Touchstone Pictures was a distribution label (or "banner" in Disney-speak) created and owned by The Walt Disney Company, which released films aimed for more mature audiences than the usual Disney branded fare.
Beginning in 1979, when they released The Black Hole, Disney had begun making numerous PG-rated adult and teenage-oriented films such as TRON, Never Cry Wolf, Trenchcoat and The Devil and Max Devlin (the latter two of which caused a media uproar over their subject material in a Disney film) to remain competitive in the market of live action movies. But none of their efforts were commercially successful. It was as if the Disney name was more of a burden than an asset with large segments of potential audiences, as Disney had been for the longest time associated with G-rated family-friendly fare such as Mickey Mouse cartoons and The Love Bug. Then-CEO Ron Miller (son-in-law of the late Walt Disney) announced in 1984 the creation of Touchstone Films (as it was then called) as a new label to 1) protect the wholesome family-friendly image of the Disney name and 2) to remain commercially relevant.
Beginning with Splash, Touchstone soon became Disney's go-to brand for mainstream live-action films that weren't saccharine enough for the Company's flagship brand. At first, Touchstone was by far Disney's most-used brand for theatrical releases (far more so in terms of quantity than the Disney branded stuff), and television productions. Studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg adopted a strategy of "singles and doubles", in essence producing lots of low-cost High Concept movies which once in a while would turn into great successes. Three Men and a Baby - the highest grossing movie of 1987 - is a perfect case in point: a remake of a French film, with television actors in the lead roles and filmed in Canada. In 1990 Disney CEO Michael Eisner even created a competing division within Disney - Hollywood Pictures - which eventually got scaled back towards the end of the decade.
One little-known expansion attempt was into the comics market
; as part of a new self-publishing comics division at Disney, plans were in place for a mature comics label known as Touchmark (echoing the Touchstone name), along with Hollywood Comics (modeled after Hollywood Pictures) and Vista Comics (offering superhero and sci-fi titles based on other Disney properties like TRON). However, overexpansion and poor sales forced Touchmark's demise before anything was published; editor Art Stone subsequently returned to DC Comics and used several of the intended Touchmark titles as launch titles for the famed Vertigo imprint.
In the mid-2000s, with the Pirates of the Caribbean series (the first film being the first Disney-branded movie to get a PG-13 rating, which was introduced just a few months after Touchstone was established), the once clear distinction between Disney and Touchstone territory began to blur, and Touchstone became more pigeonholed. In 2006 new Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company would be making an effort to focus more heavily on its three main core brands (Disney, ABC and ESPN), as well as on major acquired properties (such as Pixar and The Muppets, and later Marvel and Lucasfilm). As consequence, in 2007, it was announced that the Disney studio would scale back on the number of live-action films produced, the majority of which would now be Disney-branded.
The arrival of Rich Ross as Dick Cook's replacement as Disney Studios chairman in 2009 was a huge blow to Touchstone. In an effort to streamline the studio and cut back on losses, Ross announced a new business plan: to trim the number of films that Disney distributed to eight a year, and to only make films that the studio knew how to sell. Namely, in terms of live action films this meant either big-budget Jerry Bruckheimer produced movies or Marvel Cinematic Universe films (and Star Wars movies after the company's 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm), or lower-budget Disney Channel-esque films. Most of the films in Touchstone's pipeline were cancelled, including sequels to sleeper hits The Proposal and Wild Hogs. The last in-house studio made film released through Touchstone was the 2010 ensemble comedy You Again, which flopped at the box office.
In 2011, Touchstone saw new life as the distribution label for DreamWorks SKG' live action films in North America. In 2012, Disney hired Alan Horn, who had previously had a very successful tenure at Warner Bros., as its replacement for Rich Ross after the latter resigned due to a series of high-profile flops, making Ross' "only make films the studio knows how to sell" edict rather ironic in hindsight. While the production side remained moribund, there had been interest by new studio chairman Alan Horn of increasing Disney's yearly output and diversifying the types of movies the studio makes.
However, this didn't happen. In 2013, as part of Disney's breakup with Jerry Bruckheimer, Horn admitted that the studio wasn't interested in reviving Touchstone as a producer (Bruckheimer wanted to head up a new version of the label). Instead, when Disney took over full distribution rights to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Star Wars sequel trilogy, they chose to brand them under the respective internal studios that made them (Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm). Touchstone was then used to distribute Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises, as its subject matter apparently did not fit the Disney brand's profile. Strange Magic, having started production by Lucasfilm when it was acquired by Disney in 2012, was Touchstone's most recent non-DreamWorks release, and the last for the foreseeable future. There was a chance that 2019's Glass— a film Disney is releasing with Universalnote — would be a Touchstone release outside the United States, but Disney instead used the Buena Vista International brand.note .
