Imagine Entertainment (USA): 35

24 (2001–2010), an American action drama TV show created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for Fox, follows the life of US counter-terrorist federal agent Jack Bauer. Each season unfolds in real time, covering 24 hours in Bauer’s life. The episodes feature multiple interconnected storylines, often involving Bauer’s associates facing extreme challenges. The series first aired on November 6, 2001, with a total of 204 episodes across nine seasons. A television movie titled 24: Redemption was broadcast on November 23, 2008, between the sixth and seventh ...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is an American Christmas fantasy comedy film directed by Ron Howard, who also produced with Brian Grazer. It is based on Dr. Seuss’s beloved 1957 children’s book of the same name and was the first to be adapted into a full-length feature film. As Whoville gears up for the holiday season, their plans are threatened by the Grinch, a grumpy green creature living in isolation on Mount Crumpit. One day, six-year-old Cindy Lou Who encounters him at the town’s post office and ...

Bowfinger (1999) is an American satirical buddy comedy film, helmed by director Frank Oz. B movie maker Bobby Bowfinger has been collecting funds to direct his dream project since childhood: with $2,184 in hand, he is finally ready to cover the production expenses. A script (‘Chubby Rain’) written by an accountant, Afrim, and access to studio equipment through his camera operator Dave’s job as a gofer complete Bowfinger’s team. To fill the remaining gaps, Bowfinger enlists the help of actors in need of work and a group of undocumented Mexican immigrants to serve as his camera crew. All that is ...

From the Earth to the Moon (1998) is a docudrama series, co-produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Tom Hanks and Michael Bostick in 1998 for HBO. It depicts the Apollo program during the 1960s and early 1970s and is based on Andrew Chaikin’s book A Man on the Moon. The special effects are under visual director Ernest D. Farino and are known for their accuracy. The ...

Ransom (1996) is an American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Richard Price and Alexander Ignon. While billionaire Tom Mullen and his wife Kate attend a science fair, their son Sean disappears from their sight. He is taken to an apartment by Maris Conner, the Mullens’ caterer, along with brothers Clark and Cubby Barnes, and tech expert Miles Roberts. As it turns out, NYPD Detective Jimmy Shaker, who is dating Maris, is the man behind Sean’s kidnapping. The kidnappers send an email ...

Apollo 13 (1995), a docudrama directed by Ron Howard, follows the journey of astronaut Jim Lovell as he prepares for his next space mission after having orbited the Moon on Apollo 8. Excitement builds as Lovell and his guests gather to watch Neil Armstrong’s historical steps on the Moon from Apollo 11. Lovell shares with his wife Marilyn his desire to one day walk on the lunar surface. However, a twist of events occurs when Lovell’s crew is informed that they will be flying Apollo 13 instead of their initially assigned mission, due to a swap with Alan Shepard’s crew. Alongside Ken Mattingly and Fred ...

The American comedy-drama film, The Paper (1994), directed by Ron Howard, follows Henry Hackett, a dedicated metro editor at The New York Sun. While he loves his job, Henry is tired of the long hours and low pay. He fears becoming like his work-obsessed boss, Bernie White, who neglects his family. When Bernie reveals his prostate cancer diagnosis, he tries to reconcile with his estranged daughter before it’s too late. Facing financial struggles, the paper’s owner enacts unpopular cutbacks under the supervision of Henry’s rival, managing editor Alicia Clark. At home, Henry clashes with his pregnant wife ...

Far and Away (1992) is an American epic Western romantic adventure drama film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Bob Dolman. In Ireland in 1892, tenant farmers worked land they could never own and paid unfairly high rents to their wealthy landlords. Joseph Donnelly dreamed of owning his own land, but after his father’s death, their family home is burned down by their landlord Daniel Christie’s men for unpaid rent. Seeking revenge, Joseph travels to Daniel’s home to kill him but only ends up injured. Nursed back to health by Daniel’s wife Nora ...

The biographical film, The Doors (1991), was directed and written by Oliver Stone and Randall Jahnson. It tells the story of the influential American rock band and their impact on music and counterculture. In 1949, a young Jim Morrison and his family are driving through New Mexico when they come across a fatal car accident involving an elderly Native American. Years later, in 1965, Jim finds himself in California immersed in the Venice Beach scene. During his time at UCLA, he falls in love with Pamela Courson and meets future bandmates Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. Together they form The Doors, with ...

Backdraft (1991) is an American action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. The story follows two brothers in the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 17 unit. Lt. Stephen ‘Bull’ McCaffrey, the elder brother, is a seasoned firefighter while Brian has previously struggled to live up to his brother’s legacy. After trying his hand at multiple careers, Brian returns to firefighting, although Stephen has reservations about his abilities. In 1971, Brian witnessed the death of their father Captain Dennis McCaffrey during a call, ...

Cry-Baby (1990), a film by John Waters, takes place in Baltimore in the year 1954. The protagonist, Wade ‘Cry-Baby’ Walker, is known for his ability to produce a solitary tear. He leads a group of rebellious individuals known as the ‘drapes’, which includes his sister Pepper, tough girl Mona ‘Hatchet-Face’ Malnorowski and her devoted boyfriend Milton Hackett, and sexually mature Wanda Woodward. Allison Vernon-Williams, a wealthy girl tired of conforming to societal norms, falls for Cry-Baby after they meet at a talent show at her grandmother’s Charm School. Despite her initial ...

The American black comedy film, The ‘Burbs (1989), was directed by Joe Dante. During a week-long vacation, suburban homeowner Ray Peterson overhears strange noises coming from the basement of his secluded new neighbors, the Klopeks. Along with Art Weingartner and Vietnam War veteran Mark Rumsfield, Ray becomes suspicious that the Klopeks may be ritualistic murderers. One night, they witness the youngest Klopek carrying an unusually large garbage bag to their trash can and forcefully crushing it down. Despite a rainy night, Ray spots the Klopeks digging in their backyard. The following day, Ray, Mark, and Art ...

Parenthood (1989) is a hilarious and touching family dramedy, helmed by director Ron Howard who collaborated with screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel on the story. Gil Buckman, a salesman from St. Louis, is struggling to juggle his job and his family. He faces a tough situation when he discovers that his oldest son Kevin needs therapy for emotional problems, and that his younger children Taylor and Justin also have their own issues. As he begins to blame himself and question his parenting abilities, Gil’s ...

The Dream Team (1989), an American comedy thriller directed by Howard Zieff, follows the story of psychologist Dr. Jeff Weitzman in his work at a New Jersey sanitarium. His patients include Billy, Henry, Jack, and Albert. Among them, Billy stands out as the group’s de facto leader despite his dangerous tendencies and constant lying. Henry struggles with OCD and has convinced himself that he is one of the doctors at the hospital, often seen carrying a clipboard and wearing a lab coat and stethoscope. Jack used to work in advertising but now believes he is Jesus Christ. Lastly, Albert communicates solely through ...

Clean and Sober (1988) is an American drama film directed by Glenn Gordon Caron. It follows Daryl Poynter, a successful but self-destructive real estate salesman in Philadelphia who struggles with cocaine addiction. After embezzling $92,000 from his company’s escrow account, he loses an additional $52,000 to his drug habit and poor stock market investments. One morning, he wakes up next to a woman who suffered a cocaine overdose and attempts to hide the situation from the police. However, they are aware of what happened. On top of that, there is the issue of the missing money. With no escape plan, Daryl heads to ...