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Blade II (2002)
Blade II (2002) poster
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3.3

Best English-Friendly Release

Upcoming Release

WB 4K Blu-ray teased by Guillermo Del Toro

Best Video Release

WB US Blu-ray or UK Entertainment in Video Blu-ray.

CA Alliance Blu-ray or dutch Blu-ray are the same masters but have additional sharpening.

Additional Info

The original DVD has an isolated score and a exclusive easter egg

Format

UHD Blu-ray

Length

117 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

6 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Upcoming Release

WB 4K Blu-ray teased by Guillermo Del Toro

Best Video Release

WB US Blu-ray or UK Entertainment in Video Blu-ray.

CA Alliance Blu-ray or dutch Blu-ray are the same masters but have additional sharpening.

Additional Info

The original DVD has an isolated score and a exclusive easter egg

Format
UHD Blu-ray
Length
117 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
6 months ago
Contributors

More from Guillermo del Toro

See more →
The Devil's Backbone poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal, Sony currently only available in the Sony Classics US set

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal, Sony currently only available in the Sony Classics US set

Mimic poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, but has AI upscaling on opticals, see caps

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber has 5.1, Lionsgate Blu-ray has 7.1, don't know which sounds better and closest to the theatrical mix.

Mimic poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, but has AI upscaling on opticals, see caps

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber has 5.1, Lionsgate Blu-ray has 7.1, don't know which sounds better and closest to the theatrical mix.

Pan's Labyrinth poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray and 2011/2013 Optimum Blu-ray both have issues, up to preference. UK Optimum/Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better, Criterion is worse

Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better encoded than the Optimum, is in the original 1.85 ratio, and has the original colors

Best Video:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray and 2011/2013 Optimum Blu-ray both have issues, up to preference. UK Optimum/Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better, Criterion is worse

Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better encoded than the Optimum, is in the original 1.85 ratio, and has the original colors

Best Audio:

2011 Optimum Blu-ray has audio in wrong pitch, fixed in 2013 reissue in the Zavvi exclusive Steelbook. Criterion has correct 5.1 and a 7.1 mix.

Additional Info:

Criterion and Optimum Blu-rays have exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray and 2011/2013 Optimum Blu-ray both have issues, up to preference. UK Optimum/Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better, Criterion is worse

Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better encoded than the Optimum, is in the original 1.85 ratio, and has the original colors

Best Video:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray and 2011/2013 Optimum Blu-ray both have issues, up to preference. UK Optimum/Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better, Criterion is worse

Japan Amuse Soft Blu-ray is better encoded than the Optimum, is in the original 1.85 ratio, and has the original colors

Best Audio:

2011 Optimum Blu-ray has audio in wrong pitch, fixed in 2013 reissue in the Zavvi exclusive Steelbook. Criterion has correct 5.1 and a 7.1 mix.

Additional Info:

Criterion and Optimum Blu-rays have exclusive extras

Frankenstein poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Currently streaming on Netflix

Upcoming Release:

4K Blu-ray announced by Criterion

Best Video:

Currently streaming on Netflix

Best English-Friendly:

Currently streaming on Netflix

Upcoming Release:

4K Blu-ray announced by Criterion

Best Video:

Currently streaming on Netflix

Hellboy poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

The DTS-HD 5.1 on the 4K Blu-ray. The Atmos is compressed. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=22426684&postcount=840 

Additional Info:

The Director's Cut DVD has some exclusive features like an isolated score track.

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

The DTS-HD 5.1 on the 4K Blu-ray. The Atmos is compressed. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=22426684&postcount=840 

Additional Info:

The Director's Cut DVD has some exclusive features like an isolated score track.

Nightmare Alley poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray with B&W Extended Director's Cut and Theatrical Cut see Chris's review

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better Atmos track for the Theatrical Cut

Additional Info:

Disney Blu-ray has a few exclusive extras not on the Criterion

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray with B&W Extended Director's Cut and Theatrical Cut see Chris's review

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better Atmos track for the Theatrical Cut

Additional Info:

Disney Blu-ray has a few exclusive extras not on the Criterion

Hellboy II: The Golden Army poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

4K Blu-ray is missing the bonus DVD found on the 2 disc Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

4K Blu-ray is missing the bonus DVD found on the 2 disc Blu-ray

Pacific Rim poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray (caveat: missing bonus disc from previous Blu-ray)

Additional Info:

4K Blu-ray is missing extras. Japan Amazon exclusive Steelbook has the missing extras as well as Target and Walmart exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray (caveat: missing bonus disc from previous Blu-ray)

Additional Info:

4K Blu-ray is missing extras. Japan Amazon exclusive Steelbook has the missing extras as well as Target and Walmart exclusive extras

The Shape of Water poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox 4K Blu-ray has a less band filtered DTS-HD 5.1 track than the Criterion

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox 4K Blu-ray has a less band filtered DTS-HD 5.1 track than the Criterion

More from Warner Bros

See more →
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl

The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.

Additional Info:

International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.

Best English-Friendly:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray > US Paramount 4K Blu-ray for the US Cut.

International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray, is significantly better than the US Paramount 4K Blu-ray (even with FEL Baked in and Dolby Vision), with more grain retention and detail
SDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/TEPHtKjl
HDR Comparisons: International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray vs US Paramount 4K Blu-ray: https://slow.pics/c/hIFe11Hx
Comparisons in SDR using L8 Trim from CM v4.0 (both UHDs can use CM v4.0): Remux vs USA UHD: https://slow.pics/c/mkrhVtpl

The International Cut, which contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act, hasn't been released on home video to date.

