Film studios are companies that develop, finance, produce, and distribute movies.
Beyond a physical lot with sound stages and backlots, a studio is a business that combines art and commerce. Modern studios typically include production facilities (sound stages, set construction workshops, costume departments, and editing suites), a backlot (outdoor sets that mimic streets, towns, or other environments), administrative offices (housing executives, producers, legal teams, marketing, and finance), a distribution arm (ensuring that films reach theaters, streaming platforms, television, and international markets), and talent relationships (contracts with directors, actors, writers, and crew).
Historically and today, the major film studios are the heavyweights, with massive market share, global distribution, and the ability to finance big-budget films. Budgets usually exceed $100 million, with multi-genre slates (blockbusters, family films, and awards contenders) and global marketing campaigns. Major studios will generally own vast IP libraries and franchises. The major film studios today include Warner Bros. Discovery, Walt Disney Studios, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Mini-majors are mid-tier companies that operate similarly to majors but on a smaller scale. They often produce prestige films, mid-budget hits, or niche blockbusters. The mini-majors operate on smaller budgets, frequently $10-60 million per film, have less global marketing muscle, but may be strong in niche or genre markets, and sometimes partner with majors for distribution. Examples include Lionsgate, MGM, STX Entertainment, and A24, the latter of which straddles the line between indie prestige and broader distribution.
Independent (Indie) studios operate outside the major studio system. While the term "independent" technically refers to financing and distribution independence, it has also become a creative identity. Indies operate on low to moderate budgets, often under $10 million, and are financed by private investors, grants, or crowdfunding. The majors often team up with indies to spread financial risk. Indies are typically more experimental, frequently engaging in niche storytelling.
The 1900s through the 1920s saw the rise of silent films. During this period, the first permanent lots were built. Notable studios during this period included Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros.
The 1930s through the 1940s are known as the "Golden Age of Hollywood." Vertically integrated studio systems dominated, with major studios including MGM, 20th Century Fox, and RKO.
Film studios faced competition from television during the 1950s and 1960s. U.S. antitrust rulings forced a decline in the old studio system. The Paramount consent decree significantly impacted major operations.
The 1970s and 1980s marked the "New Hollywood" era, during which blockbuster films emerged. All major studios adapted to event filmmaking.
The 1990s and 2000s saw a consolidation into media conglomerates and franchise-driven strategies. During this period, Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm.
Beginning in the 2010s, streaming has disrupted theatrical windows, and hybrid models emerged. Netflix and Amazon Studios entered the game.
The majors bring scale, the mini-majors balance risk and artistry, and the indies keep cinema adventurous.
Recommended Resources
Commonly referred to as A24, A24 Films LLC is an American independent entertainment company specializing in film and television production, as well as film distribution. Founded in 2012, the studio is best known for producing and distributing modern cult films. An overview of the studio is provided on its website, along with its films and television productions, membership information, documentation, and an online store selling various items, such as Blu-ray films or branded merchandise.
https://a24films.com/
The American film and television production and distribution company is owned by Amazon and headquartered at the Culver Studios complex in Culver City, California. Established as Amazon Studios in 2010, the company assumed its current name in 2023 after its merger with MGM Holdings. Productions from the studio are primarily distributed through theaters and Amazon's own streaming media service, Amazon Prime Video. Its movies and TV shows are highlighted, and career information is provided.
https://www.mgm.com/
Director General is a Canadian film production company dedicated to illuminating social issues through the lens of everyday people. By adhering to a code of candid communication and mutual respect, they craft narratives that highlight shared humanity without diminishing individual differences. The studio focuses on the accurate, unrehearsed representation of people, balancing storytelling craft with ethical responsibility. An overview of the studio, clients, and contacts is included.
http://www.directorgeneral.ca/
DreamWorks Animation, also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios, is a U.S.-based animation studio owned by Comcast's NBCUniversal as part of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Formed in 1994 as a division of DreamWorks Pictures, it was spun off into a separate company in 2004. Its productions are featured, classic characters are highlighted, and a profile of the company and its campus is provided, along with career opportunities and contacts.
https://www.dreamworks.com/
Lionsgate Studios Corporation is a Canadian-American film and television production and distribution conglomerate. Registered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and primarily based in Santa Monica, California, the company was founded in 2024 after Starz Entertainment, previously known as Lionsgate, spun off its film and television business. Its movies, television shows, games, channels, and podcasts are featured on its site, which includes investor relgions and contact data.
https://www.lionsgate.com/
Originally an acronym for Music Television, MTV is an American cable television channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group subdivision of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Skydance Corporation. In the years since its inception in 1981, the channel significantly shifted its focus from music to original reality programming for teenagers and young adults. Career information is posted on the website, along with subscriptions.
https://www.mtv.com/
This is the digital hub for Paramount's global multimedia entertainment and news brands, offering a mix of direct-to-consumer streaming, live sports, breaking news, and an large library of film and television content. One of the "Big Five" major studios, its brands include Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment, Pluto TV, MTV, Nickelodeon, CBS Sports, Skydance Sports, BET Media Group, Skydance Animation, CBS News and Stations, and Comedy Central. Career opportunities are featured on the website.
https://www.paramount.com/
Doing business as Pixar Animation Studios, Pixar is an American animation studio based in Emeryville, California. Known for its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films, it is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of the Disney Entertainment segment of the Walt Disney Company. Pixar began as part of the Lucasfilm computer division and was spun off as a corporation in 1986. It was acquired by Disney in 2006. Its films are highlighted.
https://www.pixar.com/
Reelz is an American digital cable and satellite television network owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. Its programming was formerly devoted to entertainment-oriented programming focused on the Hollywood film and entertainment industry. Its content includes information on theatrical film releases, as well as movies released on DVD and airing on cable television or streaming. The network mainly airs original and acquired films, series, crime programming, and celebrity scandals.
https://www.reelz.com/
Sony Pictures Entertainment, commonly known as Sony Pictures, and formerly known as Columbia Pictures Entertainment, is a US-based multinational mass media and entertainment studio conglomerate, and one of the "Big Five" major movie studios. Based at Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, California, it encompasses Sony's motion picture, television production, and distribution units, and is a member of the Motion Picture Association. Its productions and career opportunities are featured.
https://www.sonypictures.com/
Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures, and also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal, is an American film production and distribution company headquartered at the Universal Studios complex in Universal City, California. Founded in 1912, it is the flagship studio of Universal Studios, a film studio arm of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of the "Big Five" film studios. Its history, productions, and contacts are provided.
https://www.universalpictures.com/
A major division of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Studios is best known for housing its multifaceted film studio divisions. Founded in 1923, the studio is primarily based at its namesake studio lot in Burbank, California. It is one of the "Big Five" major film studios and the seventh-oldest global film studio in the world, as well as the fifth-oldest in the United States. It is a member of the Motion Picture Association.
https://www.disneystudios.com/
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Commonly known as Warner Bros., WBEI is an American film entertainment and media corporation headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Founded by four brothers (Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner) in 1923, the company is one of the "Big Five" major American film studios and a member of the Motion Picture Association. Productions currently playing in theaters are highlighted.
https://www.warnerbros.com/
