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Amblin Partners

Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC, doing business as Amblin Partners, LLC., is an American independent entertainment production company founded on December 16, 2015. It developed and produced films under the Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures banners, as well as television series through Amblin Television.

The company's investment partners included Reliance Group's Reliance Entertainment, Lionsgate Studios, Alibaba Group's Alibaba Pictures, and NBCUniversal/Comcast's Universal Pictures.[1] Films produced by Amblin Partners were primarily distributed by either Universal or its specialty label Focus Features in North America and select international territories, and by third-party distributors through Mister Smith Entertainment in other countries.[2]

History

Amblin Partners, LLC. was founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, Anil Ambani of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, and Darren Throop of Entertainment One on December 16, 2015. The company primarily would focus on producing and distributing films and television using the DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, and Participant Media brands.[3] For films, it uses the original live-action DreamWorks label for mature content, the Amblin label for family-friendly content (with the exception of Maestro, which is rated R), and the Participant label for social justice content, although Participant remained as a separate company.[4]

On the same day as the company's formation, Amblin Partners announced that it entered into a five-year distribution deal with Universal Pictures by which the films would be distributed and marketed by either the main Universal banner or its specialty label, Focus Features.[5][6] The Girl on the Train was the first film released under the deal.[7] Mister Smith Entertainment, which began its international distribution deal with DreamWorks in August 2012,[8] continued to handle distribution sales for Amblin Partners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.[2]

On October 9, 2016, Amblin Partners struck a deal with China's Alibaba Pictures, in which Alibaba acquired a minority equity stake in the company and would handle marketing, distribution support, and merchandising of Amblin Partners films in China in addition to co-financing Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures films worldwide.[9][10] Although financial details were not shared during the formalization of the partnership, both parties agreed that they could co-produce movies for a global and Chinese audience and work together for marketing and merchandising.[11] The agreement included cross-media merchandising items like lunch boxes, bedspreads, and action figures that served as official tie-ins manufactured by Alibaba group subsidiaries like Tmall.com, ensuring the items adhered to brand integrity.[12][13] On February 15, 2017, Comcast's Universal acquired a minority stake in Amblin Partners,[14] strengthening the relationship between Universal and Amblin,[15] and reuniting a minority percentage of the DreamWorks Pictures label with its former animation division, which Comcast acquired the year prior in 2016.

On December 18, 2017, Amblin Partners signed a music publishing deal with BMG Rights Management, covering music from its films and television series.[16]

Transfer of eOne's stake

On August 22, 2019, Hasbro announced that it would acquire Entertainment One for at least $4 billion. The acquisition was completed on December 30, 2019, resulting in the toy company inheriting Entertainment One's stake in Amblin Partners.[17]

On November 30, 2020, Amblin Partners renewed its distribution deal with Universal, which continued to be an equity stake holder.[18] That same month however, Participant terminated its equity stake in Amblin Partners, ending its relationship with the company.[18]

On June 21, 2021, Amblin Partners signed a multi-year deal to produce "multiple new feature films per year" for Netflix.[19]

On November 17, 2022, Hasbro announced that was selling part of Entertainment One's television and film business not directly supporting their Branded Entertainment strategy, which included their stake in Amblin Partners.[20][21] In March 2023, Deadline reported that Lionsgate (which Hasbro attempted to acquire in 2017), Fremantle, and Universal's former co-financing partner, Legendary Entertainment were among bidders for the assets of Entertainment One.[22] The following month, it was reported Lionsgate, Legendary, and GoDigital Media Group were among the potential buyers, with Fremantle dropping out of contention following an increase in the selling price, which was beyond what the company was willing to pay for the assets.[23] On April 20, 2023, it was reported that Hasbro was in talks with Throop, whose bid was backed by CVC Capital Partners, on the possibility of buying the company back.[24]

On July 11, 2023, Amblin Partners announced it entered a partnership with its distributor, Universal, where Universal will co-finance Amblin's productions, as Amblin announced it would lay off 20% of its staff.[25] In the same month Deadline reported that Lionsgate was a frontrunner to acquire Entertainment One, with Legendary and GoDigital still among the potential buyers and Throop attempting to launch another bid for the company after his previous attempt with CVC failed.[26]

On August 3, 2023, Lionsgate announced it would acquire Entertainment One from Hasbro for $500 million, with the transaction closed on December 27, 2023.[27]

Shutdown of Participant

On April 16, 2024, Participant ceased operations due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.[28]

On July 11, 2025, Legendary is eyeing a deal to acquire Lionsgate, following the latter company's recent separation from Starz.[29]

