US BR & 4K Releases for September & October 2025

[Edgar]

I totally understand the desire, and I think it would absolutely benefit K to give us a head's up if they've licensed a title but it's in the pipeline.

However, I can understand why they wouldn't tell us about all the films there's not getting. Apple got >70 digital movies this week, and routinely gets at least 40-50 per week. K is going to get 8-10 (roughly 15-20% of weekly digital releases hit K). So, why "put it out there" about dozens of flicks you're not getting every week?

We know that 4K Catalog Updates are low on the priority list for K and there's roughly a 90 day window when something can still show up as "new" (meaning K didn't pass on it, they licensed it, it's just at the back of the queue). I think we'd all love a head's up here, and we have actually received that a couple of times. I'd love to see it more.

As it is, I use history as a guide, and Sony 4K Catalog Upgrades shipped in steelbooks have a terrible record on K.


Aliens Special Edition and The Abyss Special Edition were about 8 months late.

Those titles were passed on by K who thought the theatrical cuts would be fine. It was only after a bunch of requests and whatnot that they finally added them in the following year. Obviously most interested parties already bought the discs, others that bought the theatrical cuts were mad about paying full price for the Special Editions when those were the only ones they wanted, etc.

I fear that the Cameron 4K debacle became a self-fulfilling prophecy where K thought the alternate cuts wouldn't sell and then handled it in a way that ensured lower sales. And if that wasn't enough, they later updated only the theatrical cuts to Dolby Vision. Ugh. Anyway, this is generally my go-to example when people say "No one at K would actually make a decision like this."

I was sorting through my Plex server to track these 4K HDR disc exclusives, which stands at 151 in my collection, and you're right there's a weirdly large number of Sony Steelbooks and Columbia Classics that aren't on K.

 

[DmitryB]

Aliens Special Edition and The Abyss Special Edition were about 8 months late.

Those titles were passed on by K who thought the theatrical cuts would be fine. It was only after a bunch of requests and whatnot that they finally added them in the following year. Obviously most interested parties already bought the discs, others that bought the theatrical cuts were mad about paying full price for the Special Editions when those were the only ones they wanted, etc.

I fear that the Cameron 4K debacle became a self-fulfilling prophecy where K thought the alternate cuts wouldn't sell and then handled it in a way that ensured lower sales. And if that wasn't enough, they later updated only the theatrical cuts to Dolby Vision. Ugh. Anyway, this is generally my go-to example when people say "No one at K would actually make a decision like this."

I won't even mention "The Exorcist" director's cut. Oops, I just did. Is it fair to say that if there is a an extended cut of a film, most people would choose the extended cut over theatrical??

 

[LoveCinema]

Is it fair to say that if there is a an extended cut of a film, most people would choose the extended cut over theatrical??

I think it's more complicated than that. The Abyss? Special Edition only; the theatrical cut was an incomplete film. Aliens? That's a hard one. I love the "extra" scenes from the Special Edition and really think the early stuff with Ripley's daughter sets the stage for the "family" with Ripley, Newt, and Hicks. But, it is a bit drawn out and the theatrical cut is basically a perfect movie. I must have them both.

Apocalypse Now? Probably another one for theatrical cut, Redux was just too much (dare I mention I haven't given The Final Cut a proper viewing?). Gladiator? I like the character development in the extended. Lethal Weapon? Ugh, you want quick/fast/light or dark/gritty? So many choices out there. The key to me is this: If a studio sees fit to release an alternate cut to digital stores, K should get them. We're not talking about hundreds of movies. 4-6 a year??? Of course, now there's a backlog...

There are three movies on the first page of K's Movie Store when ranked by popularity that have missing/subpar extra cuts. Top 1% of movies, and their alt cuts are either HD (Fall Guy, The Martian) or not present (Gladiator). Demo-fare like Black Hawk Down's missing alt cut. Almost Famous and Midsommar are missing. Leon: The Professional's International Cut is missing HDR on the 4K version?!?!

Sorry, time for my calm down pills...

