Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Explained

Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group
Former Names:Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group (1998–2013)
Type:Division
Foundation: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Location:10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, U.S.
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Entertainment
Products:Motion pictures
Parent:Sony Pictures

The Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group (commonly known as the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, formerly known as the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group until 2013, and abbreviated as SPMPG) is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment to manage its motion picture operations. It was launched in 1998 by integrating the businesses of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and TriStar Pictures, Inc.[1]

History

The Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group was founded in 1998 as the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, as a current division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, owned by Sony. It has many of Sony Pictures' current motion picture divisions as part of it. Its divisions at that time were Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Triumph Films, Sony Pictures Classics, and Sony Pictures Releasing.

On December 8, 1998, SPE resurrected its former animation and television division Screen Gems as a film division of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group that has served several different purposes for its parent companies over the decades since its incorporation.[2]

In 2002, Columbia TriStar Television was renamed as Sony Pictures Television. The last three remaining companies, with the "Columbia TriStar" brand in its name, were Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, and Columbia TriStar Marketing Group. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment and Columbia TriStar Film Distributors became Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures Releasing International in 2004 and 2005 and Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group became the second-to-last subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment to use the "Columbia TriStar" brand name in its name.

In 2013, TriStar Productions was launched, as a joint venture of Sony Pictures Entertainment and former 20th Century Fox chairman Thomas Rothman.[3] [4]

In October 2013, Sony Pictures rebranded its motion picture group under the monicker "Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group". Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks were moved from Sony Pictures Digital to its motion picture group.

On June 2, 2016, Doug Belgrad had announced he was to step down as president of the SPMPG and would transition his role to producer at the studio.[5] Belgrad was promoted as president of the SPMPG back in 2014.[5]

3000 Pictures

3000 Pictures
Predecessor:Fox 2000 Pictures
Industry:Motion pictures
Key People:Elizabeth Gabler (president)
Owner:Sony
Parent:Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group
(Sony Pictures)

On July 15, 2019, former Fox 2000 Pictures president Elizabeth Gabler and the entire Fox 2000 staff joined Sony Pictures Entertainment and formed 3000 Pictures with the motion picture group. HarperCollins would be funding half of the division's overhead and development. 3000 Pictures would also pursue projects for TV and streaming.[6]

Sony Pictures Releasing

Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation
Former Names:Triumph Releasing Corporation (1982–1994)
Type:Division
Industry:Motion pictures
Location City:10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California
Location Country:United States
Parent:Sony Pictures
Divisions:Sony Pictures Releasing International

Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation is an American film distributor owned by Sony. Established in 1994[7] as a successor to Triumph Releasing Corporation, the company handles theatrical distribution, marketing and promotion for films produced and released by Sony Pictures Entertainment, including Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures (as well as TriStar Productions), Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Animation, Crunchyroll, Stage 6 Films, Affirm Films, Destination Films, and Triumph Films. It is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group. It also has an international division called Sony Pictures Releasing International, which from 1991 until 2005 was known as Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International.

International arrangements

Sony Pictures Releasing International Corporation
Former Names:Columbia Tri-Star Film Distributors International (1988–1991)
Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (1991–2005)
Type:Division
Industry:Motion pictures
Location City:10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California
Location Country:United States
Parent:Sony Pictures Releasing

From 1971 until the end of 1987, Columbia's international theatrical distribution operations were a joint venture with Warner Bros. named Columbia-Warner, and in some countries, this joint venture also distributed films from other companies like with EMI Films and Cannon Films in the UK under the names of Columbia-EMI-Warner in 1978 and later Columbia-Cannon-Warner in 1986. The UK venture was dissolved in 1988.

In Australia, which from 1975 to 1996, 20th Century-Fox and Columbia Pictures formed an alliance that they would distribute films for the Australian market, initially going under the name Fox Columbia Film Distributors, before Hoyts came to the venture, and it was renamed first to Hoyts Fox Columbia TriStar Films, then Fox Columbia TriStar Films.[8]

On February 6, 2014, Columbia TriStar Warner Filmes de Portugal Ltda., a joint venture with Warner Bros. which distributed films from both companies in Portugal, announced that they will close their offices on March 31.[9] Sony Pictures' films are distributed in Portugal by Big Picture Films since then, while NOS Audiovisuais took over the distribution duties for Warner Bros. films in the country.

