Orion Pictures, Part One: The Rise of the Studio That Changed the 1980s - The 80s Movie Podcast

Before streaming, franchises, and cinematic universes, one studio quietly built one of the most impressive libraries in modern film history. In Part One of this special series, The 80s Movie Podcast begins an in-depth look at Orion Pictures, the independent studio that became one of the most important creative forces of the 1980s. Founded by former United Artists executives, Orion carved out a unique identity by backing ambitious filmmakers, prestige dramas, cult classics, and commercial hits that often stood apart from traditional Hollywood fare.

We explore Orion’s early years, the risks that came with launching an independent studio, and the films that helped establish its reputation during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Along the way, we discuss how Orion became home to filmmakers willing to take chances, creating a legacy that would eventually include some of the decade’s most beloved and influential movies.

Whether you remember the Orion logo lighting up movie screens or are discovering the studio for the first time, Part One revisits the beginnings of one of the most fascinating success stories in 1980s cinema. Join us as we begin exploring the rise of a studio that dared to do things differently.