New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema is an American film distribution and film production company based out of New York City, New York.

Founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye, the company gained traction by distributing foreign-language and art films to college campuses domestically such as Reefer Madness (1936), Stay As You Are (1978), Immoral Tales (1973), and Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (1978). In 1976, New Line expanded into film production, obtaining a license to produce American drama mystery film Stunts (1977). In 1984, the company had its first commercial film production success with the American slasher film franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street, which would lead to the company becoming publicly traded in 1986.

Expansion would could continue further in the early 1990’s with Shaye’s law school classmate, Michael Lynne, becoming president and chief operating officer of the company. New Line would gain another major success in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and would acquire television production company Sonar Entertainment in November 1990 and film distribution company Sultan Entertainment on November 27th, 1991.

On January 28th, 1994, New Line announced a merger with the Turner Broadcasting System worth $500 million. The company would go on to producer other hit franchises, including The Lord of the Rings, Final Destination, Rush Hour, and Austin Powers, before being merged with Warner Bros. Pictures in 2009.