From June 2014 until February 2020, Sony Pictures' Philippine releasing arm under the name of Columbia Pictures Philippines distributed films by United International Pictures' partner studios, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures (including films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), after UIP ended its nine-year distribution agreement with the studio's local distributor Solar Entertainment Corporation and their Solar Films subsidiary. The Philippine distribution to films made by Universal lasted up until January 2020, when distribution reverted to Warner Bros. (UIP's former local distributor from the 1990s to 2000) in October 2021 while most Focus Features titles are instead released through a start-up online distribution company, UPSTREAM. Paramount later renewed their distribution agreements with Sony in October 2021.

The theatrical distribution of Sony Pictures' films in Italy was handled by Warner Bros. from 2011 to 2023. One notable example of this is Call Me By Your Name, where Warner Bros. handled Italian theatrical distribution (although the Sony label is still being used) while home video distribution went through Sony itself. In 2023, Eagle Pictures took over theatrical distribution of Sony's films in the country.

Sony Pictures and Walt Disney Studios formed a film distribution joint venture in Southeast Asia in 1997.[10] By December 2006, 14 joint distribution ventures between Sony Pictures Releasing International and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures were formed and exist in countries including Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. In January 2007, their 15th such partnership began operations in Russia and CIS.[11] In February 2017, Sony starting leaving the Southeast Asia venture with the Philippines. In August 2017, Sony terminated the joint venture agreement for their own operations.[10] On January 31, 2019, in anticipation of Disney's then-pending acquisition of most 21st Century Fox assets (including 20th Century Fox), it was agreed that Disney would sell its stake in the Mexican joint venture named Walt Disney Studios Sony Pictures Releasing de México to Sony Pictures Releasing.[12] As part of the global economic fluctuations caused by the Disney's acquisition, Sony Pictures Production and Release LLC and Disney Studios LLC parted amicably signing a formal demerger on 21 January 2020. The contract would allow Sony Pictures Releasing to operate autonomously.[13] [14]

In Argentina and Poland, United International Pictures handles theatrical distribution of films released by Sony Pictures.

In the Netherlands, Universal Pictures International currently handles theatrical distribution of films released by Sony Pictures since 2013.

In the Netherlands and Sweden, Columbia TriStar Films (now known as Sony Pictures Releasing) formerly handled theatrical distribution of films released by 20th Century Fox from 1992 to 1997 in the former country and from 1994 to 1996 in the latter.

In South Africa, Ster-Kinekor handles theatrical and home video distribution of films released by Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures.

Film library

See main article: Lists of Columbia Pictures films, List of TriStar Pictures films, List of Screen Gems films, List of Sony Pictures Animation productions and List of Sony theatrical animated feature films.

