Columbia Pictures/Logo Variations

Main Logo Variations Trailer Variations

These are the logo variations seen throughout the years by Columbia Pictures, with more to be added over time.

The Criminal Code and Ten Cents a Dance (1931):

The 1928 logo is shown without the company name. The practice of showing the Columbia logo sans company name predates the variations seen on Cowboy, Under the Yum Yum Tree, Good Neighbor Sam and Flight of the Doves.

Gun Fury (1953):

The logo is shown in a greenish-brown tint. Also, the Torch Lady's pedestal doesn't extend to the bottom of the screen, making it look like she's floating.

Zarak (1956):

The logo is still a painting. In addition, the "COLUMBIA" text is slightly larger and more spaced out than the standard logo, and there are clouds below the pedestal.

Cowboy (1958):

The logo has no company name at the beginning of the film. The standard version appears at the end.

The Mouse That Roared (1959):

The Torch Lady (here a live action model against a backdrop) looks down, lifts her gown, and sees a mouse at her feet on the pedestal. The Torch Lady leaves her pedestal, leaving her torch behind.
At the end of the film, the opening variant plays in reverse (making it look like the Torch Lady is rushing back up the stairs of the pedestal, grabbing her torch again).
On full-screen prints, along with the film itself, the logo is in 4:3 "open matte" aspect ratio.

The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962):

On a black-and-white format, the 1936 Torch Lady is on the left side, and the text "COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS" is on the right side. The logo cross-fades to a statue of Norman Maurer, the son-in-law of Moe Howard of The Three Stooges as he holds a stick of dynamite. The text "A NORMANDY PRODUCTION" is on the left side. The sparks are flowing from the dynamite and the dynamite later explodes, leaving the lower legs and the pedestal on the statue. The text "FILMED IN GLORIOUS BLACK AND WHITE" fades in above.

Zotz! (1962):

Director William Castle is seated on on a director's chair in the bottom-right corner of the screen. William gets out of his chair and says "Zotz!" The Torch Lady comes to life and asks "Zotz? What's Zotz?" After that, the screen fades to the opening credits of the movie.
At the end of the movie, the Torch Lady says "Zotz all!"

Lawrence of Arabia (1962):

The logo is merely a still painting. The light from the torch doesn't flicker and the clouds aren't as billowy. This was created especially for the film because there was no 70mm version of the logo in existence, and this variation was, at one point, plastered with a cropped version of the standard version for years until the film was restored in 1989.

Bye Bye Birdie (1963):

The Columbia Torch Lady's flame leaps from the torch to form the title of the film.

Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963):

The Torch Lady is on an orange background. Like the Cowboy variant, the company name does not appear over the logo, but does appear on a title card that fades in a few seconds later as part of the main titles.

Strait-Jacket (1964):

At the end of the film. the Torch Lady has her head decapitated and is placed at her feet and her torch has gone out.

Good Neighbor Sam (1964):

Similar to the Under the Yum Yum Tree variant, except the Torch Lady is on a light blue background. Incidentally, both films starred Jack Lemmon and used the same director, so this was no coincidence.

Cat Ballou (1965):

The Columbia Torch Lady transforms into an animated version of herself who throws her torch off-screen and takes her roman robe and gown off, revealing herself to be Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda), who wields two guns and fires them numerous times.

The Trouble with Angels (1966):

A halo appears above the "A" in COLUMBIA, and wings sprout from behind, revealing an animated rendition of Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) hiding behind it, who flies around the Torch Lady and blows out the torch.

The Man Called Flintstone (1966):

Wilma Flintstone replaces the Torch Lady and the logo is made in a prehistoric style. On some copies of the film when Great American Communications owned Hanna-Barbera as well as the 2004 DVD release, this logo is replaced by some different scenes.

Torture Garden (1967):

The 1941 logo has the company name appearing darker than usual, and "PICTURES CORPORATION PRESENTS" fades in below in yellow.

Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968):

The 1953-1968 logo starts rotating a few seconds after the "COLUMBIA" text fades in, transitioning into the start of the film.

