Lightstorm Entertainment

Lightstorm Entertainment, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryFilm
Television
PredecessorTech Noir Productions
Founded1990; 36 years ago (1990)
FounderJames Cameron
Lawrence Kasanoff
Headquarters
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Products
OwnerJames Cameron
Divisions
  • Lightstorm Earth
  • Lightstorm Vision
  • Cameron/Eglee Productions
  • Lightstorm Music
  • Lightstorm Music Publishing
SubsidiariesEarthship Productions

Lightstorm Entertainment, Inc. is an American independent film and television production company founded by filmmaker James Cameron and producer Lawrence Kasanoff in 1990. Cameron previously founded Tech Noir Productions with Gale Anne Hurd, which only made The Abyss in 1989.

The company had signed its overall deal with Carolco Pictures in 1990 for just two years, having only one picture came out of the deal, before jumping ship to 20th Century Fox, who had the US rights, and United International Pictures, via Universal Pictures, in 1992 for foreign film rights for 12 pictures.

Also that year, the company made its expansion plans when it teamed up with Sony Music Entertainment to launch a label, Lightstorm Music, to handle the soundtracks of its movies. In 1993, Lawrence Kasanoff, a founding partner had left the company to start out its own company, Threshold Entertainment. Also that year, the company had signed a deal with Acclaim Entertainment to produce video games based on its film properties.

The company's films include the sci-fi film Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), the action-comedy film True Lies (1994), the romantic film Titanic (1997), the epic science fiction film series Avatar, and the sci-fi film Alita: Battle Angel (2019); Cameron has employed other filmmakers to produce and direct films under the Lightstorm banner. Based in Santa Monica, California, the company established a first look deal with 20th Century Fox (currently known as 20th Century Studios) in 1995, who has since distributed a majority of the company's films.

In 1993, Cameron would meet his future Titanic and Avatar co-producer Jon Landau during the production of True Lies, and would persuade Landau to join the company. The company's logo depicts a bowman using a lightning bolt as an arrow.

In 1998, Lightstorm had partnered with Charles Eglee to launch a television production company, Cameron/Eglee Productions, which only made the show Dark Angel under the label.

In January 2015, Lightstorm Entertainment had brought the motion-capture technology assets of Atlanta-based Giant Studios who had handled motion-capture services on Lightstorm's successful film Avatar. This allowed Lightstorm Entertainment its own motion-capture technology production service and had allowed Lightstorm to develop motion-capture production technology in-house for its future films whilst Giant's research and development team continued to develop the motion-capture technology under Lightstorm.

In December 2024, Lightstorm Entertainment announced its entry into the virtual reality business with the establishment of its virtual reality technology 3D entertainment division called Lightstorm Vision to expand Lightstorm's technology production tools in entertainment experiences and had collaborated with multinational technology company Meta Platforms via a multi-year collaboration for Lightstorm's 3D productions. Lightstorm Vision will use Meta Quest as its exclusive MR hardware platform service for Lightstorm's films including Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) and Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (2026).

In June 2026, Lightstorm Entertainment's 3D/VR technology entertainment division Lightstorm Vision had acquired German 3D camera & rig production manager and technology developer Stereotec following the massive successful of the live 3D capture production for "Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)", with Stereotec became a subsidiary of Lightstorm Vision and would help expand Lightstorm Vision's capabilities at the capture stage of the 3D production process for its future films.

In September 2026, Lightstorm Entertainment's 3D/VR technology entertainment division Lightstorm Vision had brought AI-driven stereoscopic 3D post-production company that specializes in converting 2D film and television footage into premium 3D and immersive content, Outsyders, the studio delivers stereoscopic pipeline delivered the 3D versions of movies as it's platform being interrogated into Lightstorm Vision's own in-house 3D capture & post-production system studio following the success of the production of "Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)" that Outsyders had worked on it before Lightstorm Vision had brought it, while Outsyders continued to run as a subsidiary within Lightstorm Vision.

