Triumph Films (also known as Triumph Releasing Corporation) was a American film studio and division of Sony Pictures Entertainment that geared towards theatre and direct-to-video film production and distribution.
History
Founding and Original Era (1982–1985/1986)
- 1982: Founded as a joint venture between Columbia Pictures (U.S.) and Gaumont (major French studio) to distribute foreign films (especially European arthouse and imports) in the North American/U.S. market.
- Goal: Bridge European cinema to American audiences with targeted marketing, subtitles, and niche theatrical runs. This filled a gap for non-Hollywood films that struggled with wide release.
- Early success: Handled U.S. distribution of Gaumont titles and independents, including the acclaimed German WWII submarine film Das Boot (1981 original, U.S. release boosted in 1982 under Triumph—big critical and profitable hit via smart promotion despite modest box office initially).
- 1985–1986: Partnership dissolved. Gaumont sold its stake and withdrew (wanting its own U.S. operations). Columbia became sole owner but decided to shut down the original Triumph Films operation in late 1985 (some sources say October 1985 or 1986), folding its functions into the main Columbia Pictures label. The brand rights stayed with Columbia/Sony.
Revival as Triumph Releasing Corporation (1988–1994)
- January 5, 1988: Columbia Pictures Entertainment (pre-Sony full takeover) revived the Triumph name as Triumph Releasing Corporation, a new worldwide subsidiary.
- Focus is to Provided administrative/distribution services for Columbia and TriStar Pictures films in the U.S./Canada; handled international sales, marketing, and distribution under each studio's direction.
- Officially incorporated March 24, 1988.
- 1989 onward: Distributed films from Crédit Lyonnais-owned Epic Productions (and predecessors like Trans World Entertainment/Empire International), plus some Vision International titles.
- 1989: Sony acquired Columbia Pictures for $3.4 billion → Triumph integrated into the new Sony Pictures Entertainment structure.
- 1991: Became fully a Sony division; logo updated (removed "Columbia Pictures Entertainment" byline).
- November 23, 1994: Triumph Releasing Corporation renamed Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation (Sony's main theatrical distribution arm today). The "Triumph" name spun off as a separate label (Triumph Films) for low-budget/indie/direct-to-video projects.
Triumph Films as Low-Budget/Indie Label (1994–1997)
- Under president David Saunders (from 1993), shifted to producing/distributing star-driven low-budget films ($8–10 million range): quick development, low overhead, limited theatrical + video focus.
- Hits: Sidekicks (1993, Chuck Norris, ~$17M domestic), Jury Duty (1995, Pauly Shore, ~$17M domestic).
- Mixed/lower performers: To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996, Michelle Pfeiffer, only ~$4.2M), Truth or Consequences, N.M. (1997), Bliss (1997), Masterminds (1997).
- April 1997: Sony Pictures announced closure of Triumph Films amid cost-cutting and reorganization under new regime (John Calley era). Consolidated under core Columbia/TriStar banners. Saunders oversaw finishing ~6 remaining projects; unit shut down by early 1998.
Post-Closure Sporadic Use and Revivals (1998–2014)
- Label dormant but not fully killed—used occasionally as an imprint:
- 1998: Surfing drama In God's Hands.
- 2003/2004 reactivation: Released indie/DTV titles like Steamboy (anime) and Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (family comedy).
- 2006: Faith-based The Second Chance.
- Often tied to Sony's Affirm Films (Christian/faith content).
- Dormant again around 2008.
- 2014: One-off revival for supernatural thriller The Remaining.
Filmography
Lists of films released by Triumph Films, as of now their library is primarily owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment (with some exceptions).
