Best Blurays IconBest Blurays
Films
/
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Some Like It Hot (1959) poster
Letterboxd

4.3

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Comedy, Romance, Crime • 2h 1m

Overview

Two musicians witness a mob hit and struggle to find a way out of the city before they are found by the gangsters. Their only opportunity is to join an all-girl band as they leave on a tour. To make their getaway they must first disguise themselves as women, then keep their identities secret and deal with the problems this brings - such as an attractive bandmate and a very determined suitor.

Director: Billy Wilder

Cast: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, Joan Shawlee, George E. Stone, Dave Barry, Mike Mazurki, Harry Wilson, Beverly Wills, Barbara Drew, Edward G. Robinson Jr., Mary Foley, Georgia Joan Hannan, Colleen O'Sullivan, Al Breneman, Tom Kennedy, Edwin Rochelle, Robert Cole, Sammy Shack, Fred Sherman, Sandra Warner, Danny Richards Jr., Paul Frees, Ted Christy, Phil Bloom, Willie Bloom, James J. Casino, Bing Conley, Paul Cristo, Duke Fishman, Joseph Glick, Joseph La Cava, King Lockwood, Jack Perry, Sid Troy, Ralph Volkie, James Dime, Jack Gordon, Steve Carruthers, Sam Harris, William H. O'Brien, Laurie Mitchell, Joe Gray, Tito Vuolo, Harold 'Tommy' Hart, Scott Seaton, Marian Collier, Brandon Beach, Noble 'Kid' Chissell, Franklyn Farnum, George Ford, John Roy, William Hoehne Jr., Carl M. Leviness, Helen Perry, Grace Lee Whitney, Pat Comiskey, Tipp McClure, Alex Ball, Beulah Christian, Bobby Gilbert, Stuart Hall, Shep Houghton, Hank Mann, Frank McLure, Bert Stevens, Arthur Tovey, John Indrisano, Cosmo Sardo, Sam Bagley, George Lake, Tiger Joe Marsh, Jack Mather, Joe Palma, Carl Sklover, Billy Wayne

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio Release

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Criterion
Solid
Kino:

caveat: Heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing

TSPDT

2026: #31
2025: #31
2024: #32
2023: #30
2022: #30

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 7, Extras: 9

Length

121 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

3 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio Release

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Criterion
Solid
Kino:

caveat: Heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing

Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #31
2025: #31
2024: #32
2023: #30
2022: #30
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 7, Extras: 9

Length
121 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
3 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

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

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)

Upcoming Release:

Universal 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Vision and Atmos

Best Video:

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)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray

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

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)

Upcoming Release:

Universal 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Vision and Atmos

Best Video:

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)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The old 2 disc DVD has extras missing from 4K Blu-ray

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

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion = BFI, both HD resto: source

Best Audio:

BFI Blu-ray (slightly)

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

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion = BFI, both HD resto: source

Best Audio:

BFI Blu-ray (slightly)

Shadow of a Doubt poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray

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

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray uses the same restoration as Criterion but has more natural contrast and more organic grains see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray has the exactly same audio as Criterion Blu-ray

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

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray uses the same restoration as Criterion but has more natural contrast and more organic grains see caps

Best Audio:

MoC Blu-ray has the exactly same audio as Criterion Blu-ray

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

Harlan County U.S.A. poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Before Sunrise poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Video:

Germany Blu-ray and Criterion Paramount no difference, just get Criterion https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=11014&d2=10022&c=4022

Additional Info:

Germany Blu-ray has English audio

Best Video:

Germany Blu-ray and Criterion Paramount no difference, just get Criterion https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=11014&d2=10022&c=4022

Additional Info:

Germany Blu-ray has English audio

Fargo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray scheduled for November 2026 release

Best Audio:

All the same

Fargo poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray scheduled for November 2026 release

Best Audio:

All the same

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray source features proper gamma and black levels with a superior contrast. MoC Blu-ray source features improper gamma and black levels and too bright a contrast, making the picture appear washed out. See caps

Additional Info:

Caveat:  MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray source features proper gamma and black levels with a superior contrast. MoC Blu-ray source features improper gamma and black levels and too bright a contrast, making the picture appear washed out. See caps

Additional Info:

Caveat:  MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber US / Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

1.85:1: Kino Lorber 4K  / Capelight 4K

1.66:1: Criterion 4K but low pass filtered

Comparison between the 4Ks, Criterion on the AR choice

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray

Other discs have unnecessary filtering and sound worse, the difference isn't substantial but audible

