United Artists Releasing
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former American theatrical film-distribution joint venture between Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Annapurna Pictures.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
United Artists Releasing was an American film-distribution company and joint venture formed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Annapurna Pictures. It was established on October 31, 2017, initially under the working name Mirror, as an effort to create a domestic theatrical distribution operation capable of releasing films from both partners and selected third parties. The venture represented MGM's return to American film distribution after the studio had closed its domestic distribution operation during the bankruptcy and corporate reorganization period that followed 2010. The company was founded by Gary Barber, then chief executive of MGM, and Megan Ellison, founder of Annapurna Pictures. Its initial operating structure relied heavily on personnel from Annapurna's distribution division. The proposed business model was deliberately smaller than that of the major Hollywood studios: it expected to release approximately 10 to 14 films each year, offering theatrical distribution, marketing, and release-calendar support without attempting to match the volume or scale of the largest studio distributors. The venture was positioned as an alternative for filmmakers and production companies seeking a traditional theatrical release outside the dominant studio system and the rapidly expanding streaming sector. Although the Mirror name was publicly associated with the original announcement, the venture's early releases were not credited under that banner. On February 5, 2019, it was renamed United Artists Releasing. The change marked the centenary of the founding of the original United Artists in 1919 and connected the new distributor with that historic film-industry name while distinguishing it from the earlier United Artists corporate entity. The rebranding also reflected an ambition to compete more effectively for prominent release dates and larger-scale films. The restructured operation included executives from the partner companies. Pam Kunath, formerly associated with Screen Gems, became chief operating officer. David Kaminow and Erik Lomis were also part of the senior leadership structure, with Lomis serving as president of Annapurna's distribution and marketing activities. Orion Pictures, an MGM subsidiary, subsequently moved its films and distribution personnel into the venture. UAR's theatrical slate included films from MGM, Annapurna, Orion, and acquired third-party productions. The company's post-rebrand launch was Missing Link, a 2019 stop-motion animated feature. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, giving UAR its first and only Golden Globe win in that category. In 2020, MGM revived the American International Pictures label for selected digital and limited theatrical releases, using UAR as the distribution partner for that initiative. One of the first titles associated with the revived label was Breaking News in Yuba County, released in 2021. UAR's corporate position changed after Amazon announced its agreement to acquire MGM Holdings for $8.45 billion on May 26, 2021. The transaction closed on March 17, 2022, placing MGM and its related distribution operations under Amazon's ownership. Amazon initially indicated that UAR would continue operating and that theatrical distribution would remain part of its strategy alongside Amazon Prime Video releases. In practice, Amazon later consolidated UAR into MGM. The integration was publicly reported on March 4, 2023, one day after the release of Creed III, which became the first film distributed by MGM under Amazon's ownership. United Artists Releasing therefore ceased operating as a separate distribution company on that date, while its distribution capabilities and film library became part of the broader MGM organization.
History
United Artists Releasing originated in a 2017 partnership between Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Annapurna Pictures. The partners announced a domestic theatrical distribution venture under the working name Mirror, intending to return MGM to direct American distribution after the studio's earlier distribution operation had been closed during its post-2010 bankruptcy and reorganization. The venture was founded by MGM chief executive Gary Barber and Annapurna founder Megan Ellison and began with personnel from Annapurna's distribution division. The business was designed as a focused alternative to the major studios and emerging streaming companies. Rather than operate a high-volume release slate, it planned to distribute roughly 10 to 14 films annually, combining theatrical booking, marketing, and release management. The venture was expected to handle films from its parent companies as well as selected third-party projects. Although the Mirror name was used in the initial announcement, the early films were not released with that branding. On February 5, 2019, the company became United Artists Releasing. The new name commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the original United Artists, the historic filmmaker-oriented studio founded in 1919. The rebrand also expressed an intention to compete more effectively for important theatrical dates and films large enough to contend with major studio releases. Pam Kunath became chief operating officer, while David Kaminow and Erik Lomis formed part of the operating leadership. Orion Pictures, an MGM subsidiary, later contributed films and distribution staff to the venture. The first release under the new name was Missing Link, a stop-motion animated film released in 2019. Its Golden Globe win for Best Animated Feature Film was the company's most prominent awards success. UAR also distributed titles associated with MGM, Annapurna, Orion, and other producers. In 2020, MGM revived the American International Pictures label for acquired films intended for digital and limited theatrical release, with UAR serving as the distribution outlet for that program. Breaking News in Yuba County was among the early releases connected with the revived label. The venture's ownership changed when Amazon agreed to acquire MGM Holdings for $8.45 billion in 2021. The transaction closed on March 17, 2022. Amazon initially stated that UAR would remain active and that theatrical distribution would continue alongside Amazon Prime Video. The separate UAR structure was ultimately short-lived under the new owner. On March 4, 2023, Amazon folded the company into MGM, seeking to integrate theatrical distribution with MGM's film and television operations. The consolidation came shortly after Creed III, which was released on March 3, 2023 and was described as the first film distributed directly by MGM under Amazon ownership. UAR is consequently a defunct brand as an independent company, although its functions and related assets were absorbed into MGM.
