![]() | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | April 2, 2011 |
| Founder | Megan Ellison |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Megan Ellison (chairwoman and CEO) |
| Services | |
| Divisions |
|
| Website | annapurna |
Annapurna Pictures, LLC is an American independent media company founded by Megan Ellison on April 2, 2011, and based in Los Angeles, California.[1] It is active in film, television[2][3] and theatrical production, film distribution, and video game publishing.[4]
History
Annapurna Pictures was founded in 2011 by Megan Ellison as a production and financing company focusing on high-end auteur-driven cinema.[5] Ellison had attended University of Southern California’s film school for two semesters and then left in 2005 and traveled the world. Among her stops was Nepal, where she trekked on the Himalayan mountain Annapurna, for which her production company is named.[6]
By 2014 Annapurna had produced and/or financed the films Lawless, The Master, Killing Them Softly, Zero Dark Thirty, Spring Breakers, The Grandmaster, Her, Foxcatcher, and American Hustle, and was starting production on Joy, Sausage Party, Wiener-Dog, 20th Century Women, and Everybody Wants Some!!.
In December 2016, the company announced its new division, Annapurna Interactive, to produce, develop, and distribute video games. Annapurna Interactive has become a major publisher of independently made games.[7][8]
In January 2017, the company announced it would begin distributing films, with the first being Detroit directed by Kathryn Bigelow.[9][10][11][12] In May 2017, Plan B Entertainment and Annapurna announced a three-year production deal to partner on at least three films a year, with Annapurna handling distribution and marketing. As part of the deal, Annapurna received the rights to Adam McKay's film Vice starring Christian Bale as Dick Cheney.[13] Annapurna then won domestic distribution rights for the James Bond series beating Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures.[14] In October 2017, Annapurna and MGM announced the formation of a US distribution joint venture in which each studio would release its films individually. Annapurna's distribution and marketing teams supported the MGM titles, which were distributed under the MGM banner while Annapurna-produced films continued to be distributed under its own banner.[15][16][17][18]
In October 2018, Annapurna signed a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music, which administered the studio's film and TV compositions and scores.[19]
In February 2019, Annapurna and MGM rebranded and expanded their US distribution joint venture to release both MGM and Annapurna films under United Artists Releasing.[20][21][22] After taking financial losses from distributing Vice, Detroit, and Destroyer, Annapurna had to leave Bombshell just two weeks before it would start production, and also unattached itself from Hustlers.[23]
On March 4, 2023, it was revealed by The Hollywood Reporter that Amazon had shut down the operations of United Artists Releasing and folded it into MGM.[24]
In August 2024 Annapurna announced a "strategic cooperation agreement" with video game developer Remedy Entertainment during which Annapurna will co-produce and co-finance Control 2, and will also develop film and television projects involving Remedy's Alan Wake and Control.[25]
On September 12, 2024 news broke that the entire Annapurna Interactive Team of 25 resigned[26] following a dispute with its owner to spin off the video-game division as an independent entity.
Annapurna produced The Testament of Ann Lee[27] which received a 15 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.[28] It was purchased by Searchlight Pictures in September 2025.[29] A partnership between Moomins and Annapurna was announced the next month to release the first film based on the characters to be produced in the United States.[30]
Filmography
Animation

Annapurna Animation is an American animation studio and division of Annapurna Pictures, founded by former Blue Sky Studios executives Robert L. Baird and Andrew Millstein on December 1, 2022 and based in North Stamford, Connecticut.[51] The studio's first film, Nimona, was released on June 30, 2023, on Netflix.[52]
Released
| Release date | Film | Directors | Co-production | Animation services | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2023 | Nimona | Nick Bruno Troy Quane |
Vertigo Entertainment | DNEG Animation | Netflix |
In development
| Film | Director | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foo | Chris Wedge | — | [53][54][55][56][57] |
| Untitled film | Nick Bruno | ||
| Stray | TBA | Based on the game by BlueTwelve Studio | |
| Untitled Moomin film | Rebecca Sugar | Based on the series by Tove Jansson Co-production with Moomin Creatures and Pistor Productions | |
Television
Annapurna Television is the television production company of Annapurna Pictures, launched on September 27, 2016, and was formerly headed by HBO executive Sue Naegle.[58] In January 2017, it was reported that Annapurna Television would produce the Coen brothers' first TV project, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.[59]
| Year | Title | Co-production | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Search and Destroy | — | Hulu | TV pilot |
| Half-Empty | Amazon Prime Video | |||
| Soundtrack |
|
Netflix | Canceled after one season | |
| 2020 | The Plot Against America |
|
HBO | Miniseries |
| Monsterland |
|
Hulu | Canceled after one season | |
| 2021 | Hot Pink | — | Amazon Prime Video | TV pilot |
| 2022 | Pam & Tommy |
|
Hulu | Miniseries |
| The Staircase | Emipop What's Up Films |
HBO Max | ||
| I Love That for You |
|
Showtime | Canceled after one season[60] | |
| 2023 | Paul T. Goldman |
|
Peacock | Miniseries |
| Dead Ringers | Morgan Creek Entertainment Astral Projection Amazon Studios |
Amazon Prime Video | ||
| The Changeling | Dela Revoluciøn August 17 Apple Studios |
Apple TV+ | Canceled after one season | |
| 2024–present | Sausage Party: Foodtopia[61] |
|
Amazon Prime Video | Animated television series |
Video games
Annapurna Interactive published its first video game, What Remains of Edith Finch, on April 25, 2017. What Remains of Edith Finch received "universal acclaim" on PC and "generally positive" reviews on PS4, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[62] Since 2017, Annapurna Interactive has also been responsible for publishing games including Twelve Minutes, Donut County, Kentucky Route Zero, Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Wattam, Telling Lies, Neon White and Stray. The publisher has also provided funding and publication support for The Artful Escape by Beethoven & Dinosaur,[63] Ashen by A44 and Gorogoa by Jason Roberts.
