CinemaCon has unveiled plans for a new program providing time on stage beyond the usual suspects, with three very different companies — Angel Studios, StudioCanal and Row K Entertainment — getting to present inside the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace.
“Movie theaters around the world in cities and towns of all sizes rely upon these movies 52 weeks out of the year. They are essential to our industry, and by shining a light on these companies, we celebrate their importance in bringing great movies to fans of all ages across the globe,” said Michael O’Leary, president-CEO of Cinema United, which hosts the annual gathering of exhibitors (the org was previously known as NATO).
The new program, titled “CinemaCon Film Showcase,” is part of a revamped lineup that no longer includes an International Day, which was previously held on Monday before the first Hollywood studio presentation Monday evening.
Added Anna Marsh, who is CEO of StudioCanal and chief content officer of CANAL+: “Presenting our slate at The Colosseum and connecting with the exhibition community is a very special moment for StudioCanal and the Canal+ group. We remain firmly committed to films made for the big screen, and we thank Michael O’Leary and his team for providing such an important platform to highlight the creativity, ambition and investment behind bringing great stories to cinemas across the globe.”
The company operates in nine major European markets including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It also has offices in the United States and China.
The maverick Utah-based Angel Studios, known for turning out faith-based and inspirational fare, became a household name with the July 2023 release of global box office sensation Sound of Freedom, which grossed north of $250 million at the worldwide box office against a minuscule $14 million budget. (The company has been heavily scrutinized for using crowd -sourcing to raise production funds for titles they would most like to watch.) Angel is also home of include Homestead, The King of Kings and the animated film David.
“Theaters thrive when audiences have options,” said Angel Studio’s executive vp and head of theatrical Brandon Purdie. “Angel is committed to bringing audiences a bold, varied slate of films. We’re proud to stand with Cinema United, CinemaCon and our partners in exhibition as we redefine the future of theatrical moviegoing together.”
Row K co-chairs Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh echoed the same sentiments. “CinemaCon is a powerful reminder that the theatrical experience remains the heartbeat of our industry, bringing audiences together in a way no other medium can.”
Named for the seat often considered the best view in the theater, Row K was launched in 2025 with assistance from CAA Media Finance — which serves as an advisory partner to the company — and is a subsidiary of Media Capital Technologies, a leading entertainment investment company.
Row K’s 2026 slate includes Poetic License, the directorial debut of Maude Apatow and starring Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Nico Parker and Cliff “Method Man” Smith; Cliffhanger, directed, by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James; and Charlie Harper, directed by Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge and starring Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones.
This year’s edition of CinemanCon comes amid high-drama after Netflix beat out David Ellison, the new owner of Paramount, in securing the blessing of the Warner Bros. Discovery board to buy Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max, among other assets.
Warners and Paramount will be among the five legacy Hollywood studios presenting individually on stage at the Colosseum, along with Amazon MGM Studios and Oscar-winning indie company Neon. Lionsgate has decided to out this year’s show (Sony did the same in recent times, saying it wanted to save the money for other marketing purposes, but promptly returned.)
CinemaCon runs April 13-16 at Caesars Palace.
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