More recently, our friends at Vinegar Syndrome have revealed that they’re about to release John Newland’s 1973 TV horror film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark on 4K Ultra HD—that’s another Warner Bros. title, which confirms that the studio has now expanded their boutique licensing deals beyond the many titles WB has already licensed to Arrow Video, Shout! Factory, and Criterion.
Keep in mind, this is in addition to other recently unveiled 4K titles from Vinegar Syndrome, which include Karel Reisz’s The Gambler (1974), Rachel Talalay’s Tank Girl (1995), Lloyd Kaufman’s Terror Firmer (1999), and Dario Argento’s The Phantom of the Opera (1998).
Also today—and definitely call this a rumor (but it’s one we have growing confidence in)—we’re hearing signs from industry sources that suggest Disney is quietly preparing a Blu-ray release of their newly remastered The Beatles Anthology (1995/2025) series, which is now available in an expanded 9-episode streaming version on Disney+, complete with an A/V upgrade provided by Peter Jackson’s team at Park Road Post, who did similar work on The Beatles: Get Back (2021). Since Get Back was also released on Blu-ray, it makes sense that the latest project would be eventually as well. So watch for announcement news in the weeks and months ahead.
Kino Lorber Studio Classics has in recent days revealed some new forthcoming Blu-ray and 4K catalog titles, including Richard Quine’s The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) on Blu-ray and Blake Edwards’ The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) in 4K Ultra HD both on 3/3, as well as Robin Davis’ Le Choc (1982) on Blu-ray and Tom Shadyac’s The Nutty Professor (1996) and David Schmoller’s The Seduction (1982) in 4K, all three are which are coming soon (street date TBA).
Sony has officially set Jalmari Helander’s Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) for 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release on 2/17. They’ll also be releasing Tom Gormican’s Anaconda (2025) on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K, though the street date for that is still TBA.
Dead Crocodile has revealed a new 4K title: Otakar Vavra’s Krakatit (1948). Look for that on 3/24.
Synapse Films has set a standard edition 4K version of Jeff Lieberman’s Blue Sunshine (1977) for release on 3/10.
Likewise, Film Movement has set a standard edition 4K of Sergio Corbucci’s The Great Silence (1968) for 2/24.
Lionsgate will be releasing Ruben Fleischer’s Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (2025) on Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook on 2/17. They also have Paul Feig’s The Housemaid (2025) coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K but the street date is still TBA.
Here’s a nice surprise: Retail sources are suggesting that Paramount is working on a new catalog 4K title… Robert Altman’s Popeye (1980). The street date is still TBA, but if we’re correct this is the first new 4K catalog title to appear since the studio signed their recent distribution deal with Alliance Entertainment. Hopefully, it’s the first of many more. Also forthcoming from Paramount is a 4K repackage of Gore Verbinski’s Rango (2011) on 3/10.
And finally, Universal and DreamWorks Animation are preparing to release the CG-animated Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) in 4K Ultra HD. The street date is TBA. Note that Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) was released on the format back in September of last year. Expect a Kung Fu Panda 4-Movie Collection to be released in 4K when the third film arrives as well.
BTW, if anyone at Universal is paying attention, please consider releasing George Nolfi’s The Adjustment Bureau (2011) and Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men (2006) in 4K Ultra HD! Also, Carl Reiner’s The Jerk (1979) and Steven Spielberg’s 1941 (1979), Munich (2005), and Always (1989). Just some suggestions!
All right, that’s all for now. Back tomorrow with more.
Stay tuned…
- Bill Hunt
(You can follow Bill on social media on Twitter, BlueSky, and Facebook, and also here on Patreon)