Amazon.com, Inc., focused on creating original content for global audiences across streaming, theatrical, and linear platforms. Formed in October 2023 through the rebranding of Amazon Studios after Amazon's acquisition of (MGM), the studio combines Amazon's digital-first approach with MGM's century-old legacy of storytelling. It operates as the creative hub for Prime Video, producing and distributing series, films, and franchises available in over 240 countries and territories. The origins of Amazon MGM Studios trace back to Amazon Studios, which launched in November 2010 as a crowdsourcing platform for film and TV pilots before evolving into a full production entity. A pivotal moment came on May 26, 2021, when Amazon announced its $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM, a historic studio founded in 1924 known for iconic franchises like James Bond, Rocky, and classics such as The Wizard of Oz. The deal closed on March 17, 2022, integrating MGM's vast library—over 4,000 films and 17,000 television episodes—into Amazon's ecosystem, enhancing Prime Video with award-winning content that has earned 180 Academy Awards and 100 Emmy Awards. This merger positioned Amazon MGM Studios to blend MGM's theatrical heritage with Amazon's streaming dominance, enabling broader distribution through Prime Video, MGM+, and theatrical releases. Under the leadership of Mike Hopkins as Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, the company emphasizes innovative storytelling and global reach, with key executives including Albert Cheng as VP, Head of AI Studios. Notable productions include Prime Video originals like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, Fallout, and the film Red One, alongside MGM revivals such as upcoming James Bond projects. In 2024, Amazon MGM Studios secured seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including wins for Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Fallout, with continued nominations in 2025 underscoring its growing acclaim in television. The studio's content is accessible on thousands of devices worldwide and extends to live sports like Thursday Night Football, as well as over 800 free ad-supported channels, solidifying its role in Amazon's entertainment portfolio.

History

Origins as Amazon Studios (2010–2021)

Amazon Studios was established in November 2010 by Amazon.com as an innovative platform designed to solicit script submissions for potential film and television projects. The initiative allowed aspiring writers and filmmakers worldwide to full-length scripts, storyboards, or even completed short films via an online tool, with Amazon providing feedback, ratings from users, and the option to develop promising submissions into pilots or series. This open-submission model aimed to democratize content creation, distinguishing Amazon from traditional studios by leveraging its user base for collaborative input on early-stage ideas. By 2013, Amazon Studios shifted toward in-house production, marking its entry into premium television with the launch of its first original scripted series, , a starring that premiered exclusively on Prime Video. This was followed in 2014 by Bosch, the studio's inaugural original drama series, adapted from Michael Connelly's novels and featuring as the titular LAPD detective, which helped solidify Amazon's reputation for high-quality, genre-diverse programming. These series represented a pivotal transition from the crowdsourcing experiment to full-scale original content production, with pilots tested via customer feedback before greenlighting full seasons. The studio expanded into theatrical film distribution in the mid-2010s, acquiring and co-producing independent features to bolster its streaming library. A landmark achievement came in 2016 with Manchester by the Sea, directed by , which Amazon Studios co-produced and distributed; the film earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won for , making it the first from a streaming service to secure such recognition. In 2017, Amazon acquired worldwide rights to The Big Sick, a romantic comedy-drama written by and starring , for approximately $12 million at the , further demonstrating the studio's strategy of investing in critically acclaimed indie films for both theatrical release and Prime Video streaming. Amazon's investment in original content drove significant growth for Prime Video, with internal data indicating that Prime Originals accounted for up to 25% of new subscriber sign-ups from late 2014 onward, contributing to reaching 100 million members worldwide by early 2018. To further enhance its genre offerings, Amazon Studios entered a key partnership in November 2018 with Blumhouse Television, led by , for the production of eight interconnected thriller features exclusively for Prime Video, emphasizing low-budget, high-concept horror and suspense to attract niche audiences. These developments laid the groundwork for Amazon's broader evolution in the entertainment industry, culminating in the acquisition of .

