Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Fantasy, Action • 2h
Overview
Hellboy, his pyrokinetic girlfriend, Liz, and aquatic empath, Abe Sapien, face their biggest battle when an underworld elven prince plans to reclaim Earth for his magical kindred. Tired of living in the shadow of humans, Prince Nuada tries to awaken an ancient force of killing machines, the all-powerful Golden Army, to clear the way for fantasy creatures to roam free. Only Hellboy can stop the dark prince and prevent humanity's annihilation.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt, James Dodd, Brian Steele, Andrew Hefler, Iván Kamarás, Mike Kelly, Jeremy Zimmermann, Santiago Segura, Roy Dotrice, Aidan Cook, Jeanne Mockford, Montse Ribé, Ferenc Elek, Alex McSweeney, Justin Pierre, Matthew O'Toole, Jamie Wilson, Clive Llewellyn, Sándor Svigelj, Brian Herring, Pálma Pásztor, Jimmy Kimmel, Tim Flavin, Belinda Henley, Blake Perlman, Matt Rippy, Judit Viktor, Szonja Oroszlán, Michael Mehlmann, Todd Williams, Beatrice Zentai, Peter Horkay, Richard Rifkin, Guillermo del Toro, Tim Larsen, Gavin McKenzie, Julia Papp
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Currently streaming on Netflix
Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release
Currently streaming on Netflix
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Currently streaming on Netflix
Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release
Currently streaming on Netflix
Director: Guillermo del Toro
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
New 4K restoration sourced from the original camera negatives to be shown in theatres in October
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
Director: Guillermo del Toro
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
New 4K restoration sourced from the original camera negatives to be shown in theatres in October
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
Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal, Sony currently only available in the Sony Classics US set
Sony 4K Blu-ray or UK StudioCanal, Sony currently only available in the Sony Classics US set
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, but has AI upscaling on opticals, see caps
Kino Lorber has 5.1, Lionsgate Blu-ray has 7.1, don't know which sounds better and closest to the theatrical mix.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray, but has AI upscaling on opticals, see caps
Kino Lorber has 5.1, Lionsgate Blu-ray has 7.1, don't know which sounds better and closest to the theatrical mix.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
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
The Director's Cut DVD has some exclusive features like an isolated score track.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
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
The Director's Cut DVD has some exclusive features like an isolated score track.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Criterion 4K Blu-ray with B&W Extended Director's Cut and Theatrical Cut see Chris's review
Disney 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better Atmos track for the Theatrical Cut
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Criterion 4K Blu-ray with B&W Extended Director's Cut and Theatrical Cut see Chris's review
Disney 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better Atmos track for the Theatrical Cut
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Director: Guillermo del Toro
WB 4K Blu-ray (caveat: missing bonus disc from previous Blu-ray)
4K Blu-ray is missing extras. Japan Amazon exclusive Steelbook has the missing extras as well as Target and Walmart exclusive extras
Director: Guillermo del Toro
WB 4K Blu-ray (caveat: missing bonus disc from previous Blu-ray)
4K Blu-ray is missing extras. Japan Amazon exclusive Steelbook has the missing extras as well as Target and Walmart exclusive extras
Fox 4K Blu-ray has a less band filtered DTS-HD 5.1 track than the Criterion
Fox 4K Blu-ray has a less band filtered DTS-HD 5.1 track than the Criterion
Director: Frank Tuttle
Director: Frank Tuttle
Director: Michael Mann
Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray
Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics
Netherlands Remain in Light
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
Director: Michael Mann
Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray
Netherlands Remain in Light or UK Universal 4K Blu-ray, See caps: Ferrari (2023) | Slowpoke Pics
Netherlands Remain in Light
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
Director: Joe Alves
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
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
Director: Joe Alves
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
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
Director: Pierre Perifel
2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray
3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray
3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray
Director: Pierre Perifel
2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray
3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray
2D version: Universal 4K Blu-ray
3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray
Director: Ronny Yu
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray
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
Director: Ronny Yu
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray
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
Director: Tom Hooper
Director: Tom Hooper
Director: Michael Gordon
Universal 4K Blu-ray
2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.
Director: Michael Gordon
Universal 4K Blu-ray
2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.
