4K Blu-ray for Collectors

dir. Spike Lee

Universal's 4K from 2021 got 5/5 for picture and sound on blu-ray.com, and it really does look better than the Criterion Blu-ray even though the Criterion has nicer extras. Gruv's 3-for-$30 sales have been putting this in people's hands for around $10 USD, which is a steal for a disc this good.

Universal Pictures · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. John Carpenter

Carpenter's practical effects hold up better than most modern CGI and the Universal 4K is A-Tier, though the missing Dolby Vision is the one complaint collectors have. Signed copies from convention appearances are circulating and the Titans of Cult edition has been restocking through Books-a-Million.

Universal Pictures · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. Spike Lee

S-Tier Imprint 4K. Spike Lee's Malcolm X, and the 4K has one of the largest file sizes for any movie on disc. Three different 4K releases exist from Criterion, Icon, and Imprint, with Imprint having the best A/V quality overall including the original stereo mix. Criterion has better extras and shelf presence. Angela Bassett weeping over Denzel at the end still destroys people.

Imprint · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. Park Chan-wook

S-Tier Arrow Video 4K. Park Chan-wook's revenge film, scoring 4.5 overall. People keep asking for a Vengeance Trilogy set in Region A. Arrow has done a Deluxe Ultra Limited Edition with a 68-page book and 10+ hours of bonus material. A Zavvi steelbook went up quickly and Arrow was criticized for the packaging quality again. People want Criterion to do it, but Arrow has the rights and is actively releasing premium editions.

Arrow Video · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. Kevin Williamson

Paramount limited edition steelbook announced. Lionsgate's Scream 4 4K is picking up attention at the same time, so the franchise is spread across multiple labels right now.

Paramount Pictures · Limited Edition Steelbook

dir. Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath

Steelbook art is getting called lazy but the design is actually Rosalina's storybook from the game, which has people cautiously into it. The Yoshi Egg tin edition feels like a mid-2000s collector gimmick. Best Buy has a 40th Anniversary mini steelbook exclusive tied to a gift card purchase, and collectors are annoyed that Best Buy wants back in after abandoning physical media.

Universal Pictures · Limited Edition Steelbook

dir. Jack Hazan, David Mingay

Screenbound's 4K restoration was approved by director Jack Hazan and packs 72 minutes of live Clash footage from the 1978 tours. This is the definitive version of a film that's been hard to find in decent quality for years. UK import, so factor in shipping if you're stateside.

Screenbound Pictures · 4K Ultra HD

dir. Bibo Bergeron, Don Paul

DreamWorks Animation's cult favorite finally gets the 4K treatment from Universal. The hand-drawn animation and Elton John/Hans Zimmer score should benefit from the HDR pass, and the online fanbase for this one has been loud about wanting an upgrade since the barebones 2019 Blu-ray.

4K Ultra HD

dir. Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi horror-comedy getting the 4K treatment from 20th Century Studios. Comments call it one of the funniest things they've seen in a theater in recent years and specifically mention the extras.

20th Century Studios · 4K Ultra HD

dir. George A. Romero

S-Tier Second Sight Films 4K. Romero's vampire film from 1978, and big news hit when the director's cut was found. Second Sight had a 4K already in the works, and collectors wanted them to delay the release to include the director's cut rather than force a double dip. The Dawn of the Dead treatment is what people are hoping for.

Second Sight Films · 4K Ultra HD

dir. Jack Arnold

Universal repackage of the 2023 release with a 3D Blu-ray included. If you missed it then, here it is again. Most people in the comments have already bought this once.

Universal Pictures · Limited Edition Steelbook

dir. Christopher Nolan

Umbrella Entertainment announced a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative and collector demand was immediate. This has been the most requested Nolan 4K for years. The Kimchi steelbook of the existing Blu-ray already trades at collector prices, so expect the 4K to move fast when it drops.

Umbrella Entertainment · 4K + Blu-ray

dir. Irvin Kershner

Shout Factory's 4K is a massive upgrade over the old Blu-ray. The steelbook artwork is polarizing, with Robo's face getting roasted in the comments, and most people recommending the standard 4K release instead. Region availability is limited to US and Canada, which frustrated international collectors. The slipcovers for RoboCop 2 and 3 line up nicely on a shelf, even though 3 is still Blu-ray only.

Shout! Studios · Limited Edition Steelbook

dir. Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

Disney's dropping the 1951 Alice in Wonderland on 4K in May. It's a standalone release, instead of a limited edition steelbook, which is not how Disney has historically handled their vault. Hand-drawn animation at 4K lets you actually see the brush strokes and ink lines that the Blu-ray just smoothed over. The restoration teaser already has the 4K community asking if Sleeping Beauty is next.

Walt Disney Studios · 4K Ultra HD