Head (1968):

After the end of the credits, there is a Columbia Pictures logo in an Art Nouveau design, somewhat reminiscent of the 1928 logo; slowly the film disintegrates.

Oliver! (1968):

Same as Torture Garden, but uses the 1955 logo and is in sepia tone, and after the giant "COLUMBIA" text fades in, the words "PICTURES CORPORATION PRESENTS" fade in below.

The Looking Glass War (1969):

The 1968 logo has the words "PICTURES" and "PRESENTS" appear below the "COLUMBIA" name and on either side of the Torch Lady.

There's a Girl in My Soup (1970) and The Odessa File (1974, 4:3 prints):

Same as on The Looking Glass War, though "PICTURES PRESENTS" is in a different font.

Flight of the Doves (1971):

Almost the same as the Cowboy variant, but the clouds appear to be more blue.

The Last Picture Show and Macbeth (both 1971):

The 1968 logo is shown in black and white. On the 2nd latter title, the logo fades to the "COLUMBIA PICTURES PESENTS A PLAYBOY PRODUCTION OF" text on a black background.

Thank God It's Friday (1978):

There is the Torch Lady posed as in the start of "The Sunburst/Abstract Torch" logo, but drawn in a slightly different style. Suddenly disco music starts playing and the Torch Lady briefly does a dance, then the rest of the logo plays as normal. On 4:3 and full-screen prints, the logo is in open-matte.

Crossroads (1986):

The logo cuts to black rather than fading out as usual.

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988):

The logo fades into a picture of Pippi Longstocking (only showing her eyes, and her hair) on a white background. On full-screen prints, the logo is seen at a much farther distance than any other 4:3 version of the logo (as a result, the pedestal is cut off at the bottom of the frame).

Little Nikita (1988):

The 1981 logo fades into the sky. Exactly like the Roxanne variant. On the UK VHS version, full-screen and 4:3 prints, it is open-matted.

Lua de Cristal (1990; Brazil) and Os Trapalhões e a Árvore da Juventude (1991; Brazil):

As CTFDI (Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, Inc). The logo is beside the Art Films logo, with "Columbia Pictures" below the "Split Boxes" logo.

City Slickers (1991):

The 1981 logo is a still picture. Only on The Hub (now Discovery Family)'s print of the movie. The theatrical version had the logo freeze-framed when it fades-in, then the animation begins. Seen on the Widescreen LaserDisc and 1997 MGM/UA VHS releases of the film, while today it wouldn't be seen on current prints due to plastering by MGM.

A League of Their Own (1992):

At the end of the newsreel within the film, it has the words "COLUMBIA MOVIESCOPE NEWS" with the 80s Columbia print logo on top of the marquee styling between the words. Considering the fact that the 80s logo is used even though the newsreel is supposed to be from 1943, it comes off as historically inaccurate.

Last Action Hero (1993, in-film):

The 1981 logo appears like usual. After a few seconds, it disintegrates like an old film would do, into the main titles. The movie itself is the first one to use 1993 logo, while this logo made the last appearance as well.

The Age of Innocence (1993):

When the music is almost over, the logo changes to a sepia tint and turns into a still picture and the company name fades out. Also, the logo starts at the point where the Torch Lady is in view, but the 1993 common fanfare remains unaltered.

Wolf (1994):

The already-formed 1993 logo is seen, but the clouds are navy blue. Then, navy blue clouds move from left to right, covering the logo.

Street Fighter (1994, non-US version):

As CTFDI (Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, Inc). The background cross-fades to the 1990 Universal Pictures logo's globe and starfield (plastered from the US print, at the part where the "UNIVERSAL" text and MCA byline fade out), segueing to the opening sequence (with all references to Universal removed) before the globe zooms out to the movie's logo and the movie begins.

The Cable Guy (1996):

The logo goes static, just like a television would do.

Men in Black franchise:

Men in Black (1997): The 1993 logo fades into a black starry sky, segueing into the opening credits. The Torch Lady's torch also briefly flashes like a neuralyzer. On full-screen prints, the logo is in 4:3 open matte.

