Orion Pictures

Orion Releasing, LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Film production and distribution
Founded	1978
Founder	Arthur B. Krim, Eric Pleskow, Robert Benjamin
Fate	Acquired by MGM in 1997; brand relaunched by MGM in 2013 and 2014; now owned by Amazon MGM Studios
Headquarters	United States , United States
Owner	Amazon MGM Studios (subsidiary of Amazon)
Parent	Amazon MGM Studios

Orion Releasing, LLC, operating under the trade name Orion Pictures, is a U.S.-based film production and distribution enterprise currently owned by Amazon MGM Studios, a subsidiary of Amazon. Established in 1978 originally as Orion Pictures Corporation, it emerged from a collaboration between Warner Bros. and three former executives of United Artists. The company functioned until 1999 as a significant mini-major studio. Throughout its history, Orion collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Woody Allen, James Cameron, Jonathan Demme, and Oliver Stone. Notably, four of its productions earned the Academy Award for Best Picture: Amadeus (1984), Platoon (1986), Dances with Wolves (1990), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

In 1997, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) acquired Orion, later reintroducing the Orion brand for television in 2013 and relaunching Orion Pictures in 2014. The acquisition of MGM by Amazon in 2022 included Orion as part of the deal.

1978–1981: Formation and Early Years

On February 6, 1978, three high-ranking executives from United Artists—Arthur B. Krim (chairman), Eric Pleskow (CEO), and Robert Benjamin (finance chairman)—resigned due to disagreements with Transamerica’s management, which owned UA at the time. These departures were prompted by conflicts over studio management and confidentiality concerns. They were soon joined by senior vice presidents William Bernstein and Mike Medavoy. This exodus occurred before Transamerica sold United Artists to MGM following the commercial failure of Heaven's Gate in 1980.

The group partnered with Warner Bros. to establish Orion Pictures Company, named after the constellation representing five principal stars, reflecting the founding team. Their business approach focused on financing films while allowing directors creative freedom, supported by a $100 million credit facility from Warner Bros., which managed distribution but left marketing and project selection under Orion’s control.

Orion rapidly secured agreements with leading actors and directors including John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola, and Blake Edwards. Additionally, they arranged a co-financing and distribution partnership with EMI Films. Within its inaugural year, Orion had initiated production on fifteen films and signed numerous talent contracts.

Following Robert Benjamin’s passing in October 1979, Orion released its debut film, A Little Romance, soon followed by the commercially successful 10 (1979). Subsequent releases featured box-office hits like Caddyshack (1980) and Arthur (1981), critically acclaimed works such as The Great Santini (1979) and Prince of the City (1981), alongside projects from emerging filmmakers including Philip Kaufman’s The Wanderers (1979). Despite these accomplishments, only about one-third of the 23 films released between 1979 and 1981 yielded profits. The company also chose not to finance large-scale productions like Raiders of the Lost Ark, opting for financial prudence.

1982–1986: Separation from Warner Bros.

By early 1982, Orion terminated its distribution partnership with Warner Bros., which retained the rights to Orion's earlier productions. In pursuit of establishing its own distribution framework, Orion acquired Filmways, restructuring the struggling entity by divesting non-entertainment holdings such as Grosset & Dunlap and Broadcast Electronics. This acquisition marked Orion's foray into television production, notably producing the acclaimed series Cagney & Lacey for CBS. In 1983, Orion inaugurated its art-house division, Orion Classics, staffed with executives formerly from United Artists Classics.

Among the initial 18 films released by Orion Pictures Corporation, ten yielded profits, five broke even, and three resulted in losses under $2 million. A significant setback was The Cotton Club, which incurred a $3 million loss due to legal complications. Despite mixed financial outcomes, Orion achieved critical success with Amadeus in 1984, which secured eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. That same year, Orion established the Orion Entertainment Group to oversee production and distribution across television, home video, pay TV, and syndication sectors, appointing Jamie Kellner as president.

