# Sony Pictures Classics

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Arthouse division of Sony Pictures Entertainment

"Sony Classics" redirects here. For the record label, see [Sony Classical Records](/source/Sony_Classical_Records).

Sony Pictures Classics, Inc. Type Subsidiary Industry Entertainment Founders Michael Barker Tom Bernard Marcie Bloom Area served Worldwide Key people Michael Barker (co-president) Tom Bernard (co-president) Products Motion pictures Number of employees 25[1] Parent Sony Pictures Entertainment

**Sony Pictures Classics Inc.** (also known as **Sony Classics** or **SPC**) is an American [independent film](/source/Independent_film) production and distribution company that is an autonomous division of [Sony Pictures Entertainment](/source/Sony_Pictures) and part of the [Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group](/source/Sony_Pictures_Motion_Picture_Group). It was founded in January 1992 by former [Orion Classics](/source/Orion_Classics) heads [Michael Barker](/source/Michael_Barker_(film_distributor)), [Tom Bernard](/source/Tom_Bernard) and Marcie Bloom.[2] It distributes, produces and acquires specialty films such as [documentaries](/source/Documentary_film), [independent](/source/Independent_film) and [arthouse](/source/Art_film) films. As of 2015, Barker and Bernard are co-presidents of the division.

## History

Co-founder and co-president Michael Barker

Sony Pictures Classics was formed in 1992 by Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloom, and set up as an autonomous division of [Sony Pictures](/source/Sony_Pictures)[2] to produce, acquire and/or distribute independent films from the United States and internationally.[3]

It has released films that have won 38 Academy Awards and received 166 nominations,[4] including Best Picture nominations for *[I'm Still Here](/source/I'm_Still_Here_(2024_film))*, *[The Father](/source/The_Father_(2020_film))*, *[Call Me By Your Name](/source/Call_Me_by_Your_Name_(film)),* *[Whiplash](/source/Whiplash_(2014_film))*, *[Amour](/source/Amour_(2012_film))*, *[Midnight in Paris](/source/Midnight_in_Paris)*, *[An Education](/source/An_Education)*, *[Capote](/source/Capote_(film))*, *[Howards End](/source/Howards_End_(film))*, and *[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon](/source/Crouching_Tiger%2C_Hidden_Dragon)*.[5]

SPC has a history of making reasonable investments for small films and getting a decent return.[2][6][7] It has a history of not overspending.[2][8] Its largest commercial success of the 2010s is [Woody Allen](/source/Woody_Allen)'s *[Midnight in Paris](/source/Midnight_in_Paris)* (2011), which grossed over $56.8 million in the United States, becoming Allen's highest-grossing film ever in the United States.[9]

SPC has been a pioneer in theatrical distribution. In 2001, it championed the Chinese-language film *[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon](/source/Crouching_Tiger%2C_Hidden_Dragon)*, which earned 10 nominations, the most ever for a non-English-language film (*[Roma](/source/Roma_(2018_film))* would tie it in 2018), and win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and a [Golden Globe](/source/Golden_Globe_Awards) in 2001. The film earned over $213 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, including $128 million in the United States as a Sony Pictures Classics release.[10]

In 2006, SPC promoted *[The Lives of Others](/source/The_Lives_of_Others)* to an Oscar and BAFTA, after it was rejected by the [Cannes](/source/Cannes_Film_Festival), [Berlin](/source/Berlin_International_Film_Festival), [Venice](/source/Venice_Film_Festival) and [New York](/source/New_York_Film_Festival) Film Festivals.[11]

Co-founder and co-president Tom Bernard

SPC occasionally agrees to release films for Sony's other film divisions; however, under its structure within Sony, none of the other divisions (including the parent company) can force SPC to release any film it does not want to release.[2][12]

In 2025, *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* polled over 500 filmmakers, actors, and film buffs around the world, compiling a list of the 100 greatest films of the 21st century by collating voters' top ten submitted films; ten titles released by Sony Pictures Classics made the list: *[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon](/source/Crouching_Tiger%2C_Hidden_Dragon)*, *[A Separation](/source/A_Separation)*, *[A Prophet](/source/A_Prophet)*, *[Call Me By Your Name](/source/Call_Me_by_Your_Name_(film))*, *[Amélie](/source/Am%C3%A9lie)* (re-released by SPC in 2024), *[The Lives of Others](/source/The_Lives_of_Others)*, *[Toni Erdmann](/source/Toni_Erdmann)*, *[Whiplash](/source/Whiplash_(2014_film))*, *[Amour](/source/Amour_(2012_film))*, and *[Volver](/source/Volver)*.[13]

