Spyglass Media Group
An independent Los Angeles-based film and television production and financing company.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Spyglass Media Group is an independent film and television production and financing company headquartered in Los Angeles. The business originated as Spyglass Entertainment, founded in 1998 by Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum. Its initial model combined producer-led development and financing with distribution alliances involving major studios and international media companies. The company operated from facilities associated with The Walt Disney Studios and obtained access to Disney distribution, investment and project financing. Its early slate included commercial films across drama, comedy, thriller and family entertainment, with The Sixth Sense becoming its best-known early success after its 1999 release and earning approximately $661 million worldwide according to commonly cited industry and reference sources. During the early 2000s, Spyglass broadened its activities beyond theatrical production. It established a television division in 2002 and pursued relationships with distributors and studios in several territories. Its business arrangements changed repeatedly: a distribution relationship with Disney was followed by attempted and proposed relationships involving DreamWorks and Sony Pictures, while regional distribution agreements expanded its reach in markets including Australia, New Zealand, Greece and parts of Europe. The company also explored a possible combination with Intermedia, although that transaction did not proceed. Spyglass’s corporate structure later became connected with Cerberus Capital Management and with MGM. In 2010, Barber and Birnbaum became co-chairmen and chief executive officers of MGM’s holding company after MGM emerged from bankruptcy. Plans to place the Spyglass library within MGM were subsequently abandoned. The original Spyglass Entertainment operation became dormant in 2012. The company was relaunched in March 2019 as Spyglass Media Group after Lantern Entertainment contributed and absorbed assets associated with The Weinstein Company’s former business. The revived company received investment from Lantern, Eagle Pictures and Cineworld, and Barber contributed the Spyglass trademark together with sequel and remake rights connected with the earlier Spyglass library. Unlike the original company, the revived business was presented as a multi-platform content company intended to develop and produce films and television projects for theatrical, broadcast, cable and streaming outlets. It also inherited or controlled significant library and sequel-related assets, although portions of the former Weinstein library were later sold. Following its relaunch, Spyglass established senior production, television and distribution roles, entered a first-look equity relationship with Warner Bros., pursued projects based on established intellectual property, and announced new film and television development. Its projects included a new Hellraiser film, a television adaptation of Stephen King’s The Institute, and involvement in the Scream franchise. In 2020, it joined Propagate Content, Artists First and Off-Road Productions in creating Artists Road, a joint venture focused on financing and producing mid-budget commercial comedies. In 2021, Lionsgate acquired a large portion of the former Weinstein film library for reported consideration of $191.4 million and received an equity stake in Spyglass, while Spyglass obtained a first-look television arrangement with Lionsgate Television. The transaction reduced Spyglass’s direct ownership of that library while strengthening its relationship with Lionsgate. Spyglass remains a privately held entertainment company rather than a separately listed public issuer. Its positioning centers on independent development and financing, commercial genre and franchise properties, library exploitation, remake and sequel rights, and partnerships with larger distributors and platforms.
History
Spyglass Entertainment was established in Los Angeles on August 21, 1998, by Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum. Barber had been an executive at Morgan Creek Productions, while Birnbaum had co-founded and led Caravan Pictures. The company was conceived as a producer-led, self-financing studio that could develop projects while using distribution partnerships rather than maintaining the full infrastructure of a traditional major. Disney supported the launch with an equity investment, a distribution agreement and project-related financial support. Spyglass operated from the Disney lot in Burbank during its early period. The company quickly developed an international financing and distribution model. In October 1998, Kirch Group and Mediaset invested in rights covering a slate of films in several European territories. Spyglass’s second film, The Sixth Sense, released in 1999, became a major commercial success and established the company as a significant independent producer. The company continued to make films across several commercial categories, including thrillers, dramas, comedies, family films and genre projects. In 2000, Disney increased its connection with Spyglass through an additional equity arrangement, while Svensk Filmindustri and Lusomundo also became associated with distribution rights. Spyglass later signed a regional output arrangement with Village Roadshow covering Australia, New Zealand and Greece. In 2002, it created a television division intended to develop smaller-screen projects; Miracles was among the series associated with that initiative. The company also explored a merger with Intermedia, but the proposed combination