Walter Hamada

Walter Hamada (born May 7, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American film executive and producer best known for shaping modern studio franchises, particularly in the horror and comic-book arenas. His career has centered on developing commercial, filmmaker-driven genre projects that resonate with wide audiences.

Hamada joined New Line Cinema in 2007 and became closely associated with the company’s surge of hit horror titles. As an executive producer, he helped shepherd major releases including The Conjuring (2013), Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Lights Out (2016), and It (2017), contributing to the momentum of interconnected horror storytelling and franchise building.

In January 2018, Hamada was named president of DC-based film production at Warner Bros. Pictures, overseeing DC Films during a period of strategic recalibration for the brand. He departed Warner Bros. in October 2022 after several years guiding the studio’s superhero slate.

Beginning in 2023, Paramount Pictures brought Hamada on to oversee its horror film franchises, positioning him once again at the center of studio genre strategy. His track record makes him a key figure in how contemporary horror and tentpole properties are developed and sustained.