## Film library

Main article: [List of Sony Pictures Classics films](/source/List_of_Sony_Pictures_Classics_films)

### Highest-grossing films

*[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon](/source/Crouching_Tiger%2C_Hidden_Dragon)* (2000) was the company's first film to cross the $100 million mark worldwide, followed by *[Kung Fu Hustle](/source/Kung_Fu_Hustle)* (2004), *[Midnight in Paris](/source/Midnight_in_Paris)* (2011), and *[Blue Jasmine](/source/Blue_Jasmine)* (2013).

Highest-grossing films worldwide Rank Title Year Gross 1 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2000 $213,966,221[14] 2 Midnight in Paris 2011 $162,051,975[15] 3 Blue Jasmine 2013 $102,912,961[16] 4 Kung Fu Hustle 2004 $102,034,104[17] 5 House of Flying Daggers 2004 $92,863,945[18] 6 The Lives of Others 2006 $81,197,047[19] 7 To Rome with Love 2012 $74,290,305[20] 8 Talk to Her 2002 $64,826,117[21] 9 Whiplash 2014 $50,431,161[22] 10 Capote 2005 $49,924,079[23]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Sony Pictures Classics Bosses Shop Cannes Quality"](https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=10685634). [ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(United_States)). Retrieved July 28, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SPC_at_15_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SPC_at_15_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SPC_at_15_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SPC_at_15_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-SPC_at_15_2-4) Thompson, Anne (October 17, 2006). ["Sony Pictures Classics at 15"](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-pictures-classics-at-15-139749). The Hollywood Reporter. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120209021120/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-pictures-classics-at-15-139749) from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2010. They stay behind the films and manage to find a significant core audience for a large number of them, with the occasional $130 million blowout like *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'*, [former United Artists president Bingham] Ray says. 'But they spend a fraction of what a major studio would spend to get the same number. Their philosophy is not to pile a lot of money on everything. They run a tight ship; they don't have an army of people working for them. They keep things simple. [Alt URL](http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4803238-1.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071215090950/http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4803238-1.html) December 15, 2007, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Sony Pictures Classics – About Us"](https://www.sonyclassics.com/about-us/). SonyClassics.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150528011402/http://sonyclassics.com/about-us/) from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Sony Pictures Classics | About Us"](https://www.sonyclassics.com/). *sonyclassics.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201101031946/https://www.sonyclassics.com/) from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["SONY PICTURES CLASSICS TO RELEASE JUHO KUOSMANEN'S 'COMPARTMENT NO. 6' IN THEATERS"](https://scopeweekly.com/2021/11/19/sony-pictures-classics-to-release%E2%80%AFjuho-kuosmanens%E2%80%AFcompartment-no-6-in-theaters-on%E2%80%AFjanuary-26-2022%E2%80%AF/). *The Scope Weekly*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220219203713/https://scopeweekly.com/2021/11/19/sony-pictures-classics-to-release%E2%80%AFjuho-kuosmanens%E2%80%AFcompartment-no-6-in-theaters-on%E2%80%AFjanuary-26-2022%E2%80%AF/) from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Pond, Steve (November 16, 2009). ["Sony Classics' Embarrassment of Oscar Riches"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100123140704/http://www.thewrap.com/article/13-oscar-hopefuls-unlucky-sony-pictures-classics-says-stupid-question-10179). The Wrap. Archived from [the original](http://www.thewrap.com/article/13-oscar-hopefuls-unlucky-sony-pictures-classics-says-stupid-question-10179) on January 23, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010. It doesn't release blockbusters or Best Picture winners, but its understated business plans reduce risk and keep it in business.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kaufman, Anthony (January 29, 2008). ["PARK CITY '08 | Sundance Buying Spree Stirs Talk; Sony Classics Adds "Baghead," "River," and "Wackness" to '08 Slate"](http://www.indiewire.com/article/park_city_08_sundance_buying_spree_stirs_talk_sony_classics_adds_baghead_ri). *Indiewire*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061044/http://www.indiewire.com/article/park_city_08_sundance_buying_spree_stirs_talk_sony_classics_adds_baghead_ri) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2012. As Bernard explained, 'We're not looking for home runs; we're looking for singles and doubles.' [...] The tortoise-rather-than-the-hare strategy helped the company capture movies that were under the radar of buyers, and as Bernard argued, even sellers.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Duncan Jones is Unhappy About Moon – Thompson on Hollywood"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100604051314/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/01/duncan_jones_is_unhappy_about_moon/). Indiewire. April 1, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/01/duncan_jones_is_unhappy_about_moon/) on June 4, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010. SPC had nothing to do with the DVD release, which Jones is unhappy about.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lauria, Peter (August 2, 2013). ["The Box Office Gross Of Every Woody Allen Movie Adjusted For Inflation"](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peterlauria/the-box-office-gross-of-every-woody-allen-movie-adjusted-for). *BuzzFeed*. Retrieved May 9, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Hollywood Flashback: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Captured Oscar Gold 20 Years Ago"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hollywood-flashback-crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-captured-oscar-gold-20-years-ago-4112816/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. January 10, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220219213823/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hollywood-flashback-crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-captured-oscar-gold-20-years-ago-4112816/) from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["LAFF: Sony Pictures Classics' Tom Bernard, Michael Barker Get Spirit of Independence Award"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/laff-sony-pictures-classics-tom-712541/). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. June 17, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220219202800/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/laff-sony-pictures-classics-tom-712541/) from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ross, Matt (February 6, 2006). "Translating foreign pix to U.S. hits: SPC finds creative solutions to bring home best in overseas fare". *Variety*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Times, The New York (June 23, 2025). ["The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century"](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250922134002/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.html) from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon). *The Numbers*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250904164213/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Crouching-Tiger-Hidden-Dragon) from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Midnight in Paris (2011) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Midnight-in-Paris). *The Numbers*. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Blue Jasmine (2013) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Blue-Jasmine). *The Numbers*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140903050550/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Blue-Jasmine) from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Kung-Fu-Hustle-(China)(2004)). *The Numbers*. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["House of Flying Daggers"](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0385004/). *Box Office Mojo*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250226125920/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0385004/) from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Das Leben der Anderen (2007) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Leben-der-Anderen-Das). *The Numbers*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250911102003/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Leben-der-Anderen-Das) from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["To Rome with Love"](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1859650/). *Box Office Mojo*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250603170450/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1859650/) from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Talk to Her"](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0287467/). *Box Office Mojo*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251130121315/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0287467/?) from the original on November 30, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Whiplash"](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2582802/). *Box Office Mojo*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241126171214/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2582802/) from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Capote (2005) - Box Office and Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Capote). *The Numbers*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250717125200/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Capote) from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.sonyclassics.com)