Acquisition of MGM Holdings (2021–2022)

On May 26, 2021, Amazon announced a definitive agreement to acquire Inc. for $8.45 billion in an all-cash transaction, marking the company's largest media acquisition to date. The deal included Amazon assuming approximately $2.5 billion in MGM's debt, which it repaid upon closing, bringing the total effective cost to around $8.95 billion. This move built on Amazon Studios' pre-acquisition momentum, including acclaimed series like , to accelerate content expansion. The acquisition's strategic rationale centered on bolstering Amazon Prime Video's competitive position in the streaming wars against rivals like Netflix and Disney+. By gaining control of MGM's vast library—comprising over 4,000 feature films and 17,000 television episodes, including iconic franchises such as James Bond, Rocky, and Fargo—Amazon aimed to enrich its content offerings, enable new storytelling formats, and leverage MGM's production expertise for original programming. Executives emphasized preserving MGM's nearly century-old legacy while integrating it to enhance customer access across Amazon's platforms. The transaction encountered regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. (FTC), the , and the UK's (CMA), primarily over concerns that it could exacerbate Amazon's dominance in video streaming and limit competition through data advantages. The FTC's review, led by Chair amid broader investigations into Amazon's practices, debated potential anticompetitive effects but ultimately resulted in a with no formal challenge. The approved the deal unconditionally on March 15, 2022, concluding it would not significantly impede competition in audiovisual markets. The CMA cleared it without noted conditions, focusing instead on Amazon's separate data-sharing commitments in . The acquisition closed on March 17, 2022, following these approvals, initiating MGM's integration into Amazon's ecosystem. As part of the early transition, Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios since 2018, retained her leadership role and was tasked with overseeing MGM's scripted film and television operations to ensure seamless alignment with Prime Video's strategy. This structure preserved continuity while positioning Salke to guide the combined entity's creative direction during the initial phase.

Rebranding and post-acquisition developments (2023–present)

On October 3, 2023, Amazon announced the rebranding of Amazon Studios to Amazon MGM Studios, unifying the operations of Amazon Studios and the newly acquired MGM under a single banner to leverage the combined creative and library assets for film and television production. This rebranding marked the full integration of MGM's extensive catalog, including over 4,000 films, into Amazon's ecosystem, enabling a more streamlined approach to content development and distribution across Prime Video and theatrical releases. Following the rebrand, Amazon MGM Studios began integrating MGM's assets more deeply into Prime Video, with early joint releases highlighting the merger's potential. Saltburn (2023), a produced under the new banner, premiered on Prime Video on December 22, 2023, becoming one of the platform's most-watched originals that year. The 2024 remake of Road House, starring , followed as a major streaming hit, breaking records as Amazon MGM's biggest movie debut on Prime Video with over 50 million viewers in its first two weekends. These releases demonstrated the studio's strategy of blending MGM's legacy storytelling with Amazon's global reach. In 2025, Amazon MGM Studios made its first appearance at CinemaCon in April, unveiling an ambitious 14-film slate for 2026 that included a live-action adaptation directed by and updates on the franchise, signaling a renewed commitment to theatrical exhibition. The studio announced plans for 3-4 theatrical releases annually starting in 2026, with a specific focus on the Indian market through 3-4 local films each year, alongside partnerships such as with for select projects like the series Overcompensating. In October 2025, Amazon MGM paid $20 million to for expanded creative control over the franchise, as revealed in financial filings, facilitating more direct involvement in future 007 productions. Post-rebrand accolades underscored the studio's critical success, with MGM titles receiving significant recognition. For instance, American Fiction (2023), an release under Amazon MGM, earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Acting categories, marking a strong awards season debut for the unified entity. In November 2025, the studio announced the development of the dark action comedy series Kill the Bedfords, created and written by .

