Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated

New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema is Warner Bros.' genre-focused label, dominating the horror box office in 2025 with four releases that have collectively grossed $768 million worldwide.

Current mandate

New Line Cinema is operating at the peak of its commercial power as Warner Bros.' dedicated genre label, with its 2025 horror slate generating $768 million worldwide across four titles: "Companion," "Final Destination: Bloodlines," "Weapons," and "The Conjuring: Last Rites." That output represents roughly 20% of Warner Bros.' $3.7 billion global box office since January, a contribution that has helped the parent studio achieve its best domestic box office year since 2018. "The Conjuring: Last Rites" opened to $84 million domestic and $194 million globally, placing New Line alongside its own "It" (2017) and "It: Chapter Two" as holders of the top three highest horror openings in box office history. "Weapons," acquired for an all-in budget of $38 million, has grossed $251.5 million worldwide after five weekends, exemplifying the label's ability to generate outsized returns on disciplined production spend.

New Line's acquisition and production pattern over the past year reflects a dual strategy: franchise extensions anchored by established IP and carefully selected original horror with strong commercial instincts. The label has leaned into the "Conjuring" cinematic universe, a franchise architecture built in part by producer Peter Safran before his move to DC Studios, and is actively expanding its horror pipeline with upcoming titles including "Evil Dead Burn" and Lee Cronin's "The Mummy," the latter co-produced with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. "Mortal Kombat II" is dated for May 2026, signaling that New Line continues to pursue action-franchise IP alongside its horror core. The label's marketing approach has grown increasingly sophisticated, with campaigns tailored to franchise sequels, original horror, and nostalgia-driven revivals using distinct positioning strategies. Beyond horror, the label's seeking statement points toward family-oriented animated and hybrid live-action/animation projects based on internationally recognized IP.

Material reaches New Line primarily through established producer relationships and the sales-agent ecosystem that surrounds major festival markets. The label's horror pipeline has been built through long-term partnerships with producers such as James Wan's Atomic Monster and collaborators like Blumhouse, suggesting that producer attachment is a well-documented route into the slate. Warner Bros. studio chiefs have also used New Line's theatrical footprint, placing trailers for auteur-driven originals in front of New Line horror releases, which underscores the label's role as a platform for broader studio strategy. No open submission portal or named fellowship program is documented for New Line; every tracked deal in the ScriptMatch dataset flows through agents, managers, or established production partners.

Signature peaks

  • $194M Global Top Horror Opening Weekend — "The Conjuring: Last Rites" opened to $84M domestic and $194M globally, placing New Line among the top three horror openings in box office history.
  • $38M All-In Lean Budget, Big Return — "Weapons" was produced for a $38 million all-in budget and has grossed $251.5 million worldwide after five weekends.
  • 3 Upcoming Active Pipeline Titles — "Mortal Kombat II," "Evil Dead Burn," and Lee Cronin's "The Mummy" (with Blumhouse/Atomic Monster) are all in the New Line pipeline.

Mandate dimensions

Genre focus
horror, comedy, action, thriller
Territory focus
Not disclosed
Budget tier (observed)
Not disclosed
Access pattern
Every tracked deal in the ScriptMatch dataset flows through talent representatives, established production partners, or sales agents; the label's horror pipeline in particular is built around long-term producer relationships with entities such as Atomic Monster and Blumhouse. No open submission portal, named fellowship, or documented unsolicited pathway has been observed.
Deal structure
New Line operates primarily as a production-financing and distribution label within the Warner Bros. studio system, financing and releasing films theatrically with global distribution handled by Warner Bros. Pictures; the label also acquires completed projects and rights to IP for franchise development.

Recent acquisitions

  • Companion

    February 1, 2023 · Acquired

  • Weapons

    just days after · Acquired

Market context

New Line's four 2025 horror releases have already accounted for roughly 20% of Warner Bros.' entire global box office, cementing the label as the industry's premier genre engine.

