Every year seems to be a make-or-break one for UHD home media. The emergence of 4K UHD, offering about three times the quality of Blu-ray high-definition discs, was unlucky to coincide with the peak of streaming services. While the format has undoubtedly struggled to assert itself, it’s endured to claim a place in many film fans’ collections.
The success of any medium depends on the quantity and quality of what’s available. This means that new home media formats often take a while to take off. Many TV series will never receive 4K releases. Even if they’re shot in UHD, their special effects are likely produced at a lower resolution. However, a few tentpole series have broken through and found an audience in fans who worry they may not stay on streaming services.
Prey
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
The past year has seen first-party productions like Disney Plus’Willowdisappear without a physical media release to rely on. With great offers available on recent 4K sets, now is a great time for TV and movie fans to look at what the format offers, especially when it comes to the best TV series of the past few years. 2023 offered cinephiles plenty of worthy movies to buy in 4K, and 2024 promises to be even better.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Power Up Edition
The Super Mario Bros. Movieimpressively jumped to second place on the list of the highest-grossing films in 2023. The Brooklyn plumbers taking on Bowser when they’re thrown into the Mushroom Kingdom deserve a good run on the big screen, and this is the edition that Nintendo fans will want to pick up for their collection. On powered-up home media, its special features includeLeadership Lessonswith Princess Peach herself, Anya Taylor-Joy.
Titanic 25th Anniversary Limited Edition 4K
A quarter of a century after its release,Titanicremains one of those films to have in the latest format. Collectors upgrading from 1080p Blu-ray will find everything they want and more in this special set. It includes 15 hours of special features and exclusive collectibles, along with the movie released in UHD for the first time. James Cameron’sTitanicstill has the same cinema magic.
The Fugitive
The Harrison Ford-starring update of the ’60s series became an instant classic thriller when it was released in 1993. Packed with incredible stunts and thrills, it remains the ultimate story of an innocent man on the run. The anniversary disc doesn’t add any special features for fans, but its crisp 2160p transfer means it’s the best version of the film fans can buy.
The Last of Us
HBO’s smash hit series is among 2023’s highest-profile 4K releases. Adapting the videogame of the same name,The Last of Usis set 20 years after civilization has fallen to an infectious fungus and follows the difficult journey of survivor Joel and his 14-year-old ward Ellie. Its blend of drama, action, and horror proved to be an instant hit, and all nine episodes of its first season shine on 4K in Dolby Vision, backed by 146 minutes of extra features.
Disney banished any idea that it backed streaming over physical media when it announced premium UHD releases for some of its recent high-profile series.Wandavisionkicked off the MCU’s run on Disney Plus with a beautifully-realized rug-pull based on classic American sitcoms. Nothing was as it appeared, and the emotionally charged show has now made it to 4K with special features, including an hour-long making-of documentary.
The Exorcist
The film that kicked off modern horror in the early 1970s turns 50 in 2023, and what better way to celebrate than this phenomenal 4K release? Part of Warner Bros.' 100 years celebrations, This edition includes the theatrical and extended director’s cut (this being a rare movie where both are definitive). The transfer, backed by superb Dolby Atmos audio, adds gloss to the film’s distinctive texture. Also included are commentaries from its late and great creators, director William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty.
Duel
Steven Spielberg’s debut feature isn’t just one for completist film fans. The high-concept tale of a traveling salesman terrorized by a malevolent 40-ton truck for no apparent reason is packed with thrills and suspense. This edition pulls out the sharp picture and makes the most of the movie’s minimal dialogue and sparse score. The transfer of the TV movie that started a Hollywood legend comes with features on Spielberg and writer Richard Matheson.
Rocky
The ultimate underdog story received a UHD release in 2023, allowing fans to see the classic clash of Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in UHD. Remastered from 35mm film, this steelbook edition picks out all the details from the famous sports film that made the most of natural light (and its low budget). An added Blu-ray of special features includes three audio commentaries and 8mm home movies taken from the film.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2
ModernStar Trekis creating incredible and memorable new wonders on the small screen. The incredible 22nd-century adventures of Captain Pike’s USS Enterprise are ones that manyStar Trekfans will want to have on physical media. The 4K features a rich score (a must forStar Trek) and an authentically bright and colorful picture.Strange New Worldsis the firstTrekseries to have a fully 4K post-production workflow, so this format is a must for fans who want their continuing voyages to look as good as possible — especially when it’s this limited edition steelbook.
