Miramax

Miramax, LLC, formerly known as Miramax Films, is an American film and television production and distribution company. It is now owned by the Qatari state-owned beIN Media Group and Paramount Pictures. The company is based in Los Angeles, California.

Miramax was founded in 1979 by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein. It became well known for producing and distributing independent films. In 1993, it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company.

Later, in 2010, Disney sold Miramax to Filmyard Holdings, a joint venture including Colony NorthStar, Tutor-Saliba Corporation, and the Qatar Investment Authority. In 2016, Miramax was sold to beIN Media Group, which then sold a part of the company to what is now known as Paramount Skydance in 2020.

History

Independent era (1979–1993)

Miramax started in 1979 in Buffalo, New York, founded by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein. They named it after their parents, Miriam and Max. The company focused on sharing independent films that bigger studios thought were too risky.

Miramax’s first big success was turning two concert films for Amnesty International into one popular movie in 1982. They became known for finding films from around the world and adapting them for American audiences. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, they shared many well-known movies. They also created new labels for different types of films.

Disney era (1993–2010)

In 1993, The Walt Disney Company bought Miramax. Disney let the Weinstein brothers keep running it, but they had the final say on which films Miramax could release. Miramax began making more of its own movies instead of just sharing others’ work. They created famous series like Scream and worked with directors like Quentin Tarantino.

In 2005, the Weinstein brothers left Miramax to start their own company. Disney took more control, and Miramax focused on making lower-budget films. By 2010, Disney had sold Miramax.

Other companies and post-Disney ownership era (2010–2019)

In 2010, Disney sold Miramax to a group of investors. The new owners planned to use Miramax’s large collection of films and make new content. In 2016, beIN Media Group bought Miramax.

Paramount era (2019–present)

In 2019, ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) bought a part of Miramax. Paramount Pictures now has the rights to share Miramax’s films and TV shows worldwide and will make new content with them. In 2024, Jonathan Glickman became the new CEO of Miramax.

Divisions

Miramax Family & Animation

Miramax Family Films was the part of Miramax that made movies for families. It started on September 2, 1993. After the founders left in 2005, this part of Miramax stopped in 2006. Later, in 2019, Miramax started its family and animation parts again, making them separate groups inside the company. Michael Lachance, who worked at DreamWorks Animation and Sony Pictures Animation, became the leader of these new groups.

Filmography

Main article: List of Miramax films

Miramax has shared many popular movies and TV shows over the years. Some of these include Freddie as F.R.O.7, Into the West, and Tom and Jerry: The Movie. Others are Little Buddha, The Thief and the Cobbler, and Gordy. The list also has The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia, Microcosmos, and The Mighty. There are many more titles, such as Princess Mononoke, Pokémon 4Ever, and Ella Enchanted.

Miramax Television

Miramax Television is the television production division founded in 1987. It creates shows based on Miramax films and new ideas. Miramax tried to make a game show called What's My Line? in 1996 and officially started its television division in 1998. In 2001, Mort Marcus became chairman but left in 2002 to start Debmar Studios again.