In 1984, Orion released James Cameron's The Terminator, initiating a major franchise; however, subsequent sequels were distributed by other companies. The following year proved difficult—only Desperately Seeking Susan and Code of Silence exceeded $10 million at the U.S. box office. Efforts to develop a franchise with Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins faltered due to inadequate marketing and distribution. Expansion into home video caused delays in securing home-use rights sales, negatively affecting revenue streams. Additionally, production delays postponed Back to School, removing it from the 1985 release calendar.

In January 1986, producers Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna, known for the Rambo films (with Orion distributing First Blood), attempted a $55 million acquisition through their company Anabasis but failed. Subsequently, Warburg Pincus reduced its ownership from 20% to 5%, while Viacom International purchased the remaining shares intending to utilize Orion's content for its Showtime channel. In 1985, Orion ventured into home video distribution by creating Orion Home Entertainment Corporation and launching the Orion Home Video label in 1987; prior home media releases had been managed by HBO Video and others.

1986–1991: Metromedia Ownership

On May 22, 1986, Metromedia—a television and communications firm led by billionaire John Kluge—acquired a 6.5% stake in Orion. This investment coincided with the commercial triumph of Back to School, which grossed $90 million. By 1987, Orion's slate included both critical and box office successes such as Platoon (which won Best Picture Oscar), Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters, and Hoosiers, collectively garnering 18 Academy Award nominations—more than any other studio that year. Additional hits in 1987 included RoboCop and No Way Out. Orion expanded its television division into syndicated game shows through Century Towers Productions, reviving formats like The New Hollywood Squares (1986–1989) and High Rollers (1987–88). Len White, formerly of CBS/Fox Video, was appointed president and CEO of Orion Home Video in 1987 with plans to launch home video titles later that year.

In January 1987, a contest for control emerged as Sumner Redstone's National Amusements acquired a 6.42% stake in Orion stock, eventually increasing it to 26% via Viacom acquisitions. Kluge responded by boosting Metromedia's holdings, ultimately securing approximately 67% control by May 1988. Analysts observed that this represented a relatively small investment for Kluge’s financial capacity.

Nevertheless, Orion encountered substantial financial difficulties in 1989 due to several box office disappointments including Great Balls of Fire!, She-Devil, Speed Zone, and Miloš Forman's Valmont. Despite positive test screenings for the comedy UHF, it underperformed commercially but later attained cult status on home video. That year also saw Orion sign a distribution agreement with Nelson Entertainment for videocassette and theatrical releases.

In February 1990, Orion entered into a $175 million contract with Columbia Pictures Entertainment for international distribution of its films and television programs, moving away from territory-specific licensing arrangements. Mike Medavoy left Orion that month to become head of Tri-Star Pictures.

Most of Orion’s 1990 releases failed commercially except for Kevin Costner’s western epic Dances with Wolves, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and earned $400 million worldwide. Later that year came another major success with The Silence of the Lambs. Despite these achievements, ongoing losses persisted over several years, sustained only through financial support from Kluge until he ultimately withdrew his backing.

1991–1995: Bankruptcy Period

Initially, Kluge attempted to sell Orion to entrepreneur Marvin Davis and Sony, which had recently purchased Columbia Pictures. When these negotiations collapsed, Orion ceased production and liquidated assets such as The Addams Family (while keeping international rights) to generate funds. In early 1991, Kluge's management team assumed control, leading to Arthur Krim's exit. Orion’s financial troubles were so well-known that Billy Crystal humorously mentioned them during the 1991 Academy Awards ceremony.

During this era, ABC co-funded and took over the production of several Orion television series, including American Detective and Equal Justice. Following the shutdown of Orion’s TV division, programs like The Chuck Woolery Show had to seek alternative production arrangements. Former employee Gary Nardino transferred some television projects and talent contracts to Lorimar Television. After closing its TV operations, on November 25, 1991, Orion sold the rights to the Hollywood Squares format to King World Productions.