v t e Sony History Founders Masaru Ibuka Akio Morita Primary businesses Sony Corporation Sony Semiconductor Solutions Sony Pictures Sony Music Group Entertainment Publishing Extreme Music Sony Music Entertainment Japan Aniplex A-1 Pictures CloverWorks Hayate Inc. Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation Technologies and brands α (Alpha) Archival Disc Betacam Bionz Blu-ray Bravia CD Cell Cyber-shot Dash Dream Machine DVD Exmor FeliCa Handycam HDCAM/HDCAM-SR HMZ-T1 Inzone LocationFree Memory Stick MiniDisc MiniDV MicroMV mylo PlayNow PlayStation Pyxis Reader S/PDIF SDDS 8 channel films Sony Entertainment Network SXRD Sony Tablet Tunnel diode TransferJet UMD Vaio Video8/Hi8/Digital8 Vision-S Walkman XDCAM Xperia Historical products AIBO CV-2000 DAT Betamax Sony CLIÉ Discman Jumbotron Lissa Mavica NEWS Optiarc PVM-4300 Qualia Rolly TR-55 Trinitron FD series 1 inch Type C U-matic Vaio Watchman WEGA Electronics Sony Creative Software FeliCa Networks (57%) Online distribution platforms PlayStation Network PlayStation Plus PlayStation Store Sony Pictures Core SonyLIV Crunchyroll mora Great American Pure Flix (joint venture with Great American Media) Former/Defunct Sony Entertainment Network Sony Connect PlayNow PlayStation Now PlayStation Video PlayStation Vue Anime Digital Network Anime on Demand AnimeLab Crackle Minisodes Funimation PressPlay VRV Wakanim Other businesses Sony DADC Sony Network Communications Sony Professional Solutions Sony Honda Mobility (50%) M3 (39.4%) Vaio (4.9%) Other assets Sony Corporation of America (umbrella company in the US) Other subsidiaries List of acquisitions List of libraries Nonprofit organizations Sony Institute of Higher Education Shohoku College Other Sony Toshiba IBM Center of Competence for the Cell Processor Sony timer Sony Technology Center Sony Technology Center-Pittsburgh

