Walt Disney Pictures is an American film production company and division of The Walt Disney Studios, owned by The Walt Disney Company. The division is based at the Walt Disney Studios and is the main producer of live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Studios unit. It took on its current name in 1983. Today, in conjunction with the other units of The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Pictures is classified as one of Hollywood's "Big Six" film studios. Nearly all of Walt Disney Pictures' releases are distributed theatrically by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, through home media platforms via Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and through television syndication by Disneyâ€"ABC Domestic Television.
Background
The studio's predecessor (and the modern-day The Walt Disney Company's as a whole) was originally founded as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, by filmmaker Walt Disney and his business partner and brother, Roy, in 1923.
The creation of Mickey Mouse and subsequent short films and merchandise generated revenue for the studio which was renamed as The Walt Disney Studio at the Hyperion Studio in 1926. In 1929, it was renamed once again to Walt Disney Productions. The studio's streak of success continued in the 1930s, culminating with the 1937 release of the first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which became a huge financial success. With the profits from Snow White, Walt relocated to a third studio in Burbank, California.
Walt Disney Productions began operating in the live-action films field in 1950 with the release of Treasure Island. By 1953, the company ended their agreements with such third-party distributors as RKO Radio Pictures and United Artists and formed their own distribution company; Buena Vista Distribution.
A newly developed unit, Walt Disney Pictures, was formed in June 22, 1983 to diversify film subjects and expand audiences for their film releases. Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures were formed within that unit on February 16, 1983 and February 1, 1989 respectively.
Notable films
Some well-known Disney releases include the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Tron, National Treasure, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Princess Diaries, Alice in Wonderland, The Muppets, Saving Mr. Banks, and Into the Woods.
Animated films from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Frozen, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Up were also released by Walt Disney Pictures.
Related units
Disney's former television production division that produced television programs from 1983 to 2003.
