What Is Distribution?

There are 3 different stages in the film cycle:

Production: When the movie is being made, filming etc. (pre-production, production, post-production)

Distribution: Letting people know about the film, advertising, DVD retailers
Exhibition: Showing the film.

In more detail, distribution is when a company are responsible for the marketing of a film and sell it to companies such as DVD retailers or streaming sites. They also decide the release date of the film. If the distributor is given an imported or foreign film, they could also be responsible for dubbing or subtitling the film. They might have to secure censorship or other legal or organizational "approval" for the exhibition of the film in the country or place where it does business, before approaching the exhibitors for booking. The distribution company is usually different from the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film.

I used this Wikipedia page for some of the information.

This image sums up distribution, I took it from SlideShare

 

As an example, the film Everest (Baltasar Kormakur, 2015) was distributed by UIP (Universal International Pictures) The film was distributed in 65 different countries in cinemas: Theatrical Distribution. A reason why this film was so popular was because of the famous actors starring in it.

It had a budget of $55m which is not exactly a tentpole film, but it is a reasonably high budget so would have a high chance.

Box Office Mojo

 

In Horror films it is not so important to have famous actors as the market is already very large, also the fact that most of the main characters die means that there isn't such a high demand for A-list actors in this genre.