Corporate structure

Leadership and governance

Amazon MGM Studios operates under the oversight of Amazon's entertainment division, with Mike Hopkins serving as senior vice president and head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios since 2018, to whom the studio's leadership reports directly. The studio's is integrated into Amazon.com, Inc.'s broader corporate structure, where strategic decisions are influenced by the parent company's , chaired by as executive chair, emphasizing alignment with Amazon's principles of customer obsession and innovation. This setup prioritizes data-driven content strategies, leveraging Amazon's proprietary algorithms for audience analytics, recommendation systems, and predictive modeling to inform commissioning, marketing, and distribution choices across film and television. Leadership at Amazon MGM Studios has evolved significantly since its origins, with early figures like , who led Amazon Studios until his 2017 dismissal amid misconduct allegations, giving way to a more integrated model post-MGM acquisition. Jennifer Salke succeeded as head of Amazon Studios in 2018, overseeing the 2022 MGM integration and rebranding, but stepped down in March 2025 to pursue a multi-year production deal, leaving the role unfilled as part of a flattening initiative that continued into late 2025 with reshuffles in teams and the creation of an AI Studios division. Key current executives include Courtenay Valenti, appointed head of film for streaming and theatrical in February 2023, who manages the studio's overall film slate and strategic partnerships. In July 2024, former film chief entered a multi-year partnership with the studio to relaunch the label, focusing on financing and producing theatrical and streaming films. On the television side, Peter Friedlander was named head of global TV in September 2025, succeeding Vernon Sanders after a tenure marked by series development post-acquisition. The process emphasizes cross-functional teams reporting to , incorporating Amazon's technological infrastructure for real-time performance metrics and audience engagement data to guide greenlighting and resource allocation. Integration challenges have included workforce reductions, such as the January 2024 layoffs affecting several hundred employees at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios amid post-acquisition restructuring, which impacted over 100 MGM-specific staff roles to streamline operations, and further executive-level cuts in October 2025 as the company integrated AI technologies. These moves, part of broader Amazon cost-cutting efforts, drew criticism for disrupting creative teams during the transition to a unified studio model.

Facilities and operations

Amazon MGM Studios primarily operates out of The Culver Studios in , a 14-acre campus that serves as the company's main production lot following the 2022 acquisition of . The facility features six state-of-the-art sound stages totaling 92,000 square feet, ranging from 5,600 to 34,500 square feet each, along with modern creative offices, production support spaces, and advanced infrastructure designed for high-volume film and television work. Among these, Stage 15 stands out as a revolutionary virtual production soundstage powered by (AWS), equipped with a massive LED wall for real-time virtual environments, enabling efficient on-set integration for movies and TV shows. To support global productions, Amazon MGM Studios has expanded beyond Los Angeles with additional facilities, including the acquisition of Bray Film Studios in , , in 2024, which serves as a key creative hub for large-scale projects like . In , the company established a production base at Pinewood Studios in 2024, facilitating North American expansion and local content creation. These sites integrate legacy production elements, such as archival resources and expertise, into Amazon's streamlined operations without relying on the former MGM lot now operated by . The studio's operational model combines hybrid streaming and theatrical pipelines, leveraging AWS for workflows, including cloud-based editing with Avid and NEXIS storage solutions to enable remote collaboration and scalable processing of high-resolution content. This infrastructure supports global distribution through Prime Video, allowing seamless delivery of films and series to over 200 million subscribers worldwide while accommodating theatrical releases in partnership with exhibitors. Amazon MGM Studios plans an annual output of approximately 12 to 20 films, with a focus on 10 or more theatrical titles starting in 2026, alongside dozens of television series developed for streaming platforms. In terms of day-to-day workflows, content development at Amazon MGM Studios incorporates data analytics from viewer metrics to guide script selection and production decisions, drawing on Prime Video's tools for audience insights and content optimization. This data-driven approach informs early-stage scripting by analyzing engagement patterns, helping prioritize projects with high potential resonance, while pipelines utilize AWS for automated media analysis and . Sustainability is a core aspect of operations, aligned with Amazon's broader commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040; in 2024, Amazon MGM Studios became the first major studio to implement the Sustainable Production for Entertainment Certification (SPEC) training program, sponsoring initiatives to reduce environmental impact on sets through energy-efficient practices and waste reduction for select projects. The facility itself pursues Gold certification, incorporating sustainable design elements like energy-efficient systems to minimize the of daily productions.

