Imagine Entertainment

Background

This is the production company of director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, founded in 1986 by said names. The company's films are distributed by Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and a few others.

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

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" (in ITC Serif Gothic font) with "PRESENTATION" below, appear respectively. The studio's name sparkles three times, one sparkling side was on the center of the "G", one sparkling side was on the top right of the "N", and one sparkling side was on the bottom of the "M".

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.

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), Boomerang (which was distributed through Paramount Pictures), Sgt. Bilko, CB4, or the first two Problem Child movies (despite being distributed by Universal).

2nd Logo (June 28, 1996- )

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 Psycho (1998), the drop is blood red.
On the 2006 Curious George film, the ripples are caused by George himself touching the water.
On the 2006 Curious George TV series, a still version is used.

FX/SFX: The drip, the ripples forming the studio's name. This was done by Intralink Film Graphic Design, who also animated the 1998/1999 Warner Bros. and Summit Entertainment logos.

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

Availability: It first appeared at the beginning of The Nutty Professor. The spotlight-less variant also made its debut on 8 Mile. This was also seen at the end of Ransom.

3rd Logo (June 19, 2020- )

Logo: An enhanced version of the previous logo. The drop drops faster and falls longer, the water and ripple effects are updated to look more realistic, the "IMAGINE" text is more 3D, and has a gradient. The logo ends on a dark grey/black gradient background as "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below.

Variant: The logo can be still, cut-short or sped-up.

FX/SFX: The drip, the ripples forming the studio's name. CGI from Imaginary Forces.

Music/Sounds: Same as the last logo. There is also a shortened version of the theme, which is also used for the Imagine Television Studios logo.

Availability: Current. Appeared on a montage on the company's website, and debuted on Hillbilly Elegry.