Men in Black II (2002): The Torch Lady's torch flashes at the end of the logo, much like a neuralyzer. On full-screen prints, the logo is in 4:3 open matte.

Men in Black: Alien Crisis (2012; video game): The Torch Lady quickly zooms in with the neuralyzer, which flashes at the first second of the play.

Men in Black: International (2019): The Torch Lady moves puts on a pair of sunglasses. The logo then transitions via a white light to the next logo. A textless version can be found as one of the two variants found in Columbia's 95th anniversary area in the Sony Pictures booth at the 2019 Tokyo Comic Con, as shown here.

Go (1999):

The logo sequence at the end is abruptly interrupted by jarring clips from a rave scene that segues into the opening credits.

All the Pretty Horses (2000):

The 1953 logo is used with the Sony Pictures Entertainment byline, in keeping with the film's time period. Only seen on theatrical prints.

American Psycho (2000, non-US version):

As CTFDI (Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, Inc). The logo fades into white, like the Lions Gate Films logo seen on the US release.

Charlie's Angels franchise:

Charlie's Angels (2000): The logo pans to the right, as the movie starts off in the sky on a plane. On Small widescreen prints, the logo is in 16:9 open matte.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003): After the logo is done, the text fades out, then the screen zooms to the start. On Small widescreen prints, the logo is in 16:9 open matte.

Finding Forrester (2000):

The fanfare is played on a guitar.

What Planet Are You From? (2000):

The Torch Lady's normal face is replaced with that of star Annette Benning, in a nod to the oft-noted resemblance between Benning and Jenny Joseph, the Torch Lady. The logo then fades into the night sky.

Ali (2001) and Big Fish (2003):

The logo animates in reverse. On Big Fish, it segues into the opening scene of the film.

Thir13en Ghosts (2001, non-US version):

The logo is in black & white, just like the Warner Bros. variant.

Eight Crazy Nights (2002):

The Torch Lady is replaced with Eleanore Duvall, who later melts into the Torch Lady. The byline is also already there when it melts.

Trapped (2002):

The logo is in a shade of cerulean.

Peter Pan (2003):

The logo fades into a nighttime sky. The fanfare is also replaced by wind chimes. On US prints, the whole logo is seen after the end credits and plays silently, while the Universal Pictures logo appears at the beginning, with its fanfare also replaced by wind chimes.

Gothika (2003, non-US version):

The logo is tinted in leyden blue.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003):

The 1993 logo is zoomed-out further than usual.

Spider-Man 2 (2004):

The 1993 logo zooms out further than usual. Only seen on Small HD widescreen versions.

Hellboy: Director's Cut (2004):

The logo plays in reverse and there's a fire in the torch.

Stealth (2005):

The logo zooms backward through some clouds.

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D (2005):

The logo speeds up and instead of fading to black, it cuts to the Troublemaker Studios logo.

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005):

At the end of the movie, the logo fades in just after the zoom out and proceeds as usual. The following logos (DreamWorks, Spyglass Entertainment, Amblin Entertainment, Red Wagon Entertainment) are cut short likewise. This is accompanied by the end credits music. This logo doesn't appear at the beginning of the movie.

Robert Langdon franchise:

The Da Vinci Code (2006): A blue searchlight appears on the logo and the camera pans to the right. On Small widescreen prints, the logo is in 16:9 open matte.

Angels & Demons (2009): At the very last second the torch begins to flicker like anti-matter and the logo fades out, leaving a blurry transition to the next one.

James Bond franchise:

Casino Royale (2006): The logo is in black & white, and the fanfare is PAL-pitched. On Small widescreen prints, the logo is in 16:9 open matte.

Spectre (2015): Similar to All the King's Men (2006), but the logo is slightly darker and uses the 2014 version instead.

The Grudge 2 (2006):

The logo starts as usual, but then the Torch Lady's hair becomes longer, and then the torch flickers, briefly causing the Torch Lady to turn into Kayako and the word "COLUMBIA" to turn into "GRUDGE 2".

