Paramount CEO David Ellison wants to release 30 films annually. History and Hollywood say it's unrealistic

CEO of Paramount Skydance David Ellison speaks on stage during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 16, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Valerie Macon | AFP | Paramount CEO David Ellison is trying to do something that no other studio has done in the modern age of cinema — release 30 films annually. Ellison once again promised this theatrical feat in front of thousands of exhibitors at CinemaCon earlier this month. Applause erupted from the crowd after he made the pronouncement. But privately, movie theater operators have expressed concerns and skepticism about the proposed future slate of films. While a massive string of releases would help cinemas, companies doubt he will be able to follow through on the promise. His 30-film plan would hinge on Paramount receiving regulatory approval for its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which the latter company's shareholders approved last week. Ellison noted that each studio would produce 15 films a year. However, Ellison has not provided many details about those 30 releases, and it's not clear how he would hit the ambitious goal. Representatives for Paramount did not reply to CNBC's request for comment. It's unclear if all of the films would have wide releases (meaning they eventually play in at least 1,500 theaters, though the typical benchmark is 2,000). …