List of Universal Pictures films (1980–1989)

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 distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Wrather Productions
June 26, 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper[note 6] | North American theatrical distribution with Associated Film Distribution 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 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 distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by ITC Films
March 5, 1982 | Evil Under the Sun[note 7] | North American theatrical 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 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 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 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 distribution with Associated Film Distribution Corporation only; produced by EMI Films
March 31, 1983 | Monty Python's The Meaning of Life | British film; distribution only; produced by 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 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 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[note 14] | North American and 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 15] | North American distribution only; produced by Ithaca Enterprises
June 29, 1984 | Conan the Destroyer[note 14] | North American and international theatrical distribution outside West Germany and Austria 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 16] | 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[note 17] | North American and international theatrical distribution outside Australia, New Zealand, France, West Germany, Austria and the Benelux 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 16] | North American theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Productions
Morons from Outer Space[note 18] | U.S. theatrical distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
October 4, 1985 | Dreamchild[note 18]
October 18, 1985 | The Holcroft Covenant[note 18]
Wild Geese II[note 18]
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 16] | 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 19] | 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 25, 1988 | Missing Link | co-production with Kane International and Guber-Peters-Barris Productions
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 | Screwball Hotel | U.S. distribution only; produced by Avatar Film Corporation
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 20] | 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 | 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 | distribution only; produced by Hughes Entertainment
September 15, 1989 | Sea of Love |
October 27, 1989 | Dad | co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Shocker | North American distribution only; produced by Alive Films
November 22, 1989 | Back to the Future Part II | co-production with Amblin Entertainment
December 15, 1989 | The Wizard[note 20] | North American distribution only; co-production with Finnegan-Pinchuk Company
December 20, 1989 | Born on the Fourth of July | distribution only; produced by Ixtlan 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]

* List of Focus Features films
* List of Universal Pictures theatrical animated feature films
* Universal Pictures
* Category:Lists of films by studio

## 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 North American non-theatrical distribution rights currently licensed to Shout! Studios
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 North American non-theatrical distribution rights licensed to Lionsgate
8. ^ a b Co-owned by ITV Studios, with North American home media and digital distribution rights currently licensed to Shout! 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. ^ a b International rights co-owned by MGM (via Orion Pictures)
15. ^ Owned by Janus Films and The Criterion Collection
16. ^ a b c Owned by Lionsgate
17. ^ International rights co-owned by Lionsgate
18. ^ a b c d Owned by MGM
19. ^ Owned by FilmRise
20. ^ 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

## 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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