In the end, DreamWorks cut ties with Disney upon the contract's expiration and jumped ship to Universal, with both of its final two releases with Disney receiving shoddy box office numbers; The BFG was released under the regular Disney label on July 1, 2016 to heavy competition from fellow Disney release Finding Dory, as well as competition in the coming week with Universal/Illumination's The Secret Life of Pets, while The Light Between Oceans, which marks the official end of Touchstone's DreamWorks deal, was released on September 2, 2016note , a terrible time for a theatrical release. No further projects were announced since, leading to speculation that Touchstone had been rendered inactive, if not flat out defunct, though Disney itself said next to nothing on the matter, and CEO Bob Iger reinforcing the current Disney status quo of less risks and more franchises at an investor's meeting in late September 2016 didn't help its case. In the meantime, the label was relegated to a catalog label for Disney (similar to the current structure of the defunct Hollywood Pictures), responsible for handling the copyrights to and distribution of all of Touchstone's films, including the rights to all of the DreamWorks films under Touchstone, which Disney now own outright as payment on loans Disney made to the company.
Touchstone's fate was officially sealed on December 14, 2017, when Disney announced it would buy Twentieth Century Fox and a number of other Fox properties from 21st Century Fox, the media group controlled by Rupert Murdoch; the deal, which closed on March 20, 2019, gave Disney a permanent foothold in the mature film market while rendering the Touchstone brand superfluous (Disney had an exclusive license to the Fox trademarks until early-2020, after which it had to drop the "Fox" name from all of its Fox properties).
They had their own television unit until 2007, when it was renamed ABC Studios as part of Iger's above-mentioned company refocusing efforts. ABC Studios later merged with its ABC Signature unit, with the combined entity assuming the latter name.
After the loss of the Fox license, Disney rebranded Fox 21 Television Studios (a sibling of the former Twentieth Century Fox Television, now 20th Television) by reviving the Touchstone Television name for that studio, marking the first time since 2016 that Disney has used the Touchstone name...only to be retired after four months and absorbed into 20th Television.
- 3 Ninjas (1992)
- The Sixth Man (1997)
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
- The 13th Warrior (1999)
- 25th Hour (2002)
- Adventures in Babysitting (1987): The first Disney-associated film to get a PG-13 rating.
- Air Force One (1997): with Columbia Pictures under Buena Vista International.
- The Alamo (2004)
- Alive (1993): with Paramount.
- An Innocent Man (1989)
- Annapolis (2006)
- Apocalypto (2006)
- El Arca (2007): under Buena Vista International.
- Armageddon (1998), a Jerry Bruckheimer production, directed by Michael Bay.
- Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)
- Bad Company (1995)
- Bad Company (2002)
- Beaches (1988)
- Beloved (1998)
- Betsys Wedding (1990)
- Bicentennial Man (1999): with Columbia Pictures.
- Big Business (1988)
- Big Trouble (2002)
- Billy Bathgate (1991)
- Blaze (1989)
- Boys (1996)
- The Boy Who Saw The Wind (2000): with Brains Base under Buena Vista International.
- Bringing Down the House (2003)
- Bringing Out the Dead (1999): with Paramount.
- Bubble Boy (2001)
- Cabin Boy (1994)
- Calendar Girls (2003)
- Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
- Captain Ron (1992)
- Casanova (2005)
- The Cemetery Club (1993)
- A Civil Action (1998): with Paramount.
- Cocktail (1988)
- Cold Creek Manor (2003)
- The Color of Money (1986)
- Con Air (1997), a Jerry Bruckheimer production.
- Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- Corky Romano (2001)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
- Country (1984)
- Coyote Ugly (2000), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- Cradle Will Rock (1999)
- Crazy/Beautiful (2001)
- The Crew (2000)
- D.O.A. (1988)
- Dan in Real Life (2007)
- Dark Water (2005)
- Dead Poets Society (1989): Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- Deceived (1991)
- Déjà Vu (2006) (2006), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
- Dick Tracy (1990)
- Disorganized Crime (1989)
- The Doctor (1991)
- Double Take (2001)
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986): The first ever R rated film from The Walt Disney Company. Also the first film greenlighted by Michael Eisner after becoming Disney CEO.
