Miramax

1st Logo (November 26, 1980-March 31, 1987)

Logo: On a black background, we see a filmstrip, made into a letter "M". The text "MIRAMAX FILMS" is next to the "M" with "in association with" above.

Variant: On some films, such as Crossover Dreams and The Quest, the logo is a simple textual graphic reading "A MIRAMAX FILMS Release" in a plain non-serif font.

2nd Logo (March 27, 1987-December 18, 1998)

Logo: On a black background, we see the text "MIRAMAX" in the Gill Sans Ultra Bold font. Below it is "FILMS", stretched to fit the width of "MIRAMAX", with a line on top and on the bottom of it.

3rd Logo (September 11, 1987-April 9, 2014)

Logo: On a black background, we see the blue "M" in the same font as before zooms out to the left of the screen. It scrolls to the right, revealing "MIRAMA" in gold, and when it gets to the end, it disappears in a flash of light, revealing an "X". The word "FILMS" with its usual lines fades in below. A large "M" in black with a glowing blue corona surrounding it zooms out and borders the logo.

Variants:

• For a number of years until Disney acquired the company, the word "presents", in script, would appear under the logo, depending on the variant.
• For releases outside the United States only, the word "FILMS" was replaced with "INTERNATIONAL", the logo is less cheesy than before, and the flash of the outlined "M" is more flashy.
• On at least one occasion, the Roadshow Television logo transitioned into the international variant by zooming out with the "M".
• On some films, such as Wings of the Dove, the "FILMS" text is Absent.
• On some widescreen versions of the logo, the top and bottom edges of the "Big M" touch the black borders, or are cut off.
• Sometimes, the logo fades out early while the rest of the music plays.
• Rarely, the text would be silver.
• On Ready to Wear, when the "M" zooms out, the entire logo zooms out even further.

4th Logo (December 18, 1998-November 28, 2008)

Logo: We zoom down a river, and pan up to see the skyline of Manhattan, New York, at sundown. As the sun sets, the lights in the building windows begin to turn on, like normal when it is sundown. As we zoom in closer to the buildings, several lights begin forming the print Miramax Films logo, simply in white (no glowy effects like last time). The city skyline fades to black as the Miramax Films logo forms, piece by piece, while zooming towards the center of the screen. The end result is similar to the 2nd logo.

5th Logo (December 25, 2008- )

Logo: Same concept as before, but instead of the skyline, we pan up to see the Brooklyn Bridge at sundown. As the sun sets, we zoom towards the buildings until we finally get to the skyline of Manhattan. One difference of the skyline is that the World Trade buildings are gone (possibly due to 9/11). After we get to the city, the lights in the building windows begin to turn on, like normal when it is sundown. As we zoom slowly to the skyline, several lights begin forming the Miramax Films logo like before. The city skyline then fades to black as the Miramax Films logo forms, piece by piece.

Music/Sounds

1st Logo (November 26, 1980-March 31, 1987): None.

2nd Logo (March 27, 1987-December 18, 1998): None.

3rd Logo (September 11, 1987-April 9, 2014): A calm synth theme. Some films have the opening theme of the film, or is silent.

4th Logo (December 18, 1998-November 28, 2008): The logo is usually silent, or has the opening theme of the film playing over it. Although some films, such as Music of the Heart, have a pleasant orchestrated piece with few instruments in the selection.

5th Logo (December 25, 2008- ): Usually, a soft piano tune with coastal and city noises. Sometimes, it is silent or has the opening theme of the movie.

Scare Factor

1st Logo (November 26, 1980-March 31, 1987): None.

2nd Logo (March 27, 1987-December 18, 1998): None. It's a boring logo.

3rd Logo (September 11, 1987-April 9, 2014): Minimal. The flash might get to some, but it's a favorite among the logo community and look.

4th Logo (December 18, 1998-November 28, 2008): None to minimal. The dark background may surprise some, but this is also a favorite of many.

5th Logo (December 25, 2008- ): None to minimal. The background may surprise some still, but it is generally well-liked. However, the short version can be annoying to those bothered by this plastering over older logos, especially the 1987 one, although the full logo is breathtaking to look at.