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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 US 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
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 US distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Company

1981[edit]

Release Date Title Notes
January 1, 1981 The White Lions theatrical distribution only; produced by Alan Landsburg Productions
1981 Invaders from the Deep[N 1] distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment;
movie compilation of the television series Stingray
Burned at the Stake 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
April 10, 1981 Nighthawks
April 24, 1981 Beyond the Reef US distribution only; produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Cattle Annie and Little Britches[N 2] US distribution only; produced by Hemdale Film Corporation
May 1, 1981 King of the Mountain US distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures
May 22, 1981 The Four Seasons
Bustin' Loose
The Legend of the Lone Ranger[N 1] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Wrather Productions
June 26, 1981 The Great Muppet Caper[N 3] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Henson Associates
July 17, 1981 Endless Love US distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures
August 21, 1981 An American Werewolf in London US distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures and Lycanthrope Films Limited
Honky Tonk Freeway[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by EMI Films
September 18, 1981 Continental Divide co-production with Amblin Productions
Raggedy Man
October 2, 1981 Zoot Suit
October 23, 1981 Silence of the North
October 30, 1981 Halloween II US distribution only; produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
November 13, 1981 The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper US distribution 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 RKO Pictures
On Golden Pond[N 1] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by IPC Films and ITC Films
Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama.
February 19, 1982 Barbarosa[N 1] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment
March 5, 1982 Evil Under the Sun[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution 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 US distribution only; co-production with MTM Enterprises
Cat People co-production with RKO Pictures
May 7, 1982 Death Valley
May 14, 1982 Conan the Barbarian US 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 Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
co-production with Amblin Entertainment
Inducted into the National Film Registry in 1994
June 25, 1982 The Thing co-production with Turman-Foster Company
July 23, 1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
co-production with RKO Pictures
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 US distribution only
October 22, 1982 Halloween III: Season of the Witch US distribution only; produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
December 3, 1982 Frances[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by EMI Films and Brooksfilms
December 10, 1982 Sophie's Choice[N 1] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Keith Barish Productions
nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
La Traviata US distribution only
December 17, 1982 The Dark Crystal[N 5] international and US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by ITC Entertainment and Henson Associates
Six Weeks US distribution only; produced by PolyGram Pictures

1983[edit]

Release Date Title Notes
February 4, 1983 Videodrome distribution only; produced by Filmplan International, Canadian Film Development Corporation and Famous Players
February 18, 1983 The Pirates of Penzance
The Sting II
February 1983 Second Thoughts[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by EMI Films and Turman-Foster Company
March 4, 1983 Tender Mercies[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution 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[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by EMI Films
March 31, 1983 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life co-production with Python (Monty) Pictures
May 6, 1983 Doctor Detroit
June 3, 1983 Psycho II
July 1, 1983 Stroker Ace[N 6] North America theatrical and international home video distribution only; co-production with Warner Bros.
July 15, 1983 Puberty Blues US distribution only
July 22, 1983 Jaws 3-D co-production with Alan Landsburg Productions
July 29, 1983 Private School
August 12, 1983 Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
August 19, 1983 Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn US distribution only; produced by Albert Band International Productions
September 2, 1983 Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence[N 7] US distribution only; produced by Recorded Picture Company
September 9, 1983 Nightmares
September 15, 1983 Heat and Dust[N 8] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Merchant Ivory Productions
September 21, 1983 Cross Creek[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
September 30, 1983 Going Berserk
The Lonely Lady US distribution only
Hanna K.
October 21, 1983 Rumble Fish co-production with Zoetrope Studios
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

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[N 4] US theatrical co-distribution with Associated Film Distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Films
March 2, 1984 Repo Man[N 9] distribution only; produced by Edge City Productions
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 America and select international theatrical distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Company
June 1, 1984 Streets of Fire co-production with RKO Pictures and Hill-Gordon-Silver Productions
June 13, 1984 Under the Volcano US distribution only; produced by Ithaca Enterprises
June 29, 1984 Conan the Destroyer North America/Australia theatrical/Spain theatrical distribution only; produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Company
July 13, 1984 The Last Starfighter US distribution only; co-production with Lorimar Productions
July 20, 1984 One Deadly Summer US distribution only; produced by TF1
August 10, 1984 Cloak & Dagger
September 21, 1984 All of Me[N 10] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Entertainment
September 28, 1984 The Wild Life
October 10, 1984 Comfort and Joy[N 4] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment, Kings Road Entertainment, and Scottish Television
October 26, 1984 Terror in the Aisles US distribution only; produced by T.E.M. Programs International
December 14, 1984 Dune North American and select international theatrical distribution only; produced by Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Mass Appeal distribution only
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
March 8, 1985 Mask
April 12, 1985 Annie's Coming Out US distribution only; also known as A Test of Love
April 26, 1985 Stick
May 3, 1985 Gotcha!
May 22, 1985 Brewster's Millions co-production with Silver Pictures (uncredited)
May 31, 1985 Fletch
July 3, 1985 Back to the Future Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
co-production with Amblin Entertainment
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 US distribution only; produced by Rejoycing Company
September 20, 1985 Creator[N 10] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Entertainment
Morons from Outer Space[N 2] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
October 4, 1985 Dreamchild[N 2]
October 18, 1985 The Holcroft Covenant[N 2]
Wild Geese II[N 2]
October 1985 UFOria distribution only; produced by Melvin Simon Productions
December 18, 1985 Brazil US distribution only; produced by Embassy International Pictures
December 20, 1985 Out of Africa Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
co-production with Mirage Enterprises