failed to close. Spyglass’s studio relationships changed during the early 2000s. Its Disney arrangement ended, and the company considered a co-financing and production relationship with DreamWorks. That proposed arrangement was not finalized. In September 2003, Spyglass instead entered a comparable relationship with Sony Pictures. The company remained separate from Sony’s physical studio operation and moved its offices to Murdoch Plaza in Westwood. The company’s corporate history became linked to Cerberus Capital Management when Cerberus acquired Spyglass in March 2010. Later that year, Barber and Birnbaum assumed leadership positions at MGM after that studio emerged from bankruptcy. One plan contemplated transferring the Spyglass library into MGM, but that element was ultimately removed. Spyglass Entertainment became dormant in February 2012. A new phase began on March 13, 2019, when Spyglass Media Group was launched with Lantern Entertainment assets being absorbed into the revived business. Lantern made a majority investment and transferred a film library and rights connected with Miramax sequels. Eagle Pictures and Cineworld also invested. Barber contributed the Spyglass trademark and rights to sequels and remakes associated with the older Spyglass catalogue. The revival was designed to produce content for multiple platforms and to combine independent development with access to library and franchise assets. The former Lantern and Weinstein-related office in New York was closed, with staff reductions reported across divisions. Lauren Whitney became president of television in April 2019, and Damien Marin became president of worldwide distribution and acquisitions later that year. Warner Bros. acquired an equity stake and entered a first-look agreement in April 2019. Spyglass announced a new Hellraiser project in May and later acquired rights to Stephen King’s The Institute for television development, pairing Jack Bender with David E. Kelley. Bender also entered a television first-look relationship with the company. Spyglass subsequently expanded its production leadership and joint-venture activity. Peter Oillataguerre became president of production, and in 2020 the company helped form Artists Road with Propagate Content, Artists First and Off-Road Productions. The venture was intended to finance and produce mid-budget commercial comedies. In 2021, Lionsgate purchased approximately 200 films from the former Weinstein library for reported consideration of $191.4 million, received an 18.9 percent equity interest in Spyglass and gave Spyglass a first-look television deal with Lionsgate Television. The company attracted significant public attention in 2023 after removing Melissa Barrera from Scream 7 over social-media posts about the Israel–Gaza war. Spyglass characterized the posts as crossing its stated standards concerning antisemitism and hate speech. Jenna Ortega subsequently left the project, and the film underwent extensive creative restructuring, including changes to its directors and cast. Spyglass remains a privately held film and television producer and financier whose business combines independent development, franchise management, library rights and partnerships with larger media companies.
- 2021
Lionsgate acquires part of the Weinstein library
[1]Lionsgate acquires approximately 200 films and takes an equity interest in Spyglass, while granting Spyglass a television first-look deal.
- 2020
Artists Road is formed
[1]Spyglass joins three partners to establish a venture focused on mid-budget commercial comedy films.
- 2019
Spyglass Media Group is relaunched
[1]Lantern Entertainment assets are absorbed into a revived Spyglass, with Eagle Pictures and Cineworld among the investors.
- 2019
Warner Bros. enters an equity and first-look relationship
[1]Warner Bros. takes an equity position in Spyglass and agrees to a first-look arrangement.
- 2012
Original Spyglass operation becomes dormant
[1]The original Spyglass Entertainment business becomes dormant.
- 2010
Cerberus acquires Spyglass
[1]Cerberus Capital Management acquires Spyglass, linking the company’s later corporate history with MGM.
- 2002
Television division launches
[1]Spyglass establishes a television division to develop projects for the small screen.
- 1999
The Sixth Sense becomes a major success
[1]The Sixth Sense, Spyglass’s second film, becomes the company’s defining early commercial success.
- 1998
Spyglass Entertainment is founded
[1]Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum establish Spyglass Entertainment in Los Angeles with Disney support and a five-year distribution arrangement.
Products and positioning
Independent, commercially oriented film and television producer and financier with an emphasis on recognizable intellectual property, franchise extensions, adaptations and co-production relationships.
Feature film · 1999
The Sixth Sense
A supernatural thriller released in 1999 and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It was Spyglass Entertainment’s second film and became its most prominent early commercial success, establishing the company’s ability to participate in high-profile, internationally distributed theatrical projects.
Television series · 2003
Miracles
A short-lived television project associated with Spyglass’s television division after that division was launched in 2002. It represented the company’s effort to extend its producer and financing model beyond feature films.
Feature film franchise · 2019
Hellraiser
A horror property for which Spyglass announced a new film during its post-2019 relaunch. The project illustrated the company’s strategy of developing recognizable genre intellectual property for contemporary audiences and distribution platforms.