Theater
Annapurna Theatre produces plays and live shows on, and off-Broadway.
| Show date(s) | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Nine Night | |
| Network | ||
| 2019 | Home I'm Darling | |
| 2019–ongoing | American Utopia | Also viewable in film format from HBO Max. |
| 2019 | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | Also viewable in film format from National Theatre Live. |
| Fleabag | ||
| 2019–ongoing | The Lehman Trilogy | |
| 2020 | Death of a Salesman | |
| Betrayal | ||
| 2021–ongoing | Company | |
| A Strange Loop |
Reception
Some of the films produced by the company have received widespread critical acclaim. In 2013 alone, Her, American Hustle and The Grandmaster received a combined seventeen Academy Award nominations. Commercially, results have been mixed. Some films, such as The Master, Foxcatcher, Joy, Detroit and Vice, did not recoup their budgets while others, including Zero Dark Thirty, Sausage Party and American Hustle, grossed more than $100 million, with the latter earning more than $250 million worldwide.[64][65]
See also
References
- ↑ Pierson, David (June 1, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison pays $40 million for five West Hollywood properties". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 27, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures Launches TV Division Headed By Former HBO Executive Sue Naegle". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (September 27, 2016). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures Taps Sue Naegle to Head TV Division". Variety. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (December 1, 2016). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures Launches Video-Game Division". Variety. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ↑ Kaufman, Anthony (October 24, 2011). "Annapurna's Ellison a patron of the auteur". Variety. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ↑ Fritz, Ben (May 18, 2012). "Megan Ellison is energizing indie film world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 1, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures Launches Interactive Video Game Division". The Wrap. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ↑ Kay, Jeremy (December 1, 2016). "Annapurna Interactive launches to produce, publish video games". Screen International. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ↑ Busch, Anita (January 20, 2017). "Annapurna Pictures, Part II: Distribution And Marketing Team In Place As Company Flexes Indie Studio Muscle". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (March 27, 2017). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna Partners With MGM for International Releases". Variety. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ↑ "MGM, Annapurna Pictures Ink Movie Distribution Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (March 27, 2017). "MGM & Annapurna Seal Multi-Year Movie Distribution Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ↑ Ford, Rebecca (May 4, 2017). "Brad Pitt's Plan B Inks Three-Year Deal With Annapurna". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- ↑ Brooks Barnes (April 20, 2017). "Five Studios' Mission: Winning the Distribution Rights to James Bond". The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ↑ "News from California, the nation and world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (October 31, 2017). "MGM, Annapurna Form U.S. Distribution Partnership". Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ Geier, Thom (October 31, 2017). "MGM Teams With Annapurna for Joint Distribution Deal". Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Universal Wins James Bond International Distribution". The Hollywood Reporter. May 24, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Annapurna Pictures Announces Global Publishing Deal with Warner/Chappell Music - Warner Music Group Official Blog". wmg.com. Warner Music Group. October 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ↑ Ellison, Megan (February 5, 2019). "MGM, Annapurna Team for Distribution Label United Artists Releasing". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ↑ Donnelly, Matt (February 5, 2019). "Annapurna, MGM Joint Distribution Venture Rebrands as United Artists Releasing". Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 5, 2019). "MGM, Annapurna Set Joint Venture To Theatrically Distribute Under United Artists Releasing Banner". Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ↑ Galuppo, Mia; Keegan, Rebecca (March 6, 2024). "The Second Coming of Megan Ellison". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ McClintock, Pamela (March 4, 2023). "Box Office: 'Creed III' Wins Title with Series-Best $51M Opening". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
Amazon protected its newfound theatrical apparatus by folding United Artists Releasing into MGM.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 29, 2024). "Annapurna Teams With Remedy To Develop 'Control' & 'Alan Wake' Franchises For Film & TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ↑ "Annapurna Video-Game Team Resigns, Leaving Partners Scrambling". Bloomberg.com. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ↑ Lodge, Guy (1 September 2025). "'The Testament of Ann Lee' Review: Amanda Seyfried Shakes, Battles and Extols in an Arresting Religious Biopic". Variety.