Film series

TitleRelease dateNo. FilmsStudio(s) Notes
The Three Stooges1934–70 4Columbia
Mr. Deeds1936–2002
Blondie1938–50 28co-production with King Features Entertainment
Five Little Peppers 1939–40 4
Boston Blackie1941–49 14
1942–82 34from Los tres mosqueteros to El barrendero
Crime Doctor1943–49 10
The Whistler1944–48 8
Rusty1945–49 8
Jungle Jim1948–56 16
Frankenstein 1958–94 4Columbia/TriStarco-production with Hammer Film Productions (1958), Colgems Productions Ltd. (1985), Taft Entertainment Pictures (1987), The IndieProd Company and American Zoetrope (both 1994)
13 Ghosts 1960–2001 2Columbia
Matt Helm1966–684co-production with Meadway-Claude Productions Company
Guess Who1967–20052
Dracula 1972–956Columbia/TriStarco-production with Hammer Horror (1972-74 series only), American Zoetrope and Osiris Films (both 1992)
Death Wish1974–822Columbiainternational distributor; co-production with Paramount Pictures and Filmways Pictures
Fun with Dick and Jane 1977–2005
Spider-Man 1977–present 14co-production with Danchuck Productions (1977–81 series only), Marvel Entertainment (2002–present), Marvel Studios (2017–present) and Sony Pictures Animation (2018–present) (including the MCU Spider-Man films)
Ice Castles1978–20102Columbia/Stage 6
When a Stranger Calls 1979–2006 Columbia/Screen Gems
The Blue Lagoon 1980–20123Columbia/Sony Pictures Television
Heavy Metal 1981–2000 2Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with CinéGroupe (2000)
Annie 1982–2021 7Columbia/TriStar/Sony Pictures Televisionco-production with Rastar, Overbrook Entertainment, Village Roadshow Pictures, Storyline Entertainment, Chris Montan Productions and Walt Disney Television (1999 TV movie only)
Ghostbusters 1984–present5Columbiaco-production with Ghost Corps (since 2016) and Village Roadshow Pictures
The Karate Kid co-production with JW Films and Overbrook Entertainment
The Muppets 1984, 1999–2002 3TriStar/Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with The Jim Henson Company and Jim Henson Pictures
Fright Night 1985–89 2Columbia/TriStar
Rambo 1985–20083TriStar/Sony Pictures Releasing Internationalco-production with Carolco Pictures, Lionsgate, StudioCanal, and The Weinstein Company
Wild Orchid 1989–91 2Triumph
Look Who's Talking 1989–93 3TriStar
Total Recall 1990–2012 2TriStar/Columbiaco-production with Carolco Pictures, Original Film, and Relativity Media
Flatliners 1990–2017Columbia
City Slickers 1991–94 co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment (1991) and Face Productions
My Girl co-production with Imagine Entertainment
Terminator 1991–2009 3TriStar/Columbiaco-production with Carolco Pictures, Intermedia, C2 Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and The Halcyon Company
Fortress 1992–2000 2Columbia/TriStarco-production with Dimension Films, Village Roadshow Pictures, Davis Entertainment, Gower Productions, The Carousel Picture Company, and John Flock Productions
El Mariachi 1992–2003 3Columbiaco-production with Dimension Films and Troublemaker Studios
Single White Female 1992–20052Columbia/Destination
Basic Instinct1992–2006TriStar/Sony Pictures Releasingco-production with Carolco Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and C2 Pictures
Universal Soldier 1992–20124TriStar/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sniper 1993–present 8TriStar/Destination
RoboCop 1993–2014 2Columbia
3 Ninjas 1994–98 3TriStarco-production with Sheen Productions
Little Women 1994–20192Columbiaco-production with DiNovi Pictures (1994), Pascal Pictures and Regency Enterprises (both 2019)
The Swan Princess 1994–202312Columbia TriStar Film Distributors Intl./Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Bad Boys 1995–present 4Columbiaco-production with Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Jumanji TriStar/Columbia
The Net 1995–20062Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Screamers 1995–2009Triumph/Screen Gems
The Craft 1996–presentColumbia
Matilda1996–2022TriStar
Men in Black 1997–20194Columbiaco-production with Amblin Entertainment, Parker MacDonald, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, Overbrook Entertainment, and Relativity Media
Anaconda 1997–present 5Columbia/Screen Gems/Stage 6/Destination
I Know What You Did Last Summer 3Columbia/Destinationco-production with Mandalay Entertainment
Starship Troopers 5TriStar/Destination/Stage 6co-production with Touchstone Pictures
Zorro 1998–20052TriStar/Columbiaco-production with Spyglass Entertainment, Amblin Entertainment, and Parker MacDonald
8mmColumbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Vampires3Columbia/Destination
Wild Things 1998–2010 4Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Mandalay Entertainment
Urban Legend 1998–present 3TriStar/Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Phoenix Pictures
Cruel Intentions 1999–2004Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment co-production with Original Film and Newmarket Capital Group
Baby Geniuses 2TriStar/Triumph/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Crystal Sky Pictures