All the King's Men (2006):

The logo's colors are slightly washed out.

The Holiday (2006, US version):

This was the first film to use the enhanced 2006 logo. The logo is shortened and cut to the last few seconds.

Open Season (2006), Surf's Up (2007), The Smurfs (2011), Arthur Christmas (2011), The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012), and Popeye (Unreleased, animatic)

The Torch Lady's torchlight brightens, filling the screen and transitioning into the Sony Pictures Animation logo. For Open Season, the 1993 logo is used with the high-tone variant of 1998-2012 alternative fanfare; on the latter five movies, the 2006 logo with the 1998-present common fanfare is featured. On some prints of Arthur Christmas, the high-tone variant of 1998-2012 alternative fanfare is used with the 2006 logo.

Superbad (2007):

A variation of the 1976 "Sunburst" logo is used. The byline "a SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT company" is seen at the bottom in the beginning. The logo usually shakes within the film reel. As the camera slowly zooms into the torch, it disappears. As the "sunburst" is forming, a clock-style transition occurs behind it, turning the background from black to yellow, and after the sunburst forms, several silhouettes of Evan are seen.

The Messengers (2007):

The logo starts off normally, but turns black and white. Also, the fanfare is PAL-pitched.

30 Days of Night (2007):

The logo turns dark blue after six seconds.

Ghost Rider films:

Ghost Rider (2007): A concept logo was planned that had the Torch Lady have the Ghost Rider's hellfire transformation, similar to the Marvel logo. This was rejected by the studio.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012): The logo warps speed and goes back to normal before the text and byline appear.

Pineapple Express (2008):

The 1950s Columbia logo is used and the Sony Pictures Entertainment byline fades in below.

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009):

As if emerging from a subway tunnel, the logo zooms in on a box and fades into the New York City skyline. The logo is accompanied by train-related sound effects.

Terminator: Salvation (2009; non-US version):

The logo is gray and surges with electricity; it also animates differently just like the Warner Bros. Pictures variant on the US release.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs franchise:

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009): A banana suddenly knocks the Torch Lady out. Also, the high-tone variant of the 1998-2012 alternative fanfare is used, and the "COLUMBIA" text is slightly smaller.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013): Same as the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs variant, but the size of "COLUMBIA" is back to normal and the byline fades out before the banana, this time in CGI, hits the Torch Lady, then transforms into a Bananostrich. Barry (voiced by Cody Cameron), who is carrying the torch that the Torch Lady was holding, then mounts the Bananostrich and poses by lifting the torch. They rush toward the camera, and as the torch gets closer, the screen turns white, transitioning into the Sony Pictures Animation logo. This variant was done by Sony Pictures Animation. Some of the frames from this variant are seen briefly in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

2012 (2009):

The logo glows with a tangerine lens flare.

Ghostbusters (2009, video game):

A shortened version of the 1981 logo makes an appearance at the beginning of the game, in which the high-toned version of the 1993 logo being shown when booting up the game. The Remastered version had a trailer variant of the 2014 logo when booting up the game, with the Sony logo at the start and no music. Very similar to the home video of A Few Good Men.

The Bounty Hunter (2010):

On the Starz Saturday Premiere, the logo is bylineless.

The Green Hornet (2011):

The light beaming from the torch turns jungle green. The torch then flashes to transition into the Original Film logo.

The Smurfs franchise:

The Smurfs (2011, closing): A Smurf waves atop the "O" and "L" of the print logo on a blue background.

The Smurfs 2 (2013): The Torch Lady's outfit (consisting of a gown and a robe) is in white and blue to match the Smurfs' colors. Also, the torchlight rays are blue. The logo ends as a Smurf hat flies in from the background to transition into the Sony Pictures Animation logo.

Closing variant: On another blue background (resembling the one from the previous film's closing variant), the print logo zooms in sideways from the last scene (Gargamel being attacked by Azrael) and has a Smurf doing a handstand on the box.

Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017): The Torch Lady turns out to be a cardboard standee which falls down, revealing Smurfette (animated in the same way as she does in the film). She then notices a mushroom, raises it and a light transitions into the Sony Pictures Animation logo. The animation for Smurfette was done by Sony Pictures Animation.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011):

The logo is shown in a gray-green tint. Also, it's shortened, beginning when "COLUMBIA" fades in.

Hotel Transylvania franchise:

Hotel Transylvania (2012) and Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015): At the end of the logo, the Torch Lady turns into a bat and flies off, transitioning to the Sony Pictures Animation logo. For the first film, it uses the SPE byline, the 1998-2012 alternative fanfare (which is high-toned, and also its last regular appearance) and the 2006 logo, while the second film uses the 2014 logo and the A Sony Company byline. This variant was done by Sony Pictures Animation.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022, Amazon): The logo is shortened like The Holiday variant. However, the logo starts to flicker and the torch goes out alongside the music. Eventually, the torch and music come back on; however, the Torch Lady is replaced with Blobby, who is holding a robe just like her. Then, like most Sony Pictures Animation films, the torch light brightens and transitions to its logo. This variant was done by Sony Pictures Animation.
- For the digital and home media releases of the film, the full version of this variant was used. Furthermore, the Amazon Originals logo was removed.

Hope Springs (2012):

The logo is shortened, beginning when "COLUMBIA" fades in.

Django Unchained (2012):

The 1968 logo is used with the SPE byline in the same font as the 1974 "A DIVISION OF COLUMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES, INC." byline.

American Hustle (2013, US):

The 1976 logo is used with the "a Sony Company" byline in the same font as the logo.

The Interview (2014):

The 1953 logo is used and the 1928 theme is heard. Also, there is no introduction of the Sony logo and the byline "a Sony Company" is removed.

Aloha (2015, US):

The 1968 Columbia Pictures logo is used, but it is in 4:3 aspect ratio and the Sony byline appears below. A Hawaiian lei briefly appears on the Torch Lady.

Concussion (2015):

The Sony logo animates as usual, though we transition to the Torch Lady already fully zoomed out as the word "COLUMBIA" fades in.

The Night Before (2015) and The Front Runner (2018):

The 1981 logo is used and the byline "a Sony Company" appears below.

The Emoji Movie (2017):

The byline fades in a little earlier than usual, and after the logo is fully formed, as soon as the byline fades in, the logo is blurred to focus on two hands (presumably those of Alex, one of the characters from the movie), which come up from below the screen holding a phone and take a picture of the lady. They select and overlay her head with a sunglasses emoji before sending the photo in a message afterwards. The phone drops and then the torchlight brightens, transitioning into the Sony Pictures Animation logo.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017):

The whole logo is in black and white. The logo also suffers a glitch, causing the clouds to disappear, but they return shortly afterwards.

In the prototype version (international only), the logo is in a digital red color. The Sony logo transitions to Columbia via a flash, the cloud background is different, and the company name and byline appear letter by letter.

Only the Brave (2017):

As the logo goes on, it slowly changes from full color to sepia. Also, the logo is silent.

Puppy! (2017 short):

Very similar to The Holiday variant.

Peter Rabbit franchise:

Peter Rabbit (2018): Instead of the Sony logo, the Sony Pictures Animation logo on a black background segues into the main logo. Also, the Sony byline fades in before "COLUMBIA" does so, and as soon as the logo's music finishes, some birds fly right to the logo and then around it; the Columbia logo then turns 3D and as soon as the camera pans its way around the logo, the clouds move faster. Once the camera begins to follow the birds, the entire logo (except for the birds) fades into white clouds moving on a blue sky. On the extended preview, some birds come after the logo is formed.

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021): The logo plays normally this time, unlike the first film. Once the logo is complete, it fades to the opening shot of the film.

