What Lionsgate does

Lionsgate Studios Corp. (NYSE: LION), founded in 1997 and headquartered in Santa Monica, is a standalone publicly traded content company that produces and distributes motion pictures and television programming globally. Following the May 2025 spin-off of Starz, the company operates as a pure-play content business with two principal segments: Motion Picture Production & Theatrical Distribution, and Television Production & Licensing, supported by a 20,000+ title film and television library. Theatrical revenue is driven by a portfolio of established franchises (The Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, Twilight, The Housemaid) and recent hits including the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' which crossed $960M worldwide to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time. The Motion Picture segment generated $651.9M in revenue and $187.1M in segment profit in fiscal Q4 2026.

The company's television business produces scripted series for Netflix, Starz (now a sister company post-spin-off), and ABC, while library licensing and franchise merchandising generate recurring revenue ($1B TTM library revenue, up 13% YoY). Distribution is executed through domestic self-distribution, international partners including Universal Pictures and Kino, and streaming/broadcast licensing. In June 2026, Lionsgate expanded its partnership with Runway and took an equity stake to co-produce AI-generated short films from its IP library, and appointed the first Chief AI Officer at a major Hollywood studio.

The revenue model blends transactional box-office receipts, multi-year content licensing agreements with streamers and broadcasters, franchise IP licensing (e.g., Cinema Puzzles for consumer products), and co-production economics with partners such as the Jackson Estate on 'Michael'. Lionsgate serves global film and TV audiences, B2B streaming platforms (Starz, Netflix) and broadcast networks (ABC), regional distribution partners, and franchise licensing counterparties. The company carries approximately $4.29B of debt against a $3.66-4.4B market capitalization and is subject to activist pressure (Anson Funds) regarding potential sale.

Name

Lionsgate

Legal name

Lionsgate Studios Corp.

Website

https://investors.lionsgatestudios.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Lionsgate Studios (NYSE: LION) is a pure-play publicly traded content company that produces and distributes motion pictures and television programming globally, serving audiences through theatrical release, streaming and broadcast licensing, and franchise IP monetization, supported by a 20,000+ title library and franchises including Hunger Games, John Wick, and Saw.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motion Picture and Television Production and Distribution

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Subscription, Bundling & Membership Distribution (Game Pass-like, Humble-like) (MPAFABAI)

Keywords

• Motion picture production
• Television production services
• Theatrical film distribution
• Content library licensing
• Entertainment franchise development

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Motion Picture Production & Theatrical Distribution: Lionsgate produces theatrical films and distributes them globally, generating revenue through box office receipts. Recent hit 'The Housemaid' grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, and 'Michael' Jackson biopic has surpassed $960 million globally.
2. Television Production & Licensing: Lionsgate produces television series for streaming platforms (Netflix, Starz) and broadcast networks (ABC), licensing content and co-producing with partners.
3. Content Library Monetization: Lionsgate generates recurring revenue from its over 20,000-title film and television library, with trailing 12-month library revenue reaching $1 billion, representing 13% year-over-year growth.
4. Franchise Licensing & Merchandise: Licensing of franchise IP including John Wick, Hunger Games, Saw, and other properties for consumer products, gaming, and other extensions. Cinema Puzzles launched licensing partnerships featuring Lionsgate films.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lionsgate is a motion picture and television production and distribution company that develops, produces, and distributes theatrical films and scripted TV series globally while monetizing a 20,000+ title content library through licensing to streaming platforms, broadcast networks, and franchise/merchandise partners. The company operates major franchises including The Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, Twilight, and The Blair Witch Project, and has pioneered AI-generated content development through its Runway partnership.

Product overview

Lionsgate Studios (NYSE: LION) is a pure-play publicly traded content company with diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses. The company operates across several product lines: (1) theatrical feature films including tentpole franchises like The Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, and The Blair Witch Project; (2) music biopics exemplified by the Michael Jackson film 'Michael' which became the studio's highest-grossing ever; (3) AI-generated content through its partnership with Runway for short-form episodic series; (4) television production through Lionsgate Television producing series across broadcast and streaming platforms; and (5) a library of over 20,000 film and television titles. The Motion Picture segment generated $651.9 million in revenue with $187.1 million in segment profit in fiscal Q4 2026, driven by theatrical successes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lionsgate Television: Television production and distribution division producing scripted series for multiple platforms including ABC, Netflix, and Starz
• Runway Partnership