Film library

Released

Upcoming

In development

In development

External links

References

  1. DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment One Form Amblin Partners, a New Film, Television and Digital Content Creation Company Participant, 2015-12-16, retrieved 2021-01-03^
  2. Dave McNary. AFM: Mister Smith Pacts Power its Picture Pipeline Variety, November 4, 2016, retrieved August 27, 2020^
  3. Michael Cieply. Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Studios in Deal to Form New Company The New York Times, December 16, 2015, retrieved December 23, 2015^
  4. Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Relaunches as Amblin Partners The Wall Street Journal, December 16, 2015, retrieved December 16, 2015^
  5. Brent Lang. Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Bring Amblin Partners, LLC. to Universal Variety, December 16, 2015, retrieved December 23, 2015^
  6. Anita Busch. It's Official: Spielberg, DreamWorks, Participant, eOne, Others Pact For Amblin Partners Deadline Hollywood, December 16, 2015, retrieved December 23, 2015^
  7. Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Team to Form Amblin Partners, Strike Distribution Deal With Universal The Hollywood Reporter, December 16, 2015, retrieved December 22, 2015^
  8. Ben Fritz. DreamWorks replaces Disney with new international partner Los Angeles Times, August 29, 2012, retrieved August 27, 2020^
  9. Patrick Frater. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners Inks Strategic Pact With Alibaba Pictures Variety, October 9, 2016, retrieved February 24, 2017^
  10. Ryan Faughnder. Universal buys minority stake in Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners Los Angeles Times, February 15, 2017, retrieved 2018-02-27^
  11. Spielberg and Alibaba in global movie tie-up BBC News, 2016-10-10, retrieved 2026-03-09^
  12. Alibaba Pictures Part 4: Cross-Media Merchandising^
  13. Alibaba, Amblin Join Forces in China Licensing Global^
  14. David Lieberman. Universal Buys Minority Stake In Amblin Partners Deadline, 2017-02-15, retrieved 2018-02-27^
  15. Spencer Perry. Universal Studios Buys a Minority Stake in Amblin Partners Comingsoon.net, February 15, 2017, retrieved February 20, 2017^
  16. Amblin Partners Inks Exclusive Music-Publishing Deal With BMG December 18, 2017^
  17. Elaine Low. Hasbro Acquires Entertainment One in $4 Billion All-Cash Deal Variety, August 22, 2019, retrieved August 22, 2019^
  18. Brent Lang. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners Extends Deal With Universal Variety, November 30, 2020, retrieved January 15, 2021^
  19. Spielberg's Amblin inks multiyear feature film deal with Netflix TechCrunch, retrieved 2021-06-22^
  20. Hasbro Puts eOne up for Sale Less Than 3 Years After Closing $3.8 Billion Acquisition Variety, November 17, 2022^
  21. Hasbro Initiates Sale Process for eOne TV and Film Business Hasbro, November 17, 2022^
  22. eOne: Fremantle, Lionsgate (CBS) & Legendary In Pursuit Of Hasbro Company As Sale Process Enters Final Stage Deadline Hollywood, March 15, 2023, retrieved April 5, 2023^
  23. Nellie Andreeva. eOne: Lionsgate & Legendary Remain Among 4 Potential Buyers As Hasbro Company Sale Nears Finish Line Deadline Hollywood, 17 April 2023, retrieved 18 April 2023^
  24. Lucas Shaw, Thomas Buckley. Hasbro Is in Talks to Sell 'Yellowjackets' Studio to Its Founder Bloomberg, April 20, 2023, retrieved June 19, 2023^
  25. Amblin Partners And Universal Pictures Set New Multi-Year Partnership As Amblin Expects Future Job Cuts July 11, 2023^
  26. Mike Jr. Fleming, Nellie Andreeva. Lionsgate In Pole Position On Entertainment One Acquisition: The Dish Deadline, July 17, 2023, retrieved July 17, 2023^
  27. Hasbro to Sell eOne Film & TV Business to Lionsgate August 3, 2023^
  28. Matt Donnelly. Participant Shutting Down Operations After 20 Years: Film Studio Was Behind Oscar Winners 'Spotlight,' 'Green Book' (EXCLUSIVE) Variety, retrieved 24 April 2025^
  29. Todd Spangler. Legendary Is Mulling Acquisition of Lionsgate Studios Variety, 2025-07-11, retrieved 2025-07-11^
  30. Film releases Variety Insight, retrieved April 25, 2017^
  31. Grant Hermanns. How to Train Your Dragon 3 Release Date Moved Up One Week ComingSoon.net, September 27, 2018, retrieved September 28, 2018^
  32. Edward Douglas. Amblin Partners, Picture Co. Turning Jacob Chase Horror Short "Larry" into Feature The Tracking Board, 12 February 2018, retrieved 26 June 2019^
  33. Justin Kroll. Corey Hawkins To Star In 'Last Voyage Of The Demeter' For Amblin And André Øvredal Deadline Hollywood, January 27, 2021, retrieved January 28, 2021^
  34. Naomi Scott to Star in Sci-Fi Amblin Movie 'Distant' The Hollywood Reporter, 2020-08-04, retrieved 2021-01-21^
  35. Justin Kroll. 'Once' Director John Carney To Direct Bee Gees Biopic For Paramount; John Logan To Pen Script Deadline, 2022-03-30, retrieved 2022-03-31^