Business divisions

Film production and distribution

Amazon MGM Studios operates distinct imprints to diversify its film output, with the MGM banner primarily used for prestige and high-profile projects, focused on genre-driven films, and the Amazon MGM label applied to original productions developed in-house. The studio's production strategy emphasizes a balance between acquiring completed films and developing originals, as exemplified by the 2024 acquisition of Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, which grossed $93.9 million worldwide following its theatrical debut. This approach allows flexibility in slate assembly while prioritizing content that aligns with Prime Video's global audience. Looking ahead, Amazon MGM Studios aims to increase its theatrical releases in 2026 to capitalize on cinema's promotional power for streaming viewership. For distribution, the studio handles domestic theatrical releases through its internal team, while partnering with external entities for specialized needs, such as the relaunched banner under for mid-budget and independent-leaning projects. Internationally, Amazon MGM Studios manages distribution through its global offices and select partnerships. The studio's 2025-2026 slate highlights this strategy, featuring high-profile originals like starring , set for a March 20, 2026, theatrical release, and with as , slated for June 5, 2026. Additionally, Bond 26 is in active development under Amazon MGM Studios' creative oversight, with no director or writer confirmed as of 2025. Amazon MGM Studios employs a hybrid model, prioritizing exclusive theatrical windows—typically 45 days—before day-and-date availability on Prime Video, which enhances global accessibility and drives subscriber engagement across 200 countries. This synergy optimizes revenue from both exhibition and streaming, with theatrical exclusivity serving as a key driver for subsequent platform premieres.

Television production and channels

Amazon MGM Studios Television serves as the primary production arm for scripted series, overseeing the development and production of original content for Prime Video and other platforms. Notable examples include the epic fantasy series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which premiered in 2022 and continues into subsequent seasons, depicting events from J.R.R. Tolkien's Second Age of . This division focuses on high-budget, genre-driven narratives that leverage Amazon's global reach. The studio also maintains ownership of key television channels and streaming services integrated with its production output. Freevee, Amazon's ad-supported streaming platform, distributes select unscripted and acquired content, complementing Prime Video's subscription model. Meanwhile, MGM+ operates as a premium channel offering ad-free access to original series and MGM's library, with international expansion into beginning in 2023 to broaden its subscriber base. These channels prioritize streaming-first distribution for television content, contrasting with the theatrical emphasis in the studio's film division. In unscripted programming, Amazon MGM Studios has expanded its offerings in reality and alternative formats. Such expansions emphasize modular, culturally adaptable reality content to drive viewer engagement across platforms. Globally, Amazon MGM Studios employs localized production hubs to support co-productions tailored for Prime Video audiences. In the UK, the studio utilizes facilities like Bray Film Studios for scripted and unscripted shoots, including seasons of The Rings of Power. In India, the strategy involves dual-platform distribution via Prime Video and MX Player, with annual commitments to original series and co-productions that reflect regional storytelling. These efforts enable franchise extensions, such as multiple Bosch spin-offs including Ballard (2025) and Bosch: Legacy, which have topped streaming charts and underscore the studio's focus on serialized crime dramas. Overall, the television division produces dozens of series annually, prioritizing streaming integration and franchise continuity to sustain viewer retention on Prime Video. As of November 2025, Amazon MGM Studios continues to expand its television slate with new international co-productions.

Other media assets

Amazon MGM Studios manages ancillary media assets that extend its intellectual properties beyond traditional film and television production, including , tie-ins, interactive adaptations, , and legacy library distribution. The company's music operations, under MGM Music, handle licensing for soundtracks and scores from its productions, facilitating their use in media, advertising, and repertory contexts. Amazon MGM Studios curates content for , such as playlists featuring tracks tied to studio projects and integrates seamlessly with Amazon's streaming ecosystem. In , Amazon MGM Studios collaborates with established houses to develop novelizations, activity , and related titles based on its franchises. This initiative builds on the studio's IPs to create literary extensions that enhance fan engagement. For gaming and , Amazon MGM Studios pursues adaptations that bridge its content with digital formats, often licensing IPs for series development on Prime Video. Key projects include the announced "" live-action series in collaboration with and dj2 Entertainment, with casting and production details pending. Similarly, the studio explores other game adaptations to incorporate elements in episodic form. Merchandising efforts form a core ancillary revenue stream, with Amazon MGM Studios actively licensing its brands for consumer products through strategic partnerships. The studio's 2024-2025 licensing strategy emphasizes fan-focused extensions, including apparel, accessories, collectibles, and beverages for properties like , with licensees such as and . Legacy assets, particularly the United Artists Classics library acquired through the , are distributed via home entertainment channels under Amazon MGM Studios. This catalog, encompassing iconic films from UA's history, supports releases and digital availability on Prime Video, with international licensing handled by partners like outside the US and . The integration enhances Amazon's streaming library while preserving access to these historical titles for global audiences.