 

[Johnraiders]

Camerons stuff is tricky, either versions are good for me.
Lethal Weapon theatrical cut for the easy win. I was more interested in extended versions when younger, now not so much, if it aint broke....

 

[Furnace Inferno]

I think it's more complicated than that. The Abyss? Special Edition only; the theatrical cut was an incomplete film. Aliens? That's a hard one. I love the "extra" scenes from the Special Edition and really think the early stuff with Ripley's daughter sets the stage for the "family" with Ripley, Newt, and Hicks. But, it is a bit drawn out and the theatrical cut is basically a perfect movie. I must have them both.

Apocalypse Now? Probably another one for theatrical cut, Redux was just too much (dare I mention I haven't given The Final Cut a proper viewing?). Gladiator? I like the character development in the extended. Lethal Weapon? Ugh, you want quick/fast/light or dark/gritty? So many choices out there. The key to me is this: If a studio sees fit to release an alternate cut to digital stores, K should get them. We're not talking about hundreds of movies. 4-6 a year??? Of course, now there's a backlog...

There are three movies on the first page of K's Movie Store when ranked by popularity that have missing/subpar extra cuts. Top 1% of movies, and their alt cuts are either HD (Fall Guy, The Martian) or not present (Gladiator). Demo-fare like Black Hawk Down's missing alt cut. Almost Famous and Midsommar are missing. Leon: The Professional's International Cut is missing HDR on the 4K version?!?!

Sorry, time for my calm down pills...

I would of thought most people only ever watch the theatrical, if I have the choice I will normally google to see which is considered the best version and whether the directors cut is just extended/deleted scenes which were cut for good reason or they actually improve/add to the film like Kingdom of Heaven or LotR although with the later one there is an argument to stick with the trimmed down theatrical versions.

I’m more upset about certain films not having the full fat Atmos/DTSX soundtracks either at all or just on the 4K version especially when some are all about the audio. Gladiator, PotC, Abominable, Apollo 13, Blackkklansman, Depsicable Me 3, How to Train your dragon 3, Leon, Lone Survivor, Oblivion, Pacific Rim Uprising, Pitch Perfect 3, Sing, Robocop (although that’s an arrow exclusive), the blues brothers, the mummy (trilogy and newest version), the da Vinci code, secret life of pets 1&2, Glass and Yesterday.

Those are just the ones I have noted, I’m sure there are more where I don’t own the UHD so I’ve not marked it as an audio downgrade because it matches the Blu-ray.

I know some of those are DTSX but most are Atmos so not sure why they don’t have Atmos on the 4K download especially when the HD version on some of them does have it!

 

[Edgar]

I think it's more complicated than that. The Abyss? Special Edition only; the theatrical cut was an incomplete film. Aliens? That's a hard one. I love the "extra" scenes from the Special Edition and really think the early stuff with Ripley's daughter sets the stage for the "family" with Ripley, Newt, and Hicks. But, it is a bit drawn out and the theatrical cut is basically a perfect movie. I must have them both.

Apocalypse Now? Probably another one for theatrical cut, Redux was just too much (dare I mention I haven't given The Final Cut a proper viewing?). Gladiator? I like the character development in the extended. Lethal Weapon? Ugh, you want quick/fast/light or dark/gritty? So many choices out there. The key to me is this: If a studio sees fit to release an alternate cut to digital stores, K should get them. We're not talking about hundreds of movies. 4-6 a year??? Of course, now there's a backlog...

There are three movies on the first page of K's Movie Store when ranked by popularity that have missing/subpar extra cuts. Top 1% of movies, and their alt cuts are either HD (Fall Guy, The Martian) or not present (Gladiator). Demo-fare like Black Hawk Down's missing alt cut. Almost Famous and Midsommar are missing. Leon: The Professional's International Cut is missing HDR on the 4K version?!?!

Sorry, time for my calm down pills...

I'm with you (see Edgar, that wasn't so hard!).

I like having the choice of versions. I generally prefer original theatrical (such as Star Wars, Empire, Jedi, Alien, Aliens, T2, Star Trek 1, 2, 6, Dances With Wolves), but in some cases greatly prefer the special edition (such as Close Encounters, Blade Runner, Brazil, The Abyss, Kingdom of Heaven, The Martian). In one case I actually liked the fan edit best (Alien 3: The Legacy Cut).