- 2023
Independent UAR operation ends
[1]Amazon folded United Artists Releasing into MGM on March 4, ending the company as a separate distribution operation.
- 2022
Amazon completes MGM acquisition
[1]Amazon completed its acquisition of MGM Holdings on March 17, changing the ownership context of UAR.
- 2020
American International Pictures distribution program revived
[1]MGM revived the American International Pictures label for acquired films receiving digital and limited theatrical distribution through UAR.
- 2019
Rebranded as United Artists Releasing
[1]The company adopted its permanent name on February 5, commemorating the centenary of the original United Artists.
- 2019
Missing Link released
[1]Missing Link became the first film released under the UAR name and later won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.
- 2017
Mirror distribution venture announced
[1]Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Annapurna Pictures announced a domestic theatrical distribution joint venture, initially referred to as Mirror.
- 2017
United Artists Releasing founded
[1]Gary Barber and Megan Ellison established the venture on October 31 as a partnership between MGM and Annapurna Pictures.
Products and positioning
A mid-sized alternative to the major Hollywood distributors, combining theatrical release services with the film libraries and production relationships of MGM, Annapurna Pictures, and Orion Pictures.
Film distribution · 2017
Theatrical film distribution
UAR's central activity was the domestic theatrical release of feature films. Its work included coordinating release dates, theatrical bookings, marketing, publicity, and relationships with exhibitors. The company operated with a smaller annual slate than the largest studios and distributed films from MGM, Annapurna Pictures, Orion Pictures, and selected third parties.
Film distribution · 2020
Limited theatrical and digital releases
The company also supported films released through narrower theatrical engagements or digital-first strategies. This capability was particularly relevant to MGM's revived American International Pictures label, which focused on acquired titles receiving digital and limited theatrical exposure rather than broad conventional releases.
Film releases · 2019
United Artists Releasing film slate
The UAR slate included films such as Missing Link and Breaking News in Yuba County, as well as releases associated with MGM, Annapurna, Orion, and other production partners. The slate reflected the venture's hybrid role as both a studio-affiliated distributor and an alternative outlet for acquired or independently produced films.
Brand decisions
2023
Fold UAR into MGMM&ABackground
Following Amazon's acquisition of MGM, the owner sought to align theatrical distribution more closely with MGM and Amazon's streaming activities.
Action taken
Amazon ended UAR's separate operation and incorporated it into MGM on March 4, 2023.
Aftermath
United Artists Releasing ceased to exist as an independent distribution company, while its capabilities were absorbed into MGM.
2020
Support the revived American International Pictures labelStrategyBackground
MGM sought a label for acquired films that would receive digital or limited theatrical treatment.
Action taken
MGM revived American International Pictures and used UAR to distribute associated films.
Aftermath
Breaking News in Yuba County became one of the early releases associated with the revived label.
2019
Adopt the United Artists Releasing identityStrategyBackground
The original Mirror branding had not been used on the venture's early releases, and the partners wanted a stronger identity for competing with major studio distributors.
Action taken
The company was renamed United Artists Releasing on February 5, 2019, linking it to the centenary of the original United Artists.
Aftermath
The rebrand became the company's public identity and was used for its subsequent theatrical slate.
Recent events
- 2023
Amazon folds United Artists Releasing into MGM[1]
M&A
Amazon consolidated UAR into MGM as part of a strategy emphasizing theatrical distribution alongside streaming. The change followed the release of Creed III.
- 2022
Amazon completes its acquisition of MGM[1]
M&A
The acquisition of MGM Holdings closed, placing UAR within Amazon's broader studio and streaming organization while the company initially continued operating.
- 2021
Amazon announces acquisition of MGM Holdings[1]
M&A
Amazon announced an agreement to acquire MGM Holdings for $8.45 billion, creating a new ownership structure for MGM and United Artists Releasing.
- 2020
MGM revives American International Pictures for selected releases[1]
Product launch
MGM revived the American International Pictures label for digital and limited theatrical distribution, with UAR handling associated releases.
- 2019
The venture is renamed United Artists Releasing[1]
Leadership change
The distribution company adopted the United Artists Releasing name to mark the centenary of the original United Artists and strengthen its identity against major studio distributors.
- 2019
Missing Link becomes UAR's first post-rebrand release[1]
Product launch
The stop-motion animated film Missing Link was the first title released under the United Artists Releasing name and later won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.
- 2017
MGM and Annapurna form the Mirror theatrical distribution venture[1]
Other
MGM and Annapurna Pictures announced a domestic theatrical distribution joint venture intended to release their own and selected third-party films.
Sources1 sources
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