  36. You Should Be Dancing Production List, 2024-08-19, retrieved 2025-09-18^
  37. Borys Kit. Christopher Landon to Write, Direct 'Arachnophobia' Remake for Amblin Partners (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, 2022-06-02, retrieved 2022-06-03^
  38. Etan Vlessing. Luke Davies to Adapt 'Apeirogon' Novel for Amblin (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, May 27, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  39. "Pat Mills and Clint Langley’s “American Reaper” optioned for the big screen" by John Freeman, at downthetubes.net, 22 August 2020^
  40. Justin Kroll. Amblin Partners Lands Feature Rights To Rob Hart's 'Assassins Anonymous' The Hollywood Reporter, April 13, 2023, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  41. Anthony D'Alessandro. Post '1917' Oscar Success, Sam Mendes & Pippa Harris' 'Beautiful Ruins' Moves From Fox 2000 To Amblin Deadline Hollywood, February 13, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  42. Dave McNary. Cynthia Erivo to Star in Film Adaptation of Her Podcast 'Carrier' Variety, February 12, 2020, retrieved December 16, 2022^
  43. Borys Kit. Amblin, Michael De Luca Tackling 'Martian' Author's Fantasy Graphic Novel 'Cheshire Crossing' (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, 15 November 2019, retrieved 15 November 2019^
  44. Angelique Jackson. Octavia Spencer, Amblin Partners' Kristie Macosko Krieger to Produce Film Adaptation of Donna Hill's 'Confessions in B-Flat' (EXCLUSIVE) Variety, March 9, 2023, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  45. Borys Kit. Tiffany Haddish, Amblin Team for Comedy 'Homecoming Queen' (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, July 7, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  46. Matt Grobar. Taika Waititi In Talks To Direct Adaptation Of Percival Everett's 'James' For Universal, Amblin Deadline Hollywood, June 20, 2024, retrieved September 29, 2025^
  47. Mike Fleming Jr. Universal Notches 2024's 1st Big Deal: Steven Spielberg, Simon Kinberg Attached To Colin Bannon Thriller Short Story Package 'Long Lost' Deadline Hollywood, January 6, 2024, retrieved September 29, 2025^
  48. Etan Vlessing. Jean Smart to Star in 'Miss Macy' Drama for Amblin Partners The Hollywood Reporter, May 27, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  49. Etan Vlessling. Peter Farrelly to Direct 'Super In Love' Comedy for Amblin Partners The Hollywood Reporter, September 23, 2021, retrieved September 27, 2022^
  50. Justin Kroll. Amblin Lands Rights To The Simon Rich Short Story 'Stage 13' With Edgar Wright On Board To Direct Deadline Hollywood, July 22, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  51. Justin Kroll. Amblin Taps 'The Act' Writer Michelle Dean To Pen 'Stolen Time'; Tells True Story Of Wrongfully Convicted Death Row Inmate Sonia "Sunny" Jacobs Deadline Hollywood, March 2, 2021, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  52. Mia Galuppo. Amblin, Marc Platt Team for High School Comedy 'The Bear' (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, January 30, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  53. Justin Kroll. Amblin Lands Sci-Fi Pic 'The Exchange' From 'Outer Range' Creator Brian Watkins And Escape Artists Deadline Hollywood, October 12, 2022, retrieved November 29, 2022^
  54. Dave McNary. Film News Roundup: 'Maze Runner' Director Boards 'First Fifteen Lives of Harry August' Variety, April 29, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  55. Kim Masters. Steven Spielberg on DreamWorks' Past, Amblin's Present and His Own Future The Hollywood Reporter, 2016-06-16, retrieved 2016-03-25^
  56. Justin Kroll. Mark Rylance to Reteam With Steven Spielberg in 'The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara' Variety, 2016-04-11, retrieved 2017-03-25^
  57. Amanda D'Nuka. Amblin Partners Adapting Judy Batalion's 'The Light of Days' Book; Batalion & 'The Current War' Scribe Michael Mitnick Scripting Deadline Holywood, November 2, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  58. Justin Kroll. 'Bridgerton' Writer Azia Squire To Adapt 'The Richest Black Girl In America' For Amblin Deadline Hollywood, April 18, 2021, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  59. Mia Gallupo. Rachel Brosnahan to Star in Dramedy 'The Switch' for Amblin The Hollywood Reporter, May 12, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  60. Justin Kroll. Amblin, David Leitch and Kelly McCormick Team on Jutta Kleinschmidt Biopic (EXCLUSIVE) Variety, April 20, 2020^
  61. Mia Galuppo. Amblin, 'John Wick 3' Producer Team for Real-Life Show Choir Movie (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, March 3, 2020, retrieved May 4, 2023^
  62. Justin Kroll. Amblin Lands Rights To 'Wayward Pines' Author Blake Crouch's Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller 'Upgrade' Deadline Hollywood, February 10, 2022, retrieved May 4, 2023^