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West Side Story (2021)
West Side Story (2021) poster
Letterboxd

3.6

West Side Story (2021)

Drama, Romance, Crime • 2h 36m

Overview

Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Brian d'Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Rita Moreno, Josh Rivera, Ana Isabelle, Ilda Mason, iris menas, Julius Anthony Rubio, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, David Aviles Morales, Sebastian Serra, Ricardo Zayas, Ricky Ubeda, Andrei Chagas, Adriel Flete, Jacob Guzman, Kelvin Delgado, Carlos Sánchez Falú, Yurel Echezarreta, David Guzman, Sean Harrison Jones, Jess LeProtto, Patrick Higgins, Kyle Allen, John Michael Fiumara, Kevin Csolak, Kyle Coffman, Ben Cook, Harrison Coll, Garett Hawe, Myles Erlick, Julian Elia, Carlos E. Gonzalez, Daniel Patrick Russell, Yesenia Ayala, Gabriela M. Soto, Juliette Feliciano Ortiz, Jeanette Delgado, Maria Alexis Rodriguez, Edriz E. Rosa Pérez, Jennifer Florentino, Melody Martí, Gaby Diaz, Isabella Ward, Eloise Kropp, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Leigh-Ann Esty, Lauren Leach, Brittany Pollack, Kellie Drobnick, Skye Mattox, Adriana Pierce, Jonalyn Saxer, Brianna Abruzzo, Halli Toland, Sara Esty, Talia Ryder, Maddie Ziegler, Andréa Burns, Mike Iveson, Jamila Velazquez, Annelise Cepero, Yassmin Alers, Jamie Harris, Curtiss Cook, Nadia Quinn, Arianna Rosario, Natalie Toro, María Alejandra Castillo, Mannelly Gonzalez Abreu, Maya Haghighi Guliani, Tyler Myers, Jesseudi Marcelino, German M. Castillo, Ciara Calderon, Aubrey Mills, Leonardo Ro, Adrian Castillo, Luke Joseph Fuentes Duculan, Abigail R. Valdez, Navio Lopez, Victor Cruz, Erik Charlston, Clint de Ganon, Dave Phillips, Silvano Monasterios, Ric Molina, Dan Pearson, Hommy Ramos, Jose Ruiz, Jumaane Smith, Dave Noland, Roland Morales, Javier Diaz, Chryssie Whitehead, Ron Stroman, Rene Ojeda, Feiga Martinez, Mike Massimino, Ryan Woodle, David Bean, Bert Michaels, Joe Lanza, Savannah Renée Rodriguez, Denia Brache, Lesley Bilingslea, Andy Powers, Reginald L. Barnes, Patrick Noonan, Pablo Thomas, Paul Niebanck, Ixchel Cuellar, Ricky Garcia, Oscar Antonio Rodriguez, José Ramón Rosario, Doreen Montalvo, Shade Rupe, Isaias Badilla, Jessica Marza

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Format

UHD Blu-ray

External Links

Length

156 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Steven Spielberg's West Side Story

Last Updated

9 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Format
UHD Blu-ray
Length
156 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Steven Spielberg's West Side Story
Last Updated
9 months ago
Contributors

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2015 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

2015 Universal Blu-ray

The new Universal 4K is AI upscaled https://slow.pics/c/5jD2BjKT and sharpened, see discussion on BR https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=377660&page=9

Best English-Friendly:

2015 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

2015 Universal Blu-ray

The new Universal 4K is AI upscaled https://slow.pics/c/5jD2BjKT and sharpened, see discussion on BR https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=377660&page=9

Jaws poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1995/1997 MCA LaserDisc

Jaws poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1995/1997 MCA LaserDisc

Raiders of the Lost Ark poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Video:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Audio:

1992 LaserDisc Dolby Surround, DVD 5.1 (70mm mix), 1991 Japan LaserDisc PCM (Dolby Stereo home version)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The color timing and Atmos remix are thankfully taming the excessively overdone terrible Blu-ray in those areas but neither is fully accurate. The Atmos remix sounds lifeless and essentially tames the crazy LFE of the Blu-ray remix that never stopped while also spreading the sound around overhead. The music is absolutely lifeless here. If it weren't for the visual changes it might be possible to regrade the picture master and just live with the encoding noise. As it is, purists will want the LaserDisc, DVD or Japan WOWOW broadcast of the Laser Pacific master which is the same master used for the awful Blu-ray just without the hideous color grading applied.
The DVD was handled by Lowry Digital and is overscrubbed like crazy plus had all sorts of DVD era edge enhancement and other issues. It instigated the digital changes of the boulder rod and snake reflection removals. The ONLY widescreen versions of the film without ANY changes are the 1992 LaserDisc and the 1999 final release VHS.

