Orion Pictures, Part Two: Building an 80s Movie Empire - The 80s Movie Podcast

The story of Orion Pictures continues in Part Two of this special series from The 80s Movie Podcast. As the studio expanded during the 1980s, Orion developed a reputation for producing and distributing films that balanced artistic ambition with mainstream appeal. From dramas and thrillers to action films, comedy, and science fiction, Orion quickly became one of the most exciting names in Hollywood. We revisit the films, filmmakers, and creative decisions that shaped Orion during a period of rapid growth, examining how the company built a catalog unlike any other studio of the era. While larger competitors focused on blockbuster formulas, Orion often embraced unusual stories, distinctive directors, and films that were willing to take creative chances. Whether you remember these movies from theaters, cable television, or the VHS rental shelf, Part Two continues the story of a studio whose influence on 1980s cinema remains impossible to ignore. Join us as we revisit another chapter in Orion’s remarkable rise.