Dimension Films

American film industry organizationTemplate:SHORTDESC:American film industry organization[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

Not to be confused with Dimension (film).
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**Dimension Films** is an American film production company and independent film distribution label owned by Lantern Entertainment. It was formerly used as Bob and Harvey Weinstein's label within Miramax, to produce and release independent films and genre titles, specifically horror and science fiction films.

The Weinsteins took the Dimension label with them when they separated from Miramax in October 2005 and paired it under their new company, The Weinstein Company. Dimension Films is one of the American "mini-majors", i.e. small to medium independent television and motion picture production studios.

All films released by Dimension Films prior to October 1, 2005 will be owned and distributed by Paramount Pictures through ViacomCBS' acquisition of 49% stake in Miramax that expected to close in the first quarter of 2020; half the profits of sequels made to Miramax-era films went to The Walt Disney Studios until Miramax was sold to Filmyard Holdings, a joint venture of Colony NorthStar, Tutor-Saliba Corporation, and Qatar Investment Authority in 2010. Miramax was sold once more to the beIN Media Group in 2016.

## History

### 1991–1992: Foundation and early releases

The studio was officially founded in 1992 under its parent company Miramax by Bob Weinstein to distribute horror films and other films deemed "disreputable" for release under the Miramax title.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** Prior to 1992, the Weinsteins had released similar titles under a smaller operation called Millimeter Films.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

Dimension's first release was the sequel film *Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth*, released theatrically in the United States in 1992,**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** followed by Stuart Gordon's sci-fi thriller *Fortress*,**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** and the sequel *Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice*, both released the same year.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

### 1993–1999: Disney acquisition of Miramax

In 1993, The Walt Disney Studios purchased Miramax, who had been facing financial troubles between 1990 and 1992, prior to their acquisition and release of *The Crying Game*, which earned the company US$60 million.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** The success of *The Crying Game* made Miramax attractive to Disney, who officially bought the company in 1993, resulting in Dimension Films becoming a Disney subsidiary.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

After the box-office failure *Mother's Boys* (1994) starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Dimension distributed Miramax's *The Crow* (1994), which would garner Dimension its first major commercial success.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** In 1995, Dimension acquired the rights to the *Halloween* film series, releasing the sixth installment *Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers* in September that year.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** The release of *From Dusk till Dawn* (1996) would mark the beginning of a working relationship with director Robert Rodriguez as well as a lucrative franchise, with several sequels to follow.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

Dimension would gain greater exposure with its distribution of Wes Craven's *Scream*, released in December 1996,**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** which became a major box office hit, grossing $173 million worldwide. The company also produced and distributed its sequel, *Scream 2*, released the following year, which grossed a comparable $172 million.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

The company continued its trend of releasing horror and science fiction films, specifically films aimed at teenagers and young adult audiences, with the releases of *Phantoms* (1998) and the *Halloween* sequel *Halloween H20: 20 Years Later* (1998), the latter of which garnered the company another commercial success.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** The company released its second film with director Robert Rodriguez, the teen sci-fi film *The Faculty*, on Christmas Day 1998.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** In 1999, Dimension distributed David Cronenberg's *eXistenZ* and Scream-writer Kevin Williamson's directorial debut *Teaching Mrs. Tingle*.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

### 2000–2004: Post-millennium releases

Dimension's first post-millennium release was the direct-to-video *From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter*. Next was *Scream 3* (2000), which was theatrically released like its predecessors. In July 2000, the company released the slasher parody film *Scary Movie*, which grossed a record breaking $278 million for the company and marked the beginning of another popular film series.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** 2001 saw the release of the Robert Rodriguez-directed *Spy Kids*, which was the company's first major children's film; the film would spawn another popular franchise for the company.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**

Beginning in 2000, Dimension began purchasing North American distribution rights to various international productions; their 2001 release of *The Others*, a Spanish-produced supernatural thriller starring Nicole Kidman, was a surprise success for the company.**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** Other international productions purchased by Dimension included two additional horror films by Spanish director Jaume Balagueró: *The Nameless* (1999), and *Darkness* (2002).**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** *Darkness* received a North American theatrical release in December 2004 after being shelved for two years, and proved to be a financial success,**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.** while *The Nameless* was released direct-to-video in 2005. In January 2005, Dimension purchased the American distribution rights to the Australian horror film *Wolf Creek*, which was released in December that year.

