June 12 (Reuters) - Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)

has acquired U.S. cinema chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema,

the companies said on Wednesday, a move that will give the

studio control over movie distribution.

The movie theater chain will be managed under SPE's newly

established division Sony Pictures Experiences, which will be

headed by Alamo Drafthouse's Michael Kustermann. He will remain

the chief executive of the firm.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the

deal.

Alamo, which was founded in 1997, will continue to operate

all 35 of its cinemas across 25 metro areas under the Alamo

Drafthouse brand, the companies said in a statement.

The chain brings over 10 million guests annually, and has a

core audience of 4 million loyalty members, the companies said.

The studio behind notable franchises such as "Resident

Evil," "Spider-Man" and "Bad Boys" acquired the Austin,

Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse from owners Altamont Capital

Partners, Fortress Investment Group and founder Tim League, the

companies added.

"They (SPE) have a deep respect and understanding of

cinema's ability to both drive growth and create lasting

cultural impact which aligns perfectly with everything Alamo

Drafthouse stands for," Tim League said.

Alamo had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in

March 2021, as the theater business was hit by the pandemic due

to stay-at-home restrictions, and it emerged from the bankruptcy

less than four months later, Variety had reported.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and private equity firm Apollo

Global Management ( APO ) had earlier expressed interest in

acquiring Paramount Global ( PARAA ).