1980s
| Release date
|
Title
|
Notes
|
| February 10, 1982
|
Das Boot
|
|
| June 21, 1982
|
La vie continue
|
|
| June 23, 1982
|
Bob le flambeur
|
|
| September 14, 1982
|
Josepha
|
|
| October 6, 1982
|
Yol
|
|
| January 23, 1983
|
Parsifal
|
|
| February 11, 1983
|
We of the Never Never
|
|
| February 16, 1983
|
That Night in Varennes
|
|
| April 21, 1983
|
Invitation au voyage
|
|
| April 29, 1983
|
Querelle
|
|
| May 13, 1983
|
La Boum
|
|
| May 27, 1983
|
The Trout
|
|
| September 9, 1983
|
Moon in the Gutter
|
|
| September 28, 1983
|
Danton
|
|
| November 11, 1983
|
Purple Haze
|
|
| December 14, 1983
|
The Eyes, the Mouth
|
|
| January 26, 1984
|
And the Ship Sails On
|
|
| May 18, 1984
|
Angel
|
|
| May 25, 1984
|
Heat of Desire
|
|
| June 12, 1984
|
The Last Battle
|
|
| June 21, 1984
|
After the Rehearsal
|
|
| September 20, 1984
|
Carmen
|
|
| October 13, 1984
|
À Nos Amours
|
|
| November 9, 1984
|
The Little Bunch
|
|
| A Love in Germany
|
|
| August 2, 1985
|
Death in a French Garden
|
|
| August 26, 1985
|
My Other Husband
|
|
| October 18, 1985
|
Acqua e sapone
|
|
| November 1, 1985
|
Softly, Softly
|
|
| December 8, 1989
|
Triumph of the Spirit
|
|
1990s
| Release date
|
Title
|
Notes
|
| January 12, 1990
|
Ski Patrol
|
distribution only; produced by Epic Productions
|
| February 16, 1990
|
Courage Mountain
|
| March 9, 1990
|
Bad Influence
|
| March 31, 1990
|
The Ambulance
|
| April 20, 1990
|
Modern Love
|
| Why Me?
|
distribution only; produced by Epic Productions
|
| April 27, 1990
|
Wild Orchid
|
distribution only; produced by Vision PDG
|
| June 1, 1990
|
Ghosts Can't Do It
|
distribution only; produced by Epic Productions
|
| July 20, 1990
|
Clownhouse
|
distribution only: produced by Commercial Pictures
|
| August 24, 1990
|
Men at Work
|
distribution only; produced by Epic Productions
|
| September 28, 1990
|
Dark Angel
|
distribution only; produced by Vision PDG
|
| October 26, 1990
|
Sonny Boy
|
distribution only; produced by Trans World Entertainment
|
| November 2, 1990
|
Waiting for the Light
|
distribution only; produced by Epic Productions
|
| November 9, 1990
|
Mister Frost
|
| November 21, 1990
|
Robot Jox
|
distribution only; produced by Empire Pictures
|
| April 12, 1991
|
Eminent Domain
|
| October 9, 1991
|
Homicide
|
U.S. distribution only
|
| November 1, 1991
|
Year of the Gun
|
| February 28, 1992
|
Gate 2: The Trespassers
|
distribution only; produced by Vision PDG
|
| March 27, 1992
|
Ruby
|
| April 15, 1992
|
Brenda Starr
|
|
| May 8, 1992
|
Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue
|
distribution only; produced by Vision PDG
|
| August 1, 1992
|
Jersey Girl
|
| October 23, 1992
|
Zebrahead
|
| March 5, 1993
|
Shadow of the Wolf
|
| April 9, 1993
|
Sidekicks
|
distribution only; produced by Vision PDG and Gallery Films
|
| April 22, 1994
|
Brainscan
|
| March 3, 1995
|
Nina Takes a Lover
|
| April 12, 1995
|
Jury Duty
|
co-production with TriStar Pictures
|
| August 30, 1995
|
Magic in the Water
|
| January 26, 1996
|
Screamers
|
co-production with Columbia Pictures
|
| August 23, 1996
|
Solo
|
| October 18, 1996
|
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday
|
co-production with Rastar
|
| April 14, 1997
|
Bliss
|
| May 2, 1997
|
Truth or Consequences, N.M.
|
| August 22, 1997
|
Masterminds
|
co-production with Columbia Pictures
|
| September 12, 1997
|
The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca
|
co-production with Sony Pictures Releasing
|
| September 26, 1997
|
The Assignment
|
|
2000s
| Release date
|
Title
|
Notes
|
| December 5, 2003
|
The Golden Laws
|
|
| August 27, 2004
|
Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2
|
co-production with ApolloMedia, Crystal Sky Pictures and Hador BG2 Productions Ltd.
|
| March 18, 2005
|
Steamboy
|
US distribution only; co-distributed by Destination Films, produced by Sunrise and Toho
|
| February 17, 2006
|
The Second Chance
|
co-production with Provident Films, Ruckus Film and Cedar Partners
|
| January 2, 2007
|
Shottas
|
co-distributed by Destination Films
|
| April 18, 2008
|
Zombie Strippers
|
theatrical distribution only; produced by Stage 6 Films
|
2010s
| Release date
|
Title
|
Notes
|
| September 5, 2014
|
The Remaining
|
distribution only; produced by Affirm Films, final film from Triumph Films.
|