Productions and library

Feature films

Amazon MGM Studios' feature film portfolio encompasses a vast collection derived from both its pre-acquisition Amazon Studios output and the extensive MGM library, spanning decades of cinematic history. Prior to the 2022 acquisition of MGM Holdings, Amazon Studios produced and distributed dozens of s, often blending theatrical releases with streaming premieres on Prime Video. Notable examples include the satirical comedy (2020), which earned Academy Award nominations for its lead actor , and the drama (2019), which won two Oscars for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. The MGM library forms the cornerstone of Amazon MGM Studios' holdings, comprising over 4,000 feature films that trace the studio's legacy from the of Hollywood to contemporary blockbusters. This archive includes timeless classics such as the epic Ben-Hur (1959), which secured a record 11 , and more recent productions like the installment (2021), distributed by MGM. The collection's diversity spans genres from musicals and dramas to action and horror, reflecting MGM's pivotal role in shaping global cinema. Following the rebranding to Amazon MGM Studios in 2023, the company has expanded its slate with new theatrical and streaming releases, emphasizing a broad range of genres including sports dramas, romances, and thrillers. Key titles from 2023 to 2025 include Air (2023), a biographical sports film about Nike's pursuit of Michael Jordan, directed by Ben Affleck; The Idea of You (2024), a romantic comedy starring Anne Hathaway; and Challengers (2024), a tennis drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. These additions highlight Amazon MGM Studios' commitment to diverse storytelling, with films often premiering on Prime Video after limited theatrical runs. Archival preservation efforts have integrated advanced technology to safeguard and distribute the combined library, with many MGM titles digitized for enhanced accessibility on Prime Video. Amazon's acquisition announcement emphasized plans to restore and reimagine this heritage content, leveraging cloud infrastructure to make iconic films available to global audiences without compromising their historical integrity. Over time, this has enabled streaming of thousands of titles, ensuring the enduring cultural impact of MGM's catalog. The studio holds full rights to several marquee franchises, bolstering its intellectual property portfolio. These include the series, encompassing 25 films from Dr. No (1962) to (2021); the boxing saga, originating with the 1976 Best Picture winner and extending through sequels and spin-offs like ; and the science fiction universe, beginning with the 1994 film and its subsequent expansions. These assets provide opportunities for sequels, reboots, and cross-media adaptations under Amazon MGM Studios' oversight.

