Editing Dimension Films

{{short description|American film and television and distribution label}}
{{distinguish|Dimension (film)}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Dimension Pictures|Dimension Pictures (1970s company)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Dimension Films
| logo = [[File:Dimension Films logo.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_caption = 
| type = Label
| industry = [[Film industry|Film]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| defunct = {{End date and age|2018|7|16}}
| fate = [[Bankruptcy|Bankruptcy]]
| successors = Library:<br>[[Paramount Pictures]]<br>{{small|(through [[Miramax]])}}<br>(pre-2005, with some exceptions)<br>[[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]]<br>(post-2005, with some exceptions)
| founder = [[Bob Weinstein]]
| hq_location_city = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Bob Weinstein]] (chairman)<br>Robert Katz (president)
| products = [[Motion picture]]s
| parent = [[Miramax]] (1992–2005)<br>[[The Weinstein Company]] (2005–2018)<br>[[Lantern Entertainment]] (2018–2019)
| divisions = Dimension Home Video (pre-2005 titles)<br>Dimension Home Entertainment (post-2005 titles)<br>[[#Dimension Extreme|Dimension Extreme]]<br>Dimension Television
| website = 
}}

'''Dimension Films''' was an American independent [[Film production|film]] and [[television production]] and [[Film distribution|distribution]] label founded in 1992, and currently owned by independent studio [[Lantern Entertainment]]. Formally one of the American "[[Major_film_studios#Mini-majors|mini-majors]]" (i.e., small to medium independent television and motion picture production studios), Dimension Films produced and released [[independent films]] and genre titles; specifically [[horror film|horror]] and [[science fiction film|science fiction]] films.

Dimension Films was used as [[Harvey Weinstein|Harvey]] and [[Bob Weinstein]]'s label within the brothers' own [[Miramax|Miramax Films]] studio, which was acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]] on June 30, 1993. The Weinsteins took the Dimension Films label with them when they separated from Miramax Films on October 1, 2005, and paired it under their new company, [[The Weinstein Company]] (TWC). However, the firing of Harvey Weinstein following [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases|allegations of sexual harassment and rape against him]], as well as financial troubles that followed, led to TWC's decline. TWC eventually declared bankruptcy in February 2018, with Lantern acquiring a majority of its film library and assets, and was shut down on July 16, 2018 following [[The Weinstein Company]]'s Liquidation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/the-weinstein-company-bankruptcy-sale-lantern-entertainment-1201983272/|title=The Weinstein Company Is No More: Buyer Lantern Capital Partners Rebrands as Lantern Entertainment|last=Marotta|first=Jenna|date=2018-07-16|work=IndieWire|access-date=2018-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718130756/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/the-weinstein-company-bankruptcy-sale-lantern-entertainment-1201983272/|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kilday |first=Gregg |title=Weinstein Co. Saga Comes to an End as $289 Million Sale to Lantern Closes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinstein-lantern-sale-closes-ending-chapter-movie-company-1126833 |access-date=July 28, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718022555/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinstein-lantern-sale-closes-ending-chapter-movie-company-1126833 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> 

All films released by Dimension Films before 2005 (as part of Miramax) are currently owned and distributed by [[Paramount Pictures]] through [[Paramount Global]]'s acquisition of a 49% stake in Miramax that was closed on April 3, 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scary-movie-best-easter-debut-ever/|title='Scary Movie': Best Easter Debut Ever|date=2006-04-16|work=CBS News|access-date=2011-02-20|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

== History ==
=== 1991–1992: Foundation and early releases ===
Dimension Films was officially founded in 1992 under its parent company [[Miramax|Miramax Films]] by [[Bob Weinstein]] as a label to distribute [[horror film]]s and other films deemed "disreputable" for release under the Miramax Films title.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=49}}<ref>{{cite book|title=American Independent Cinema|last=King|first=Geoff|publisher=I.B.Tauris|year=2005|isbn=978-1-850-43938-7|page=44}}</ref> Prior to 1992, the Weinsteins had released similar titles under a smaller operation called Millimeter Films.{{sfn|Perren|2012|pages=48–9}}

The first release under the Dimension Films label was the sequel film ''[[Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth]]'', released theatrically in the United States in 1992,{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=49}} followed by [[Stuart Gordon]]'s sci-fi thriller ''[[Fortress (1992 film)|Fortress]]'',{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=141}} and the sequel ''[[Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice]]'', both released the same year.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=50}}

