Chris Aronson Steps Down as Head of Distribution at Paramount

Chris Aronson, a prominent figure in the film industry, has announced his departure as the head of domestic distribution at Paramount Pictures. In a memo sent to staff on the morning of October 31, 2023, Aronson, known for his keen insights and engaging presentations at industry events like CinemaCon, informed his colleagues of his decision. While no successor has been named by co-heads Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, it has been confirmed that Mark Viane will continue in his role as president of international theatrical distribution.

Aronson will remain with Paramount until November 14, 2023, to oversee the North American launch of Edgar Wright’s upcoming sci-fi remake featuring Glen Powell. His exit follows a series of significant leadership changes at the studio, including the departures of former president of worldwide marketing and distribution Marc Weinstock, motion picture group head Michael Ireland, and co-CEOs Brian Robbins and Chris McCarthy.

During his tenure, Aronson played a crucial role in the success of various films, including the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick”, which grossed an impressive $718.7 million and stands as the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation. Under his leadership, Paramount successfully released three films from the “A Quiet Place” franchise, generating nearly $600 million since 2020, with each installment contributing to a total of $1.2 billion in global ticket sales.

Aronson has been a strong advocate for cinema attendance and has pushed for innovative approaches to ticket pricing. In 2023, Paramount introduced the “$8 For 80” initiative, offering pre-release screening tickets for $8, significantly lower than the national average of $10.53 at the time. This initiative aimed to attract audiences to the comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field, and Rita Moreno.

Before his time at Paramount, Aronson had a lengthy career at 20th Century Fox, concluding in 2019 when Disney acquired most of Fox’s entertainment assets. His work there included overseeing major titles that became cultural phenomena. He also held positions at MGM as EVP and general sales manager and served as SVP at Rentrak, now known as Comscore.

In his farewell memo, Aronson emphasized the importance of the theatrical experience, stating, “I believe more than ever in the power of the theatrical experience, and I know that if we in distribution continue to collaborate with our partners in exhibition, not being afraid to be agents of change, we can continue to propel moviegoing forward. And with true advocates of the moviegoing experience in Josh and Dana, I know you have a bright future ahead.”

As Aronson prepares to transition from his role, his influence on Paramount and the broader film industry remains significant, with many anticipating the impact of his departure on the studio’s future direction.