Director: Doug Liman
Director: Doug Liman
Director: Joss Whedon
Director: Joss Whedon
Director: George Lucas
Director: George Lucas
More Fantasy on Blu-ray
Director: Paul Schrader
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has DNR applied and encoding could be better. Possible issues in Dolby Vision
Great source, poorly encoded but it does look significantly better than the Blu-Rays.
Director: Paul Schrader
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has DNR applied and encoding could be better. Possible issues in Dolby Vision
Great source, poorly encoded but it does look significantly better than the Blu-Rays.
Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Sept. 2026
Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray Sept. 2026
Director: Gary Ross
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film. See comparison
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Director: Gary Ross
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film. See comparison
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Paramount 4K Blu-ray has the original colour grade
Paramount 4K Blu-ray has the original colour grade
Director: F. W. Murnau
2006 Restoration: Eureka Blu-ray
1995 photochemical restoration: BFI Blu-ray that some may prefer
Eureka with Murnau institute restoration featuring score based on original score, BFI uses Photoplay restoration with James Bernard score
Both Eureka and BFI BDs are worthy of owning. Each restoration has unique positives and extras. The James Bernard score on the BFI is outstanding and the image tinting is different to how the Murnau institute official restoration was done. The Eureka MoC BD is stuffed with extras and remains one of the best-made BDs of all time. Whatever you do: AVOID THE Kino Lorber BD!!! It uses the same Murnau institute restoration but drops frames for the whole feature - thus it loses a significant portion of the film! This was never acknowledged or addressed. The Kino Lorber BD remains one of the worst BDs of all time for this reason.
Director: F. W. Murnau
2006 Restoration: Eureka Blu-ray
1995 photochemical restoration: BFI Blu-ray that some may prefer
Eureka with Murnau institute restoration featuring score based on original score, BFI uses Photoplay restoration with James Bernard score
Both Eureka and BFI BDs are worthy of owning. Each restoration has unique positives and extras. The James Bernard score on the BFI is outstanding and the image tinting is different to how the Murnau institute official restoration was done. The Eureka MoC BD is stuffed with extras and remains one of the best-made BDs of all time. Whatever you do: AVOID THE Kino Lorber BD!!! It uses the same Murnau institute restoration but drops frames for the whole feature - thus it loses a significant portion of the film! This was never acknowledged or addressed. The Kino Lorber BD remains one of the worst BDs of all time for this reason.
Directors: Ernest B. Schoedsack & Merian C. Cooper
Directors: Ernest B. Schoedsack & Merian C. Cooper
Directors: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson
2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)
2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)
The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray
Directors: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson
2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)
2011 Blu-ray (4K Blu-ray is upscaled; former PDI animator Jonathan Gibbs confirms the film was originally rendered at 1828 pixels wide to save file space)
The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray
3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray
3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray
7.1 Remix: Disney 4K Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray
Original Dolby Stereo: 1994 Disney LaserDisc
Disney 4K Blu-ray recycles the same 7.1 remix from the past releases, but it's a very faithful remix and sounds better, more detailed, and more dynamic than past mixes.
3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray
3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray
7.1 Remix: Disney 4K Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray
Original Dolby Stereo: 1994 Disney LaserDisc
Disney 4K Blu-ray recycles the same 7.1 remix from the past releases, but it's a very faithful remix and sounds better, more detailed, and more dynamic than past mixes.
Directors: John Musker & Ron Clements
OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG theatrical version - uncensored: Pre-1993 35mm scans
OG theatrical version - censored: 1993+ 35mm scans or Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
OG theatrical version has a racially insensitive lyric in opening "Agrabah" song replaced for re-releases, available on OG soundtrack CD and pre-1993 35mm prints only
Every release since the 2004 restored version on the OG Disney DVD has the line "Come on, good kitty, just take off and go" replaced with "Take off, good kitty" due to the 1992 line being misheard as "Come on, good teenagers, take off your clothes" (an occurrence called a "mondegreen")
Directors: John Musker & Ron Clements
OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray
OG theatrical version - uncensored: Pre-1993 35mm scans
OG theatrical version - censored: 1993+ 35mm scans or Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc
OG theatrical version has a racially insensitive lyric in opening "Agrabah" song replaced for re-releases, available on OG soundtrack CD and pre-1993 35mm prints only
Every release since the 2004 restored version on the OG Disney DVD has the line "Come on, good kitty, just take off and go" replaced with "Take off, good kitty" due to the 1992 line being misheard as "Come on, good teenagers, take off your clothes" (an occurrence called a "mondegreen")
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