=== 1993–1999: Disney's acquisition of Miramax ===
On June 30, 1993, [[The Walt Disney Company]] purchased Miramax Films, 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.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=58}} The success of ''The Crying Game'' made Miramax Films attractive to Disney, who officially bought the company in 1993, resulting in Dimension Films becoming a Disney subsidiary.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=63}}

After the box-office failure of ''[[Mother's Boys]]'' (1994) starring [[Jamie Lee Curtis]], Dimension Films distributed Miramax Films' ''[[The Crow (1994 film)|The Crow]]'' (1994), which would garner Dimension Films its first major commercial success.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=104}} In 1995, Dimension Films acquired the rights to the [[Halloween (franchise)|''Halloween'' film series]], releasing the sixth installment ''[[Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers]]'' in September that year.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=129}} 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 [[From Dusk till Dawn (film series)|sequels]] to follow.{{sfn|Perren|2012|pages=130–34}}

Dimension Films would gain greater exposure with its distribution of [[Wes Craven]]'s ''[[Scream (1996 film)|Scream]]'', released on December 20, 1996,{{sfn|Perren|2012|pages=134–40}} which became a major box office hit, grossing $173 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3580855809/weekend/ |title=Scream (1996) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The company also produced and distributed its sequel, ''[[Scream 2]]'', released the following year, which grossed a comparable $172 million.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=139}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3597633025/weekend/ |title=Scream 2 (1997) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>

Dimension Films continued its trend of releasing horror and science fiction films, specifically films aimed at teenagers and young adult audiences, with the releases of ''[[Phantoms (film)|Phantoms]]'' (1998) and the ''Halloween'' sequel ''[[Halloween H20: 20 Years Later]]'' (1998), the latter of which garnered the company another commercial success.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=5}} The company released its second film with director Robert Rodriguez, the teen sci-fi film ''[[The Faculty]]'', on Christmas Day 1998.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=140}} In 1999, Dimension Films distributed [[David Cronenberg]]'s ''[[Existenz|eXistenZ]]'' and Scream-writer [[Kevin Williamson (screenwriter)|Kevin Williamson]]'s directorial debut ''[[Teaching Mrs. Tingle]]''.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=214}}

=== 2000–2004: Post-millennium releases ===
Dimension Films' 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Remaking Horror: Hollywood's New Reliance on Scares of Old|last=Francis|first=James Jr.|publisher=McFarland|year=2013|isbn=978-0-786-47088-4|page=240}}</ref> In July 2000, the company released the [[Slasher film|slasher]] [[Parody film|parody]] film ''[[Scary Movie (2000 film)|Scary Movie]]'', which grossed a record-breaking $278 million for the company and marked the beginning of another popular [[Scary Movie (series)|film series]].{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=226}} 2001 saw the release of the Robert Rodriguez-directed ''[[Spy Kids (film)|Spy Kids]]'', which was the company's first major [[children's film]]. The film would spawn another popular [[Spy Kids (franchise)|franchise]] for the company.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=226}}

Beginning in 2000, Dimension Films began purchasing North American distribution rights to various international productions. Their 2001 release of ''[[The Others (2001 film)|The Others]]'', a Spanish-produced supernatural thriller starring [[Nicole Kidman]], was a surprise success for the company.{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=226}} Other international productions purchased by Dimension Films included two additional horror films by Spanish director [[Jaume Balagueró]]: ''[[The Nameless (film)|The Nameless]]'' (1999), and ''[[Darkness (2002 film)|Darkness]]'' (2002).{{sfn|Lázaro-Reboll|2014|p=251}} ''Darkness'' received a North American theatrical release in December 2004 after being shelved for two years, and proved to be a financial success,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl5015041/|work=Box Office Mojo|title=Darkness (2004)|access-date=  September 29, 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Lázaro-Reboll|2014|pages=251–2}} while ''The Nameless'' was released direct-to-video in 2005. In January 2005, Dimension Films purchased the American distribution rights to the Australian horror film ''[[Wolf Creek (film)|Wolf Creek]]'', which was released in December that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/wolf-creek-1200528417/|title=Wolf Creek|last=Harvey|first=Dennis|date=January 27, 2005|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

For much of the early 2000s, Dimension Films 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),{{sfn|Perren|2012|p=283}} and [[David Zucker (filmmaker)|David Zucker]]'s ''[[My Boss's Daughter]]'' (2003).