Television series

Amazon MGM Studios maintains a robust television portfolio that encompasses original scripted series developed in-house, acquired libraries from the 2022 MGM integration, and a mix of formats including unscripted and children's programming. The studio's originals, launched primarily through Prime Video since 2013, include over 100 series spanning drama, comedy, and genre fiction, with long-running hits like (2017–2023), a period comedy that earned 22 , including multiple for outstanding comedy series and lead actress . Other signature originals feature innovative storytelling, such as the transgender family drama Transparent (2014–2019), which became the first streaming series to win a major Emmy for lead actor in 2015, and the British import (2016–2019), which secured six Emmys, including outstanding comedy series in 2019. Following Amazon's $8.45 billion acquisition of in March 2022, the studio integrated MGM Television's extensive library of approximately 17,000 episodes, enriching Prime Video and with acclaimed anthology and historical dramas. Key acquisitions include the anthology Fargo (2014–present), known for its Coen Brothers-inspired crime tales and multiple Emmy wins for limited series, and the Channel's (2013–2020) along with its spin-off (2022–present), which blend historical action with global appeal. 's ongoing contributions also encompass dystopian extensions like (2017–present), originally produced by for and now part of Amazon's broader content ecosystem, with the series earning 14 Emmys to date, including outstanding drama series in 2018. The 2024–2025 slate highlights Amazon MGM's focus on expanding franchises and diverse formats, including scripted spin-offs and international co-productions. Notable recent additions feature Reacher Season 3 (premiered February 20, 2025), an action thriller adaptation of Lee Child's novels that continues the series' popularity with its procedural investigations and high-stakes drama on Prime Video. Global efforts include co-productions like the German YA series Maxton Hall – The World Between Us (2024–present) and British unscripted formats such as Last One Laughing (2024), alongside kids' animated content like Hazbin Hotel (2024–present). Across the portfolio, scripted series dominate, comprising the majority of output, while unscripted reality and documentary-style shows account for about 30% of recent releases, and children's programming targets family audiences through animated and educational hybrids. Amazon MGM Studios' television series have collectively amassed dozens of Emmy Awards, underscoring their critical acclaim and influence in the streaming era. Beyond individual show wins, the studio won five Creative Arts Emmys in 2025 for Prime Video titles including The Boys (three wins) and Étoile (one win), contributing to a legacy of over 50 Emmys across its catalog since inception.

Highest-grossing releases

Amazon MGM Studios' highest-grossing releases encompass both its legacy MGM theatrical films and post-acquisition productions, which have collectively generated substantial through and streaming platforms. Among the studio's top theatrical performers, (2021), the final film produced by and distributed by MGM, achieved a worldwide gross of $774 million, marking it as one of the franchise's biggest earners despite pandemic-era challenges. Similarly, (2023), the third installment in the spin-off series and a key post-acquisition release, grossed $276 million globally, setting a franchise record for its opening weekend and underscoring MGM's strength in sports dramas. These films highlight the enduring commercial appeal of MGM's library, which has amassed billions in cumulative worldwide across over a century of production, with top titles alone contributing tens of billions. In the streaming era, Amazon MGM Studios has leveraged Prime Video to drive viewership metrics that rival theatrical successes. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 (2022), an Amazon original co-produced under the MGM banner following the acquisition, recorded 1.25 billion minutes viewed in its U.S. debut week, topping Nielsen's streaming charts and demonstrating the draw of high-budget fantasy series. The remake of Road House (2024), directed by and starring , further exemplified streaming dominance, attracting over 50 million global viewers in its first two weekends on Prime Video—Amazon's most-watched original film debut to date—and accumulating 812 million minutes viewed in a single Nielsen-tracked week. The integration of MGM's assets has amplified Amazon's overall media , with original content including these releases contributing to Prime Video's in subscriber expansion; Amazon membership grew from approximately 200 million in 2022 to over 240 million by 2025, fueled in part by exclusive programming that accounted for a significant share of new sign-ups. By late 2025, recent theatrical entries like Red One (2024), a action-comedy starring , added to the portfolio with a worldwide gross of $186 million, reflecting continued momentum in cinemas. Post-2022 acquisition, Amazon MGM Studios has shifted toward a hybrid model, balancing theatrical releases—which generated hundreds of millions in for films like Creed III—with streaming exclusives that prioritize viewership volume over ticket sales, as seen in Road House's rapid accumulation of viewer hours equivalent to billions of minutes. This approach has diversified revenue streams, with theatrical films providing upfront grosses while streaming titles enhance long-term subscriber retention and ad revenue on Prime Video, amid plans to invest $1 billion annually in 12-15 cinema releases starting in 2026.
ReleaseTypeKey MetricYearSource
Theatrical$774M worldwide gross2021Box Office Mojo
Theatrical$276M worldwide gross2023Box Office Mojo
The Rings of Power S1Streaming1.25B minutes (debut week)2022Hollywood Reporter
Road HouseStreaming50M+ global viewers (first 2 weekends)2024Deadline
Red OneTheatrical$186M worldwide gross2024Box Office Mojo

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