Limited television series
The Institute
A television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel acquired by Spyglass for development. Jack Bender and David E. Kelley were attached to develop and produce the project, reflecting Spyglass’s interest in literary adaptations and premium serialized storytelling.
Feature film franchise
Scream
A horror franchise in which Spyglass participated through its revived film business. The company became a central subject of public attention during the development of Scream 7 after Melissa Barrera was dismissed and the project was subsequently reworked and recast.
Controversies
2023
Melissa Barrera dismissal and Scream 7 controversy
Spyglass dismissed Melissa Barrera from Scream 7 after social-media comments about the Israel–Gaza war. The company said the posts involved antisemitism, hate speech and unacceptable references to genocide, ethnic cleansing and Holocaust distortion. The decision generated debate over corporate content standards, political expression and the treatment of public commentary by film performers. Jenna Ortega later left the project, and the film was substantially restructured.
Brand decisions
2023
Removes Melissa Barrera from Scream 7OtherBackground
Barrera posted commentary concerning the Israel–Gaza war, which Spyglass assessed as violating its standards regarding antisemitism and hate speech.
Action taken
Spyglass dismissed Barrera from Scream 7. The project later underwent further creative and casting changes.
Aftermath
The decision prompted public controversy, followed by Jenna Ortega’s departure and a substantial reworking of the film.
2021
Sells a substantial portion of the former Weinstein library to LionsgateM&ABackground
Spyglass had controlled or held rights in a large film library transferred from Lantern and connected with the former Weinstein Company.
Action taken
Lionsgate acquired approximately 200 films for reported consideration of $191.4 million, received an 18.9 percent equity stake in Spyglass and granted Spyglass a first-look television relationship.
Aftermath
The transaction converted part of the library into financing and strengthened Spyglass’s strategic relationship with Lionsgate Television.
Reported acquisition consideration. 191.4 million US dollars (2021)
2020
Forms Artists Road comedy ventureM&ABackground
Spyglass and its partners sought a dedicated vehicle for commercial films made at budgets below those of major tentpole productions.
Action taken
Spyglass joined Propagate Content, Artists First and Off-Road Productions to create Artists Road.
Aftermath
The venture expanded Spyglass’s production strategy into mid-budget comedy financing and development.
2019
Relaunch as a multi-platform media companyStrategyBackground
The original Spyglass Entertainment operation had been dormant since 2012, while Lantern Entertainment controlled assets associated with the former Weinstein Company.
Action taken
Spyglass was revived with Lantern assets, outside investment and contributed library, sequel and remake rights, with an announced intention to develop content for multiple platforms.
Aftermath
The relaunch created a new independent production and financing platform and led to first-look and co-production relationships with larger media companies.
2019
Greenlights a new Hellraiser projectProduct launchBackground
After its relaunch, Spyglass sought commercially recognizable properties suitable for theatrical and platform distribution.
Action taken
The company announced a new film based on the Hellraiser horror franchise.
Aftermath
The project became an early example of Spyglass Media Group’s renewed focus on franchise and genre intellectual property.
Recent events
- 2023
Peter Oillataguerre leaves Spyglass for Amazon MGM Studios[1]
Leadership change
Spyglass production president Peter Oillataguerre left the company in September 2023 to join Amazon MGM Studios.
- 2021
Lionsgate acquires a portion of the former Weinstein film library[1]
M&A
Lionsgate acquired approximately 200 films from the former Weinstein Company library and received an equity stake in Spyglass, while Spyglass obtained a first-look television deal with Lionsgate Television.
- 2020
Spyglass and partners form Artists Road comedy venture[1]
M&A
Spyglass joined Propagate Content, Artists First and Off-Road Productions to establish Artists Road for financing and producing mid-budget commercial comedies.
- 2019
Spyglass Media Group relaunches after Lantern Entertainment contributes assets[1]
M&A
Spyglass was revived as a film and television company with Lantern Entertainment assets, investment from Eagle Pictures and Cineworld, and rights associated with the earlier Spyglass library.
- 2019
Warner Bros. takes an equity stake and signs a first-look arrangement[1]
M&A
Warner Bros. acquired an equity interest in Spyglass and entered a first-look relationship with the company.
- 2019
Spyglass announces a new Hellraiser film[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The revived company announced a new film based on the Hellraiser horror property, its first reported greenlit film after the relaunch.
Sources2 sources
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