- ↑ Gardner, Chris (1 September 2025). "Amanda Seyfried in Tears, Does Shaker Dance After 'Testament of Ann Lee' World Premiere at Venice Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (30 September 2025). "Searchlight Buys Mona Fastvold's 'The Testament Of Ann Lee', Starring Amanda Seyfried, For North America & Most Of World". Deadline.
- ↑ Horst, Carole (6 October 2025). "'Steven Universe' Creator Rebecca Sugar Set for Animated Feature From Annapurna, Moomin Characters (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ↑ "Berlin: So Much For Bad Blood Between Harvey And Megan Ellison; TWC Acquires Wong Kar Wai's 'The Grandmaster'". Deadline Hollywood. February 7, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ↑ Patches, Matt (September 30, 2014). "Megan Ellison's Annapurna to produce Richard Linklater's 'Dazed' spiritual Sequel, 'That's What I'm Talking About's". HitFix. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- ↑ Seetoodeh, Ramin (January 26, 2016). "Sundance: Amazon Lands Todd Solondz Comedy 'Wiener-Dog". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
- ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (September 24, 2013). "Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg Sell Sony on Raunchy Animated Film 'Sausage Party'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ↑ Lang, Brent (May 19, 2017). "Annapurna Nabs Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal Western 'Sister's Brothers'". Variety. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (July 10, 2017). "'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins Sets Next Movie (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (April 25, 2018). "Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis Starring in Animated Film From Laika". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ↑ McNary, Dave (January 17, 2019). "Cate Blanchett's 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' Moved Back to August". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ↑ "Hustlers" (PDF). Hustlers.movie. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
- ↑ Gooden, Tai (September 24, 2019). "Here's All The New Huluween Content Coming In October (Exclusive)". Nerdist Industries. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ↑ Hammond, Pete (October 14, 2019). "'Bombshell' Explodes Into Oscar Race As Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman & Margot Robbie Unveil The Fox News Roger Ailes Story". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ↑ "Miranda July's Next Movie Set Up At Plan B And Annapurna". Deadline Hollywood. March 15, 2018.
- ↑ "'Kajillionaire' Will Now Cash In This Fall At Theaters". Deadline Hollywood. August 29, 2020.
- ↑ "'She Said' Gets Release Date; Pic Based On Book About Harvey Weinstein Case Stars Carey Mulligan & Zoe Kazan". Deadline Hollywood. July 15, 2021.
- ↑ Grobar, Mat (April 11, 2022). "'Nimona': Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed & Eugene Lee Yang To Topline Animated Pic From Netflix And Annapurna". Deadline. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
- ↑ "Tiffany Haddish To Star in Adaptation Of 'Landscape With Invisible Hand' For MGM And Plan B". January 4, 2021.
- ↑ Grobar, Mat (May 19, 2022). "Searchlight Closes $25M+ World Rights Deal For Annapurna Neo-Horror 'Nightbitch;' Amy Adams & Director Marielle Heller Team On Rachel Yoder Novel Adaptation". Deadline. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (September 30, 2025). "Searchlight Buys Mona Fastvold's The Testament Of Ann Lee, Starring Amanda Seyfried, For North America & Most Of World". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ↑ Lang, Brett (April 23, 2025). "Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton to Star in Olivia Wilde's Date Night Comedy 'The Invite' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 8, 2024). "Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield And Naomi Ackie To Star In Boots Riley's Next Movie 'I Love Boosters' At Neon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ↑ DaRosa, Andrew (February 2, 2024). "How a CT animated movie, was canceled, revived and now up for an Oscar". Connecticut Post. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ↑ "Why Megan Ellison Saved 'Nimona': "I Needed This Movie"". The Hollywood Reporter. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ↑ Romano, Nick (September 5, 2023). "'Stray' movie and 'Ice Age' director's next film a go at Annapurna". EW.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 5, 2023). "Nick Bruno & Julie Zackary Join Annapurna Animation Leadership Team; Feature Take Of Videogame 'Stray' In The Works". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (September 5, 2023). "Annapurna Animation Ramps Up Creative Team, Announces Chris Wedge Pic 'Foo' and 'Stray' Adaptation". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ↑ Scorziello, Sophia (September 5, 2023). "Cat Video Game Stray to Get Animated Film Adaptation From Annapurna Studios". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ↑ "A new animated Moomin film is in the works in Hollywood". Moomin Characters. October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (September 27, 2016). "Annapurna Pictures Taps Sue Naegle to Head TV Division". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (January 10, 2017). "Coen Brothers To Write & Direct First TV Project 'The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 7, 2023). "'I Love That For You' Canceled By Showtime After One Season". Deadline Hollywood.
- ↑ White, Peter (October 26, 2022). "'Sausage Party' Animated Series Cooked Up At Amazon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ↑ "What Remains of Edith Finch". Metacritic.com. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ↑ D'Anastasio, Cecilia (March 30, 2017). "A Musical Indie Game Starring A Teen With A Cosmic Guitar". Kotaku. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
- ↑ "Zero Dark Thirty". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database.
- ↑ "American Hustle". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database.