1986[edit]

Release Date Title Notes
January 31, 1986 The Best of Times[N 10] US theatrical distribution only; produced by Kings Road Entertainment
March 26, 1986 The Money Pit co-production with Amblin Entertainment
April 18, 1986 Legend US 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
August 29, 1986 Bullies US distribution only; produced by Simcom Limited
September 12, 1986 'night, Mother co-production with Aaron Spelling Productions and Blackbird Productions
October 3, 1986 Playing for Keeps US distribution only; produced by Miramax Films
October 10, 1986 Clockwise[N 4] US 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 co-production with Aurora Productions
June 5, 1987 Harry and the Hendersons co-production with Amblin Entertainment
June 26, 1987 Dragnet
July 17, 1987 Jaws: The Revenge
August 14, 1987 North Shore co-production with Finnegan/Pinchuk Productions
August 21, 1987 Born in East L.A.
September 18, 1987 Amazon Women on the Moon
October 9, 1987 Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll
Three O'Clock High
October 23, 1987 Prince of Darkness US distribution only; produced by Alive Films
October 27, 1987 Positive I.D.
November 6, 1987 Cry Freedom co-production with Marble Arch Productions
November 13, 1987 Cross My Heart
December 4, 1987 Walker co-production with In-Cine Compañía Industrial Cinematográfica
December 18, 1987 Batteries Not Included Nominee of the Saturn Award for Best Actress.
co-production with Amblin Entertainment

1988[edit]

Release Date Title Notes
February 5, 1988 The Serpent and the Rainbow
March 18, 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War[N 9]
March 25, 1988 Biloxi Blues co-production with Rastar
April 22, 1988 Casual Sex?
May 6, 1988 Shakedown US distribution only; produced by Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment
June 17, 1988 The Great Outdoors distribution only; produced by Hughes Entertainment
July 8, 1988 Phantasm II US distribution only; produced by Spacegate Corporation
July 20, 1988 Midnight Run Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
co-production with City Light Films
August 12, 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ co-production with Cineplex Odeon Films
September 9, 1988 Moon Over Parador
September 23, 1988 Gorillas in the Mist Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
North American distribution only; co-production with Warner Bros. and The Guber-Peters Company
October 14, 1988 Madame Sousatzka US distribution only; produced by Cineplex Odeon Films
November 4, 1988 They Live US distribution only; produced by Alive Films
November 18, 1988 The Land Before Time co-production with Amblin Entertainment and Sullivan Bluth Studios
November 1988 Missing Link
December 1, 1988 Screwball Hotel
December 2, 1988 Watchers[N 11] US 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 US distribution only; produced by Cineplex Odeon Films

1989[edit]

Release Date Title Notes
February 17, 1989 The 'Burbs distribution only; produced by Imagine Entertainment
March 17, 1989 Fletch Lives
April 7, 1989 The Dream Team distribution only; produced by Imagine Entertainment
April 21, 1989 Field of Dreams US 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[N 12] US distribution only; produced by Morgan Creek Productions and Interscope Communications
June 30, 1989 Do the Right Thing Nominee of the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
co-production with 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks
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 US distribution only; produced by Alive Films
November 10, 1989 Dad distribution only; produced by Amblin Entertainment
November 22, 1989 Back to the Future Part II co-production with Amblin Entertainment
December 15, 1989 The Wizard US distribution only; co-production with Finnegan-Pinchuk Company
December 20, 1989 Born on the Fourth of July 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. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Owned by ITV Studios
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Owned by MGM
  3. Owned by Disney (via The Muppets Studio)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Owned by StudioCanal
  5. Owned by The Jim Henson Company with Shout! Studios handling distribution; Universal retains theatrical rights due to contractual obligations
  6. US rights owned by Warner Bros.
  7. Owned by HanWay Films, with RLJE Films handling U.S. distribution
  8. Owned by Cohen Media Group
  9. 9.0 9.1 This film has since been transferred to Universal's Focus Features division
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Owned by Lionsgate in the U.S., and Icon Entertainment International and Exclusive Media internationally
  11. Owned by StudioCanal, with U.S. distribution rights split between Rialto Pictures and Lionsgate
  12. 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. Search this book on

External links[edit]


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