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The Birds (1963)
The Birds (1963) poster
Letterboxd

3.7

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

?

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Universal The Alfred Hitchcock Collection Vol 1

TSPDT

2026: #181
2025: #179
2024: #180
2023: #180
2022: #180

Length

120 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

?

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Universal The Alfred Hitchcock Collection Vol 1
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #181
2025: #179
2024: #180
2023: #180
2022: #180
Length
120 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
The Right Stuff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Harold and Maude poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount new 4K master

Best Audio:

Criterion/MoC Blu-ray

Harold and Maude poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount new 4K master

Best Audio:

Criterion/MoC Blu-ray

Planet of the Apes poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming has Dolby Vision and is a newer significantly better restoration see caps comparing against Fox Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming has Dolby Vision and is a newer significantly better restoration see caps comparing against Fox Blu-ray

Toy Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray (every version since the 2000 DVD release including the 2D 2010 Blu-ray has animation errors. The majority of those were corrected for the 3D rerelease.) The 4K Blu-ray is merely upscaled from the 2K render.

Best Audio:

Stereo Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 AC3 Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 DTS Mix: 1997 Disney DTS LaserDisc level corrected

Additional Info:

The 1997 DTS LaserDisc is a virtually untouched transfer of the theatrical 5.1 mix and should theoretically sound the best being that DTS has higher bitrates than AC3. However, the original pressing of the DTS LaserDisc has an error where the right channel is 8.5db lower than the rest. This is an easy fix in a program like Audacity, and if you can find a corrected transfer, like the ones on various fan projects online, it should be the best sounding version of the film.

The AC3 audio on Side 2 of the CLV LaserDisc has the LFE channel muted. This was left intact for the CAV release.

The 2000 and 2005 UK DVD has an error where one of the shots is brightened up way too high (when the rest of the toys hold onto Slinky as he clings onto Woody during the moving truck rescue). Plus the end credits are interlaced (the PSP UMD video is the only way to get that version of the credits without interlacing).

The 4K Blu-ray has a further remixed Atmos track.

Toy Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray (every version since the 2000 DVD release including the 2D 2010 Blu-ray has animation errors. The majority of those were corrected for the 3D rerelease.) The 4K Blu-ray is merely upscaled from the 2K render.

Best Audio:

Stereo Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 AC3 Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 DTS Mix: 1997 Disney DTS LaserDisc level corrected

Additional Info:

The 1997 DTS LaserDisc is a virtually untouched transfer of the theatrical 5.1 mix and should theoretically sound the best being that DTS has higher bitrates than AC3. However, the original pressing of the DTS LaserDisc has an error where the right channel is 8.5db lower than the rest. This is an easy fix in a program like Audacity, and if you can find a corrected transfer, like the ones on various fan projects online, it should be the best sounding version of the film.

The AC3 audio on Side 2 of the CLV LaserDisc has the LFE channel muted. This was left intact for the CAV release.

The 2000 and 2005 UK DVD has an error where one of the shots is brightened up way too high (when the rest of the toys hold onto Slinky as he clings onto Woody during the moving truck rescue). Plus the end credits are interlaced (the PSP UMD video is the only way to get that version of the credits without interlacing).

The 4K Blu-ray has a further remixed Atmos track.

Pickup on South Street poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

The Philadelphia Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

The Perils of Pauline poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:

More from Alfred Hitchcock

See more →
Notorious poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

Notorious poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

North by Northwest poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K

Best Video:

WB 4K

Best Audio:

1984 MGM Hi-Fi VHS

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K

Best Video:

WB 4K

Best Audio:

1984 MGM Hi-Fi VHS

Dial M for Murder poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Warner Archive Blu-ray

3D version: Warner Archive 3D Blu-ray

The Lady Vanishes poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

1989 Criterion LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Criterion vs Network Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

1989 Criterion LaserDisc

To Catch a Thief poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Paramount "Presents" 4K: although there are reviews that called it disappointing. It is also regarded as a vast improvement over all previous versions by many others as well.

This is a problematic release, because while scenes like the aerial shots at the beginning looked pristine and shows new detail, many others are suspiciously identical across all three Blu-ray releases (the 2012, 2020 and this 2024).

Some defects on this are unfixed from the 2020 Blu-ray for some reason. (See this review and its discussion.)

Best Audio:

1996 Paramount Hi-Fi VHS

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Paramount "Presents" 4K: although there are reviews that called it disappointing. It is also regarded as a vast improvement over all previous versions by many others as well.

This is a problematic release, because while scenes like the aerial shots at the beginning looked pristine and shows new detail, many others are suspiciously identical across all three Blu-ray releases (the 2012, 2020 and this 2024).

Some defects on this are unfixed from the 2020 Blu-ray for some reason. (See this review and its discussion.)

