Anchor Bay Entertainment
An American home-entertainment distributor and label known especially for horror, cult, independent, and catalog-film releases.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Anchor Bay Entertainment is an American home-entertainment distribution label whose identity was built around bringing films, television programs, documentaries, children's programming, and special-interest video to consumers. The company was formed in May 1995 through the merger of Video Treasures and Starmaker Entertainment, two discount-oriented distributors with roots in VHS reissues and licensed libraries. Its early business was therefore primarily distribution rather than conventional film production: Anchor Bay acquired or licensed rights, prepared home-video editions, marketed them, and supplied retail and rental channels. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Anchor Bay became particularly associated with horror and cult cinema. Its catalogue included films from the Halloween, Hellraiser, Evil Dead, Living Dead, and other genre franchises, along with works by filmmakers such as George A. Romero, Sam Raimi, Lucio Fulci, Werner Herzog, Wim Wenders, John Woo, and Paul Verhoeven. The label helped make obscure, older, or previously difficult-to-find films available on VHS, DVD, and later Blu-ray. Collectible packaging, multi-disc editions, restored material, booklets, and bonus features became part of its appeal to genre enthusiasts and physical-media collectors. The company also operated beyond horror. Its releases included classic films, foreign and independent cinema, television series and specials, children's properties such as Thomas & Friends and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, fitness programs, documentary material, and selected sports programming. Anchor Bay entered the United Kingdom in 2000 and used outside distribution arrangements to extend its reach in international markets. It also entered licensing relationships with companies and libraries including Stephen J. Cannell Productions, The Carsey-Werner Company, The Weinstein Company, Dimension Films, and other rights holders. Corporate ownership changed several times. Handleman, which had acquired Video Treasures and later Starmaker, sold Anchor Bay in 2003 to IDT Entertainment. Liberty Media acquired IDT Entertainment in 2006 and reorganized it as Starz Media. Anchor Bay was briefly renamed Starz Home Entertainment in 2007, adopted a Blu-ray-focused high-definition release strategy, and returned to the Anchor Bay name in 2008. In 2011, the label became a distributor for releases from The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films after Starz acquired a stake in that company, although that relationship later ended with changes in corporate ownership and rights. Lionsgate's acquisition of Starz was completed in December 2016. In August 2017, Anchor Bay was folded into Lionsgate Home Entertainment, ending the original incarnation as a distinct operating business. Lionsgate retained the original library. The Anchor Bay name was subsequently revived after Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz acquired rights to the name in February 2024. The revived label was announced as a home for new genre films, overlooked titles, cult classics, and remastered catalogue releases, with MVD Entertainment Group handling distribution. Early announced releases included the puppet-horror film Abruptio and the documentary Dinner with Leatherface. The revived operation is separate from the original Anchor Bay library retained by Lionsgate. Reference material also describes a planned later rebrand as Starboard Entertainment because of name-rights issues; the timing and final implementation of that change should be independently verified.
History
Anchor Bay Entertainment emerged in May 1995 from the combination of Video Treasures and Starmaker Entertainment. Both predecessor companies had specialized in inexpensive home-video products, including reissues and licensed programmes. Video Treasures began with public-domain material and later assembled rights from a wide range of licensors, while Starmaker was known for titles associated with New World Pictures and selected television compilations. Handleman acquired Video Treasures in 1989 and Starmaker in 1994, creating the corporate basis for their subsequent merger. Related labels, including MNTEX Entertainment, Teal Entertainment, and Burbank Video, were also brought into the broader Anchor Bay structure before many of those identities were phased out. Anchor Bay's strongest reputation developed during the DVD expansion of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The company concentrated on horror, cult, slasher, and other genre films, including older titles that had limited availability in the home-video market. Its early DVD programme included The Car, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Dawn of the Dead, and Prom Night. It subsequently issued editions of films and franchises such as Halloween, Hellraiser, Evil Dead, The Living Dead, Suspiria, The Wicker Man, The Beyond, and other works from international and independent filmmakers. Some releases were marketed as premium collector products with additional discs, printed material, special packaging, and restored or extended cuts. The catalogue was broader than horror. Anchor Bay distributed films from licensed studio libraries, television series and specials, children's programming, documentaries, fitness titles, and UFC event recordings. Thomas & Friends was one of its notable children's lines, while Crunch and For Dummies contributed to its special-interest and fitness business. In 2000, the company expanded to the United Kingdom. It also relied on external distribution and licensing relationships in several territories, including arrangements involving 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Handleman sold Anchor Bay to IDT Entertainment in 2003. Liberty Media acquired IDT Entertainment in 2006 and reorganized it as Starz Media. The company briefly adopted the Starz Home Entertainment name in 2007, when it announced a Blu-ray-centered high-definition release policy, but returned to Anchor Bay branding in 2008. During this period, the business continued licensing and distributing film and television libraries. In 2011, Starz's relationship with The Weinstein Company made Anchor Bay a distributor for Weinstein and Dimension releases. Anchor Bay received a Special Achievement Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 2002 for its contribution to DVD and home-video entertainment. The original business was affected by changes in ownership, physical-media economics, and the movement toward digital distribution. Lionsgate agreed to acquire Starz in 2016, completing the transaction in December of that year. In August 2017, Lionsgate folded Anchor Bay into Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The original Anchor Bay library remained with Lionsgate, while the separate brand presence gradually disappeared; an older website remained accessible for several years but was no longer fully functional. A new incarnation began in 2024 when Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz acquired rights to the Anchor Bay name. The revived company was described as a label for new genre films, undiscovered or overlooked titles, cult classics, and remastered catalogue releases. MVD Entertainment Group was announced as the distribution partner, and early projects included Abruptio and Dinner with Leatherface. This revival does not restore ownership of the original catalogue, which remains associated with Lionsgate. Reference material additionally describes a possible rebrand to Starboard Entertainment in summer 2026 because of name-rights issues; this future or subsequently reported development requires verification before being treated as settled historical fact.
