Imagine Entertainment

Background

Imagine Entertainment (formerly known as Imagine Films Entertainment) is the production company of director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, founded in 1985 following the success of Splash (directed by the former). The company originated from a merger of Major H Productions and Brian Grazer Productions. When first formed, the company signed a deal with TriStar Pictures, which ended on July 29, 1987 due to obligations between the two. On December 1 of that same year, the company signed a long-term distribution deal with Universal Pictures. The company rebranded to its current name in 1997 following the relaunch of its television division.

In February 2018, the company acquired a controlling stake in Jax Media, with its founders later being promoted to co-presidents in January 2022. More recently, the company is under overall deals with Apple TV+ and Amazon Studios.

Contents

1st Logo (February 17, 1989-April 12, 1996)	2nd Logo (June 28, 1996-September 30, 2021)	3rd Logo (June 19, 2020-)

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

Logo: On a black background, we see a star flashing, revealing a reflection of the shiny text "IMAGINE" on rippling water, which then rises up and settles above its reflection. The words "AN" and "ENTERTAINMENT" (in ITC Serif Gothic font) with "PRESENTATION" below, appear respectively. The studio's name sparkles three times.

Variants:

Another variation used the term "PRESENTS" below the logo. This can be seen on Closet Land and makes a strange appearance at the end of Cry-Baby.
At other times, "FILMS" appeared sandwiched in between the company name.
On the TV movie Conagher, the logo is sped-up.

Technique: Motion-controlled animation.

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

Availability: Seen on most movies from this company from the era. It debuted on The 'Burbs and made its last appearance on Fear.

2nd Logo (June 28, 1996-September 30, 2021)

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 water, which 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, "ENTERTAINMENT", in spaced-out letters, appears underneath it.

Variants:

Sometimes, the spotlight is either very difficult to see or absent on the logo.
A still version of this logo exists.

Technique: CGI 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 film/show's opening/closing theme is used or none.

Availability: o its longetivity of 25 years.

The logo debuted on The Nutty Professor and can be seen on most films produced by the company, such as Liar Liar, Psycho, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 8 Mile, The Cat in the Hat, Inferno, The Dilemma, Fun with Dick and Jane, and Angels & Demons, among others.
This was also seen at the end of Ransom and American Made (the beginning of the latter uses a variant).
Also seen on the Curious George series (in place of the Imagine Television Studios logo) and direct-to-video films from the time frame.
Despite the next logo's introduction, it makes an appearance on Curious George: Cape Ahoy (which is also the logo's last appearance).

3rd Logo (June 19, 2020-)

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

Variants:

On a montage from the company's website, the logo plays in warp-speed.
Sometimes, the logo is shortened to its last few seconds.

Technique: CGI from Imaginary Forces.

Music/Sounds: Same as the last logo. Otherwise, none or the opening theme of the film.

Availability: Debuted on a montage on the company's website, and later made its first on-screen appearance with Hillbilly Elegy. It can also be seen on Tick, Tick… Boom!, Wedding Season and Thirteen Lives. However, it does not appear on Tetris.