AMC launches Leawood Films to get more small and mid‑budget movies into theaters

# What AMC is doing

AMC Entertainment has announced Leawood Films, a distribution and marketing label that will place fully financed indie and mid‑budget movies in theaters. The company says the effort targets films that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional distributors and that Leawood will be genre agnostic.

# Why AMC is launching a label now

Exhibitors have reported a slowdown in the flow of new films since the pandemic and the 2023 production disruptions. AMC frames Leawood as a response to the gap in theatrical supply: projecting more small and mid‑budget titles onto screens could increase programming variety for audiences without displacing studio releases.

# How Leawood will operate

Leawood will take on distribution and marketing for films that are already fully financed by their filmmakers. AMC's public position is that the label will be modest in scale, unlikely to pursue tentpole blockbusters, and intended to complement existing relationships with major studios and distribution partners.

Adam Aron, AMC's CEO, described the initiative as focused on bringing more small and mid‑budget movies to theaters while maintaining existing studio partnerships.

# Business terms and filmmaker economics

AMC says Leawood will respect theatrical windows: at least 45 days before a title goes to PVOD and 90 days or more before it reaches SVOD. The company also states that the majority of revenue after theatrical release will remain with the filmmakers, indicating Leawood aims to offer favorable post‑theatrical splits compared with some traditional distribution deals.

# Team and structure

The venture has assembled an advisory group of experienced executives: former Warner Bros. film chief Toby Emmerich, former Walt Disney Studios marketing head Ricky Strauss, and Bleeker Street distribution boss Kyle Davies. Craig Jacobson of Hansen Jacobson will represent Leawood. The label will be headquartered both in Los Angeles and at AMC's home base in Leawood, Kansas.

# Timing and scope

AMC has not set a slate yet. The company does not expect Leawood titles to reach theaters until 2027 or 2028. While AMC intends to use its own screens to launch these films, it also says it will try to persuade other theater owners to book Leawood releases, expanding potential reach beyond the AMC circuit.

Recent high‑profile theatrical releases that bypassed traditional studio distribution—like concert films or faith‑based hits—have shown there is an audience for alternative release models. Leawood is explicitly not limited to one category (for example, concert films or low‑budget horror) and will be open to varied genres and filmmakers so long as the projects are fully financed.

# What to watch next

Key near‑term indicators will be the first slate announcements, the specific distribution deals Leawood offers filmmakers, and whether other exhibitors agree to screen Leawood titles. Timing for releases (expected 2027–2028) gives the label time to assemble offerings and negotiate bookings beyond AMC's chain.

# Bottom line