- 2024
Anchor Bay name is revived
[1]Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz acquire rights to the name and announce a new genre-focused label.
- 2017
Original Anchor Bay operation is integrated into Lionsgate
[1]Anchor Bay is folded into Lionsgate Home Entertainment as a separate operating company.
- 2016
Lionsgate agrees to acquire Starz
[1]Lionsgate announces the acquisition of Starz, including the corporate group containing Anchor Bay.
- 2008
Anchor Bay name returns
[1]The business resumes its former Anchor Bay branding.
- 2007
Starz Home Entertainment identity
[1]Anchor Bay is temporarily renamed Starz Home Entertainment and announces a Blu-ray-focused high-definition strategy.
- 2006
IDT Entertainment becomes part of Starz Media
[1]Liberty Media acquires IDT Entertainment and reorganizes it as Starz Media.
- 2003
Sale to IDT Entertainment
[1]Handleman sells Anchor Bay to IDT Entertainment.
- 2002
Special Achievement Award
[1]The company receives recognition from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for pioneering DVD and home-video releases.
- 1997
Anchor Bay begins its DVD programme
[1]The Car becomes the company's first DVD release, followed by genre and cult titles that helped define its DVD identity.
- 1995
Anchor Bay Entertainment is formed
[1]Video Treasures and Starmaker merge under the Anchor Bay Entertainment umbrella.
Products and positioning
A genre-led home-entertainment label specializing in horror, cult classics, independent cinema, overlooked titles, and curated catalogue releases, while also distributing selected television, children's, documentary, fitness, and special-interest programming.
Film and television distribution · 1995
Home-video releases
Anchor Bay's principal offering was a catalogue of licensed home-video editions rather than a single consumer product. Releases included feature films, television series, specials, documentaries, and short-form material. The company moved from VHS into DVD and Blu-ray, preparing editions for retail, rental, and collector audiences. Its value proposition rested on rights acquisition, release selection, authoring, packaging, marketing, and physical distribution.
Genre film distribution · 1997
Horror and cult-film releases
Horror and cult cinema became Anchor Bay's most recognizable product area. The label released older and difficult-to-find films, including entries associated with Halloween, Hellraiser, Evil Dead, Living Dead, and other genre properties. Limited editions, additional features, restored material, booklets, and distinctive packaging helped turn some releases into collector items and strengthened the label's relationship with specialist physical-media audiences.
Television home entertainment
Television and children's programming
The catalogue also covered television series, specials, and children's programming. Notable distributed properties included Thomas & Friends, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Bobby's World, Mighty Machines, and Chuggington. These releases broadened Anchor Bay beyond genre film and gave the business exposure to family and educational-video consumers.
Special-interest home entertainment
Special-interest and fitness videos
Anchor Bay distributed non-fiction and special-interest products alongside narrative film and television. Its activity included fitness releases associated with the Crunch brand, For Dummies instructional programming, documentaries, and selected sports-event products such as UFC recordings. These lines provided additional volume and reduced dependence on theatrical film catalogues.
Independent genre distribution · 2024
Revived Anchor Bay genre releases
The revived label announced a focus on new genre films, undiscovered titles, cult classics, and remastered catalogue releases. Distribution was announced through MVD Entertainment Group. Abruptio and Dinner with Leatherface were identified among the early releases or projects associated with the relaunch. These activities use the Anchor Bay name but do not include the original library retained by Lionsgate.
Controversies
2005
SEC allegations concerning inventory transactions
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges against two former Anchor Bay employees, alleging that they caused the company to enter transactions representing the sale of slow-moving or obsolete inventory while concealing repurchase provisions. The alleged transactions involved video packaging materials and DVDs. Handleman subsequently restated financial statements to address the accounting errors.
Brand decisions
2024
Revival as an independent genre labelStrategyBackground
Following the end of the original operation, new owners sought to reuse the Anchor Bay name for a contemporary independent distribution business.
Action taken
Thomas Zambeck and Brian Katz acquired rights to the name and announced a focus on new genre films, cult titles, overlooked films, and remastered catalogue releases, with MVD Entertainment Group distributing.
Aftermath
The revived label announced early projects including Abruptio and Dinner with Leatherface. Its relationship to the original Lionsgate-owned library remained separate.
2016
Lionsgate acquisition of StarzM&ABackground
Anchor Bay's parent group was included in Lionsgate's acquisition of Starz.
Action taken
Lionsgate completed the Starz acquisition in December 2016.
Aftermath
Anchor Bay was integrated into Lionsgate Home Entertainment in 2017 and ceased operating as a distinct original company.
2007
Temporary transition to Starz Home Entertainment and Blu-ray emphasisStrategyBackground
After becoming part of Starz Media, the company sought to align its identity with the Starz corporate group while responding to the emergence of high-definition optical media.
Action taken
The label was renamed Starz Home Entertainment and announced that its high-definition film releases would be issued exclusively on Blu-ray.
Aftermath
The Anchor Bay name returned in 2008, although the business continued operating within the Starz structure.
Sources1 sources
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