Sony Film Chief Argues Theatrical Windows, Not Streaming, Build Global Franchises

Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch used the Cannes Marché du Film keynote celebrating Japan as the 2026 Country of Honour to argue that theatrical distribution remains the most effective mechanism for building globally durable intellectual property. Panitch said Japanese anime and related fandom have become especially valuable in a fragmented global entertainment market, and he positioned them as a major strategic opportunity for the studio. He said theatrical box office has become increasingly dependent on intellectual property, and he framed Japanese anime and related fandom as a major global opportunity for Sony. His remarks came during the Cannes Marché keynote, which Filmfestivals.com listed as a conversation titled "The Global Impact of Japanese Intellectual Property" featuring Panitch and consultant Atsuo Nakayama. The remarks were part of the Cannes Marché program celebrating Japan as Country of Honour, which spotlights Japan's expanding film, content and intellectual property sectors through showcases and industry events, according to the Marché du Film.

The Details

Panitch made his remarks during the Marché du Film program spotlighting Japan's expanding film, content and intellectual property sectors. The event took place as part of the official program for Japan's designation as the 2026 Country of Honour at Cannes, according to the Marché du Film. Filmfestivals.com separately listed Panitch and consultant Atsuo Nakayama for the Cannes conversation, corroborating that the keynote event took place as part of the Japan showcase. The Marché du Film said the program spotlights Japan's expanding film, content and intellectual property sectors through showcases and industry events.

Panitch said theatrical box office has become increasingly dependent on intellectual property, and he framed Japanese anime and related fandom as a major global opportunity for Sony, according to Deadline. The executive delivered a pointed assessment of streaming as a franchise-building tool, stating, "There's almost never been a global IP created from a streaming service," according to Deadline. He also said, "I continue to believe that the theatrical experience is still the biggest opportunity to create global IP." Panitch tied this argument to current market conditions for theatrical films, noting, "It's incredibly challenging to have box office anymore without IP."

Deadline reported that Sony owns anime businesses Aniplex and Crunchyroll and is developing or backing international projects tied to Japanese intellectual property. The projects named by Deadline include Resident Evil, Legend of Zelda, and Takashi Yamazaki's first Hollywood film, Grandgear. These holdings give Sony a direct stake in Japanese intellectual property across both established gaming franchises and anime properties. Deadline reported that Sony's ownership of Aniplex and Crunchyroll positions the studio with significant anime assets as it pursues these international projects.

Panitch said Sony chose to supply multiple streaming platforms rather than launch its own standalone streaming service. He argued that broad licensing better serves creators while theatrical remains the priority for films. This reflects the studio's stated position, according to Deadline, that theatrical windows remain the priority for building global intellectual property. Panitch said there has almost never been a global intellectual property created from a streaming service. He separately argued that theatrical releases remain the biggest opportunity to create global franchises.

Context

Japan was named the 2026 Country of Honour at the Cannes Marché du Film, and the program spotlights Japan's expanding film, content and intellectual property sectors through showcases and industry events, according to the Marché du Film. The designation places Japan's creative industries at the center of the Cannes market programming for the year, providing a platform for discussions about global distribution models and the commercial value of Japanese intellectual property. The Marché du Film said the program includes showcases and industry events spotlighting Japan's expanding film, content and intellectual property sectors.

The remarks come amid a broader post-pandemic industry debate over whether streaming or theatrical releases create more durable franchises and cultural impact, Deadline reported. Panitch's statements position Sony within this debate as a studio that continues to invest in theatrical windows while licensing content to multiple streamers rather than building an exclusive platform.

What's Next

Panitch said Sony is developing or backing international projects tied to Japanese intellectual property, citing Resident Evil, Legend of Zelda and Takashi Yamazaki's first Hollywood film Grandgear as examples. These projects represent the studio's efforts to leverage Japanese intellectual property for global theatrical audiences, according to Deadline. Panitch said Japanese anime and related fandom offer a major global opportunity for Sony, according to Deadline.

Panitch said Sony will continue to supply multiple streaming platforms rather than operate its own standalone streaming service, arguing that this approach better serves creators while theatrical remains the priority for films. The Marché du Film's spotlight on Japan as Country of Honour provides a venue for these projects and for broader industry discussion about the role of Japanese content in global markets. He said theatrical releases remain the biggest opportunity to create global franchises, and he said Japanese anime and related fandom represent a major global opportunity for Sony.