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List of Universal Pictures films (1980–1989)

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This is a list of films produced or distributed by Universal Pictures in 1980–1989, founded in 1912 as the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. It is the main motion picture production and distribution arm of Universal Studios, a subsidiary of the NBCUniversal division of Comcast.[1]

1980

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
January 25, 1980 Guyana: Cult of the Damned North American distribution only
February 8, 1980 The Last Married Couple in America
March 7, 1980 Coal Miner's Daughter Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2019
March 21, 1980 Little Miss Marker
April 18, 1980 North Sea Hijack British film
April 25, 1980 Where the Buffalo Roam
May 9, 1980 The Nude Bomb co-production with Time-Life Films
May 23, 1980 The Gong Show Movie
June 13, 1980 The Island co-production with Zanuck/Brown Company
June 20, 1980 The Blues Brothers Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2020
July 18, 1980 Cheech and Chong's Next Movie co-production with C&C Brown Productions
August 8, 1980 Xanadu
August 15, 1980 Smokey and the Bandit II co-production with Rastar
September 19, 1980 Melvin and Howard Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
September 26, 1980 In God We Tru$t
Resurrection
October 3, 1980 Somewhere in Time co-production with Rastar
December 5, 1980 Flash Gordon[note 1] North American distribution excluding television only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation

1981

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
January 1, 1981 The White Lions U.S. theatrical distribution only; produced by Alan Landsburg Productions
1981 Invaders from the Deep[note 2] U.S. distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment;
movie compilation of the television series Stingray
Burned at the Stake U.S. theatrical distribution only; produced by Alan Landsburg Productions
January 30, 1981 The Incredible Shrinking Woman
March 6, 1981 All Night Long
March 13, 1981 The Funhouse distribution only; produced by Mace Neufeld Productions[2]
April 10, 1981 Nighthawks co-production with Martin Poll Productions and The Production Company
April 24, 1981 Beyond the Reef North American distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Cattle Annie and Little Britches[note 3] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Hemdale, Cattle Annie Films, Inc., King-Hitzig Productions and Monday Films[3]
May 1, 1981 King of the Mountain[note 4] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures[4]
May 22, 1981 The Four Seasons
Bustin' Loose
The Legend of the Lone Ranger[note 5] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Wrather Productions
June 26, 1981 The Great Muppet Caper[note 6] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Henson Associates
July 17, 1981 Endless Love[note 4] North American distribution excluding television only; produced by PolyGram Pictures
August 21, 1981 An American Werewolf in London[note 4] North American distribution excluding television only; produced by PolyGram Pictures and Lycanthrope Films Limited
Honky Tonk Freeway[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films
September 18, 1981 Continental Divide co-production with Amblin Productions
Raggedy Man
October 2, 1981 Zoot Suit Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2019
October 23, 1981 Silence of the North Canadian film
October 30, 1981 Halloween II North American distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation[5]
November 13, 1981 The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper[note 4] North American distribution excluding television only; produced by PolyGram Pictures
December 18, 1981 Ghost Story
Heartbeeps

1982

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
February 12, 1982 The Border co-production with Efer Productions and RKO Pictures
On Golden Pond[note 8] North American and select international theatrical distribution only; co-distributed by Associated Film Distribution Corporation in North America; produced by ITC Films and IPC Films
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
February 19, 1982 Barbarosa[note 5] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by ITC Films
March 5, 1982 Evil Under the Sun[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films and Titan Productions
March 12, 1982 Missing co-production with PolyGram Pictures
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
April 2, 1982 A Little Sex North American distribution only; produced by MTM Enterprises[6]
Cat People co-production with RKO Pictures
May 7, 1982 Death Valley
May 14, 1982 Conan the Barbarian North American distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
May 21, 1982 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid co-production with Aspen Film Society
June 11, 1982 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 1994
June 25, 1982 The Thing co-production with The Turman-Foster Company
July 23, 1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas co-production with RKO Pictures and Miller-Milkis-Boyett Productions
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
August 13, 1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High co-production with Refugee Films
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2005
September 26, 1982 Moonlighting U.S. distribution under Universal Classics only
October 22, 1982 Halloween III: Season of the Witch North American distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
December 3, 1982 Frances[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films and Brooksfilms
December 10, 1982 Sophie's Choice[note 8] theatrical distribution only; co-distributed by Associated Film Distribution Corporation in North America; produced by ITC Entertainment
nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
La Traviata U.S. distribution under Universal Classics only
December 17, 1982 The Dark Crystal[note 9] theatrical distribution only; co-distributed by Associated Film Distribution Corporation in North America; produced by ITC Entertainment and Henson Associates
Six Weeks[note 4] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures

