Amazon To Begin Producing Feature Films For Theatrical, SVOD Release

Amazon Video has had a big January, and the streaming video on demand (SVOD) platform’s newsworthy month shows no signs of slowing down. The SVOD wing of the online retailer has announced its plan to begin producing feature films, which will be available in theaters and online for Amazon Prime subscribers.

The films Amazon produces will arrive first in theaters, but they will become available for streaming on Amazon Instant Video 30-60 days after their initial premiere dates. Amazon seems to be positioning the reduced wait time for online viewers as a big selling point of its theatrical efforts.

“We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films. Our goal is to create close to twelve movies a year with production starting later this year,” said Roy Price, VP of Amazon Studios, in a release. “Not only will we bring Prime Instant Video customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”

By expanding into the movie theater, Amazon Video is once again following the lead of its biggest rival, Netflix. The biggest SVOD player is also planning to produce feature films, including four movies produced by Adam Sandler and a sequel to 2000 smash hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The critically and commercially successful martial arts film also ties into Amazon’s movie plans, if only tangentially. Ted Hope, whose studio Good Machine co-produced Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, will lead creative development for Amazon Original Movies.

Earlier in January, Amazon picked up its first ever Golden Globe Awards when Transparent earned two wins. The company follow up that triumph by announcing its plan to distribute a TV series created by Woody Allen. That deal gives us hope that Amazon will populate its feature film library with exciting titles that will be worth viewing both in theaters and online.