=== 2005–2018: Separation from Miramax ===
In 2005, the Weinstein brothers purchased the rights to Dimension Films from Disney, and Dimension Films officially became a subsidiary of [[The Weinstein Company]] (TWC), established the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2006/film/global/the-weinstein-co-dimension-films-1117949812/|title=The Weinstein Co. / Dimension Films|last=Mohr|first=Ian|date=September 10, 2006|website=Variety|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

After their separation from Miramax Films, Dimension Films would co-produce several titles with [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM), including the horror remakes ''[[The Amityville Horror (2005 film)|The Amityville Horror]]'' (2005),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/amity-for-mgm-and-dimension-1117897258/|title=Amity for MGM and Dimension|last=Fleming|first=Michael|date=December 16, 2003|website=Variety|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Black Christmas (2006 film)|Black Christmas]]'' (2006),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-12-29-0612290387-story.html|title=Black Christmas|last=Monaghan|first=John|date=December 29, 2006|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Halloween (2007 film)|Halloween]]'' (2007),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/05/halloween-4/|title=Halloween|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=September 5, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> as well as the [[Stephen King]]-based thrillers ''[[1408 (film)|1408]]'' and ''[[The Mist (film)|The Mist]]'' (both 2007).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/global/1408-is-indie-sleeper-hit-of-summer-1117971630/|title='1408' is indie sleeper hit of summer|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|date=September 7, 2007|website=Variety|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> In the spring of 2007, Dimension Films produced and distributed the joint-double feature film ''[[Grindhouse (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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed376964100/|title='Grindhouse' Dilapidated Over Easter Weekend|last=Gray|first=Brandon|date=April 8, 2007|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20070408/117606450000.html|title='Blades' Stays on Top With $23 Million|date=2007-04-08|website=Yahoo! Movies|publisher=Yahoo!|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033255/http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20070408/117606450000.html|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref>

In 2011, ''[[Scream 4]]'', the fourth 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3362752001/ |title= Scream 4 (2011) |publisher= Amazon | work = Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The company released the sci-fi horror films ''[[Apollo 18 (film)|Apollo 18]]'' (2011) and ''[[Dark Skies (2013 film)|Dark Skies]]'' (2013). In 2013, Dimension Films 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/taking-the-long-road-to-the-box-office-1377213348|title=Why It Took Seven Years to See 'Mandy Lane'|last=Dodes|first=Rachel|date=2013-08-22|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=2017-09-30|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

Dimension partnered with [[MTV]] for the television series ''[[Scream (TV series)|Scream]]'', based on the film series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/mtv-scream-pilot-jamie-travis-dimension-tv-814364/|work=Deadline|title=MTV & Dimension Tap Jamie Travis To Direct 'Scream' Pilot, Set Cast|date=August 5, 2014|access-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> On June 24, 2019, it was announced that ''Scream'' would be moving to [[VH1]] ahead of the third season, which Dimension did not produce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/06/24/scream-resurrection-trailer-season-3-premiere-date-vh1-video/|title=Scream Series (Finally) Returns in July on New Network — Watch First Trailer|last=Swift|first=Andy|work=TVLine|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> Dimension Films also had 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obbmedia.com/whoweworkwith/page/2 |title=Who We Work With Archives - Page 2 of 5 - One Big Ball Pictures |publisher=Onebigball.com |access-date=December 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123001303/http://onebigball.com/whoweworkwith/page/2 |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |df=mdy }}</ref>

In 2015, Dimension Films lost the rights to the ''Halloween'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/halloween-rights-up-for-grabs-as-dimension-lets-michael-myers-slip-away/|title='Halloween' Franchise Rights Up for Grabs|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=2015-12-29|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Bankruptcy ===
In 2018, TWC was purchased in a bankruptcy auction by [[Lantern Entertainment]]. 