Filmography

Feature films

Released

Title Release date Director Writer(s) Distributor Co-production companies Budget Worldwide gross References
Terminator 2: Judgment Day July 3, 1991 James Cameron James Cameron
William Wisher		 TriStar Pictures Carolco Pictures
Pacific Western Productions		 $94–102 million $520.8 million
The Abyss: Special Edition February 26, 1993 James Cameron 20th Century Fox Pacific Western Productions $43–47 million $89.8 million
True Lies July 15, 1994 screenplay by:
James Cameron
story by:
Randall Frakes
James Cameron		 20th Century Fox (United States, Canada, France, and Italy)
Universal Pictures (International)		 N/A $100–120 million $378.9 million
Strange Days October 6, 1995 Kathryn Bigelow screenplay by:
James Cameron
Jay Cocks
story by:
James Cameron		 $42 million $8 million
Titanic December 19, 1997 James Cameron Paramount Pictures (United States and Canada)
20th Century Fox (International)		 $200 million $2.256 billion
Solaris November 29, 2002 Steven Soderbergh screenplay by:
Steven Soderbergh
based on Solaris by:
Stainslaw Lem		 20th Century Fox $47 million $30 million
Avatar December 18, 2009 James Cameron Dune Entertainment
Ingenious Film Partners		 $237 million $2.923 billion
Alita: Battle Angel February 14, 2019 Robert Rodriguez screenplay by:
James Cameron
Laeta Kalogridis
based on the manga Gunnm by:
Yukito Kishiro		 Troublemaker Studios $170 million $404.9 million
Terminator: Dark Fate November 1, 2019 Tim Miller screenplay by:
David S. Goyer
Justin Rhodes
Billy Ray
story by:
James Cameron
Charles H. Eglee
Josh Friedman
David S. Goyer
Justin Rhodes
based on characters created by:
James Cameron
Gale Anne Hurd		 Paramount Pictures (United States and Canada)
20th Century Fox (International)		 20th Century Fox
Skydance Media
Tencent Pictures		 $185–196 million $261.1 million
Avatar: The Way of Water December 16, 2022 James Cameron screenplay by:
James Cameron
Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver
story by:
James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno
based on characters created by:
James Cameron		 20th Century Studios N/A $350 million $2.320 billion
Avatar: Fire and Ash December 19, 2025 screenplay by:
James Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
story by:
James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno
based on characters created by:
James Cameron		 N/A $350–400 million $1.485 billion
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) May 8, 2026 N/a Paramount Pictures Interscope Films and Darkroom Records $20 million $26.7 million

Upcoming

Title Release date Director Writer(s) Distributor Co-production companies References
Painter 2026 Garrett Warren screenplay by
Derek Kolstad		 20th Century Studios Infrared Pictures and Circle M + P
Avatar 4 December 21, 2029 James Cameron screenplay by:
James Cameron
Josh Friedman
story by:
James Cameron
Josh Friedman
Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver
and Shane Salerno
based on characters created by:
James Cameron		 N/A
Avatar 5 December 19, 2031 screenplay by:
James Cameron Shane Salerno
story by:
James Cameron
Josh Friedman
Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver
Shane Salerno
based on characters created by:
James Cameron

Television series

Title First air date Last air date Creator Network Co-production companies References
True Lies March 1, 2023 May 17, 2023 Matt Nix CBS 20th Television
Anthony Hemingway Productions
Flying Glass of Milk Productions
Wonderland Sound and Vision
Secrets of the Penguins April 20, 2025 April 21, 2025 Bertie Gregory National Geographic National Geographic Studios
Talesmith
Fire and Water: Making The Avatar Films November 7, 2025 Thomas C. Grane Disney+ 20th Century Studios
Mob Scene
Secrets of the Bees March 31, 2026 Nadége Laici National Geographic National Geographic Studios
Silverback Films

