Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is an American film company based at Universal Studios in Universal City, California. It is part of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which belongs to NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast.

The studio was founded on April 30, 1912, by Carl Laemmle, Mark Dintenfass, Charles O. Baumann, Adam Kessel, Pat Powers, William Swanson, David Horsley, Robert H. Cochrane, and Jules Brulatour. Universal is the oldest surviving film studio in the United States.

Some of Universal's most successful film series include Fast & Furious, Jurassic Park, and Despicable Me. The studio also produced famous films like Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Universal Pictures is a member of the Motion Picture Association and is one of the major studios in Hollywood.

History

Universal was founded on April 30, 1912, by Carl Laemmle and others. It is the oldest film studio still in the United States and one of the "Big Five" film studios. The studio began by making films without naming the stars, which helped start the star system in Hollywood.

Universal opened its first big studio, Universal City Studios, in 1915. The studio made different kinds of films, such as melodramas, westerns, and serials, for small-town audiences. In the 1920s, Universal began a system to brand its films into low-budget, mainstream, and high-budget groups.

During the 1930s, the studio had money problems during the Great Depression but kept making popular films like horror movies, westerns, and musicals. In 1946, Universal joined with International Pictures to form Universal-International, which made more high-quality and international films.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Universal started making television shows and signed big talent, growing into a full film studio. The studio made many successful films and TV shows, including "Jaws" and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." In the late 1990s, Universal became part of NBCUniversal, which is now owned by Comcast.

Units

Universal Pictures has many parts that help make movies and TV shows. Some of these parts are:

• Universal Pictures International
• Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
• Focus Features
• Working Title Films
• Rede Telecine
• Illumination
• DreamWorks Animation
• Back Lot Music
• Universal Products & Experiences
• United International Pictures
• Amblin Partners
• Blumhouse Holdings, LLC

These parts work together to create and share the films and shows you enjoy.

Filmography

Main article: Lists of Universal Pictures films

Highest-grossing films

Universal Pictures was the first studio to release three movies that each made over a billion dollars in one year. This happened in 2015 with Furious 7, Jurassic World, and Minions.

Some of these movies are still showing in theaters.

^‡ Includes theatrical reissue(s).

Logos

Universal Pictures has had many logos over the years. Each logo shows a different time when the company grew and changed. Some logos were used for special cartoons or music from the company.

One logo used from 1996 to 2012 is still seen today on some music, like that from Universal Music Group.