- Drive (2011): Spain and Poland distribution only through Buena Vista International.
- Ed Wood (1994)
- Enemy of the State (1998), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- The first four Ernest P. Worrell films:
- Ernest Goes to Camp (1987)
- Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
- Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
- Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
- Face/Off (1997): with Paramount.
- Father of the Bride (1991) and Part II (1995)
- Feast Of July (1995)
- The Fifth Estate (2013): with DreamWorks SKG.
- Fire Birds (1990)
- Flightplan (2005)
- Frank Mc Clusky CI (2002)
- Fright Night (2011): Disney's last live-action horror film until Ready or Not.
- Gen¹³: The Movie (1998): Distributed by Paramount internationally.
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
- Gnomeo & Juliet (2011): Touchstone's first G-rated film since the 1998 release of Kiki's Delivery Service. Seriously. (It was originally scheduled to be released by Miramax, but it ended up as a Touchstone film after the Miramax brand was sold and the Disney animation folks didn't want it to be released under the Disney name.)
- Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- The Good Mother (1988)
- Green Card (1990)
- Gross Anatomy (1989)
- The Guardian (2006)
- The Gun In Betty Lous Handbag (1992)
- He Got Game (1998)
- Heartbreak Hotel (1988)
- Hello Again (1987)
- The Help (2011): with DreamWorks SKG.
- Hidalgo (2004)
- High Fidelity (2000)
- High Heels and Low Lifes (2001)
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
- Holy Man (1998)
- The Horse Whisperer (1998)
- The Hot Chick (2002)
- I Love Trouble (1994)
- Indian Summer (1993)
- The Inkwell (1994)
- The Insider (1999): Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- Instinct (1999)
- It Runs in the Family (2003): with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer under Buena Vista International.
- It's Pat! (1994)
- Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998)
- Jefferson In Paris (1995)
- The Jerky Boys The Movie (1995)
- Just Short Of Perfect (2021): under Buena Vista International; co-distributed internationally with Netflix.
- Kazaam (1996)
- Keeping the Faith (2000)
- King Arthur (2004), a Jerry Bruckheimer production
- Krippendorfs Tribe (1998)
- Kundun (1997)
- Ladder 49 (2004)
- The Ladykillers (2004)
- Last Dance (1996)
- The Last Shot (2004)
- The Last Song (2010)
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
- Life with Mikey (1993)
- Little Indian, Big City (1994)
- Lincoln (2012), co-production with DreamWorks.
- A Lot Like Love (2005)
- Mad Love (1995)
- The Matador (2005): International release.
- Metro (1997)
- Miracle At St Anna (2008)
- Mission to Mars (2000)
- Missing Link (2019): in select international markets only under Buena Vista International.
- Moonlight Mile (2002)
- Mr. 3000 (2004)
- Mr. Destiny (1990)
- Mr Wrong (1996)
- Mumford (1999)
- My Boyfriend's Back (1993)
- My Father the Hero (1994)
- My Science Project (1985)
- New Port South (2001)
- New York Stories (1989)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): During its original release, though in 2006 it was moved to the Disney brand.
- Noises Off (1992; with Amblin Entertainment)
- Nothing to Lose (1997)
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000): with Universal.
- Off Beat (1986)
- Open Range (2003)
- Oscar (1991)
- The Other Sister (1999)
- Out Cold (2001)
- Outrageous Fortune (1987)
- The Patriot (1998)
- Pearl Harbor (2001), a Jerry Bruckheimer production, directed by Michael Bay.
- Phenomenon (1996)
- Play It To The Bone (1999)
- Playing God (1997)
- The Preachers Wife (1996)
- The Prestige (2006): with Warner Bros.
- The Program (1993)
- Pretty Woman (1990): The highest grossing Disney movie in 1990.
- Raising Helen (2004)
- Ransom (1996)
- The Recruit (2003)
- The Ref (1994)
- Reign of Fire (2002)
- Renaissance Man (1994)
- The Rescue (1988)
- The Rocketeer (1991): labeled as "Walt Disney Pictures" in North America only, and re-labeled as Touchstone Pictures elsewhere.
- Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
- The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
- Runaway Bride (1999) with Paramount.
- Rushmore (1998)
- Ruthless People (1986)
- Scenes From A Mall (1991)
- The Secret of Kells (2009): with StudioCanal under Buena Vista International.