Best Audio:

1996 Paramount Hi-Fi VHS

Rear Window poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2005 US DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2005 US DVD

Blackmail poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Kino Lorber Blu-ray has incorrect aspect ratio for pre-2024 restorations of both silent and sound versions

Blackmail poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Via Vision or StudioCanal Blu-ray?

Kino Lorber Blu-ray has incorrect aspect ratio for pre-2024 restorations of both silent and sound versions

Stage Fright poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Suspicion poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

Suspicion poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

I Confess poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

I Confess poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive Blu-ray

More from Universal

See more →
An American Tail poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray
Universal DVD for 4:3 open matte version

Best Audio:

Universal LaserDisc for the original Dolby Stereo mix

Blu-ray only has a 5.1 remix that alters some dialogue and sound effects

An American Tail poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray
Universal DVD for 4:3 open matte version

Best Audio:

Universal LaserDisc for the original Dolby Stereo mix

Blu-ray only has a 5.1 remix that alters some dialogue and sound effects

Michael poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Lionsgate or International Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Lionsgate or International Universal 4K Blu-ray (similar encoding) - caps

Best Audio:

US Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray

Michael poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Lionsgate or International Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US Lionsgate or International Universal 4K Blu-ray (similar encoding) - caps

Best Audio:

US Lionsgate 4K Blu-ray

This Is the Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray seems to be an old HD scan and doesn't look too good

Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray seems to be an old HD scan and doesn't look too good

Ferrari poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Best Audio:

Netherlands Remain in Light

Additional Info:

All three discs come from the same master and share the same Dolby Vision grade, with identical dynamic metadata and CMv4.0 on all three. The Eagle Pictures disc is the only Profile 7 FEL, the Remain in Light and Universal UK discs are both MEL. On paper that gives the Italian finer coding precision, but it doesn't buy anything on this film, the grain is heavy enough to hide base layer quantisation on its own and none of the three discs bands. It also costs something, the Eagle Pictures encode noticeably smooths grain in flatter, low contrast areas, so a fair bit of fine texture that both other discs keep is simply gone. Edges and overall definition are fine, but the Dutch and UK discs clearly hold the film's texture better and are the ones to get. Between those two it's very close, with the Dutch keeping slightly more grain across most of the scenes checked. Worth noting as well, the Dutch and UK discs have their title cards in English while the Italian keeps them in Italian.
Caps comp: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Ferrari poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Best Audio:

Netherlands Remain in Light

Additional Info:

All three discs come from the same master and share the same Dolby Vision grade, with identical dynamic metadata and CMv4.0 on all three. The Eagle Pictures disc is the only Profile 7 FEL, the Remain in Light and Universal UK discs are both MEL. On paper that gives the Italian finer coding precision, but it doesn't buy anything on this film, the grain is heavy enough to hide base layer quantisation on its own and none of the three discs bands. It also costs something, the Eagle Pictures encode noticeably smooths grain in flatter, low contrast areas, so a fair bit of fine texture that both other discs keep is simply gone. Edges and overall definition are fine, but the Dutch and UK discs clearly hold the film's texture better and are the ones to get. Between those two it's very close, with the Dutch keeping slightly more grain across most of the scenes checked. Worth noting as well, the Dutch and UK discs have their title cards in English while the Italian keeps them in Italian.
Caps comp: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics

Jaws 3-D poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Jaws 3-D poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: 2016 Universal Blu-ray

3D version: Universal 3D Blu-ray (caveat: 3D Blu-ray has misaligned eyes)

Nick_M's 3D version is better than Universal 3D Blu-ray

The Bad Guys poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Fearless poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray

US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte

Best Audio:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray, Universal Blu-ray for original 5.1

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Singapore Disney DVD

Thai Theatrical Cut: Thailand Disney DVD

Fearless poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray

International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray

US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte

Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte

Best Audio:

Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray, Universal Blu-ray for original 5.1

International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray

Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Singapore Disney DVD

Thai Theatrical Cut: Thailand Disney DVD

Cats poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Video:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Cats poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Video:

Movies Anywhere Streaming

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Pillow Talk poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.

The Bourne Identity poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal HD-DVD

Best Video:

Universal HD-DVD 

The Universal Blu-ray is slightly filtered and DNR'd compared to the HD-DVD, and the Universal 4K Blu-ray, on top of being upscaled, adds additional DNR and is softer than both previous HD releases.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal HD-DVD

Best Video:

Universal HD-DVD 

The Universal Blu-ray is slightly filtered and DNR'd compared to the HD-DVD, and the Universal 4K Blu-ray, on top of being upscaled, adds additional DNR and is softer than both previous HD releases.

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The Birds (1963) backdrop