Orion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 11, 1991. Attempts by New Line Cinema to purchase Orion ended unsuccessfully by April 1992 due to disagreements over valuation; similar offers from Republic Pictures and Savoy Pictures also failed. In February 1992, company president and CEO Bernstein resigned to join Paramount Pictures.

At the March 1992 Academy Awards, Crystal once again alluded to Orion’s difficulties despite its critical achievements, notably The Silence of the Lambs, which secured all five major Academy Awards. Nevertheless, departures of key executives and talent raised concerns about the company’s ability to recover.

Chairman Eric Pleskow declared his intention to resign effective July 1, 1992, citing limited growth prospects within Orion. On November 5, 1992, Orion emerged from bankruptcy under a restructuring plan that shifted film financing responsibilities to outside investors while maintaining distribution control.

The bankruptcy caused delays in releasing several films such as Love Field, RoboCop 3, and Blue Sky, which eventually premiered after reorganization. Of particular note, Blue Sky earned Jessica Lange an Academy Award in 1995.

In August 1994, Orion Home Video partnered with Streamline Pictures to distribute licensed anime titles widely across the United States, marking a pivotal moment in anime’s expansion within American mainstream culture.

1995–1997: Metromedia International Group Era

In November 1995, Orion merged with two other companies owned by Kluge along with film producer MCEG Sterling to establish Metromedia International Group. Following its bankruptcy emergence, only a limited number of Orion’s films achieved notable critical acclaim or box office success.

In 1996, Metromedia acquired Motion Picture Corporation of America and appointed Brad Krevoy and Steve Stabler as co-presidents of Orion under six-picture distribution agreements. During this period, Orion mainly distributed films produced by other companies including LIVE Entertainment. Meanwhile, Orion Classics continued acquiring independent films such as Boxing Helena (1993) after its founders had departed to form Sony Pictures Classics; in 1996 it merged with Samuel Goldwyn Entertainment.

1997–1999: Acquisition by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

In July 1997, shareholders of Metromedia approved the sale of Orion Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn Entertainment, and Motion Picture Corporation of America to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This transaction led to the dismissal of 111 staff members and the exit of Krevoy and Stabler, who retained ownership of the Motion Picture Corporation of America name along with its key film assets. The acquisition brought MGM a collection of 2,000 films, ten completed projects, and five direct-to-video releases under Orion’s banner. Meanwhile, Metromedia retained control over Goldwyn's Landmark Theatre Group. Orion’s final release before a 15-year hiatus was One Man's Hero in 1999.

To bypass its home video distribution agreement with Warner Home Video, MGM preserved Orion as a corporate entity and distributed titles through the Orion Home Video label. In 1999, MGM expanded its catalog by purchasing two-thirds of the pre-1996 PolyGram Filmed Entertainment library for $250 million via Orion Pictures, increasing its holdings to approximately 4,000 titles. That same year in March, MGM terminated its distribution deal with Warner Home Video by paying $225 million, thereby settling previous distribution obstacles.

2013–present: Revival

Orion returned to television production in 2013 with the launch of the syndicated court show Paternity Court. By late 2014, the Orion Pictures brand was reinstated for smaller-scale multi-platform video on demand and limited theatrical releases, beginning with the Brazilian film Vestido pra Casar.

In 2015, Entertainment One Films reintroduced Momentum Pictures through a collaboration with Orion to jointly acquire and distribute films across the United States, Canada, and select international territories. Early offerings included The Wannabe, Fort Tilden, and Balls Out, followed by later releases such as Pocket Listing and Diablo. Starting in 2016, Orion partnered with Samuel Goldwyn Films to acquire and distribute various titles including Burn Country and Past Life.

Orion Television broadened its court show roster in 2017 by adding Couples Court With The Cutlers. That year also saw MGM relaunch Orion as an independent U.S. theatrical marketing and distribution label led by John Hegeman. The goal was to produce and distribute between four and six modestly budgeted films annually across multiple genres and platforms. The initial release under this approach was Every Day in February 2018.