For much of the early 2000s, Dimension produced and distributed numerous sequels to films released under their branch, including several direct-to-video releases for films such as *Children of the Corn: Revelation* (2001), *Hellraiser: Hellseeker* (2002), and *Dracula III: Legacy* (2005). They also distributed several comedies, such as the Terry Zwigoff-directed *Bad Santa* (2003)**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor\_id\_list' not found.**, and David Zucker's *My Boss's Daughter* (2003).

### 2005–present: Separation from Miramax

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In 2005, The Weinstein brothers purchased the rights to Dimension Films from Disney, and the company officially became a subsidiary of The Weinstein Company, established the same year.

After their separation from Miramax, Dimension would co-produce several titles with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, including the horror remakes *The Amityville Horror* (2005), *Black Christmas* (2006), and *Halloween* (2007), as well as the Stephen King-based thriller *1408* (2007). In the spring of 2007, Dimension produced and distributed the joint-double feature film *Grindhouse*, directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. The film was a major box office failure, grossing less than half of its $53 million budget.

In 2008, Dimension began to distribute an exclusive home video line titled *Dimension Extreme*, which mainly consisted of independent and international horror films, some of which were direct-to-video productions, and others foreign horror films making their home media debuts in North America.

In 2011, *Scream 4*, the fourth and final installment in the *Scream* series, was released, and proved to be another box office success in the franchise, earning nearly $100 million in box office receipts. The company released the sci-fi horror films *Apollo 18* (2011) and *Dark Skies* (2013). In 2013, Dimension acquired the rights to the independent slasher film *All the Boys Love Mandy Lane*, shot in 2006, and gave the film a limited release in the United States in October.

Dimension partnered with MTV for the television series *Scream*, based on the film series. On June 24, 2019, it was announced that *Scream* would be moving to VH1 ahead of the third season, which Dimension did not produce. Dimension Films also has involvement with One Ball Pictures, who owns the "Funny Or Die" online series. They released their first episode, "A Lesson with John McEnroe", with Dimension Films.

In 2015, Dimension Films lost the rights to the “Halloween” franchise. On December 20, 2019, ViacomCBS announced that they would acquire 49% of Miramax from beIN Media Group for at least $375 million, with Paramount Pictures gaining exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the Miramax library, including the pre-2005 Dimension films. ViacomCBS and Miramax will also co-produce new content based on titles from the Miramax library. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.

## Home media

The pre-2005 Dimension films were originally released to home video through Buena Vista Home Entertainment (under the Hollywood Pictures label in some places) while Miramax was owned by Disney. After Disney sold Miramax to Filmyard in 2010, they were distributed from 2011 to 2020 on home video through Lionsgate (with the exception of the overseas rights to *The Brothers Grimm*, which Disney acquired in 2015), with Echo Bridge Home Entertainment briefly handling some as well. Through ViacomCBS' 49% stake in Miramax, Paramount acquired the distribution rights to the pre-2005 Dimension titles.

As of 2015, Dimension Films' titles are currently released on DVD and Blu-ray by Lionsgate through Anchor Bay Entertainment, under The Weinstein Company, due to the Weinsteins' previous ownership of 25% of Starz Media, which was Anchor Bay's parent. Before the transaction, they were distributed by Genius Products and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

### *Dimension Extreme*

Beginning in 2008, Dimension introduced the *Dimension Extreme* label, which released primarily international and indie horror titles on DVD.

