What Happened to Amazon MGM Studios?
Amazon MGM Studios is an American film and television production and distribution company, formed from the acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) by Amazon. Originally founded as Amazon Studios in 2010, the company officially rebranded in October 2023, integrating MGM's legendary library and production capabilities to bolster Amazon's streaming service, Prime Video, and expand its theatrical presence. As of late 2026, it is actively producing a diverse slate of content for both streaming and theatrical release, undergoing strategic leadership restructuring to optimize its creative output.
Quick Answer
Amazon MGM Studios is the rebranded entity of Amazon Studios, following Amazon's $8.45 billion acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 2022. The company officially adopted its current name on October 3, 2023, combining Amazon's original content efforts with MGM's historic film and television library, which includes franchises like James Bond and Rocky. As of September 2026, Amazon MGM Studios is significantly increasing its commitment to theatrical releases, aiming for at least 15 films annually, alongside producing a robust slate of original series and movies for Prime Video, and has recently undergone a genre-based restructuring of its television leadership.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Amazon Studios Founded
Amazon Studios was officially launched, initially focusing on a crowd-sourced model for developing film and television content.
Amazon Announces MGM Acquisition
Amazon announced its definitive merger agreement to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for a purchase price of $8.45 billion, pending regulatory approval.
MGM Acquisition Finalized
Amazon officially closed its $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM, adding over 4,000 films and 17,000 TV episodes to its content library.
Jennifer Salke Gains Control of MGM Divisions
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, was given full control over MGM's film and television divisions, integrating the newly acquired assets.
Amazon MGM Studios Distribution Created
Amazon Studios established Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, an international unit for distributing Amazon and MGM film and television projects.
Amazon Studios Rebrands to Amazon MGM Studios
The company officially adopted its current name, Amazon MGM Studios, signifying the full integration and new identity following the MGM acquisition.
Joins Motion Picture Association (MPA)
Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video announced they would join the Motion Picture Association (MPA) as its seventh member, effective October 1, 2024.
James Bond Franchise Joint Venture Announced
Amazon MGM and Eon Productions announced intentions to form a joint venture to manage the James Bond franchise rights, reportedly costing Amazon MGM an estimated $1 billion for creative control.
Sony Pictures International Distribution Deal
Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios formed a multi-year deal for Sony to handle the international theatrical distribution of Amazon MGM titles.
TV Leadership Restructured to Genre-Based Model
Peter Friedlander, head of global television, announced a restructuring of the TV leadership team to a genre-based organization (drama & comedy, worldbuilding, animation, unscripted) to enhance efficiency.
Unveils Ambitious Theatrical Slate for 2026 and Beyond
At CinemaCon, Amazon MGM Studios reaffirmed its commitment to theatrical releases, unveiling a slate of films for 2026 and beyond, with a target of at least 15 theatrical films annually.
Kara Smith Appointed Head of Drama TV
As part of the ongoing restructuring under Peter Friedlander, Kara Smith was appointed to lead drama TV, reporting directly to Friedlander.
First-Look Deal with Heyday Films
Amazon MGM Studios signed a multi-year first-look film deal with David Heyman's British production company, Heyday Films.
Elizabeth Franco Joins as Non-Fiction Exec
Elizabeth Franco, formerly a manager of original documentary series at Netflix, joined Amazon MGM Studios, bolstering its non-fiction ranks.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Amazon MGM Studios traces its origins back to November 16, 2010, when Amazon founded Amazon Studios with an innovative, crowd-sourced approach to content development. This early model, however, struggled to consistently deliver high-quality projects, leading to a pivot towards more traditional studio development. The strategic evolution culminated in Amazon's landmark decision to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for $8.45 billion, a deal announced in May 2021 and finalized in March 2022.
The primary motivation behind the MGM acquisition was Amazon's ambition to significantly enhance its Prime Video streaming service and compete more effectively with rivals like Netflix and Disney+. The acquisition instantly provided Amazon with a vast and iconic content library, comprising over 4,000 films and 17,000 television episodes, including globally recognized franchises such as James Bond, Rocky, and Creed. This move was seen as a crucial step to lock in Prime subscribers and attract new ones, leveraging the cultural cachet of MGM's intellectual property.
Key turning points in the studio's trajectory include the formal rebranding to Amazon MGM Studios on October 3, 2023, which cemented the integration of the two entities. Following the acquisition, Amazon MGM Studios established its own international distribution unit in May 2023 and joined the Motion Picture Association (MPA) in October 2024, signaling its growing influence in the industry. A significant development in February 2025 saw Amazon MGM and Eon Productions announce a joint venture to manage the James Bond franchise rights, reportedly costing Amazon MGM an additional $1 billion for creative control.
The consequences of these developments have been a substantial expansion of Amazon's footprint in Hollywood. The studio has demonstrated a renewed commitment to theatrical releases, making its first appearance at CinemaCon in April 2025 and reaffirming in April 2026 its plan to release at least 15 films theatrically each year. This includes upcoming titles like 'Masters of the Universe,' 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' and 'Spaceballs: The New One.' In June 2025, Sony Pictures entered a multi-year deal to handle the international theatrical distribution for Amazon MGM titles, further solidifying its global reach.
As of September 25, 2026, Amazon MGM Studios remains a dynamic and active player in the entertainment landscape. The studio has undergone significant internal restructuring, particularly within its television division. In January 2026, Peter Friedlander, head of global television, reorganized the leadership into a genre-based structure (drama & comedy, worldbuilding, animation, and unscripted) to streamline creative decisions. This restructuring continued into July 2026 with the appointment of Kara Smith as Head of Drama TV. The studio continues to sign first-look deals with prominent creators, such as David Heyman's Heyday Films in August 2026, and is actively developing a robust slate of films and series for both Prime Video and theatrical distribution, including highly anticipated projects like 'Project Hail Mary' and the new James Bond film.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Amazon MGM Studios made different choices?