On December 20, 2019, ViacomCBS (now known as [[Paramount Global]]) 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/viacomcbs-miramax-acquisition-bein-media-1203449765/|title=ViacomCBS Sets $375 Million Deal for 49% Stake in Miramax|website=Variety|date=December 20, 2019|language=en|access-date=2024-07-18}}</ref> ViacomCBS and Miramax will also co-produce new content based on titles from the Miramax library. The deal closed on April 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacomcbs-closes-acquisition-miramax-stake-375-million-deal-1286478|title=ViacomCBS Closes Acquisition of 49 Percent Miramax Stake in $375 Million Deal|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 3, 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref>

== Home media ==
The pre-2005 Dimension films were originally released to home video through [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|Buena Vista Home Entertainment]] and marketed under the Dimension Home Video label (under the [[Hollywood Pictures|Hollywood Pictures Home Entertainment]] 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 Studios#Home Entertainment|Lionsgate Home Entertainment]], with [[Echo Bridge Home Entertainment]] briefly handling some as well. Through ViacomCBS (now [[Paramount Global]])'s 49% stake in Miramax, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]] acquired the home video distribution rights to the pre-2005 Dimension titles. Notable exceptions are ''[[The Others (2001 film)|The Others]]'' (2001), ''[[Mr. 3000]]'' (2004) and the international distribution of ''[[Scary Movie 4]]'' (2006).

As of 2024, the post-2005 Dimension Films titles (apart from ''The Amityville Horror'' (2005), owned by [[Amazon MGM Studios]] through [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]], as of 2020) are currently released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] by [[Lionsgate]]. Before, 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 indie horror and [[teen film]]/[[adult comedy film|adult comedy]] (i.e., "Extreme Movie") titles on DVD.<ref name=extreme>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/711264-dimension-extreme-preps-18-more-direct-to-video-pics|work=ComingSoon|title=Dimension Extreme Preps 18 More Direct-to-Video Pics|date=October 22, 2008|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{Main|List of films released by Dimension Films}}

=== Primary owners and distributors ===
==== Past owners and distributors ====
* [[Miramax|Miramax Films]]<br><small>(1992–2010 for films released before late 2005, under [[Buena Vista Pictures]] ownership from 1993 to 2010)</small>
* [[The Weinstein Company]]<br><small>(2005–2018 for films released from late 2005 to 2019)</small>
** [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] <small>(2006–2008)</small>
** [[Genius Products]] <small>(2006–2009)</small>
** [[Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment|Vivendi Entertainment]] <small>(2009–2010)</small>
** [[Sony Pictures]] <small>(2010–2011)</small>
** [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] <small>(2011–2017)</small>
* [[Lionsgate]] and [[Echo Bridge Home Entertainment]]<br><small>(2011–2014 for films released before late 2005 via [[Miramax]] through separate deals, Lionsgate gained Echo Bridge titles and released them from 2014 to 2020, Lionsgate also distributed films released from late 2005 to 2019 via [[The Weinstein Company]] through its acquisition of Anchor Bay's parent company [[Starz Inc.]])</small>

==== Current owners and distributors ====
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<br><small>(via [[Miramax]] ownership since 2020 for films released before late 2005)</small>
* [[Lantern Entertainment]], [[Lionsgate]] and [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment#Studio Distribution Services, LLC|Studio Distribution Services, LLC]] <small>([[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]] and [[Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]])<br>(via [[Spyglass Media Group]] ownership since 2021 for films released from late 2005 to 2019, film catalog acquired by Lantern in 2018, then transferred to Spyglass in 2019, partial stakes in Spyglass acquired by Warner and Lionsgate in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Lionsgate later acquired [[Entertainment One]] (eOne), which included the assets of former [[Alliance Atlantis]] division [[Alliance Films]] in 2023)</small>
** [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]]
** [[RLJE Films]]
** [[Shout! Factory]]

== See also ==
* [[Screen Gems]], a subsidiary of [[Sony Pictures]] that similarly specializes in genre films.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite book|last=Lázaro-Reboll|first=Antonio|title=Spanish Horror Film|publisher=University of Edinburgh Press|year=2014|isbn= 978-0-748-63639-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Perren|first=Alisa|title=Indie, Inc.: Miramax and the Transformation of Hollywood in the 1990s|publisher=University of Texas Press|year=2012|isbn= 978-0-292-74287-1}}

{{Walt Disney Studios}}
{{Film Studio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Film production companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Former subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company]]
[[Category:Miramax]]
[[Category:The Weinstein Company]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1992]]
[[Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 2018]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Lantern Entertainment]]
[[Category:American independent film studios]]