Additional Info:

International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)

Additional Info:

1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)

Additional Info:

1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

Hairspray poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Stereo: Criterion 4K Blu-ray

5.1: Warner Bros Blu-ray

Get Carter poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2000 R1 WB DVD (slightly)

Get Carter poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2000 R1 WB DVD (slightly)

Rebel Without a Cause poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

A Christmas Story poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 MGM/UA LaserDisc (slightly)

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 MGM/UA LaserDisc (slightly)

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray 4k scan

Best Audio:

Amazon Video download

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray 4k scan

Best Audio:

Amazon Video download

Meet Me in St. Louis poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Mean Streets poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 WB LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 WB LaserDisc

Eraser poster
UHD Blu-ray
Eraser poster
UHD Blu-ray

More Fantasy on Blu-ray

Mortal Kombat poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Arrow includes the original theatrical sound mix in all its glory. All previous releases other than the 1996 AC-3 LaserDisc were tamed relative to the original theatrical DTS track.

The disc is authored by Duplitech, but doesn't exhibit any compression issues, though the image is pretty soft, that's likely just down to the stock used.

Old New Line Video LaserDiscs include an exclusive commentary track.

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Arrow includes the original theatrical sound mix in all its glory. All previous releases other than the 1996 AC-3 LaserDisc were tamed relative to the original theatrical DTS track.

The disc is authored by Duplitech, but doesn't exhibit any compression issues, though the image is pretty soft, that's likely just down to the stock used.

Old New Line Video LaserDiscs include an exclusive commentary track.

What Dreams May Come poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US end credits song: US Universal Blu-ray

International end credits song: International Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The US uses the end credits score “Beside You” from composer Michael Kamen, while in other markets it is Simply Red “Besides You”.

Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US end credits song: US Universal Blu-ray

International end credits song: International Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The US uses the end credits score “Beside You” from composer Michael Kamen, while in other markets it is Simply Red “Besides You”.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Majority of film (theatrical and extended cuts): 1991 Columbia US VHS (or possibly 1994 Columbia LaserDisc?)

32-second scene (extended cut): 1993 Criterion LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Majority of film (theatrical and extended cuts): 1991 Columbia US VHS (or possibly 1994 Columbia LaserDisc?)

32-second scene (extended cut): 1993 Criterion LaserDisc

Howl's Moving Castle poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2017 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2017 US GKIDS Blu-ray has better detail and grain, 2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray from the Hayao Miyazaki box set for MGVC with added bit-depth for supported players

Best Audio:

2011/2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray for original 6.1 audio mix, Cinema DTS for the English dub

Best English-Friendly:

2017 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2017 US GKIDS Blu-ray has better detail and grain, 2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray from the Hayao Miyazaki box set for MGVC with added bit-depth for supported players

Best Audio:

2011/2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray for original 6.1 audio mix, Cinema DTS for the English dub

Violent Night poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Capelight Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight Blu-ray, better encoded than MGM Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MGM Blu-ray's stereo track.

MGM's 7.1 track is a remix with a few flaws and much worse fidelity. Capelight's stereo and 7.1 track are both from the remix.

Additional Info:

The movie was originally premiered as a roadshow release, with a a 70mm 6-Track Stereo mix. This mix, unfortunately has not been released on home video.

The closest thing to that mix, is the stereo track included on the 2010 Blu-ray. It sounds great, with high fidelity and little filtering. It's lossy, but that doesn't matter very much.

Both the DVD 5.1 and the Blu-ray 7.1 tracks (identical on both discs) are a new remix, rather than a repackaging of the original mix. The 7.1 track sounds quite muffled, though not evenly so. The Capelight Blu-ray's lossless stereo track uses the same remix, but with higher fidelity than the surround tracks, sounding significantly less muffled. Compared to the original, this remix sounds wider and more "cleaned up". The remix contains a handful of errors, for example the intermission cue fades out, rather than ending correctly.

Comparison samples

Best English-Friendly:

Capelight Blu-ray

Best Video:

Capelight Blu-ray, better encoded than MGM Blu-ray

Best Audio:

MGM Blu-ray's stereo track.

MGM's 7.1 track is a remix with a few flaws and much worse fidelity. Capelight's stereo and 7.1 track are both from the remix.

Additional Info:

The movie was originally premiered as a roadshow release, with a a 70mm 6-Track Stereo mix. This mix, unfortunately has not been released on home video.

The closest thing to that mix, is the stereo track included on the 2010 Blu-ray. It sounds great, with high fidelity and little filtering. It's lossy, but that doesn't matter very much.

Both the DVD 5.1 and the Blu-ray 7.1 tracks (identical on both discs) are a new remix, rather than a repackaging of the original mix. The 7.1 track sounds quite muffled, though not evenly so. The Capelight Blu-ray's lossless stereo track uses the same remix, but with higher fidelity than the surround tracks, sounding significantly less muffled. Compared to the original, this remix sounds wider and more "cleaned up". The remix contains a handful of errors, for example the intermission cue fades out, rather than ending correctly.

Comparison samples

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Red Sonja poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has solid encode but controversial colors by Hiventy

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has solid encode but controversial colors by Hiventy

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Blade II (2002) backdrop

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