Yahoo Lifestyle Amazon’s Prime Video Inks Lionsgate Streaming Deal, Will Get Exclusive Window on Films After First Run on Starz
Amazon’s Prime Video entered into a multiyear theatrical output agreement with Lionsgate, under which it will get an exclusive streaming window on the studio’s films starting with its 2026 slate after an initial run on Starz.
Under the new deal, Prime Video will have an exclusive early window following Starz’s exclusive first-run window beginning with Lionsgate’s 2026 theatrical releases available to U.S. customers. In addition, Prime Video will have rights to a package of films from the 2025 slate and a “commitment” for licensing library movies and TV.
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Last week, Lionsgate announced an extension of its multiyear theatrical output deal with Starz, which will keep exclusive first pay TV and SVOD window rights to the studio’s films. The movies will now appear on Starz “on an accelerated basis closer to their initial theatrical release.” That agreement comes amid the company’s plan to separate Lionsgate into two entities — Lionsgate Studios and Starz Entertainment — which is pending regulatory and shareholder approval.
Lionsgate’s new agreement with Prime Video will include Lionsgate titles such as the next installment of the Hunger Games franchise, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” based on the Suzanne Collins novel; and the third installment of the “Now You See Me” franchise, which reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco, directed by Ruben Fleischer.
Starting in 2026, Prime Video also will be able to select premium titles from Lionsgate’s catalog, including the studio’s premium franchises such as “John Wick,” “Twilight,” “Divergent,” “Saw” and television series like “Nurse Jackie” and “Weeds.”
“We know that Prime members love great movies, and as a first-stop entertainment destination, we are excited to bring Lionsgate’s terrific slate of entertaining films to Prime Video soon after their theatrical release,” said Brad Beale, VP of worldwide licensing and distribution for Prime Video. “The combination of Lionsgate’s films along with the exciting premium entertainment from Amazon MGM Studios and our studios partners ensure that Prime Members will always have something compelling to stream, directly on Prime Video.”
Lionsgate president of worldwide television distribution Jim Packer commented, “We’re delighted to bring to our partners at Amazon early access to go-forward slates of commercially exciting movies driven by world-class filmmakers and cast. This agreement unlocks significant incremental value for our slate while affirming the great popularity of Lionsgate movies among an ever-expanding portfolio of buyers.”
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