Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is a major studio distributor doubling down on theatrical-first event films and franchise IP, while expanding its specialty acquisition reach through its new Clockwork label.
Current mandate
Warner Bros. is operating from a clear theatrical-first mandate, with CEO David Zaslav publicly committing to full windowing and stating the studio is "in no rush" to bring films to Max. The strategic logic is explicit: films perform substantially better on the streaming service after a proper theatrical run than titles sent direct to streaming. This position has been reinforced at CinemaCon appearances and in executive statements from distribution chiefs Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps, who have championed the theatrical pivot as a defining company posture. The studio's primary acquisition focus remains event films and franchise IP with broad commercial appeal, operating under a 45-day window mandate that it has publicly defended as a competitive advantage.
Across the recent acquisition window, the studio's most notable move has been the launch of Clockwork, a new specialty label that has quickly established itself as a serious bidding-war participant. Clockwork won the North American rights to Park Chan-wook's western-thriller "The Brigands of Rattlecreek" in a deal reported in the $15M range, following an earlier acquisition of Sean Baker's "Ti Amo!" in April. The studio also has a 4K restoration of Ken Russell's "The Devils" (1971) premiering at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. On the broader slate, recent acquisitions include "Bitter Christmas," "Night People," "Shiver," and the sequel "Mortal Kombat II." Warner Bros. also handles international distribution for select MGM/Amazon titles including Creed III, indicating ongoing third-party distribution partnerships beyond its own productions.
Material reaches Warner Bros. through established industry channels: sales agents, producer attachments, and festival markets. The Clockwork label's activity at Cannes and its competitive bidding on Park Chan-wook's film suggest that festival premieres and sales-agent representation are the primary documented routes for specialty and prestige acquisitions. No unsolicited pathway to the studio is documented in tracked deal activity; every observed acquisition has moved through professional representation or a market context.
Signature peaks
- 2 Major Acquisitions Clockwork Label Launch — Warner Bros.' new specialty label Clockwork has acquired Ti Amo! and The Brigands of Rattlecreek in rapid succession.
- 45-Day Window Theatrical Window Mandate — Zaslav has publicly committed to full windowing, with films required to complete a theatrical run before moving to Max.
- MGM/Amazon Titles Third-Party Distribution — Warner Bros. handles international distribution for select MGM/Amazon titles including Creed III, extending its reach beyond its own slate.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked Warner Bros. acquisition has moved through professional sales agents, competitive market bidding, or festival contexts, most visibly at Cannes. The studio's Clockwork specialty label has been the most active documented acquisition vehicle, winning bidding wars for festival titles; no unsolicited pathway to either the main studio or Clockwork is documented in observed deal activity.
- Deal structure
- Warner Bros. acquires North American or international distribution rights to completed films and franchise sequels, and also engages in third-party distribution partnerships for select titles from other studios. The Clockwork label operates as a specialty acquisition arm, with at least one deal reported in the $15M range for North American rights.
Recent acquisitions
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Bitter Christmas
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Mortal Kombat II
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Shiver
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The Brigands of Rattlecreek
Warner Bros.' new label Clockwork has won a bidding war to acquire Park Chan-wook's The Brigands of Rattlecreek for North America in a deal said to be in the $15M range
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The Devils (1971 restoration)
The Devils 4K restoration premiering at 2026 Cannes Film Festival
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Ti Amo!
Clockwork's second major acquisition after nabbing Sean Baker's Ti Amo! back in April
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Warner Bros
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Warner Bros.
Market context
With a 45-day theatrical window mandate and a new specialty label already winning bidding wars at Cannes, Warner Bros. is signaling that the big screen is non-negotiable.
Warner Bros. is operating from a clear theatrical-first mandate, with CEO David Zaslav publicly committing to full windowing and stating the studio is "in no rush" to bring films to Max. The strategic logic is explicit: films perform substantially better on the streaming service after a proper theatrical run than titles sent direct to streaming. This position has been reinforced at CinemaCon appearances and in executive statements from distribution chiefs Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps, who have championed the theatrical pivot as a defining company posture. The studio's primary acquisition focus remains event films and franchise IP with broad commercial appeal, operating under a 45-day window mandate that it has publicly defended as a competitive advantage.
Common questions about Warner Bros.
Does Warner Bros. accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited pathway to Warner Bros. is documented in tracked deal activity. Every observed acquisition has moved through professional sales agents, producer attachments, or festival market contexts. The studio's new Clockwork specialty label has been active at Cannes and in competitive bidding situations, suggesting that festival premieres and agent representation are the most reliable documented routes for getting material in front of the company.
What budget levels does Warner Bros. typically work with?
Warner Bros.' primary mandate centers on event films and franchise IP, which typically implies large-scale production budgets. However, the launch of the Clockwork specialty label signals appetite at lower budget tiers as well. The Brigands of Rattlecreek carried a reported $60M production budget and a $15M-range acquisition price, suggesting Clockwork is operating in the mid-to-upper specialty range. Budget details on other recent acquisitions such as Night People and Shiver were not disclosed.
What festivals does Warner Bros. source films from?
Cannes is a documented sourcing ground, with the Clockwork label acquiring Park Chan-wook's The Brigands of Rattlecreek in a competitive bidding situation tied to the 2026 festival. The studio also has a 4K restoration of The Devils (1971) premiering at Cannes 2026. CinemaCon has served as a key venue for the studio to present its theatrical slate and distribution strategy to exhibitors, reinforcing its theatrical-first positioning.
How do I get my script or film in front of Warner Bros.?
Every tracked deal involving Warner Bros. has moved through professional representation or a market context, typically via sales agents or producer attachments. The Clockwork label's competitive acquisitions at Cannes suggest that festival premieres with sales agent representation are the most visible documented pathway for specialty and prestige projects. For franchise and event-film material, producer attachments and established studio relationships appear to be the operative route based on observed deal patterns.
What genres is Warner Bros. currently acquiring?
The studio's stated primary focus is event films and franchise IP with broad commercial appeal, as reflected in acquisitions like Mortal Kombat II. Through the Clockwork label, Warner Bros. has demonstrated appetite for prestige and auteur-driven work, including a western-thriller from Park Chan-wook and a drama from Sean Baker. Recent acquisitions also include titles categorized as drama-horror and genre fare such as Shiver and Night People, suggesting Clockwork is casting a wider net than the main studio label.
Is Warner Bros. currently active in the acquisition market?
Yes. ScriptMatch tracks 507 total records over the past 12 months and a latest signal as recent as late September 2026, indicating sustained market activity. The Clockwork label has been particularly active, closing deals at Cannes 2026 and winning competitive bidding situations. The studio is also positioning itself for third-party distribution partnerships as part of a broader slate strategy, suggesting acquisition and distribution activity across multiple fronts simultaneously.
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