My Plex collection of disc exclusives includes about a dozen special editions of films that are otherwise on K (such as Gladiator, The Martian, Almost Famous, Midsommar, Close Encounters) and about a dozen for films that aren't on K in 4K (like Touch of Evil, Demolition Man, the Riddick films, The Warriors, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Brazil).

I'm also sensitive to the idea that the special edition is often considered an ancillary product by media companies, and by definition not presented at the same distribution level. Even in the world of discs, the 4K special editions of Gladiator (UK only), The Martian (separate SKU), and Midsommar (separate SKU sold only on A24 website as a $50 canvas book) are below radar and hard to find. Only a couple of films have seen their special editions essentially replace the theatrical in market, such as Blade Runner and Brazil, potentially because their home video releases outsold the theatrical box office, and proved that they deserved to be the main version of the product, replacing the theatrical. And of course the Original Star Wars Trilogy is a special case with it's 1997 theatrical special editions and the stubbornness of its creator. Luckily we have Project 4K77 that did the restoration work on the 1977/1980/1983 films themselves.

I would of thought most people only ever watch the theatrical, if I have the choice I will normally google to see which is considered the best version and whether the directors cut is just extended/deleted scenes which were cut for good reason or they actually improve/add to the film like Kingdom of Heaven or LotR although with the later one there is an argument to stick with the trimmed down theatrical versions.

I’m more upset about certain films not having the full fat Atmos/DTSX soundtracks either at all or just on the 4K version especially when some are all about the audio. Gladiator, PotC, Abominable, Apollo 13, Blackkklansman, Depsicable Me 3, How to Train your dragon 3, Leon, Lone Survivor, Oblivion, Pacific Rim Uprising, Pitch Perfect 3, Sing, Robocop (although that’s an arrow exclusive), the blues brothers, the mummy (trilogy and newest version), the da Vinci code, secret life of pets 1&2, Glass and Yesterday.

Those are just the ones I have noted, I’m sure there are more where I don’t own the UHD so I’ve not marked it as an audio downgrade because it matches the Blu-ray.

I know some of those are DTSX but most are Atmos so not sure why they don’t have Atmos on the 4K download especially when the HD version on some of them does have it!

Thanks for the reminder on this issue. The lack of Atmos on some films is really odd, but I haven't done as much work to track them. But when I've checked, even the discs for some of those don't have Atmos. For example, you would think Apollo 13 would stand out as a title that should have amazing Atmos, but it doesn't have it.

 

[Johnraiders]

I watched Star Wars last night, then I flicked thru 4K77. The extra bits in Star Wars are so jarring to me and mainly just slow it done/completely unnecessary. Some of the Death Star trench bits are a big improvement though.
4K77 looks real though, totally different look, like your back in the cinema.

 

[LoveCinema]

I would of thought most people only ever watch the theatrical, if I have the choice I will normally google to see which is considered the best version and whether the directors cut is just extended/deleted scenes which were cut for good reason or they actually improve/add to the film like Kingdom of Heaven or LotR although with the later one there is an argument to stick with the trimmed down theatrical versions.
I’m more upset about certain films not having the full fat Atmos/DTSX soundtracks either at all or just on the 4K version especially when some are all about the audio. Gladiator, PotC, Abominable, Apollo 13, Blackkklansman, Depsicable Me 3, How to Train your dragon 3, Leon, Lone Survivor, Oblivion, Pacific Rim Uprising, Pitch Perfect 3, Sing, Robocop (although that’s an arrow exclusive), the blues brothers, the mummy (trilogy and newest version), the da Vinci code, secret life of pets 1&2, Glass and Yesterday.

Yeah, this is all deep in the world of physical vs. digital and how different teams inside the same studio might handle these products. Of the 24 titles that you mention, only 7 have immersive audio available digitally. (Blackkklansman, Leon, Oblivion, Pacific Rim Uprising, Sing, Secret Life of Pets 1 & 2,)

For these 7, it then becomes a question of whether the Atmos provided digitally is exclusively lossy. Unfortunately there's no way to know this without asking K and getting a response. Regardless, I'd be sure to report them to K as they will try to get the Atmos tracks if they can. For the remaining 17, there's really nothing K can do.