## Primary distributors

* Buena Vista Pictures (1993–2005)
	+ Miramax (1992–2005)
* The Weinstein Company (2005–2018)
	+ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (2006–2009)
	+ Genius Products (2006–2009)
	+ Vivendi Entertainment (2009–2010)
	+ Sony Pictures (2010–2011)
	+ Anchor Bay Entertainment (2011–2017)
	+ Lionsgate (2016–2018)
* Lantern Entertainment (2018–present, for the post-2005 films)
* Paramount Pictures (effective in the first quarter of 2020, for the pre-2005 films)

## Filmography

*Main article: List of films released by Dimension Films*
## See also

* Screen Gems, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures that similarly specializes in genre films.
* Miramax Films
* Bob Weinstein
* The Walt Disney Studios

## References

1. ↑ "'Scary Movie': Best Easter Debut Ever", Associated Press, *CBS News* (2006-04-16). Retrieved on 20 February 2011.
2. ↑ Template:Cite book
3. ↑ "Scream (1996)". https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3580855809/weekend/. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
4. ↑ "Scream 2 (1997)". https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3597633025/weekend/. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
5. ↑ Template:Cite book
6. ↑ "Darkness (2004)". *Box Office Mojo*. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl5015041/. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
7. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (January 27, 2005). "Wolf Creek". https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/wolf-creek-1200528417/.
8. ↑ Mohr, Ian (September 10, 2006). "The Weinstein Co. / Dimension Films". https://variety.com/2006/film/global/the-weinstein-co-dimension-films-1117949812/.
9. ↑ Fleming, Michael (December 16, 2003). "Amity for MGM and Dimension". https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/amity-for-mgm-and-dimension-1117897258/.
10. ↑ Monaghan, John (December 29, 2006). "Black Christmas". https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-12-29-0612290387-story.html. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
11. ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (September 5, 2007). "Halloween". https://ew.com/article/2007/09/05/halloween-4/.
12. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (September 7, 2007). "'1408' is indie sleeper hit of summer". https://variety.com/2007/film/global/1408-is-indie-sleeper-hit-of-summer-1117971630/. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
13. ↑ Gray, Brandon (April 8, 2007). "'Grindhouse' Dilapidated Over Easter Weekend", *Box Office Mojo*. Retrieved on August 9, 2017.
14. ↑ "'Blades' Stays on Top With $23 Million". Yahoo!. 2007-04-08. https://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20070408/117606450000.html.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Dimension Extreme Preps 18 More Direct-to-Video Pics". *ComingSoon*. October 22, 2008. https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/711264-dimension-extreme-preps-18-more-direct-to-video-pics. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
16. ↑ "Scream 4 (2011)". *Box Office Mojo*. Amazon. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3362752001/. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
17. ↑ Dodes, Rachel (2013-08-22). "Why It Took Seven Years to See 'Mandy Lane'" (in en-US), *The Wall Street Journal*.
18. ↑ "MTV & Dimension Tap Jamie Travis To Direct ‘Scream’ Pilot, Set Cast". *Deadline*. August 5, 2014. https://deadline.com/2014/08/mtv-scream-pilot-jamie-travis-dimension-tv-814364/. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
19. ↑ Swift, Andy (June 24, 2019). "Scream Series (Finally) Returns in July on New Network — Watch First Trailer". *TVLine*. https://tvline.com/2019/06/24/scream-resurrection-trailer-season-3-premiere-date-vh1-video/.
20. ↑ "Who We Work With Archives - Page 2 of 5 - One Big Ball Pictures". Onebigball.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123001303/http://onebigball.com/whoweworkwith/page/2. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
21. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (2015-12-29). "'Halloween' Franchise Rights Up for Grabs" (in en-US). https://www.thewrap.com/halloween-rights-up-for-grabs-as-dimension-lets-michael-myers-slip-away/.
22. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (December 20, 2019). "ViacomCBS to acquire 49 percent stake in Miramax for $375 million". *Variety*. https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/viacomcbs-miramax-acquisition-bein-media-1203449765/. Retrieved December 21, 2019.

## Works cited

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## External links

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