v t e Sony Pictures Key personnel Ravi Ahuja Tom Rothman Motion Picture Group Columbia Pictures Ghost Corps TriStar Pictures TriStar Productions Screen Gems Classics Releasing Imageworks Animation 3000 Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Destination Films Stage 6 Films Affirm Films Great American Pure Flix Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Sony Pictures Kids Zone Television U.S. production Embassy Row Great American Pure Flix International production Bad Wolf Curio Pictures Eleven Left Bank Pictures Sony Pictures Television Kids Stellify Media Teleset Nonfiction 19 Entertainment 19 Recordings Sharp Entertainment v t e Sony Pictures TV channels Sony Channel United States Sony Movies Cine Sony Latin America AXN Brazil Latin America Portugal AXN White AXN Movies AXN Now Spain AXN Movies AXN Now Others Game Show Network Great Entertainment Television Former Sony Channel Baltics Sony Sci-Fi Sony Turbo Germany Sony AXN Russia Sony Sci-Fi Sony Turbo Turkey Sony Çocuk Sony Max (Hungary) Sony Movie Channel (Hungary) Sony One Others Animax Japan Middle East Southeast Asia Taiwan AXN Adria Hungary Southeast Asia Taiwan AXN Black CEE AXN White CEE AXN Now Hungary AXN Spin Crackle Film1 Film1 Action Film1 Drama Film1 Family Film1 Premiere Gem Hollywood Suite Kids Station Planet Mutfak Planet Türk Viasat Hungary Viasat 3 Viasat 6 Defunct 3net Animax CEE Germany Latin America Portugal South Africa Spain AXN Israel Italy AXN Beyond AXN Black Portugal AXN Crime AXN Sci-Fi CEE Italy Cine Sony Italy BeTV Fearnet Film1 Festival Film1 Sundance Hooq Locomotion Pop (Italy) Sony Channel Southeast Asia Sony Max Sony Spin v t e Sony Pictures Networks Hindi Sony Entertainment Television Sony Max Sony Max 2 Sony Pal Sony Sab Sony Wah English Sony Pix Bengali Sony Aath Marathi Sony Marathi Sports Sony Sports Ten 1 2 3 4 5 Children's Sony Yay Factual Sony BBC Earth (50%; Joint venture with BBC Studios) Online VOD Sony LIV International channels Sony Kal Former Animax AXN Sony ESPN (50%; joint venture with ESPN Inc.) Sony Le Plex HD Sony Mix Sony Rox HD TEN Cricket International v t e Television channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland operated by Sony Pictures Television Currently broadcasting but sold to another company Narrative Capital Partners LLC Great! TV Great! Movies Great! Action Great! Romance Former Bliss Flava More Than Movies Movies4Men Movies4Men 2 Pop Girl Scuzz Sony Crime Channel True Crime True Drama True Entertainment True Movies True Movies 2 TruTV Sold and later closed Pop Pop Max Tiny Pop Starz TV Trace Hits Trace Latina Trace Vault Miscellaneous Sony Pictures Television CSC Media Group animaxtv.co.uk (VOD, defunct) Funimation Other Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Crunchyroll, LLC (with Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex) Crunchyroll Crunchyroll EMEA Crunchyroll Manga Crunchyroll Store Australia Crunchyroll UK and Ireland Hayate Lay-duce Digital Mobile Entertainment Japan Studios Madison Gate Records Defunct/Former 2waytraffic Adelaide Productions AnimeLab Anime on Demand Columbia Pictures Television Columbia TriStar Television Crackle The Minisode Network Culver Entertainment ELP Communications Funimation The Intellectual Property Corporation Jim Henson Pictures Kazé Merv Griffin Enterprises Right Stuf Sony Pictures Family Entertainment Group Stolen Picture SVS/Triumph Home Video TriStar Television Triumph Films VRV Wakanim

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel Catalonia Other MusicBrainz label Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sony Pictures Classics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_Classics) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_Classics?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.