12 Angry Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber US / Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

1.85:1: Kino Lorber 4K  / Capelight 4K

1.66:1: Criterion 4K but low pass filtered

Comparison between the 4Ks, Criterion on the AR choice

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray

Other discs have unnecessary filtering and sound worse, the difference isn't substantial but audible

More from Billy Wilder

See more →
Sunset Boulevard poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray or Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray. See caps
HDR/grading: nice, but some blown out
Encoding: inconsistent, smeared motion
DNR: inconsistent, frozen
Old Paramount Blu-ray is arguably a solid alternative choice

Best Audio:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray mono is different version of the BD mono from the same old 2000 DVD transfer.

Additional Info:

The 5.1 remix on the 4K Blu-ray is an appalling remix done by going wild with artificially generated stems from Park Road Post who were given the surviving mono to separate. The experience is jarring and fidelity to original mix in terms of level balance, directionality and impact is nonexistent. Not only does this sound painfully weird, but the Paramount mixers then did whatever they wanted in terms of LFE, sound pans and effect changes.
The original mono mix was not restored and still needs it badly. The 4K master is filled with frozen grain examples coming and going plus some HDR issues in addition to the usual Paramount problems. It is simultaneously better and worse than the Blu-ray master.

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray or Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray. See caps
HDR/grading: nice, but some blown out
Encoding: inconsistent, smeared motion
DNR: inconsistent, frozen
Old Paramount Blu-ray is arguably a solid alternative choice

Best Audio:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray mono is different version of the BD mono from the same old 2000 DVD transfer.

Additional Info:

The 5.1 remix on the 4K Blu-ray is an appalling remix done by going wild with artificially generated stems from Park Road Post who were given the surviving mono to separate. The experience is jarring and fidelity to original mix in terms of level balance, directionality and impact is nonexistent. Not only does this sound painfully weird, but the Paramount mixers then did whatever they wanted in terms of LFE, sound pans and effect changes.
The original mono mix was not restored and still needs it badly. The 4K master is filled with frozen grain examples coming and going plus some HDR issues in addition to the usual Paramount problems. It is simultaneously better and worse than the Blu-ray master.

Double Indemnity poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MCA LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MCA LaserDisc

Sabrina poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray is a fine release with no glaring encode issues, the new master is also fine but graded to look quite dim in HDR/DV. Unsure whether that's really respectful to the source

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray / Paramount EU Blu-ray

Old Warner Bros US release is inferior.

Sabrina poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray is a fine release with no glaring encode issues, the new master is also fine but graded to look quite dim in HDR/DV. Unsure whether that's really respectful to the source

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray / Paramount EU Blu-ray

Old Warner Bros US release is inferior.

Irma la Douce poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray/2025 Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray/2025 Germany Plaion Blu-ray. Eureka Blu-ray has worse encoding.

Best Audio:

1985 Key Video Hi-Fi VHS

Irma la Douce poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray/2025 Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray/2025 Germany Plaion Blu-ray. Eureka Blu-ray has worse encoding.

Best Audio:

1985 Key Video Hi-Fi VHS

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray has the better encoding

US Kino Lorber Blu-ray has inferior encoding and likely suffers from the Quicktime Gamma Bug see caps

Best Audio:

MOC Blu-ray or MGM Laserdisc

Additional Info:

Eureka MOC is far superior to Kino with also more printed booklet extras. The reconstruction work, transfer and extras date back to MGM's Laserdisc attempt. The LD master and materials were ported to the MGM DVD which in turn was paired with an updated HD master for the BDs. The film still cries out for a proper modern restoration and reconstruction attempt with the partially surviving cut sequences. The extras on LD also have PCM audio and one of the visuals in one of the cut episodes is more untouched which is censored for nudity on the modern versions. It's small but the particular element has been blurred on most versions today.

Best English-Friendly:

UK MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK MoC Blu-ray has the better encoding

US Kino Lorber Blu-ray has inferior encoding and likely suffers from the Quicktime Gamma Bug see caps

Best Audio:

MOC Blu-ray or MGM Laserdisc

Additional Info:

Eureka MOC is far superior to Kino with also more printed booklet extras. The reconstruction work, transfer and extras date back to MGM's Laserdisc attempt. The LD master and materials were ported to the MGM DVD which in turn was paired with an updated HD master for the BDs. The film still cries out for a proper modern restoration and reconstruction attempt with the partially surviving cut sequences. The extras on LD also have PCM audio and one of the visuals in one of the cut episodes is more untouched which is censored for nudity on the modern versions. It's small but the particular element has been blurred on most versions today.