Stuart Little 1999–2005 3Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Franklin/Waterman Productions and Red Wagon Entertainment
Bats 1999–2007 2Columbia/Destination
Anatomy 2000–03Columbia
Hollow Man 2000–06 Columbia/Destination
Charlie's Angels 2000–19 3Columbiaco-production with Leonard Goldberg Productions, Flower Films, Tall Trees Productions (all 2000–03), Wonderland Sound and Vision (2003), 2.0 Entertainment, Brownstone Productions and Cantillon Company (all 2019)
Final Fantasy 2001–present Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Square Enix
The Glass House2001–062Columbia/DestinationCo-production with Original Film (2001)
Resident Evil 2002–present 7Screen Gemsco-production with Constantin Film, Capcom, Davis Films, Impact Pictures and New Legacy Films (2002)
XXX 2002–05 2Columbiaco-production with Original Film, and Revolution Studios
Half Past Dead 2002–07Screen Gems/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Daddy Day Care 2003–07Columbia/TriStarco-production with Revolution Studios
Underworld 2003–16 5Screen Gemsco-production with Lakeshore Entertainment and Sketch Films (2009–16)
S.W.A.T. 2003–17 3Columbia/Destinationco-production with Original Film
The Grudge 2004–present 4Columbia/Screen Gems/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Stage 6co-production with Ghost House Pictures
The Punisher 2004–14Columbia/Sony Pictures Releasing International/Sony Pictures Entertainment Japanco-production with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, and Lionsgate
Boogeyman 2005–083Screen Gems/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Stage 6co-production with Ghost House Pictures
Into the Blue 2005–09 2Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Mandalay Pictures
Hostel 2005–11 3Screen Gems/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Stage 6co-production with Lionsgate Films
Jesse Stone2005–159Sony Pictures Televisionco-production with Brandman Productions and TWS Productions II
The Pink Panther 2006–09 2Columbiaco-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
James Bond 2006–15 4co-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from Casino Royale to Spectre
Open Season2006-present4Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Sony Pictures Animation
Robert Langdon2006–16 3Columbiaco-production with Imagine Entertainment and Relativity Media
The Messengers 2007–092Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Stage 6
Stomp the Yard 2007–10Screen Gems/Stage 6co-production with Rainforest Films
Ghost Rider 2007–11Columbia co-production with Marvel Entertainment, Crystal Sky Pictures, Hyde Park Entertainment, Saturn Films, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, and Relativity Media
Surf's Up 2007–17Columbia/Sony Pictures Home Entertainmentco-production with Sony Pictures Animation and WWE Studios
Quarantine2008–11 Screen Gemsco-production with Vertigo Entertainment
2009–15Columbia co-production with Happy Madison Productions
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2009–13co-production with Sony Pictures Animation
Grown Ups2010–13 co-production with Happy Madison Productions
Insidious2011–present 4Stage 6/Screen Gemsco-production with Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster, and Universal Pictures
Dragon Tattoo Stories2Columbiaco-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
The Smurfs2011–17 3co-production with Sony Pictures Animation and The K Entertainment Company
Jump Street2012–14 2 co-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Relativity Media, and Original Film
Hotel Transylvania2012–22 4co-production with Sony Pictures Animation
The Equalizer2014–23 2co-production with Village Roadshow Pictures, Relativity Media, and Original Film
Goosebumps2015–18 co-production with Sony Pictures Animation, Scholastic Productions, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Original Film
Angry Birds2016–19 co-production with Rovio Animation and Sony Pictures Animation (2019)
Don't Breathe2016–presentScreen Gems/Stage 6co-production with Ghost House Pictures
The Marine2017–18Sony Pictures Home Entertainment co-production with WWE Studios
Marvel Cinematic Universe2017–present3Columbiaco-production with Marvel Studios and Pascal Pictures
Sword Art Online Sony Pictureslicensed only, produced by A-1 Pictures and Aniplex
Peter Rabbit2018–212Columbiaco-production with Sony Pictures Animation (2018), Animal Logic, Olive Bridge Entertainment, 2.0 Entertainment, Screen Australia, and Screen NSW
Sony's Spider-Man Universe2018–present4co-production with Marvel and Pascal Pictures
Spider-Verse 2co-production with Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel, and Pascal Pictures
My Hero Academia 3Sony Pictureslicensed only, produced by Bones and Toho
Searching2018–23 2Screen Gemsco-production with Bazelevs Company
Escape Room2019–present Columbiaco-production with Original Film
Rascal Does Not Dream3Sony Pictureslicensed only, produced by Cloverworks and Aniplex
2021–present
PlayStation films2022–present2Columbiaco-production with PlayStation Productions

