movies

That's a Wrap: Miramax Films Sale Finally Closes

After months of delays, the deal is done: An investment group called Filmyard Holdings is the proud new owner of the storied Miramax Films. The sale was announced back in June, but concerns about bank financing pushed the closing date back until now.

Original Darth Vader Costume Fails to Sell at Christie's Auction

Bidding for an original Darth Vader costume from the "Star Wars" movie series failed to reach the undisclosed reserve at a Christie's auction Thursday. Auctioneers had expected the costume to sell for between 160,000 pounds and 230,000 pounds ($250,000 to $365,000). The top bid was 150,000 British pounds (roughly $236,000).

Embracing Change: Why Netflix Keeps Winning

In its transition from mail-order DVDs to streaming video, Netflix's latest move -- a new plan that offers unlimited downloads and no DVDs for $7.99 per month -- highlights why the company has been so successful.

New Harry Potter Film Grosses $125 Million in Opening Weekend

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1" had the most successful opening of the series so far, bringing in $125 million in U.S. box office sales last weekend. That gives the Warner Bros. title the sixth-most successful U.S. movie launch ever.

The (Unlikely) Economics of Your Book Becoming a Movie

Previously for DailyFinance, Catherine Ryan Hyde described how novelists (theoretically) profit from their books. Here, the author of Pay It Forward, which was adapted to film, explains what happens to authors when their books make the journey to Hollywood. Hint: Money doesn't have a starring role.

Lions Gate's Out: MGM to Merge with Spyglass

After its drama with shareholder Carl Icahn, Lions Gate is apparently out of the bidding for MGM. Creditors of the storied studio -- which owns the James Bond franchise and half of the rights to "The Hobbit" films -- approved a merger with Spyglass Entertainment on Friday.

Lions Gate Sues Billionaire Icahn Over MGM Drama

The movie studio has sued activist investor Carl Icahn for opposing a merger with MGM. But the internal bickering doesn't look good for the company. Will the lawsuit end up sinking its bid?

'The Hobbit' Gets $25 Million to Stay in New Zealand

After filmmakers last week threatened to shoot "The Hobbit" films elsewhere, New Zealand has come up with $25 million in incentives to keep production in the country. The prequels to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which also was filmed in New Zealand, will start filming early next year.