It Follows
Horror is enjoying an increased popularity at movie theaters and in homes.It Followswasinstantly recognized as a fresh take on the genre when released in 2014, helping create the boom we’re enjoying today. In it, Maika Monroe’s 19-year-old character is chased by a relentless supernatural killer after a sexual encounter — a terrifying chase that has never looked better than minted on this sought-after Second Sight release.
Enter the Dragon
Warner Bros. marked its 100th birthday and the 50th anniversary of this Bruce Lee classic with a special new 4K release. Following three fighters (Lee joined by John Saxon and Jim Kelly) through a mysterious martial arts tournament has never looked so good. This 4K digital restoration is the best way to see the superb fight choreography that cemented Lee’s legend.
The Warriors 4K Limited Edition
Walter Hill’s street gang action movie was a sensation when it was released in 1979, and now Arrow has pressed it into a sensational 4K box set for collectors. The Special Edition includes the theatrical and alternate cuts of the film, both remastered in 4K, collectible art cards, a fold-out poster, and a 100-page booklet.
John Wick: Chapter 4
While the fourth part of Kaenu Reeves' ultimate action franchise pushes the story and universe ofJohn Wick, the filmmakers are shaping better-looking films with every installment. That’s showcased on this 2160p 4K UHD transfer, which pulls out the vivid neon color and incredible violence. Alongside the stunning picture are nearly 80 minutes of bonus content.
Frozen Planet II
Natural history programs have helped pioneer filming techniques, including high-definition recording. In 2023,Frozen Planet IIjoined the BBC’s impressive collection, taking viewers back to the mountains, frozen grasslands, snow forests, and sub-zero oceans of the Arctic and Antarctica, all narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Preysnuck out on Hulu, but streaming couldn’t contain it. Unlike otherPredatorfilms,Preyemphasized the authenticity of its casting and setting in its clash between a young Comanche woman and the alien hunter in the Northern Great Plains of the 18th century. The action looks sharp in this 4K transfer, which is undoubtedly the best way to see a well-regarded film that never received a cinematic release.
The cult classic Christmas movie (yes, not Halloween) has long been anticipated on UHD. A stunning transfer brilliantly captures the right spot between crisp restoration and the film texture of stop motion. The tale of Pumpkin King Jack Skellington discovering Christmas relies on thematic and practical contrasts, and the deep shadows and bright whites have never looked better. Naturally, there’s an option to just listen to the film’s 11 iconic songs, too.
The Pick Of UHD Movies
While collectors are eager to catch releases of classic films likeTitanicon UHD, it’s the surprise appearance of recent TV series that have really captured the imagination. As well as Disney’s steelbook releases of high-profile Disney Plus series likeWandavision,Preyis a disc well worth picking up. ThePredatorprequel was originally a streaming-only release. Anyone wanting to catch these releases should hurry before the first wave of unmissable 4K releases comes in late January 2024.
To pick up these 4K discs before they sell out, especially the limited edition sets, shoppers will want to access the best prices and delivery options. Anyone picking up releases from Amazon can.
FAQs
What resolution is 4K?
High-definition is a resolution above 1920x1080 (typical Blu-ray quality). Ultra high-definition is often called 4K to keep things simple but usually has a minimum resolution of 3840x2160.
Are 4K and UHD the same?
When it comes to movie discs, the terms are used interchangeably. However, in digital cinema terms, 4k is a slightly better resolution. At 4096x2160, 4K is 256 pixels wider than UHD.
What is native 4K?
Any shoppers who see “native content” in a 4K listing can rest assured that the transfer has come from footage already recorded in a resolution of 3840x2160 (4K). Upscaled UHD enhances a lower resolution to achieve the same effect. If that’s from an HD resolution of 1920x108, viewers can expect the detail to be less than a native transfer. Disc specifications should give details of the precise resolution viewers can expect.
