While Hulu and Yahoo are making efforts to become legitimate streaming rivals to Netflix, Amazon Studios is already making huge strides to become a force of its own.

The company's growing dominance can be proven with Amazon's two Golden Globes for the original series "Transparent," early buzz for its new series pilot "The Man in the High Castle" and their recent announcement that the legendary Woody Allen is going to write and direct an exclusive series that will air in 2016.

Now, Amazon Studios announced earlier today that it will produce and acquire original films for theatrical release and, of course, for Amazon Prime Instant Video service. The company's Original Movies division will serve as a new platform for up-and-coming creators and filmmakers. 

"We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films," Amazon Studios vice president Roy Price stated in a press release. "Not only will we bring Prime Instant Video customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience."

The company has hired producer Ted Hope ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Martha Marcy May Marlene," "21 Grams" and "In The Bedroom") to lead the Amazon Original Movies division.

"Audiences already recognize that Amazon has raised the bar with productions in the episodic realm, tackling bold material in unique ways and collaborating with top talent, both established and emerging," Hope said. "To help carry the torch into the feature film world for such an innovative company is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility. Amazon Original Movies will be synonymous with films that amaze, excite and move our fans, wherever customers watch." 

With Netflix releasing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend," its first – and so far only – original movie, later this year, Amazon is already steps ahead with its plan to release 12 original movies per year with production starting later this year. 

Here's the most interesting part: Every movie that Amazon produces or acquires will debut in theaters but then will then premiere on Prime Instant Video in the U.S. just four to eight weeks afterward. Usually it takes 39 to 52 weeks for theatrical movie releases to premiere online, whether on iTunes, Netflix or another streaming service.

This is exciting news, especially if Amazon will focus on smaller films that deserve a larger audience; for example, a low-budget drama or comedy gets released in a few theaters in New York and Los Angeles.

For people who don't live in those cities, it's tough – and sometimes impossible – to see those smaller films in theaters, especially in Wisconsin. Amazon, to my understanding, will acquire these sort of films (or so I hope) and will give them a much, much larger audience.

Although my personal preference is going to the theater to see a movie, but if that wasn't an option or if I was stuck having to drive out of my way to see it at an indie theater far away, I'd rather wait out those extra few weeks, stay at home and watch it in the comfort of my own home. The experience won't be the same, but the film will be.