1983

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
February 4, 1983 Videodrome Canadian film; distribution only; produced by Filmplan International, Canadian Film Development Corporation and Famous Players
February 18, 1983 The Pirates of Penzance co-production with Edward R. Pressman Productions[7]
The Sting II
February 1983 Second Thoughts[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films and The Turman-Foster Company
March 4, 1983 Tender Mercies[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films and Antron Media Productions
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
March 23, 1983 Eddie Macon's Run
March 25, 1983 Bad Boys[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films
March 31, 1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life British film; co-production with Celandine Films and The Monty Python Partnership
May 6, 1983 Doctor Detroit co-production with Black Rhino Productions and The Brillstein Company
June 3, 1983 Psycho II co-production with Oak Industries
July 1, 1983 Stroker Ace North American theatrical and international home media distribution only; co-production with Warner Bros.[8]
July 15, 1983 Puberty Blues U.S. distribution under Universal Classics only
July 22, 1983 Jaws 3-D co-production with Alan Landsburg Productions
July 29, 1983 Private School co-production with Unity Pictures Corporation
August 12, 1983 Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
August 19, 1983 Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn North American distribution only; produced by Albert Band International Productions[9]
September 2, 1983 Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence[note 10] North American distribution only; produced by Recorded Picture Company
September 9, 1983 Nightmares
September 15, 1983 Heat and Dust[note 11] U.S. theatrical distribution under Universal Classics only; produced by Merchant Ivory Productions
September 21, 1983 Cross Creek[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
September 30, 1983 Going Berserk co-production with Mutual Productions[10]
The Lonely Lady North American distribution only
Hanna K.
October 21, 1983 Rumble Fish[note 12] distribution in North and Latin America, the U.K., Scandinavia, Spain and Japan only;[11][12] produced by Zoetrope Studios[13]
December 9, 1983 Scarface co-production with Martin Bregman Productions
December 16, 1983 D.C. Cab co-production with The Guber-Peters Company and RKO Pictures[14]

1984

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
January 27, 1984 The Lonely Guy co-production with Aspen Film Society
February 17, 1984 Crackers
February 1984 Slayground[note 7] North American theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Films
March 2, 1984 Repo Man[note 13] distribution only; produced by Edge City[15]
March 16, 1984 Tank co-production with Lorimar Productions
April 6, 1984 Hard to Hold
April 13, 1984 Iceman
May 4, 1984 Sixteen Candles co-production with Channel Productions
May 11, 1984 Firestarter North American distribution and select international theatrical distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
June 1, 1984 Streets of Fire co-production with Hill-Gordon-Silver Productions and RKO Pictures
June 13, 1984 Under the Volcano[note 14] North American distribution only; produced by Ithaca Enterprises
June 29, 1984 Conan the Destroyer North American distribution and select international theatrical distribution only; produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
July 13, 1984 The Last Starfighter North American distribution excluding television only; co-production with Lorimar Productions
July 20, 1984 One Deadly Summer U.S. distribution only; produced by TF1
August 10, 1984 Cloak & Dagger
September 21, 1984 All of Me[note 15] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Productions
September 28, 1984 The Wild Life
October 10, 1984 Comfort and Joy North American distribution only; produced by Kings Road Productions
October 26, 1984 Terror in the Aisles North American distribution only; produced by T.E.M. Programs International and Kaleidoscope Films Limited
December 14, 1984 Dune North American distribution and select international theatrical distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Mass Appeal distribution only; produced by Operation Cork Productions, The Turman-Foster Company and Jalem Productions
December 19, 1984 The River

