James Cameron · 1980s

3 films directed by James Cameron from the 1980s, on 4K Blu-ray, ranked S to D by transfer quality.

Decade

All 9 1980s 3 1990s 3 2000s 1 2020s 2

Year

All 3 1980 0 1981 0 1982 0 1983 0 1984 1 1985 0 1986 1 1987 0 1988 0 1989 1

The Terminator(1984)

8.1/10

dir. James Cameron

A-Tier

Warner 40th Anniversary 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos, scanned from the original negative. Collectors are split on the AI enhancement tools Cameron used in the transfer, with some calling it a revelation and others wanting the grain back. The mono track is worth trying after the Atmos mix.

Warner Bros. · 4K + Blu-ray

Aliens(1986)

8.4/10

dir. James Cameron

C-Tier

C-Tier from 20th Century Studios, which is a sore spot for a film this good. The 4K exists and people buy it, but the conversation is always about when someone will do a proper restoration. Cameron in 4K should look better than this.

Walt Disney Studios · Ultimate Collector's Edition

The Abyss(1989)

7.3/10

dir. James Cameron

C-Tier

A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

Walt Disney Studios