Courtesy of Dream Works

Whether you consider them as familiar (and curious) relics of a bygone age—or as annoying wastes of time—the studio logos that run before every film you see at the multiplex have long been a part of the whole movie-going experience.

In this gallery we’ll take reveal the stories behind some of these symbols—from the snow-capped peak of Paramount’s iconic “Mount Majestic” to the young lunar fisherman that lets you know you’re watching a DreamWorks film.

So dim the lights, raise the curtains, and let the show begin…

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