1985

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
February 15, 1985 The Breakfast Club co-production with A&M Films and Channel Productions
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2016
February 22, 1985 Into the Night co-production with Landis/Folsey Productions
March 8, 1985 Mask
April 12, 1985 A Test of Love North American distribution only; produced by Film Australia
April 26, 1985 Stick
May 3, 1985 Gotcha! co-production with Michael I. Levy Enterprises
May 22, 1985 Brewster's Millions co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures
May 31, 1985 Fletch co-production with Douglas/Greisman Productions
July 3, 1985 Back to the Future co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2007
August 2, 1985 Weird Science co-production with Hughes Entertainment and Silver Pictures
September 13, 1985 James Joyce's Women British film; North American and U.K. distribution only; produced by The Rejoycing Company
September 20, 1985 Creator[note 15] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Productions
Morons from Outer Space[note 16] U.S. theatrical distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
October 4, 1985 Dreamchild[note 16]
October 18, 1985 The Holcroft Covenant[note 16]
Wild Geese II[note 16]
October 1985 UFOria distribution only; produced by Melvin Simon Productions
December 18, 1985 Brazil North American distribution only; produced by Embassy International Pictures
December 20, 1985 Out of Africa co-production with Mirage Enterprises
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

1986

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
January 31, 1986 The Best of Times[note 15] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Entertainment
March 26, 1986 The Money Pit co-production with Amblin Entertainment
April 18, 1986 Legend North American distribution only; produced by Embassy International Pictures
May 14, 1986 Sweet Liberty
June 18, 1986 Legal Eagles
July 2, 1986 Psycho III
August 1, 1986 Howard the Duck distribution only; produced by Lucasfilm, Ltd.
August 29, 1986 Bullies[note 17] U.S. distribution only; produced by Simcom Limited
September 12, 1986 'night, Mother co-production with Blackbird Productions
October 3, 1986 Playing for Keeps North American distribution only; produced by Miramax Films
October 10, 1986 Clockwise[note 7] North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Cannon Screen Entertainment
November 21, 1986 An American Tail co-production with Amblin Entertainment and Sullivan Bluth Studios
December 25, 1986 Brighton Beach Memoirs co-production with Rastar

1987

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
April 10, 1987 The Secret of My Success co-production with Rastar
May 1, 1987 The Allnighter distribution only; produced by Aurora Productions[16]
June 5, 1987 Harry and the Hendersons co-production with Amblin Entertainment
June 26, 1987 Dragnet co-production with Applied Action and The Brillstein Company
July 17, 1987 Jaws: The Revenge
August 14, 1987 North Shore co-production with Finnegan-Pinchuk Company
August 21, 1987 Born in East L.A. co-production with Clear Type Productions
September 18, 1987 Amazon Women on the Moon
October 9, 1987 Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll co-production with Delilah Films
Three O'Clock High
October 23, 1987 Prince of Darkness North American distribution only; produced by Alive Films and Larry Franco Productions
October 27, 1987 Positive I.D. distribution only; produced by Andersonfilm[17]
November 6, 1987 Cry Freedom co-production with Marble Arch Productions
November 13, 1987 Cross My Heart
December 4, 1987 Walker co-production with Edward R. Pressman Productions and In-Cine Compañía Industrial Cinematográfica
December 18, 1987 Batteries Not Included co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Nominee of the Saturn Award for Best Actress.

1988

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
February 5, 1988 The Serpent and the Rainbow distribution only; produced by Keith Barish Productions
March 18, 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War[note 13]
March 25, 1988 Biloxi Blues co-production with Rastar
April 22, 1988 Casual Sex?
May 6, 1988 Shakedown North American distribution only; produced by Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment[18]
June 17, 1988 The Great Outdoors distribution only; produced by Hughes Entertainment
July 8, 1988 Phantasm II North American distribution only; produced by Spacegate Corporation
July 20, 1988 Midnight Run co-production with City Light Films
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
August 12, 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ distribution outside Canada only; produced by Cineplex Odeon Films[19]
September 9, 1988 Moon Over Parador
September 23, 1988 Gorillas in the Mist North American distribution only; co-production with Warner Bros. and The Guber-Peters Company
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
October 14, 1988 Madame Sousatzka U.S. distribution only; produced by Cineplex Odeon Films
November 4, 1988 They Live North American distribution only; produced by Alive Films and Larry Franco Productions
November 18, 1988 The Land Before Time co-production with Amblin Entertainment and Sullivan Bluth Studios
November 1988 Missing Link co-production with Kane International and Guber-Peters-Barris Productions
December 1, 1988 Screwball Hotel U.S. distribution only; produced by Avatar Film Corporation
December 2, 1988 Watchers U.S. theatrical distribution only; produced by Concorde Pictures, Centaur Films, Rose & Ruby Productions and Canadian Entertainment Investors No. 2 and Company
December 9, 1988 Twins
December 21, 1988 Talk Radio U.S. distribution only; produced by Cineplex Odeon Films and Edward R. Pressman Productions