New Line Cinema is operating at the peak of its commercial power as Warner Bros.' dedicated genre label, with its 2025 horror slate generating $768 million worldwide across four titles: "Companion," "Final Destination: Bloodlines," "Weapons," and "The Conjuring: Last Rites." That output represents roughly 20% of Warner Bros.' $3.7 billion global box office since January, a contribution that has helped the parent studio achieve its best domestic box office year since 2018. "The Conjuring: Last Rites" opened to $84 million domestic and $194 million globally, placing New Line alongside its own "It" (2017) and "It: Chapter Two" as holders of the top three highest horror openings in box office history. "Weapons," acquired for an all-in budget of $38 million, has grossed $251.5 million worldwide after five weekends, exemplifying the label's ability to generate outsized returns on disciplined production spend.

Common questions about New Line Cinema

Does New Line Cinema accept unsolicited scripts?

No unsolicited submission pathway is documented for New Line Cinema. Every deal tracked in ScriptMatch's dataset has moved through talent representatives, established producers, or sales agents with existing studio relationships. The label's horror pipeline in particular is built around long-term producer partnerships, such as those with Atomic Monster and Blumhouse. Writers without representation are best served by securing a manager or agent, or by attaching a producer already in New Line's orbit.

What budget range does New Line Cinema work at?

New Line operates across a meaningful range. "Weapons" was produced for an all-in budget of $38 million, while the label also supports larger franchise productions. The $38 million figure for "Weapons" generating $251.5 million worldwide illustrates the label's preference for disciplined genre budgets that carry strong upside. Franchise titles like "Mortal Kombat II" and the Conjuring universe entries tend to carry higher production costs consistent with major studio tentpole positioning.

What festivals does New Line Cinema source films from?

New Line's recent acquisition activity, including "Companion" and "Weapons," does not carry documented festival-sourcing details in current trade coverage. The label's strategic posture is more production- and IP-driven than festival-acquisition-driven, with its slate built around franchise extensions and producer partnerships rather than festival pickups. That said, the broader Warner Bros. ecosystem does engage major markets, and genre titles with strong commercial hooks can surface through those channels.

How do I get my script in front of New Line Cinema?

The most documented route is through a producing partner already working with New Line. The label's horror slate has been built through relationships with producers like James Wan's Atomic Monster and Blumhouse, and attaching a producer from that ecosystem is a credible path. Representation by a WME, CAA, UTA, or similarly positioned agency that has existing studio access is the other primary route. No open call, fellowship, or submission portal is documented.

What genres is New Line Cinema currently acquiring?

Horror is New Line's dominant genre focus right now, with four horror releases in 2025 generating $768 million worldwide. The label is actively developing franchise horror (the Conjuring universe, Evil Dead, The Mummy), original horror ("Weapons"), and action-franchise IP ("Mortal Kombat II"). The label's public seeking statement also flags family-oriented animated and hybrid live-action/animation projects based on internationally recognized IP as a current area of interest.

Is New Line Cinema currently active in the market?

Yes, New Line is highly active. Its 2025 horror slate has contributed roughly 20% of Warner Bros.' $3.7 billion global box office, and the label has multiple projects in its pipeline, including "Mortal Kombat II" (May 2026), "Evil Dead Burn," and Lee Cronin's "The Mummy" co-produced with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. ScriptMatch's activity metrics show 59 total records in the past 12 months and 53 tracked decision makers, reflecting a robust and staffed operation.

Adjacent buyers in this lane

  • Beta Cinema — Beta Cinema is a Munich-based international sales agent specializing in arthouse and literary-adapta
  • Starz — Starz is a premium cable and streaming network doubling down on wholly owned scripted drama and inte
  • Cineflix Rights — Cineflix Rights is a genre-focused international distributor and co-production financier specializin
  • Filmax — Filmax is a Spanish distributor and co-producer with a long track record in genre cinema, currently

Related reading

Match your script to New Line Cinema

This is a public snapshot of New Line Cinema, kept current from trade-press signals. Inside ScriptMatch, upload your script to see whether New Line Cinema fits, why, and exactly how to reach them. Start a card-required 7-day trial or try the no-card buyer-match tool.