How an outside idea reaches a company, in its own words · checked 2026-10-29
How to pitch a movie idea
Only Angel Studios has a door anyone can use. Netflix takes ideas only through an agent. Every other company here says no, or says nothing. Each one in its own words, with what you give up by sending it something.
Focus Features · Obsession from its producers $15 million
“Focus' most successful release both domestically and worldwide is Obsession (2026), which the company acquired for $15 million” en.wikipedia.org
2026
A24 · Club Kid (global rights, Cannes) from Jordan Firstman
“Also that month, A24 won a "highly competitive bidding war" for the global rights to Jordan Firstman 's directorial debut, Club Kid (2026), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.” en.wikipedia.org
2025
A24 · Ne Zha 2 (US rights) from its Chinese producers
“In 2025, A24 acquired US distribution rights for the Chinese language film Ne Zha 2.” en.wikipedia.org
2024
Skydance · National Amusements and merger with Paramount Global (closed 2025) from the Redstone family's National Amusements and Paramount shareholders $8 billion
“On July 7, 2024, Skydance announced its intent to merge with Paramount Global in an $8 billion transaction, under an agreement in which Skydance would acquire Paramount's controlling shareholder National Amusements, and then perform an all-stock merger with the company.” en.wikipedia.org
2023
Angel Studios · Sound of Freedom (worldwide rights, after the Guild voted yes) from Eduardo Verástegui (film shelved after Disney bought Fox)
“In 2023, Angel Studios had acquired the worldwide distribution rights, with a planned release during the second half of 2023.” en.wikipedia.org
2023
Angel Studios · His Only Son and Sound of Freedom, supported through Guild voting from their filmmakers
“In a May 2023 company post, Angel identified His Only Son and Sound of Freedom as early films supported through Guild voting.” en.wikipedia.org
2023
Illumination · The Super Mario Bros. Movie, made with Nintendo from Nintendo
“an animated film based on the Mario video game franchise as a collaboration with Nintendo directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, was released on April 5, 2023.” en.wikipedia.org
“Following the completion of acquisition of Entertainment One from toy company Hasbro on December 27, 2023,” en.wikipedia.org
2022
Netflix · Animal Logic (animation studio) from its Australian owners
“On July 19, 2022, Netflix announced plans to acquire Australian animation studio Animal Logic.” en.wikipedia.org
2022
Blumhouse · Atomic Monster (merger announced 2022, finalized January 2, 2024) from James Wan
“On November 16, 2022, it was announced that James Wan 's Atomic Monster was in talks to merge with Blumhouse, with Atomic Monster having a shared first-look deal with Universal.” en.wikipedia.org
2022
Hello Sunshine · Run, Rose, Run from Dolly Parton and James Patterson
“In March 2022, it was announced that Hello Sunshine would produce Run, Rose, Run, a film adaptation of a novel written by Dolly Parton and James Patterson.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Netflix · The Roald Dahl Story Company (rights to Dahl's stories and characters) from the company that manages Roald Dahl's rights
“On September 21, Netflix announced it would acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights to Roald Dahl 's stories and characters, for an undisclosed price and would operate it as an independent company.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Netflix · Rights to two Knives Out sequels from the Knives Out franchise (first film distributed by Lionsgate) $469 million
“A sequel was greenlit by its original distributor Lionsgate in 2020, but in March 2021 Netflix bought the rights to two Knives Out sequels for $469 million.” en.wikipedia.org
“On May 26, 2021, it was announced that the studio would be acquired by Amazon for $8.45 billion, subject to regulatory approval,” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Apple TV+ · CODA (Sundance) from its producers $25 million
“CODA had its world premiere on January 28, 2021, at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where Apple acquired its distribution rights for a festival-record $25 million.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Sony Pictures · Crunchyroll (anime service) from AT&T's WarnerMedia
“The Crunchyroll anime service was acquired from AT&T 's WarnerMedia, and integrated into Sony's Funimation” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Apple TV+ · Cherry (Russo brothers, Tom Holland) from its producers around $40 million
“In September 2020, Apple officially acquired the film Cherry, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and starring Tom Holland, for around $40 million.” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Apple TV+ · Emancipation (Will Smith, Antoine Fuqua), after a bidding war from its producers $105 million
“Apple paid a record $105 million for the rights.” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Hello Sunshine · Where the Crawdads Sing (with Sony's 3000 Pictures) from Delia Owens
“Media outlets reported in March 2020 that Lucy Alibar had been hired to adapt the film adaptation of Delia Owens ' best-selling novel Where the Crawdads Sing for Hello Sunshine and the newly formed 3000 Pictures label of Sony Pictures.” en.wikipedia.org
2019
Marvel Studios · X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool rights (returned) from 21st Century Fox, via Disney's acquisition
“In March 2019, the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters, and Deadpool were returned to Marvel Studios following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox's owner, 21st Century Fox.” en.wikipedia.org
2019
Neon · Seven consecutive Palme d'Or winners, from Parasite (2019) to Fjord (2026) from their producers
“Additionally, Neon has acquired the distribution rights to seven Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival: Parasite (2019), Titane (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Anatomy of a Fall (2023), Anora (2024), It Was Just an Accident (2025), and Fjord (2026); all seven won consecutively.” en.wikipedia.org