In May 2018, MGM reactivated Orion Classics as a multiplatform distribution division aiming to handle eight to ten films per year. Subsequently, in February 2019, MGM and Annapurna Pictures rebranded their joint venture Mirror as United Artists Releasing (UAR), transferring Orion’s theatrical distribution personnel to UAR. The first film released by Orion through UAR was the June 2019 remake of Child's Play.

August 2020 marked another relaunch for Orion with a renewed emphasis on supporting filmmakers from underrepresented groups—including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities—to foster diversity within the industry. Alana Mayo succeeded Hegeman as president during this initiative. The first film under this new direction was Billy Porter’s directorial debut, Anything's Possible. In 2021, reinforcing this inclusive strategy, Orion partnered with Annapurna to secure U.S. rights for Sundance award-winner On the Count of Three.

In May 2021, Amazon announced plans to acquire MGM for around $8.45 billion with the intent to enhance its Prime Video offerings by integrating MGM’s extensive library that includes Orion’s catalog. This acquisition was finalized in March 2022.

Following Amazon’s purchase of MGM, United Artists Releasing was merged back into MGM in March 2023; MGM assumed responsibility for domestic distribution of Orion titles while Warner Bros. Pictures took charge of international distribution. In May 2023, Amazon Studios established Amazon MGM Studios Distribution to oversee worldwide distribution for films and television projects from both MGM and Amazon, including new releases under the Orion banner.

On September 17, 2023, Orion garnered significant industry acclaim when its film American Fiction received the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, demonstrating ongoing business expansion and market presence.

Significant films

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Orion Pictures was responsible for producing a diverse array of impactful movies. Their portfolio included notable Woody Allen works, major Hollywood hits such as the original Terminator and RoboCop, as well as comedies like Throw Momma from the Train, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the Bill & Ted franchise. Additionally, the studio released several Best Picture award recipients including Amadeus, Platoon, Dances with Wolves, and The Silence of the Lambs.

Below is a table summarizing key Academy Award nominations and victories for Orion's films, focusing on major categories such as Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Acting.

