If you’ve ever sat through the opening credits of a John Wick movie or The Hunger Games, you’ve seen that golden lion. It looks like one of those old-school, monolithic Hollywood studios owned by a single billionaire in a suit. But honestly, the answer to who owns Lionsgate Films is a lot messier than a simple name on a door.
In the last couple of years, the company has basically torn itself apart and glued itself back together in a way that left even Wall Street analysts scratching their heads. As of 2026, the studio isn't just one thing anymore.
The Big Split: Lionsgate vs. Starz
For the longest time, Lionsgate was a package deal. You bought the studio, you got Starz (the streaming service/cable channel) along with it. That changed in May 2025. After years of promising to do it, the company finally completed a full "divorce."
They split into two totally independent, publicly traded companies. One side is Lionsgate Studios Corp., which trades under the ticker LION on the New York Stock Exchange. This is the part that actually owns the films—the production house, the 20,000-title library, and the TV production arm.
The other side is Starz Entertainment Corp. (ticker: STRZ), which handles the subscription side of things. If you're looking for the people who call the shots on the next Saw movie, you’re looking at the shareholders of Lionsgate Studios.
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So, Who Is the Actual Boss?
Lionsgate is a public company. That means nobody "owns" it in the way Disney owns Marvel. Instead, it’s owned by a collection of institutional investors, hedge funds, and a few powerful individuals who hold enough stock to steer the ship.
The Power Players
- Mark Rachesky and MHR Fund Management: If you had to pick one person who has the most influence, it’s Dr. Mark Rachesky. He’s the Chairman of the Board and his fund, MHR Management, has been the largest shareholder for a long time. He's a protégé of Carl Icahn, and he doesn't just sit on the sidelines; he’s deeply involved in the strategic moves, including the recent split.
- Jon Feltheimer: He’s the CEO and has been since 2000. While his personal ownership stake is relatively small (around 0.8% to 1%), he’s the architect of the modern Lionsgate. He's the guy who pushed for the acquisition of Summit Entertainment (which brought in Twilight) and the purchase of eOne from Hasbro in 2023.
- Institutional Giants: Because it's a public stock, big names like Vanguard Group and Shapiro Capital Management hold massive chunks of the company. Vanguard alone holds roughly 8% of the shares.
The "Mini-Major" Identity Crisis
Lionsgate is often called a "mini-major." They aren't one of the Big Five (Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, Sony), but they’re too big to be called an "indie." This middle-ground status makes them a constant target for buyout rumors.
You’ve probably heard whispers about Sony or even Amazon sniffing around to buy them. In mid-2025, there were even reports that Legendary Entertainment (the folks behind Dune) was looking at a potential deal. So far, Lionsgate has stayed independent, but being a "pure-play" content company makes them a very attractive snack for a bigger fish.
What They Actually Own
When we talk about ownership, we're also talking about the "IP"—the intellectual property. Even though the corporate structure is complex, the ownership of the content is where the real value lies. Lionsgate Studios currently controls:
- Summit Entertainment: The label responsible for Twilight and Step Up.
- Lionsgate Canada: Formerly known as eOne, which they snagged for about $375 million.
- 3 Arts Entertainment: A massive talent management and production company that gives them a direct line to big stars.
- The Library: Over 20,000 titles, including Dirty Dancing, Mad Men, and Orange is the New Black.
Why the Ownership Matters to You
You might think, "Who cares which billionaire owns the stock?" But ownership dictates what you see on screen. For years, the "dead weight" of the Starz debt kept Lionsgate from taking big swings on new franchises. Now that they are a standalone studio, they are much more nimble.
They’re currently releasing 30 to 40 films a year. Because they don't have a dedicated "must-fill" streaming service like Disney+ or Max, they can sell their movies to the highest bidder. One year a Lionsgate movie might be on Netflix; the next, it’s on Peacock. This "arms dealer" strategy is only possible because of their current independent ownership structure.
Summary of the Current Stakes
Honestly, the "owner" of Lionsgate is the stock market, but the "drivers" are Mark Rachesky and Jon Feltheimer. If a giant like Sony eventually buys them out, that golden lion might finally be part of a bigger pride. For now, it's a standalone beast.
What to Watch Next
If you’re tracking the value of Lionsgate or just curious about where their movies will end up, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
- Monitor the LION Ticker: Watch for significant spikes in trading volume; this usually precedes a merger or acquisition rumor.
- The Legendary Connection: Follow news regarding Legendary Entertainment’s moves in 2026. If they move toward a merger, the "who owns it" question gets a whole new answer.
- Licensing Deals: Look at where the John Wick spin-offs land. If they start consolidating on one platform, it might signal a "soft" ownership or partnership agreement that isn't yet public.
Check the latest SEC 13F filings for MHR Fund Management if you want to see exactly how much of the pie Rachesky still holds—it’s the most accurate way to see who really has the keys to the studio.