Imagine Entertainment

Background

Imagine Entertainment is a film and television production company that was founded in 1986 by director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer. The company's films are distributed by Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and a few others.

Logos

1st Logo (February 17, 1989-April 12, 1996)

Nicknames: "The Rising", "Shining Star", "Reflection"

Logo: On a black background, we see a star flashing, revealing a reflection of the shiny chrome-blue text "IMAGINE" on rippling water, which then rises up and settles above its reflection. The words "AN" above the "IMAGINE" text and "ENTERTAINMENT" with "PRESENTATION" below, appear respectively. The studio's name sparkles.

Variants:

• Another variation used the term "PRESENTS" below the logo. This can be seen on Closet Land. Strangely, this is shown at the very end of Cry-Baby.
• At other times, "FILMS" appeared sandwiched in between the company name. This was seen on Backdraft, HouseSitter, Far and Away, and Cop and a Half.
• On the TV movie Conagher, the logo is sped-up.

Trivia: This logo was used as the print logo until 2020, 24 years after this logo ended.

FX/SFX: The star shining, the studio's name rising, and the studio's name sparkling.

Music/Sounds: None. In other cases, it has jazz music played over this logo.

Availability: Seen at the end of most movies from this company from the era. Most of their films during this era were distributed by Universal Pictures including Parenthood, Kindergarten Cop, Apollo 13, The Dream Team, The Paper, The 'Burbs and others. The "FILMS" variant can be found on the aforementioned movies above. Don't expect to see this on Willow (which MGM and Lucasfilm Ltd. distributed), My Girl (which was released through Columbia Pictures), The Doors (which was a co-production with Carolco Pictures, distribution by Tri-Star Pictures), Sgt. Bilko or the first two Problem Child movies (despite being distributed by Universal).

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (June 28, 1996- )

Nicknames: "The Drop", "Ripples", "The Dripping"

Logo: On a black background, we see a waterdrop appear at the very top of the screen, prior to dropping. It then disappears before revealing rippling blue water. The water appears to be shone by a spotlight, before it slowly reveals that it is actually the word "IMAGINE" being reflected inside. The text waves for a few seconds before finally settling into view. Shortly after that, the word "ENTERTAINMENT", in spaced-out letters, appears underneath it.

Variants:

• Sometimes, the spotlight is either very difficult to see or absent on the logo.
• On the 2006 TV series Curious George, there is a still version of the logo.

FX/SFX: The drip, the ripples forming the studio's name. This was done by Intralink Film Graphic Design.

Music/Sounds: A calming orchestra piece composed by James Horner. Sometimes, the movie's opening theme is used.

Availability: It first appeared on The Nutty Professor and currently appears on releases from the company since then. It is unknown if Imagine Entertainment had a new logo in 2020.

Editor's Note: None. This logo is actually quite calming.

3rd Logo (September 13, 2020? - )

Nicknames: "Enhanced Drop

Logo: Same as the 2nd logo, but enhanced. The drop drops faster and falls longer, the water and ripple effects are updated to look more realistic, the "IMAGINE" text is more 3D. The logo ends on a dark grey/black gradient background as entertainment fades in below.

Variants:

• The logo can be cut-short or sped-up
• On documentaries, the logo is normal, but Documentaries replaces Entertainment

FX/SFX: The drip, the ripples forming the studio's name. Excellent and well crafted CGI

Music/Sounds: The 2nd logo's theme, or the opening theme of the film

Music/Sound Variants:

• The short version has the Imagine Television Studios theme (the last 2 notes of the movie theme)

Availability: Brand New. The Entertainment version appeared on a montage on the company's website, while the Documentaries variant first appeared on Dads.

Editor's Note: A beautiful update to the 2nd logo, and as calming as ever.

Credits

Logo captures by: Eric S., filmbaza.net and thedivinepattern

Editions by: CuriousGeorge60, carlosgamingboy

Video captures courtesy of: KStarCLG and retro VHS trailers