Spider-Verse films:

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018): The logo appears in the style of the movie. The build-up part of the standard fanfare can audibly be heard during the Sony logo, a la the regular logo. The logo is also glitchy, at times reverting the Torch Lady to her standard look as well as reverting to older Columbia logos, including the 1924, 1928, 1936 and 1976 logos, plus variations from Cat Ballou (1965) and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013). The logo also briefly appears in a comic book style and a graffiti style. This was made by Devastudios and can be seen on their website.

Main variant.
In a frame, a 1924 Torch Lady or female Roman in a red color is seen.
These frames of the logo feature the animated version of Jane Fonda as a cowgirl used on the opening logo of the 1965 film Cat Ballou and 1976 Sunburst logo with different font.
Several frames of the logo used for the 2013 film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 were featured.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023): The normal logo is used this time, but it constantly glitches (with halftone dots quickly appearing during the torch zoom-out, for instance). Also, the completed logo appears for a split-second during the glitch, as well as the unused variant from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, after it glitches away into the Marvel Entertainment logo. Just like the first film, this was done by Devastudios.

The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story (2023, short): The 2006-2012 Sony Pictures Animation combo variant is used, complete with the light of the torch engulfing the screen; except that it cuts to the Marvel logo, and with the 2022 revision of the logo. Portions of the Torch Lady glitch as the camera zooms out, and the logo glitches out once the Sony byline fades in.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019):

The logo cross-fades into a Mexican statue in the desert, beginning the prologue, right before the Marvel Studios logo.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019):

Same as the Django Unchained variant, but the byline is changed to read "a SONY Company" and the Sony logo transitions into it.

Zombieland: Double Tap (2019):

At the end of the logo, the byline disappears as two zombies appear and run towards the Torch Lady, stopping the standard music and switching to a more orchestrated dramatic action music, and she attacks them with her torch. It goes back to its normal position, resuming the standard music after three orchestral hits at the end of the music. Some blood stains are on the "C" and "O" in the "COLUMBIA" text, as well as the pedestal, in which a dead zombie is on the pedestal steps. A behind the scenes photo can be found on Monique Ganderton's Instagram page. A textless version can be found as one of the two variants in Columbia's 95th anniversary area in the Sony Pictures booth at the 2019 Tokyo Comic Con, as shown here.

Little Women (2019):

The original version of the 1993 logo is used, but with the 2014 Sony byline and the Sony logo transitioning into it.

Invasion (2020, Russia):

The logo is tinted in dodger blue.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021, Netflix):

Transitioning from the Sony logo via a multi-colored tunnel, the logo begins as normal, with colorful lines and waves coming out of the Torch Lady's torch. After the byline appears, a leg appears behind the Torch Lady, and stomps on the pedestal, turning her into a cartoon version with rainbow garbs and many objects (like pizza, burgers, stars, and emojis) flowing out of the torch. A pug face draws three rainbows behind the Torch Lady as anthropomorphic stoves with tong hands, bread, rats and pugs appear on either side of the screen and clap, the clouds holding a clapper board and a video camera. The Torch Lady dances for a while before throwing the torch at the ground, creating a starburst that goes to the Sony Pictures Animation logo.

Vivo (2021, Netflix):

The 1936 logo is used and it animates in the same way as the regular logo with the Sony byline in the same coloring as the font. At the near end, the Torch Lady turns into a silhouette with the "COLUMBIA" text sliding up and the Sony byline fading out, after which the silhouetted Torch Lady plays a flute in a cartoonized background. She glances out from the right side to make way for the Sony Pictures Animation logo, which slides down and then which zooms in and segues to the film's opening sequence.

The Equalizer 3 (2023):

The 2021-2022 version of the logo is used.

Napoleon (2023):

The Sony transition is removed and the 1998-2012 alternative fanfare is PAL-pitched.

Madame Web (2024):

During the Sony transition, the zoom out is seen briefly and at the actual zoom out, the 100 years Columbia Pictures logo is seen briefly before reverting back to normal, replicating Madame Web's precognition abilities. This variant only appears on theatrical prints, as all other prints use the regular variant.

The Garfield Movie (2024, closing):

The logo is shaded orange (Garfield's color) and is set against a black background. Also, the clouds aren't transparent.