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 under Lightstorm Earth

References

  1. ↑ "LIGHTSTORM ENTERTAINMENT, INC". Dun & Bradstreet. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  2. ↑ "James Cameron". Variety. 21 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Gardner, Eriq (2014-01-20). "James Cameron Wins Yet Another 'Avatar' Theft Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  4. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (1987-11-09). "MOVIES - Nov. 9, 1987". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-09-06.
  5. ↑ Eller, Claudia (February 22, 1990). "Cameron Signs Carolco Deal". Daily Variety. pp. 1, 39.
  6. ↑ Eller, Claudia; Fleming, Charles (April 27, 1992). "Cameron's fat Fox deal". Variety. p. 10.
  7. ↑ Groves, Don (June 15, 1992). "UIP-Lightstorm shelter". Daily Variety. pp. 1, 37.
  8. ↑ "Sony, Lightstorm team up". Variety. August 10, 1992. p. 60.
  9. ↑ "Lightstorm prez exits". Daily Variety. June 9, 1993. pp. 1, 16.
  10. ↑ "The Razor's Edge". Hero Illustrated. August 1993. p. 48. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Cameron's Lightstorm Docks At Fox". Variety. 1995-12-18. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  12. ↑ James Cameron Biography - Yahoo Movies
  13. ↑ Van Gelder, Lawrence (31 August 1990). "At the Movies". NY Times. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  14. ↑ Thomas, Carly (July 8, 2024). "James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and More Remember Jon Landau: "He Gave Everyone a Sense of Purpose and Belonging"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ Hontz, Jenny (1998-09-10). "Cameron turns eye to TV". Variety. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
  16. ↑ Yamato, Jen (January 12, 2015). "Giant Studios To Close After Selling 'Avatar' Technology To James Cameron". Deadline Hollywood.
  17. ↑ Saperstein, Pat (November 23, 2025). "Billie Eilish's 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' 3D Concert Movie Set for Release by Paramount, Co-Directed by James Cameron". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ Spangler, Todd (December 5, 2024). "James Cameron, Meta Team to Produce 3D Entertainment for Quest VR Headsets". Variety.
  19. ↑ "James Cameron's Lightstorm Vision unifies 3D production with STEREOTEC acquisition". TVB Europe. June 3, 2026.
  20. ↑ Weprin, Alex (September 16, 2026). "James Cameron's Lightstorm Acquires 3D Tech Production Company Outsyders (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. ↑ Bolies, Corbin (September 16, 2026). "James Cameron's Lightstorm Scoops Up AI-Powered 3D Tech Company Outsyders". Variety.
  22. ↑ Sarto, Dan (September 16, 2026). "James Cameron's Lightstorm Vision Acquires Outsyders 3D Conversion Studio". Animation World Network.
  23. ↑ Ian Failes (August 24, 2017). "Converting a Classic: How Stereo D Gave Terminator 2: Judgment Day a 3D Makeover". VFX Voice. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ Fox Locks In Cameron With a 5-Year Deal Worth $500 Million from The New York Times
  25. ↑ Thompson, Anne (29 July 1994). "5 True Lies about James Cameron". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  26. ↑ Deborah Jermyn; Sean Redmond (January 2003). "Strange Days: A Case History of Production and Distribution in Hollywood". The Cinema of Kathryn Bigelow: Hollywood Transgressor. Wallflower Press. pp. 144–158. ISBN 978-1903364420. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Titanic (1997)". Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Solaris: Sci-fi with a Soderbergh Difference". Urban Cinefile. February 27, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Avatar". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Film releases". Variety Insight. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  31. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2017-01-21). "He's Back! James Cameron To Godfather 'Terminator' With 'Deadpool' Helmer Tim Miller". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  32. ↑ "Box Office: 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Lands Coveted China Release". The Hollywood Reporter. November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Avatar: The Way of Water". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved January 1, 2023.Edit this at Wikidata
  34. ↑ "Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) - Financial Information". The Numbers. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  35. 1 2 3 McNary, Dave (2017-09-30). "'Avatar' Sequel Release Dates Set, Starting in December 2020". Variety. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  36. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (May 6, 2026). "Box Office: 'Mortal Kombat II' Aims for $40 Million-Plus Debut, Battles 'Devil Wears Prada 2' for No. 1". Variety. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  37. ↑ Gomez, Dessi (January 26, 2026). "Billie Eilish Concert Film 'Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)' Shifts To May Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  38. ↑ Saperstein, Pat (23 November 2025). "Billie Eilish's 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' 3D Concert Movie Set for Release by Paramount, Co-Directed by James Cameron". Variety. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  39. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 17, 2025). "Walton Goggins Joins Amber Midthunder in Action Movie 'Painter', James Cameron Executive Producing (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  40. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 27, 2025). "Florian Munteanu Joins Walton Goggins & Amber Midthunder In 20th Actioner 'Painter'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  41. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 30, 2025). "Daniel Bernhardt Latest To Join 20th Actioner 'Painter'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  42. ↑ Otterson, Joe (13 May 2022). "'True Lies' Series Adaptation Ordered at CBS". Variety. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  43. ↑ White, Peter (November 14, 2022). "True Lies & RuPaul's Lingo Land Premieres As CBS Unveils Midseason Schedule". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  44. ↑ "New CBS Drama "True Lies" Will Now Premiere on Wednesday, March 1". The Futon Critic. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Secrets of the Penguins". Talesmith.
  46. ↑ Hailu, Selome (14 January 2023). "James Cameron Sets 'Secrets of the Bees,' 'Secrets of the Penguins' Docuseries at National Geographic". Variety. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  47. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (October 15, 2025). "'Avatar' Documentary Set at Disney+ About the Making of James Cameron's Blockbusters". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  48. ↑ Donnelly, Jim (March 5, 2026). "Watch 'Secrets of the Bees' on National Geographic March 31 8/7c. Stream on Hulu & Disney+". [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. Retrieved May 14, 2026.