1989

[edit]
Release Date Title Notes
February 17, 1989 The 'Burbs distribution outside U.S. television only; produced by Imagine Entertainment and Rollins-Morra-Brezner Productions
March 17, 1989 Fletch Lives co-production with Douglas/Greisman Productions
April 7, 1989 The Dream Team distribution only; produced by Imagine Entertainment
April 21, 1989 Field of Dreams[note 18] North American distribution only; co-production with the Gordon Company
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2017
April 28, 1989 K-9 co-production with the Gordon Company
June 2, 1989 Renegades[note 19] North American distribution only; produced by Morgan Creek Productions and Interscope Communications[20]
June 30, 1989 Do the Right Thing co-production with 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks
Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 1999
August 2, 1989 Parenthood distribution only; produced by Imagine Entertainment
August 16, 1989 Uncle Buck co-production with Hughes Entertainment
September 15, 1989 Sea of Love
October 27, 1989 Shocker North American distribution only; produced by Alive Films
November 10, 1989 Dad co-production with Amblin Entertainment
November 22, 1989 Back to the Future Part II
December 15, 1989 The Wizard[note 18] North American distribution only; co-production with Finnegan-Pinchuk Company
December 20, 1989 Born on the Fourth of July co-production with Ixtan Productions
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
December 22, 1989 Always co-production with United Artists and Amblin Entertainment

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Co-owned by StudioCanal and MGM
  2. ^ Owned by ITV Studios
  3. ^ Owned by MGM (via Orion Pictures)
  4. ^ a b c d e Universal has licensed certain rights to this film to Lionsgate
  5. ^ a b Owned by ITV Studios, with U.S. distribution rights currently licensed to Shout! Studios; Universal retains theatrical rights
  6. ^ Owned by Disney (via The Muppets Studio); Universal retains theatrical rights
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Owned by StudioCanal, with select distribution rights licensed to Lionsgate; Universal retains theatrical rights
  8. ^ a b Co-owned by ITV Studios
  9. ^ Owned by The Jim Henson Company with Shout! Studios handling distribution; Universal retains theatrical rights due to contractual obligations
  10. ^ Owned by HanWay Films, with U.S. distribution rights currently licensed to RLJE Films, which has sub-licensed to The Criterion Collection
  11. ^ Owned by Cohen Media Group
  12. ^ Co-owned by American Zoetrope
  13. ^ a b This film has since been transferred to Universal's Focus Features division
  14. ^ Owned by Janus Films and The Criterion Collection
  15. ^ a b c Owned by Lionsgate
  16. ^ a b c d Owned by MGM
  17. ^ Owned by FilmRise
  18. ^ a b Universal has since reclaimed international rights to this film from StudioCanal (the successor-in-interest to international rights holder Carolco Pictures) by 2003
  19. ^ Co-owned by Revolution Studios

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dick, Bernard F. (2021-11-09). City of Dreams: The Making and Remaking of Universal Pictures. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 167–197. ISBN 978-0-8131-9612-1.
  2. ^ "The Funhouse (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-06. The 7 May 1980 HR noted that filming had just completed on the independently financed film, and Universal Pictures had obtained worldwide distribution rights.
  3. ^ "Cattle Annie and Little Britches (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  4. ^ "King of the Mountain (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  5. ^ "Halloween II (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  6. ^ "A Little Sex (1982)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  7. ^ "The Pirates of Penzance (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  8. ^ "Stroker Ace (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  9. ^ "Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  10. ^ "Going Berserk (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  11. ^ "Rumble Fish (18)". British Board of Film Classification.
  12. ^ "Rumble Fish (1983)". Swedish Film Database.
  13. ^ "Rumble Fish (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  14. ^ "D.C. Cab (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  15. ^ "Repo Man (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  16. ^ "The Allnighter (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  17. ^ "Positive I.D. (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  18. ^ "Shakedown (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  19. ^ "The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  20. ^ "Renegades (1989)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
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