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Top-grossing movies

Film (Year)	Principal Oscars	Nominee	Result
The Great Santini (1979)	Best Actor	Robert Duvall	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actor	Michael O'Keefe	Nominee
A Little Romance (1979)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Allan Burns	Nominee
Arthur (1981)	Best Actor	Dudley Moore	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actor	John Gielgud	Winner
	Best Original Screenplay	Steve Gordon	Nominee
Prince of the City (1981)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet	Nominee
Amadeus (1984)	Best Picture		Winner
	Best Actor	F. Murray Abraham	Winner
		Tom Hulce	Nominee
	Best Director	Miloš Forman	Winner
	Best Adapted Screenplay	Peter Shaffer	Winner
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)	Best Director	Woody Allen	Nominee
	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Nominee
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Nominee
Platoon (1986)	Best Picture		Winner
	Best Director	Oliver Stone	Winner
	Best Original Screenplay	Oliver Stone	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actor	Tom Berenger	Nominee
		Willem Dafoe	Nominee
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)	Best Picture		Nominee
	Best Director	Woody Allen	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actor	Michael Caine	Winner
	Best Supporting Actress	Dianne Wiest	Winner
	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Winner
Hoosiers (1986)	Best Supporting Actor	Dennis Hopper	Nominee
Radio Days (1987)	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Nominee
Throw Momma from the Train (1987)	Best Supporting Actress	Anne Ramsey	Nominee
Bull Durham (1988)	Best Original Screenplay	Ron Shelton	Nominee
Mississippi Burning (1988)	Best Picture		Nominee
	Best Director	Alan Parker	Nominee
	Best Actor	Gene Hackman	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actress	Frances McDormand	Nominee
Married to the Mob (1988)	Best Supporting Actor	Dean Stockwell	Nominee
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)	Best Adapted Screenplay	Jean-Claude Carrière and Philip Kaufman	Nominee
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)	Best Director	Woody Allen	Nominee
	Best Supporting Actor	Martin Landau	Nominee
	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Nominee
Alice (1990)	Best Original Screenplay	Woody Allen	Nominee
rowspan="6"|Dances with Wolves (1990)	Best Picture	Winner
Best Director rowspan="2"| Kevin Costner	Winner
Best Actor	Nominee
Best Supporting Actor	Graham Greene	Nominee
Best Supporting Actress	Mary McDonnell	Nominee
Best Adapted Screenplay	Michael Blake	Winner
rowspan="5"| The Silence of the Lambs (1991)	Best Picture	Winner
Best Director	Jonathan Demme	Winner
Best Actor	Anthony Hopkins	Winner
Best Actress	Jodie Foster	Winner
Best Adapted Screenplay	Ted Tally	Winner
Love Field (1992)	Best Actress	Michelle Pfeiffer	Nominee
Blue Sky (1994)	Best Actress	Jessica Lange	Winner
Ulee's Gold (1997)	Best Actor	Peter Fonda	Nominee
rowspan="2"|Women Talking (2022)	Best Picture	Nominee
Best Adapted Screenplay	Sarah Polley	Winner
rowspan="4"| American Fiction (2023)	Best Picture	Nominee
Best Adapted Screenplay	Cord Jefferson	Winner
Best Actor	Jeffrey Wright	Nominee
Best Supporting Actor	Sterling K. Brown	Nominee
rowspan="2"|Nickel Boys (2024)	Best Picture	Nominee
Best Adapted Screenplay	RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes	Nominee

Worldwide highest-grossing films

Position	Film	Release Year	Global Revenue (in millions)
1	Dances with Wolves	1990	$424.2
2	The Silence of the Lambs	1991	$272.7
3	The Addams Family	1991	$191.5
4	First Blood	1982	$125.2
5	The Terminator	1984	$78.3
6	Throw Momma from the Train	1987	$57.2
7	RoboCop	1987	$53.4
8	Dirty Rotten Scoundrels	1988	$42.5
9	Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure	1989	$40.5

Current status of Orion's catalog

Most titles released by Orion after 1982, combined with the AIP and Filmways archives, as well as television productions originally created by Orion Television, are now branded under MGM, frequently still displaying the Orion logo from the 1980s.

Warner Bros. retains most ancillary rights for the joint venture catalog from 1978 to 1982, which includes films like 10, Caddyshack, and Arthur. Additionally, certain Orion productions released post-1982, such as Lionheart, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and Amadeus, are distributed by Warner Bros. While HBO controls video distribution rights for Three Amigos, MGM holds other rights and copyrights associated with that title.

Orion possesses majority ownership of The Cotton Club, although Lionsgate holds principal rights due to its ownership of the Zoetrope Corporation library, the presenting studio.

Films by Woody Allen from the original joint venture era, including A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy and Zelig, came under MGM's ownership following a purchase in 2000. Moreover, MGM integrated releases from Hemdale Film Corporation and Nelson Entertainment into the Orion collection after acquiring PolyGram Filmed Entertainment’s pre-1996 holdings; some television and digital rights for Nelson titles remain with Paramount Television.

Under MGM's stewardship, the Samuel Goldwyn Company's film and TV assets have been incorporated into the Orion library, except for certain properties like The New Adventures of Flipper, which now carries MGM Television Entertainment copyrights.

MGM continues to distribute episodes from the 1980s revivals of Hollywood Squares and High Rollers, along with remaining installments of the original Squares. Nevertheless, CBS Television Distribution holds format rights for these shows.

Orion was initially responsible for distributing First Blood (1982), the inaugural film in the Rambo series; however, ownership of this franchise now resides with StudioCanal following their acquisition of Carolco Pictures’ library.