Hollywood has over 300 movie production studios. Some are independent and others are subsidiaries of larger corporations. For instance, Universal and Sony own Focus Features and Screen Gems. And, United Artists was a distribution company for independent films that later became a production company. Several specialty units have been sold off in recent years. Here's a list of the most important ones. All have their own unique traits.
Lionsgate is one of the largest mini-major movie production companies in the US. Founded in 1962, it has a long history of innovative movies and excellent writers. It has produced over 17,000 films since its founding in 1962, and has the potential to become a major movie studio. One of its subsidiaries, Summit Entertainment, has a subsidiary called Super Ltd., which was launched to handle experimental work.
While some are "old" and no longer exist, the top film studios are facing unprecedented challenges in 2020. The spread of COVID-19 led consumers to stay home and accelerate the trend of video streaming. As a result, the number of feature films released in the U.S. and Canada declined by more than 60 percent in the two years following the outbreak. By 2021, that figure is expected to grow by 8%.
Another example of an animated film studio is DreamWorks Pictures. The Shrek franchise is one of the highest-grossing films from the company. But this is far from the only type of film that DreamWorks produces. DreamWorks is arguably the best choice for timeless movies, and it has never been underrated. If you want a timeless film, the Shrek franchise is a top contender.
Sony Pictures is the world's largest movie production company today. But the company's name doesn't mean it's the most popular. It's a well-known name in Hollywood because it produces great movies. And Steven Spielberg, whose films have soared to worldwide acclaim, is a part of the company's success. The company has changed many industries, and its two movies have hit the top 50 worldwide.
Among the Big Five, there are Paramount, Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal. The latter two are headquartered in the same city. The other three are in different locations, but they are all within 15 miles of each other. The Walt Disney Studios is the only one within the city limits, while Sony is in the unincorporated area of Universal City. All of these studios have a common history, but there are some differences. The largest studio is often the most expensive.
Disney owns Dimension Films, a company that produces sequels to older Miramax movies. Disney also owns Miramax. In recent years, Disney has been buying smaller studios and independent production companies. This is a good sign for the future of Hollywood. In the meantime, independent production companies will continue to be the best place for new talent. All of these companies will continue to grow, ensuring that Hollywood's film industry is vibrant and thriving.
Among independent movie studios, STX Entertainment is one of the fastest growing. With a capitalization of $400 million, this company aims to produce quality films for the entertainment industry. Its movies have popular casting and meaningful plot lines. In 2016, it became the fastest to hit the $100 million mark. It will continue to grow in the future, making movies that will appeal to both audiences and investors. With all these benefits, it is easy to see why STX Entertainment is such a successful company.
Universal Pictures is an American movie production company owned by NBCUniversal and Comcast. It was established in 1912, and has produced numerous hit films, including Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park. It has a division called Universal Animation Studios, which produces animated feature films and animated television series. Despite being the fifth largest film studio in the world, Universal is the most prolific. Aside from producing movies, MGM also distributes cartoons and television programs.
Hollywood suffered tremendous change during the early 1970s. After the Golden Age, major studios began to routinely open new movies to hundreds of theaters. However, in the early 1980s, the disastrously-priced hit Heaven's Gate shook the classic set of majors. Kerkorian bought MGM and United Artists, and the combined studio went into decline. But it wasn't the only major studio to cut its release line.
The Big Six studios are also known as the "Big Six." The New Corporation owned the company from 1984 to 2013, and in the process split into News Corp and 21st Century Fox. These companies are the two biggest producers of Hollywood movies. Among the other studios, 20th Century Fox is the largest. Its production numbers are staggering. Among the studios, Avatar is the highest grossing film in history.