Legendary Pictures

Thomas Tull established Legendary Pictures in 2000 within Burbank, California, creating a production house known for high-concept blockbusters and gritty dramas. The studio built its reputation by collaborating with major distributors like Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, and Paramount to realize ambitious visual spectacles across film, television, and digital media. While initially independent, the company underwent significant ownership shifts, joining China's Wanda Group in 2016 before Apollo Global Management acquired a minority stake in 2022.

By 2024, management successfully bought out Wanda's share, securing an equal partnership with Apollo that restored operational independence. The studio is widely recognized for the Monsterverse, a shared cinematic universe featuring Godzilla and King Kong, alongside the Dune franchise which has become a cornerstone of its brand identity. Their portfolio spans from intimate character studies like Oppenheimer to giant kaiju battles, maintaining a focus on transportive storytelling that demands large budgets.

In September 2025, the company struck a strategic three-year global distribution deal with Paramount Pictures, marking a shift away from its long-standing exclusive relationship with Warner Bros. for certain titles. Further expansion into Asian markets occurred in January 2026 when Legendary sold a $150 million stake to Japan's Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). Recent projects include the upcoming Dune: Part Three set for December 2026, a Magic School Bus film adaptation, and a new Street Fighter movie accompanied by Hasbro toy collaborations announced in early 2026. [edit]