Island Pictures was a Los Angeles-based film company founded by producer Chris Blackwell. It was acquired by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment in July 1989 for $270 million. By 1994, it had produced 120 films, including the Oscar-winning Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) and Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It. PolyGram closed Island Pictures in 1997 following Blackwell's resignation.
This is a list of films produced, co-produced, or distributed by Island Pictures.
1980s Release date Title NotesRef. November 6, 1985 Subway US distribution only; produced by Gaumont and TF1; owned by Sony Pictures Classics January 24, 1986 The Trip to Bountiful US distribution only; owned by Shout! Studios via Westchester Films June 13, 1986 Mona Lisa US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films August 8, 1986 She's Gotta Have It distribution only; produced by 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks; owned by NetflixInducted into the National Film Registry in 2019 September 20, 1986 Down by Law US distribution only; owned by Black Snake, Inc., with distribution rights licensed to Janus Films and the Criterion Collection November 7, 1986 Nobody's Fool February 20, 1987 Square Dance produced in association with NBC Productions and Pacific Arts Corporation April 17, 1987 Heaven US distribution only; owned by Lightyear Entertainment May 8, 1987 River's Edge US theatrical distribution only; produced by Hemdale Film Corporation June 26, 1987 Straight to Hell US distribution only; owned by Kino Lorber October 2, 1987 Slam Dance distribution only November 6, 1987 Dark Eyes US distribution only December 23, 1987 The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films February 26, 1988 A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon distributed by 20th Century Fox; owned by Universal Pictures April 1, 1988 Bellman and True US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films and Thames Television April 22, 1988 Bagdad Cafe US distribution only; owned by Leora Films Inc., with distribution rights currently licensed to Shout! Studios July 12, 1988 Track 29 US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films March 31, 1989 Crusoe October 13, 1989 From Hollywood to Deadwood November 3, 1989 Sidewalk Stories owned by Carlotta Films November 3, 1989 Sweet Lies distributed by CBS/Fox Video
1990s Release date Title NotesRef. February 7, 1992 The Lunatic distributed by Triton Pictures May 28, 1992 Time Will Tell distributed by IRS Media April 21, 1995 The Basketball Diaries distributed by New Line Cinema; co-owned by Palm Pictures and MGM January 12, 1996 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood distributed by Miramax Films March 26, 1996 The Little Death distributed by PolyGram Video May 31, 1996 Eddie produced in association with Hollywood Pictures March 21, 1997 Mandela co-owned by MGM and Palm Pictures March 28, 1997 B.A.P.S. distributed by New Line Cinema August 6, 1997 Def Jam's How to Be a Player distributed by Gramercy Pictures January 23, 1998 The Gingerbread Man distributed by PolyGram Films April 28, 1998 Body Count distributed by PolyGram Video
Island Alive Films Release date Title NotesRef. March 1982 Forty Deuce July 1982 Countryman co-owned by Palm Pictures and MGM June 14, 1983 Koyaanisqatsi US co-distribution with New Cinema only; produced by Zoetrope Studios November 23, 1983 Return Engagement US co-distribution with New Cinema only January 27, 1984 El Norte co-distribution with Cinecom only; owned by Independent Productions, with distribution rights licensed to Lionsgate, Janus Films and the Criterion CollectionInducted into the National Film Registry in 1995 February 10, 1984 Android US co-distribution with New Cinema only August 29, 1984 Choose Me October 18, 1984 Stop Making Sense US co-distribution with Cinecom only; owned by A24 November 30, 1984 Ski Country produced by Warren Miller Entertainment January 11, 1985 The Inheritors US distribution only; owned by Mondo Macabro March 1, 1985 A Private Function US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films March 8, 1985 The Hit US distribution only; produced by Zenith Productions; owned by HanWay Films, with distribution rights licensed to Janus Films and the Criterion Collection March 29, 1985 The Lift US distribution only; produced by Sigma Film Productions; owned by Blue Underground July 26, 1985 Kiss of the Spider Woman US distribution only; owned by the film's producers August 2, 1985 Insignificance US distribution only; produced by Zenith Productions; owned by HanWay Films, with distribution rights licensed to Janus Films and the Criterion Collection August 28, 1985 Bullshot US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films October 18, 1985 A Sense of Freedom US distribution only; produced by HandMade Films and Scottish Television December 11, 1985 Trouble in Mind studio credit only; distributed by Alive Films; owned by Shout! Studios
See also Island Records
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