The third day of 2025’s CinemaCon witnessed a compelling series of updates from Amazon MGM’s panels, and the upcoming movie plan from Amazon Studios arrives at the perfect moment. ScreenRant reported from Amazon’s panel, where the studio showcased new teasers and trailers for their highly anticipated films. With a substantial movie slate, Amazon is poised to gain a significant edge over rival streaming platforms and potentially dominate theatrical distribution — particularly as other services begin to abstain from theatrical releases. This new plan vastly exceeds Amazon’s previous $1 billion yearly commitment to cinematic releases.

The studio is now undergoing a major strategic shift, which previously operated without a clear theatrical strategy. This led to a fragmented approach with some films going to theaters, such as Red One, and others straight to streaming, like Without Remorse. Previously, this conjecture lacked any discernible pattern and appeared to be solely determined by the specifics of the project. Beyond bolstering an unfortunate decline in cinema attendance, Amazon’s new theatrical release strategy will also introduce its films to a significantly larger audience than just its subscribers — which is a thoroughly exciting endeavor from any perspective.

Amazon MGM Is Planning To Increase Its Theatrical Movie Output

Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film At Amazon, Is Spearheading The New Movement

During the SXSW conference at the end of March 2025, Courtenay Valenti disclosed the production company’s plan for the next two years. Amazon’s Head of Film, Streaming, and Theatrical revealed the company will drastically increase its theatrical releases over the next year in a steadfast “financial” and “philosophical” devotion to movie theaters (via Deadline.) Although many projects have yet to have release date, its target is to achieve a yearly output of 16 films in 2027. While Amazon executives recognize that not every movie necessitates a theatrical release, these do generally boost a film’s appeal when it goes to streaming.

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Previously, it was looking at five to eight titles released theatrically each year, including major titles such as Challengers, which is now streaming on VOD. With that in mind, Amazon Studios are seemingly ahead of schedule with 16 titles already in the works for 2026. The lineup of highly anticipated projects, across various genres, features titles such as Mercy starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt. Howver, there are plenty of theatrical releases lined up for 2025, including a sequel to Ben Affleck’s hit action film, The Accountant 2, and Holland, starring Babygirl‘s Nicole Kidman.

Amazon Is Pushing Theatrical Movies At A Time When Other Streamers Are Shying Away

Amazon Is Gaining A Monopoly On This Section Of Entertainment

Before now, streaming services committing to theatrical distribution had been relatively unheard of. Major competitors such as Netflix, which primarily focuses on streaming exclusive content, have rarely adopted this model. Other services, such as Apple, are reportedly scaling back their theatrical output as a result of incredibly disheartening commercial results with some big-budget features (via PYMNTS.)

However, this is a consequence of certain projects that cost the company between $100-200 million to develop, such as Argylle and the budget for Killers of the Flower Moon. Abstaining from theatrical distribution is merely Apple’s hope to minimize costs and film its upcoming projects for less than these vast sums.

Regardless, this is a major factor in Amazon’s unique position among streaming platforms. The studio’s dedication to the theatrical experience is clear, demonstrating a commitment beyond mere profit. Amazon is well-positioned to consistently deliver exclusive films to Prime Video, leveraging its subscription model for substantial audiences — which is a strategy they’ve already employed with Road House. Of course, the streaming model has been excessively criticized for becoming the new, modern movie viewing experience. However, Amazon’s new direction sees them actively championing the theatrical experience, which is crucial as these experiences are a huge part of our relationship with movies.

Amazon’s Upcoming Movies Are Incredibly Exciting

Amazon Benefits From IPs That Are Ideal For Theatrical Viewing

According to Valenti, Amazon MGM is “building a bold and diverse slate […] — sci-fi, fantasy, action-packed adventures, family-friendly fare, gripping thrillers […]” and “whether we’re tapping into beloved IP or launching original concepts, our goal is […] to deliver unforgettable, four-quadrant experiences that deserve the theatrical moment” (via Amazon News.) This is reflected in the studios upcoming slate of movies. The most exciting project is going to be the new installment of James Bond, after MGM acquired the intellectual property rights to Bond. Currently, there are no concrete franchise plans, but the studio understands the importance of careful execution.

On top of the James Bond franchise, Amazon is taking the creative lead on several original concepts and one of the biggest is Project Hail Mary, starring and produced by Ryan Gosling. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary’s story will follow an astronaut tasked with saving Earth from a cataclysmic ice age.

Alongside this, a first look at Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo’s new heist movie was unveiled at CinemaCon. Crime 101 does not have a release date, but it’s already gearing up to be one of Amazon’s biggest projects with a star-studded cast alongside its two leads are Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, and Halle Berry.

Amazon Is Well Positioned To Become An Even Bigger Powerhouse Now

Amazon Studios Is In The Most Ideal Spot Among All Streaming Platforms

Amazon is in a strong position, thanks to its impressive recent releases and upcoming projects. It doesn’t help that some of its competitors are also struggling Perhaps the biggest advantage to Amazon is Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which eliminated a major competitor for the platform. Additionally, there has been speculation of late concerning Warner Bros. Pictures being sold, as the company experienced severe financial strain — meaning we would lose another major player. Most of this debt comes from the WarnerMedia merger with Discovery in 2022, but it strengthens Amazon’s position with a pipeline of moderately successful films.

The landscape of major Hollywood studios, currently dominated by Disney, Universal, Paramount, and Sony, could soon include Amazon, judging from this model. Expanding Amazon’s film releases beyond Prime Video subscribers will be invaluable to their future success, as it will broaden their audience and increase accessibility. CEO of B&B Theaters, Bob Bagby, is optimistic about this, telling reporters at CinemaCon, “I hope [Amazon] can be the next Fox. We’ve told people over and over that we need more films, and to have another studio putting out a full wide release slate is fantastic for all of us” (via The Wrap.)

Source: Deadline, AdWeek, PYMNTS, Amazon News, The Wrap