The Apartment poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray (transfer of the 1989 MGM LaserDisc, without problems plaguing Kino Lorber's release)

Additional Info:

Arrow UHD is an update of the original 4K scan done for their BD. It is also visually far superior to the Kino version and adds Dolby Vision HDR. The Arrow UHD uses a new LD mono capture and has none of the issues or processing found in the Kino UHD which also used an LD mono capture and somehow mucked it up. Short of a brand new scan, the Arrow UHD is as good as it possibly can be.

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray (transfer of the 1989 MGM LaserDisc, without problems plaguing Kino Lorber's release)

Additional Info:

Arrow UHD is an update of the original 4K scan done for their BD. It is also visually far superior to the Kino version and adds Dolby Vision HDR. The Arrow UHD uses a new LD mono capture and has none of the issues or processing found in the Kino UHD which also used an LD mono capture and somehow mucked it up. Short of a brand new scan, the Arrow UHD is as good as it possibly can be.

Stalag 17 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray disappointing

Additional Info:

Kino UHD has frozen grain and other artifacts from a Paramount master with the usual lackluster Kino encoding.

Stalag 17 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray disappointing

Additional Info:

Kino UHD has frozen grain and other artifacts from a Paramount master with the usual lackluster Kino encoding.

Avanti! poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray has better encoding and Kino Lorber Blu-ray likely suffers from the Quicktime Gamma Bug, see caps

Avanti! poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray has better encoding and Kino Lorber Blu-ray likely suffers from the Quicktime Gamma Bug, see caps

One, Two, Three poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray has the best encoding, and both MoC and Kino Lorber Blu-ray have Quicktime Gamma Bug see caps

For encoding, Plaion > MoC > Kino Lorber

One, Two, Three poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Plaion Blu-ray has the best encoding, and both MoC and Kino Lorber Blu-ray have Quicktime Gamma Bug see caps

For encoding, Plaion > MoC > Kino Lorber

The Emperor Waltz poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

While there's no comparison available, France Rimini Blu-ray has forced French subtitles for all onscreen text and for the lyrics of all songs as reported.

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

While there's no comparison available, France Rimini Blu-ray has forced French subtitles for all onscreen text and for the lyrics of all songs as reported.

More from Criterion

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray: from 4K restoration but exhibits compression artifacts

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

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray: from 4K restoration but exhibits compression artifacts

Sansho the Bailiff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

Sanjuro poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray: intact grain compared to Toho/BFI UHDs' DNR'd master

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is good, derived from the 1995 Criterion LaserDisc (which would be minimally better due to its lack of filtering) see blah-ray

Sanjuro poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray: intact grain compared to Toho/BFI UHDs' DNR'd master

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is good, derived from the 1995 Criterion LaserDisc (which would be minimally better due to its lack of filtering) see blah-ray

Shallow Grave poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion OOP Blu-ray. Film4/Spirit Blu-ray has worse encoding, presented in 1.78:1 and is from an older master caps

Shallow Grave poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion OOP Blu-ray. Film4/Spirit Blu-ray has worse encoding, presented in 1.78:1 and is from an older master caps

Marie Antoinette poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray announced

Best Video:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray (caps)

The US disc has a better encode and original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. French disc is flawed, with chroma bleed and blocking throughout.

Best Audio:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray / 2012 Pathé FR Blu-ray (identical)

Best English-Friendly:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray announced

Best Video:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray (caps)

The US disc has a better encode and original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. French disc is flawed, with chroma bleed and blocking throughout.

Best Audio:

2016 Sony US Blu-ray / 2012 Pathé FR Blu-ray (identical)

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

Criterion boxset but awful compression

Best Video:

Carlotta FR Blu-ray: FiM encode w/o English subtitles; Criterion boxset one has awful compression. review

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

Criterion boxset but awful compression

Best Video:

Carlotta FR Blu-ray: FiM encode w/o English subtitles; Criterion boxset one has awful compression. review

In the Heat of the Night poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray (LSP encode) or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Video:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray (LSP encode) or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Little Odessa poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Little Odessa poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Rome, Open City poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Best Video:

Criterion Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy Blu-ray. BFI Blu-ray slightly better encode but gamma is off

Edit History

7 edits
Some Like It Hot (1959) backdrop