Known for distributing independent and foreign films, Miramax was founded in 1979 by Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The company was purchased by Disney in 1993, with the Weinsteins leaving in 2005. Disney sold it in 2010 to Filmyard Holdings.
The main purpose of the company was to distribute independent films that the major studios felt would be too unprofitable. They achieved their first success in 1982 with the release of The Secret Policeman's Other Ball. The film was the result of the company combining footage from two other foreign films to suit the American audience. They would later use this technique to rework more foreign films.
Starting in the late 1980s, the company distributed many American made independent films that were a large success such as Pulp Fiction and Clerks. They also produced several such as Shakespeare In Love. During the 1990’s they produced or distributed seven films that had a box office of over $100 million. Their top grossing film was Chicago with over $300 million. Many of the films would also receive Academy Award nominations. Several would go on to win an Oscar.
Lions Gate Entertainment has the home entertainment license to release Miramax’s catalog of over 800 titles on DVD and Blue Ray in the United States. StudioCanal has the rights for European distribution and Alliance Films releases them in Canada.
