Today, we are launching a new column: Universally Loved. This will be a banner for discussions regarding Hollywood’s most entertaining and hard working studio.

Disney, of course, has about 500 podcasts based entirely on their theme parks. People discuss the award-heavy Columbia and Paramount. Disney+ is in the news frequently as they purchase franchise after franchise to grow their headlock on the entertainment industry.

Often overlooked is Universal.

All. The. Time.

Universal has been home of some of the greatest and most popular films of all time. Their theme parks are the only ones that can legitimately compete with the house of mouse. They have great franchises, legitimately possibly developing the entire concept with their sequel heavy Universal monster movies in the 50’s and 60’s.

Universal has been the working man’s studio. Founded by Carl Laemmle, a turn of the century German immigrant, his studio quickly became a leader in horror films and science fiction when people were still “embarrassed” about such B films.

They were a leader in movie serials. People talk about the old days of movie serials and always bring up Republic, but what movie serial is the one most people know? Flash Gordon. That was a Universal serial…and it innovated the upwards crawl that George Lucas would adapt to open each of the Star Wars films in the “Skywalker Saga.”

Universal thrived with films other studios turned their nose up at. They “invented” the summer blockbuster with a little movie I like to mention from time to time (Jaws). Universal brought Back to the Future to the movieplexes in the mid-80’s and let everyone ride along with Michael J. Fox in that wonderful DeLorean.

Instead of chasing awards, Universal seemed to always embrace the audience directly. While a lot of their product could be called junk food compared to the art house gourmet dishes by the indies, they have been the studio willing to take chances, particularly in the realm of horror, that have led to remarkable success. The Blumhouse model seems to fit beautifully with Universal’s strategy over the years, so it is not a surprise that they have often found themselves partners including the release of the recent Halloween sequel with Jamie Lee Curtis and the new, smash hit Invisible Man film this year.

Universal’s Harry Potter additions to their theme parks are possibly the most immersive theme park experiences ever derived and caused a raising of expectations for all in the industry after it’s premiere. Simply put, without Harry Potter attractions, Avatar and Star Wars would not be as incredible as they are…the competition here has benefited every theme park in the world.

This column will be celebrating their successes. There will be film reviews. There will be news commentary. There will be theme park observations.

Heck, we might even discuss NBC from time to time. Peacock is coming this summer for all to enjoy.

Hope you will join me here with all the films that I know are UNIVERSALLY LOVED.