Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is the oldest surviving major film studio in Hollywood, founded in 1912 when Adolph Zukor released the first full-length drama shown in the United States, Queen Elizabeth, and launched the Famous Players Film Company. The studio that would become Paramount took shape in 1916 when Zukor's company merged with the Jesse L. Lasky Company and the Paramount distribution firm, forming the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. From the silent era through the golden age of cinema, Paramount produced classics like Sunset Boulevard, The Godfather, and Forrest Gump, and has been home to blockbuster franchises including Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Transformers.

The studio's iconic mountain-and-stars logo, inspired by a sketch of Utah's Ben Lomond peak, has evolved over the decades but remains one of the most recognizable symbols in film. Paramount operates from a 65-acre lot at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, featuring thirty sound stages and the historic Bronson Gate. The company also runs Paramount Television Studios, Paramount Game Studios, and the streaming service Paramount+. In 2024, Paramount merged with Skydance to form Paramount Skydance Corporation, continuing its legacy as a central force in entertainment. [edit]