I'd love to say that as physical continues to shrink that we'll see better assets on the digital side, but I personally fear it may be the opposite. There are teams of passionate people inside studios producing discs that are focused on quality and experience, and they have and are continuing to be let go due to the digital shift. Without them, I fear those superior assets may simply go with them. Whatever can be easily produced and licensed to Apple and Netflix will may be all that studios bother with.

 

[lujan]

Yeah, this is all deep in the world of physical vs. digital and how different teams inside the same studio might handle these products. Of the 24 titles that you mention, only 7 have immersive audio available digitally. (Blackkklansman, Leon, Oblivion, Pacific Rim Uprising, Sing, Secret Life of Pets 1 & 2,)

For these 7, it then becomes a question of whether the Atmos provided digitally is exclusively lossy. Unfortunately there's no way to know this without asking K and getting a response. Regardless, I'd be sure to report them to K as they will try to get the Atmos tracks if they can. For the remaining 17, there's really nothing K can do.

I'd love to say that as physical continues to shrink that we'll see better assets on the digital side, but I personally fear it may be the opposite. There are teams of passionate people inside studios producing discs that are focused on quality and experience, and they have and are continuing to be let go due to the digital shift. Without them, I fear those superior assets may simply go with them. Whatever can be easily produced and licensed to Apple and Netflix will may be all that studios bother with.

Stranger yet, is when the HD version contains the Atmos track but the 4K version does not (like on Pacific Rim Uprising).

 

[Furnace Inferno]

I'm with you (see Edgar, that wasn't so hard!).

I like having the choice of versions. I generally prefer original theatrical (such as Star Wars, Empire, Jedi, Alien, Aliens, T2, Star Trek 1, 2, 6, Dances With Wolves), but in some cases greatly prefer the special edition (such as Close Encounters, Blade Runner, Brazil, The Abyss, Kingdom of Heaven, The Martian). In one case I actually liked the fan edit best (Alien 3: The Legacy Cut).

My Plex collection of disc exclusives includes about a dozen special editions of films that are otherwise on K (such as Gladiator, The Martian, Almost Famous, Midsommar, Close Encounters) and about a dozen for films that aren't on K in 4K (like Touch of Evil, Demolition Man, the Riddick films, The Warriors, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Brazil).

I'm also sensitive to the idea that the special edition is often considered an ancillary product by media companies, and by definition not presented at the same distribution level. Even in the world of discs, the 4K special editions of Gladiator (UK only), The Martian (separate SKU), and Midsommar (separate SKU sold only on A24 website as a $50 canvas book) are below radar and hard to find. Only a couple of films have seen their special editions essentially replace the theatrical in market, such as Blade Runner and Brazil, potentially because their home video releases outsold the theatrical box office, and proved that they deserved to be the main version of the product, replacing the theatrical. And of course the Original Star Wars Trilogy is a special case with it's 1997 theatrical special editions and the stubbornness of its creator. Luckily we have Project 4K77 that did the restoration work on the 1977/1980/1983 films themselves.



Thanks for the reminder on this issue. The lack of Atmos on some films is really odd, but I haven't done as much work to track them. But when I've checked, even the discs for some of those don't have Atmos. For example, you would think Apollo 13 would stand out as a title that should have amazing Atmos, but it doesn't have it.

Apollo 13 is one of them that is actually DTSX on disc but I don’t really get why the digital side of Universal wouldn’t have it because they do put out DTSX movies on digital for the HD versions at least so it’s not like they don’t have the ability to offer it and then Yesterday is Atmos on disc, Atmos in HD, 5.1 in 4K, the hell is that?!

Pirates of the Caribbean is the real anomaly, maybe they are earlier versions but Disney stuff normally comes with everything and yet only the last film has Atmos.

I’m hoping they all appear with Atmos at some point when the do the DV updates especially the ones where the HD download has Atmos or DTSX and actually looking at the list it’s pretty much entirely Universal.