- Shanghai Noon (2000)
- Shanghai Knights (2003)
- Shoot to Kill (1988)
- Shopgirl (2005)
- Signs (2002)
- A Simple Twist Of Fate (1994)
- Sister Act 1 (1992) and 2 (1993)
- Six Days, Seven Nights (1998)
- Sorority Boys (2002)
- Spaced Invaders (1990)
- Splash (1984): Touchstone's first film.
- Stakeout (1987)
- Another Stakeout (1993)
- Starship Troopers (1997) with TriStar Pictures.
- Stella (1990)
- The Step Up series (2006, 2008, 2010; first three films only)
- Stick It (2006)
- Strange Magic (2015; produced by Lucasfilm)
- Studio Ghibli Collection (French distribution rights from 1998 to 2020 under Buena Vista International, French rights now with Wild Bunch and StudioCanal)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- Castle in the Sky (1986): early trailers for the film dating a 1999 US home video release were also from Touchstone, but the film’s eventual delayed 2003 release was under the Disney brand.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Kiki's Delivery Service (1989): Touchstone also handled the 1998 US limited theatrical release and home video release, being Touchstone’s first and only G-rated film until 2011's Gnomeo & Juliet before the film was rebranded a Disney film starting with the 2003 re-release.
- Only Yesterday (1991)
- Porco Rosso (1992)
- Pom Poko (1994)
- Whisper of the Heart (1995)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- The Cat Returns (2002)
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
- Tales from Earthsea (2006): Touchstone also handled the 2010 US theatrical release before being later rebranded as a Disney film for the home video release, becoming the very first PG-13 animated film to be released under the Disney brand due to being Bloodier and Gorier than most of Studio Ghibli's other films.
- Ponyo (2008)
- Arrietty (2010)
- From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
- The Wind Rises (2013): Touchstone also handled the US release.
- The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
- When Marnie Was There (2014)
- Summer of Sam (1999)
- Surrogates (2009)
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
- Swing Vote (2008)
- The Tempest (2010)
- A Thousand Acres (1997)
- Three Fugitives (1989)
- Three Men and a Baby (1987) and its sequel Three Men And A Little Lady (1990)
- Tin Men (1987)
- Tough Guys (1986)
- True Identity (1991)
- Turner and Hooch (1989)
- Two Much (1995)
- Unbreakable (2000)
- Glass (2019) note
- Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
- Up Close And Personal (1996)
- Veronica Guerin (2003)
- The Village (2004)
- The War At Home (1996)
- War Horse (2011), co-production with DreamWorks.
- The Waterboy (1998)
- What About Bob? (1991)
- What's Love Got To Do With It (1993)
- When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
- When in Rome (2010)
- Where the Heart Is (1990)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988; with Amblin Entertainment; later rebranded as a Disney film for some home video releases)
- Wild Hogs (2007)
- The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998)
- You Again (2010)
- 8 Simple Rules (2002-05)
- According to Jim (2001-09)
- Alias (2001-06)
- Blossom (1991-95)
- Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
- Clerks: The Animated Series (2000)note
- Clone High (2002-03)note
- Commander in Chief (2005-06)
- Desperate Housewives (2004-12)
- Ellen (1994-98)
- Empty Nest (1988-95)
- Felicity (1998-2002)
- The Golden Girls (1985-92)
- Grey's Anatomy (2005-present)
- Hard Time on Planet Earth (1989)
- Home Improvement (1991-99)
- Hope & Faith (2003-06)
- In Justice (2006) (2006)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003-present)note
- Less Than Perfect (2002-06)
- Life With Bonnie (2002-04)
- Lost (2004-10)
- Monk (2002-09; a co-production with Universal Television)note
- My Wife and Kids (2001-05)
- The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005; funnily enough, this was co-produced by Fox Television Studios, which became the new Touchstone Television after Fox 21 merged with Fox Television Studios and Disney's purchase of Fox, hence why it is on both the Touchstone Pictures and the Touchstone Television page)
- Nurses (1991-94)
- Once and Again (1999-2002)
- The PJs (1999-2000; seasons 1 and 2; season 3 was produced by Warner Bros. Television due to The WB un-canceling itnote )
- Popular (1999-2001)
- Scrubs (2001-10)
- Sonic X (2003-2005; select international distribution under Buena Vista International Television in association with Jetixnote , sometimes co-distributed with Fox Kids; Touchstone Television (under Buena Vista International Television France) also co-produced and funded the third season; Disney also handles the US streaming distribution of the uncut Japanese subbed version through Hulu)
- Sports Night (1998-2000)
- Ugly Betty (2006-10)
- Unhappily Ever After (1995-99)
- What About Brian (2006-07)