Highest-grossing films

Highest-grossing films in North America
RankTitle Year Domestic gross Studio label(s)
12021$814,108,407Columbia/Marvel
2Spider-Man2002$407,022,860Columbia
32017$404,540,171
42019$390,532,085Columbia/Marvel
52023$381,593,754Columbia
6Spider-Man 22004$373,585,825
7Spider-Man 32007$336,530,303
82017$334,201,140Columbia/Marvel
92019$320,314,960Columbia
10Skyfall2012$304,360,277 Columbia/MGM
11The Amazing Spider-Man2012$262,030,663Columbia
12Men in Black1997$250,690,539
13Ghostbusters1984$229,242,989
14Hancock2008$227,946,274
15The Da Vinci Code2006$217,536,138
162021$213,550,366
17Venom2018$213,515,506
181991$204,843,345TriStar/Carolco
19Bad Boys for Life2020$204,292,401Columbia
20The Amazing Spider-Man 22014$202,853,933
21Spectre2015$200,074,609Columbia/MGM
222024$193,410,058Columbia
2322 Jump Street2014$191,719,337
24Men in Black II2002$190,418,803
252018$190,241,310
Highest-grossing films worldwide
RankTitle Year Worldwide gross Studio(s)
12021$1,916,306,995Columbia/Marvel
2Skyfall2012$1,142,471,295Columbia/MGM
3 2019$1,131,927,996Columbia/Marvel
42017$962,126,927 Columbia
5Spider-Man 32007$894,983,373
6Spectre2015$880,674,609Columbia/MGM
72017$880,166,924Columbia/Marvel
8Venom2018$855,013,954 Columbia
9Spider-Man2002$825,025,036
102019$800,059,707
1120122009$791,217,826
12Spider-Man 22004$788,976,453
13The Da Vinci Code2006$758,239,851
14The Amazing Spider-Man2012$757,930,663
15The Amazing Spider-Man 22014$708,982,323
162023$690,897,910
17Hancock2008$624,386,746
18Men in Black 32012$624,026,776
19Casino Royale2006$606,099,584Columbia/MGM
20Quantum of Solace2008$589,580,482
21Men in Black1997$589,390,539Columbia
22The Smurfs2011$563,749,323
232018$528,583,774
241991$519,843,345TriStar/Carolco
25Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train2021$507,127,293Aniplex/Funimation

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20080701202512/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117469309.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 "Sony Hitches TriStar to Col"
  2. "Los Angeles Times" Sony Forms New Movie Division articles.latimes.com December 8, 1998, Retrieved on April 4, 2016
  3. News: Abrams. Rachel. Tom Rothman in Joint Venture With Sony to Run TriStar Productions. October 30, 2014. Variety. August 1, 2013.
  4. News: CIEPLY. MICHAEL. Sony Hires Rothman to Head Revived TriStar Unit. August 2, 2013. The New York Times. August 1, 2013.
  5. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-doug-belgrad-resigns-20160602-snap-story.html Doug Belgrad exits as president of Sony Pictures' motion picture group
  6. News: Masters . Kim . Elizabeth Gabler Breaks Silence on Sony Move, Disney Exit, HarperCollins and Streaming Plans (Exclusive) . 23 June 2020 . The Hollywood Reporter . en.
  7. https://businessprofiles.com/details/sony-pictures-releasing/NY-1358802 SONY PICTURES RELEASING CORPORATION
  8. News: March 1975 . The Australian Film Industry - A Duopoly in Distribution in Exhibition . 37 . Cinema Papers.
  9. Web site: Columbia Tristar Warner encerra escritórios em Portugal. Eurico. de Barros. Diário de Notícias. February 6, 2014. September 29, 2017. Columbia Tristar Warner closes offices in Portugal. pt. https://web.archive.org/web/20170930083919/https://www.dn.pt/artes/cinema/interior/columbia-tristar-warner-encerra-escritorios-em-portugal-3673331.html. September 30, 2017. live.
  10. News: Frater . Patrick . Sony Launches Its Own Theatrical Distributors in Southeast Asia . June 13, 2018 . Variety . August 14, 2017.
  11. News: Holdsworth . Nick . Disney, Sony team up for Russian content . July 27, 2018 . The Hollywood Reporter . AP . December 27, 2006 . en.
  12. Web site: Clarification on Disney/Fox transaction . February 6, 2019 . Cofece . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190209123805/https://www.cofece.mx/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/COFECE-009-2019-English.pdf . February 9, 2019 . February 8, 2019.
  13. Web site: Walt Disney to create a new distribution company in Russia . news.ru . January 24, 2020.
  14. News: Disney и Sony разделят экраны. ru. Disney and Sony to split screens. Kommersant. 2021-04-13.