 

[LoveCinema]

I’m hoping they all appear with Atmos at some point when the do the DV updates especially the ones where the HD download has Atmos or DTSX and actually looking at the list it’s pretty much entirely Universal.

This isn't a matter of K getting something when they do a DV update. Most of these films are already in DV on other digital stores and don't have Atmos; it's not available digitally.

Universal is particularly known for having separate audio tracks for physical and digital. The Jurassic films with their DTS:X (physical) vs. 5.1 (digital) were notorious before they all recently received new Dolby Atmos tracks. And, that's what really needs to happen with most of these, the studio needs to issue a new digital release(s) that includes these tracks.

(Yesterday is particularly odd, but the moment I saw it was Universal it made sense. Bad boding for the future; they released HD digitally with Atmos and then didn't bother when the 4K dropped. All digital stores only have 5.1 on the 4K.)

 

[Furnace Inferno]

This isn't a matter of K getting something when they do a DV update. Most of these films are already in DV on other digital stores and don't have Atmos; it's not available digitally.

Universal is particularly known for having separate audio tracks for physical and digital. The Jurassic films with their DTS:X (physical) vs. 5.1 (digital) were notorious before they all recently received new Dolby Atmos tracks. And, that's what really needs to happen with most of these, the studio needs to issue a new digital release(s) that includes these tracks.

(Yesterday is particularly odd, but the moment I saw it was Universal it made sense. Bad boding for the future; they released HD digitally with Atmos and then didn't bother when the 4K dropped. All digital stores only have 5.1 on the 4K.)

Seems absolutely ridiculous, especially when 3 of them are musical ones!! Well at least they give us good D2D offers so the $5 transfer isn’t a complete kick in the nuts.

 

[DmitryB]

Where can you even get the 4K77 versions?

 

[Edgar]

Where can you even get the 4K77 versions?

There’s a forum dedicated to that project, at originaltrilogy.com — there’s a bit of a process to sign up and get granted access to the files. You can also ping me directly.

 

[LoveCinema]

Vicious added in 4K SDR with Dolby Atmos from Paramount:

Vicious

After receiving a mysterious box from a stranger, a young woman must confront her inner demons or be consumed by them. Horror. Directed by Bryan Bertino. Starring Dakota Fanning, Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, and Rachel Blanchard. Purchase and download today in 4K with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

In case you were worried that K would wait until next week to add a new subpar release to their catalog, we’ve got yet another 4K SDR title that’s readily available in 4K Dolby Vision on other digital stores. Feel the “Ultimate.”

 

[thrillcat]

I reached out about Heathers and was told that the studio had not provided an HDR option for Heathers.

 

[LoveCinema]

I reached out about Heathers and was told that the studio had not provided an HDR option for Heathers.

Ugh. Honestly, I hope they were trying to blow you off. The alternative is that studios are now isolating K specifically and denying them the highest quality assets.

 

[ironcross]

Pre-Orders
Anemone (2025) DV/HDR/UHD/HD from NBCUniversal

Anemone

Anemone explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons. Drama. Directed by Ronan Day-Lewis. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, and Samuel Bottomley. Pre-order today in 4K Dolby Vision.

www.kaleidescape.com

Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025) in UHD/HD from

Kiss of the Spider Woman

A political prisoner grows close with a flamboyant cellmate who spins tales of his beloved cinema prima donna. Musical, Drama. Directed by Bill Condon. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, Tonatiuh Elizarraraz, and Bruno Bichir. Pre-order today in 4K.

www.kaleidescape.com

Roofman (2025) in UHD/HD from Paramount

Roofman

A charming thief falls for a single mom who works at the toy store where he's hiding out after escaping from prison. Comedy, Crime. Directed by Derek Cianfrance. Starring Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, and LaKeith Stanfield. Pre-order today in 4K.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[MarvinTheAndroid]

Ugh. Honestly, I hope they were trying to blow you off. The alternative is that studios are now isolating K specifically and denying them the highest quality assets.

Maybe nobody at K used their initiative and asked for it.....