Products and services

• Lionsgate Studios Film and Television Library A library of over 20,000 film and television titles licensed to streaming platforms, broadcast networks, and home entertainment distributors globally, generating recurring library revenue.
• Lionsgate Television Productions Television production division producing scripted series including Power: Legacy (Starz), Witch Season (Lionsgate TV), The Rookie franchise, and The Hunting Wives (Netflix) for global streaming and broadcast partners.
• Michael (Michael Jackson Biopic) Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson; Lionsgate's highest-grossing film ever, crossing $960 million in worldwide box office.
• The Housemaid Theatrical thriller based on Freida McFadden's novel that grossed nearly $400 million worldwide and became the top Pay One title on Starz, with sequel The Housemaid's Secret in development.
• The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Sixth installment in The Hunger Games franchise and adaptation of Suzanne Collins' prequel novel, directed by Francis Lawrence, scheduled for theatrical release in November 2026.
• The Blair Witch Project Reboot Reboot of The Blair Witch Project horror franchise co-produced with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, with original filmmakers Eduardo Sanchez, Daniel Myrick, and Gregg Hale returning as executive producers.
• The Resurrection of the Christ Two-part biblical epic sequel to The Passion of the Christ, produced by Lionsgate and Icon Productions, with Part One scheduled for May 6, 2027 and Part Two for May 25, 2028.
• AI-Generated Short-Form Content (Runway Partnership) Generative AI content initiative with Runway to co-produce AI-generated short films and short-form episodic series drawing on Lionsgate's IP library including John Wick, The Hunger Games, and Saw, with Lionsgate holding an equity stake in Runway.
• The Rookie: North Spinoff of The Rookie produced by Lionsgate Television in partnership with 20th Television for broadcast on ABC, starring Jay Ellis and featuring crossovers with the mothership series.
• Streets of Rage Movie Feature film adaptation of the Streets of Rage video game franchise, with writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller attached based on their prior work on the Sonic the Hedgehog films.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Housemaid grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, becoming top Pay One title on Starz
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and minor.

• RunwaycoreTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2026Expanded strategic collaboration with generative AI company Runway, with Lionsgate taking an equity stake as part of an expanded 'preferred partnership' to develop AI-generated short films using Lionsgate's IP library including John Wick, Hunger Games, and Saw. Lionsgate became the first Hollywood studio to appoint a Chief AI officer for such a program.
• Blumhouse ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producing the Blair Witch Project reboot with Lionsgate. Original filmmakers Eduardo Sanchez, Daniel Myrick, and Gregg Hale are returning as executive producers.
• Atomic Monster (James Wan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producing the Blair Witch Project reboot alongside Lionsgate and Blumhouse, with James Wan's production company Atomic Monster involved.
• StarzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStarz operates as Lionsgate's sister streaming company following the 2025 spin-off. Lionsgate TV co-produces series with Starz, with Starz holding ownership participation in ancillary and downstream revenue. 'The Housemaid' became top Pay One title on Starz.
• Universal PicturesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner for the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael'. Lionsgate handled domestic distribution while Universal distributed internationally across 82+ markets.
• KinoregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan distribution partner for the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael', releasing the film in its final overseas market in June 2026.
• Jackson EstatemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Jackson's estate co-produced the biopic 'Michael', approved the project, and covered $15 million in reshoots after legal settlement issues required content changes. Estate retains significant involvement in controlling the narrative and IP.
• 3 Arts EntertainmentminorOthersProduction partner on Netflix series 'The Hunting Wives', with Lionsgate producing the dramedy.
• Cinema PuzzlesminorOthersDirect-to-consumer brand that transforms iconic film scenes into premium jigsaw puzzles under licensing partnership with Lionsgate, featuring films including The Hunger Games and The Twilight Saga.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warner Bros. Discovery: Major Hollywood studio producing and distributing films and television content with similar franchise portfolios (DC, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones). Directly comparable as a publicly traded content company with theatrical distribution, TV production, and streaming ambitions facing similar industry consolidation pressures.
• Paramount Global: Closely comparable motion picture and television studio with franchises (Mission Impossible, Yellowstone, Star Trek), theatrical distribution, and ongoing M&A speculation. Similar size, similar challenges with debt and streaming transition, and currently undergoing strategic transaction discussions.
• Sony Pictures Entertainment: Major film and television production/distribution studio with similar franchise economics (Spider-Man, Venom, Uncharted) and television production for global streamers. Directly comparable as a content-focused entertainment company competing for theatrical and licensing revenue.
• Universal Pictures (Comcast NBCUniversal): Major film studio and Lionsgate's international distribution partner for the 'Michael' biopic. Directly comparable as a global motion picture producer and distributor with similar franchise IP economics (Fast & Furious, Jurassic World) and similar television production capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• The Walt Disney Studios: Largest Hollywood studio with similar theatrical franchise business (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar). Comparable as a motion picture producer and distributor, though Disney operates at substantially larger scale and with vertical streaming integration through Disney+.
• Amazon MGM Studios: Film and television studio backed by Amazon with franchises including James Bond, Rocky, and The Hunger Games prequel partnership history. Comparable as a content production and distribution company with deep theatrical operations and streamer-funded distribution (Prime Video).

Emerging players

• A24: Independent film production and distribution company known for award-winning theatrical releases. Comparable as a pure-play film studio focused on theatrical exhibition, though A24 operates at significantly smaller scale and without Lionsgate's franchise tentpole infrastructure.
• Blumhouse Productions: Genre-focused film and television production company partnering with Lionsgate on The Blair Witch Project reboot. Comparable as a film production entity working on franchise horror content with similar low-to-mid budget model, though Blumhouse focuses exclusively on genre.
• Legendary Entertainment: Film production company known for tentpole franchises (Godzilla, Dune, Pokemon) operating in similar theatrical distribution channels. Comparable as a content-focused studio developing franchise IP, though Legendary focuses primarily on co-financing rather than owning distribution.
• STX Entertainment: Independent film and television production and distribution company of similar mid-major scale. Comparable as a content production and distribution entity competing in the same theatrical and streaming licensing markets, though STX operates with a smaller library and narrower franchise base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lionsgate