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    Spyglass Media Group
    Film and television production

    Spyglass Media Group

    United States flagUnited States

    "Independent filmmaking with a global reach"

    Founded August 21, 1998 Los Angeles, California CEO: Gary Barber
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    About

    Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum launched the original Spyglass Entertainment on August 21, 1998. The studio quickly gained traction by backing ambitious projects like The Sixth Sense and The Insider. These early successes established a reputation for greenlighting high-concept thrillers that major studios often overlooked. The company operated steadily until 2012 when the founders stepped back and the brand entered a period of dormancy.

    The entity returned to the spotlight in March 2019 after Lantern Entertainment acquired assets from the defunct The Weinstein Company. This partnership allowed Barber and Birnbaum to relaunch the business as Spyglass Media Group. They secured a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures just one month later in April 2019 to ensure steady distribution channels.

    Today the company functions as an agile independent producer focusing on genre films and horror franchises. Recent headlines center on the production of Scream 7, which generated significant controversy following the firing of lead actress Melissa Barrera in late 2024. Despite the legal battles over rights and public backlash, the studio achieved a record-breaking $64 million opening weekend for the film in September 2026.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Scream franchiseThe RescueShanghai NoonThe Sixth SenseThe Insider

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns Spyglass Media Group?
    The company is co-owned and led by its founders Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum who relaunched it in 2019 through a partnership with Lantern Entertainment.
    Is Spyglass Media Group still active?
    Yes the studio continues to produce and finance films including recent entries in the Scream horror franchise.
    What is Spyglass best known for?
    The studio produced hit films like The Sixth Sense and Shanghai Noon during its first era and recently managed the controversial Scream 7 production.
    How does Spyglass differ from major studios?
    As an independent producer it operates with more flexibility than large conglomerates allowing it to take risks on diverse stories without heavy bureaucratic oversight.
    Did Spyglass fire Melissa Barrera from Scream 7?
    Yes the studio fired Melissa Barrera in 2024 due to her comments regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict sparking widespread debate about her potential return.

    Keywords

    independent filmhorror moviesfilm financingBarber BirnbaumScream franchiseWarner BrosLantern Entertainment

    Sources

    Company Info

    Founded
    August 21, 1998
    Founder
    Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum
    CEO
    Gary Barber
    Headquarters
    Los Angeles, California
    Industry
    Film and television production
    Parent Company
    Lantern Entertainment (partial)
    Key Partnership
    Warner Bros. Pictures (First-Look Deal)
    Notable Release
    Scream 7 ($64M Opening Weekend)

    Official Website

    spyglassmediagroup.com/

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