Audio wise, Raiders is EXTREMELY complex. Like the Star Wars trilogy it had three specific release mixes with variations and differences plus a fourth mix that was not used. The mono mix had unique bits and has never been officially released though you can hear bits of it on the 2003 bonus DVD and in the Raiders in Concert live symphony performances. The Dolby Stereo is roughly what was used on all pre-widescreen editions on VHS, Beta and LaserDisc in the 80's. The best iteration of that is the 1991 Japan LaserDisc reissue with PCM digital sound. This iteration is more of a home version as it doesn't really have much surround. Yet it retains dynamic range unlike the 1985 home video remix of Star Wars' Dolby Stereo track. The 70mm Dolby six track magnetic audio was supposedly used in making the excellent sounding 5.1 made for the DVD release. Before the release the film was mixed in the very short lived VistaSonic process which was Paramount backed. This was dropped very last minute as the system had tons of playback issues and the film was apparently hastily remixed in Dolby formats. When the first letterboxed transfer showed up on the 1992 Paramount LaserDisc release all of a sudden the Dolby Surround encoded matrix track it contained is without question the best sounding mix of Raiders you can find anywhere. It is more aggressive than the Dolby Stereo, more punchy than the DVD 5.1 and even contains a unique different sound effect which indicates it is clearly a different mix. It is unknown if this is the abandoned VistaSonic mix or a new quiet Dolby Surround home mix akin to the 1993 Star Wars Definitive Collection remix. To this day, the LaserDisc Dolby surround is the best sounding version of Raiders you are likely ever to hear. Even though it isn't discrete.
The Blu-ray remix though supervised by Ben Burtt went overboard on making everything aggressive and modernized. The LFE is virtually nonstop even in dialogue scenes. It is a textbook case of revisionist audio desecration. The 4K Blu-ray Atmos merely tames the LFE and reduces impact even more by moving around more elements and adding more processing. Both of these remixes are a crime.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA

Best English-Friendly:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Video:

35mm/70mm scan, Japan WOWOW Broadcast version, letterbox LaserDisc or DVD for purist version, Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist

Best Audio:

1992 LaserDisc Dolby Surround, DVD 5.1 (70mm mix), 1991 Japan LaserDisc PCM (Dolby Stereo home version)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The color timing and Atmos remix are thankfully taming the excessively overdone terrible Blu-ray in those areas but neither is fully accurate. The Atmos remix sounds lifeless and essentially tames the crazy LFE of the Blu-ray remix that never stopped while also spreading the sound around overhead. The music is absolutely lifeless here. If it weren't for the visual changes it might be possible to regrade the picture master and just live with the encoding noise. As it is, purists will want the LaserDisc, DVD or Japan WOWOW broadcast of the Laser Pacific master which is the same master used for the awful Blu-ray just without the hideous color grading applied.
The DVD was handled by Lowry Digital and is overscrubbed like crazy plus had all sorts of DVD era edge enhancement and other issues. It instigated the digital changes of the boulder rod and snake reflection removals. The ONLY widescreen versions of the film without ANY changes are the 1992 LaserDisc and the 1999 final release VHS.

Audio wise, Raiders is EXTREMELY complex. Like the Star Wars trilogy it had three specific release mixes with variations and differences plus a fourth mix that was not used. The mono mix had unique bits and has never been officially released though you can hear bits of it on the 2003 bonus DVD and in the Raiders in Concert live symphony performances. The Dolby Stereo is roughly what was used on all pre-widescreen editions on VHS, Beta and LaserDisc in the 80's. The best iteration of that is the 1991 Japan LaserDisc reissue with PCM digital sound. This iteration is more of a home version as it doesn't really have much surround. Yet it retains dynamic range unlike the 1985 home video remix of Star Wars' Dolby Stereo track. The 70mm Dolby six track magnetic audio was supposedly used in making the excellent sounding 5.1 made for the DVD release. Before the release the film was mixed in the very short lived VistaSonic process which was Paramount backed. This was dropped very last minute as the system had tons of playback issues and the film was apparently hastily remixed in Dolby formats. When the first letterboxed transfer showed up on the 1992 Paramount LaserDisc release all of a sudden the Dolby Surround encoded matrix track it contained is without question the best sounding mix of Raiders you can find anywhere. It is more aggressive than the Dolby Stereo, more punchy than the DVD 5.1 and even contains a unique different sound effect which indicates it is clearly a different mix. It is unknown if this is the abandoned VistaSonic mix or a new quiet Dolby Surround home mix akin to the 1993 Star Wars Definitive Collection remix. To this day, the LaserDisc Dolby surround is the best sounding version of Raiders you are likely ever to hear. Even though it isn't discrete.
The Blu-ray remix though supervised by Ben Burtt went overboard on making everything aggressive and modernized. The LFE is virtually nonstop even in dialogue scenes. It is a textbook case of revisionist audio desecration. The 4K Blu-ray Atmos merely tames the LFE and reduces impact even more by moving around more elements and adding more processing. Both of these remixes are a crime.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray Purist choice: Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray new improved master with color grading and slight issues. Blu-ray is old master with original color grading

Best Audio:

Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K Blu-ray has a much better new scan that removes the original extremely dated color grading. This is an improvement on one hand but a definite revisionist change on the other. There is the expected grain management and slight HDR issues in addition to encoding quirks from Paramount. It is a giant improvement over the original Blu-ray but the color change and other issues means that the Blu-ray is one to keep for purists to have the as-is original iteration of the film's presentation. Audio wise the film has been remixed into Atmos but it merely seems like a slightly tweaked and frankly tamed version of the original 5.1. Of the two I prefer the Blu-ray 5.1. The original Blu-ray was Dolby TrueHD and the reissue Blu-ray in the four film Blu-ray collection boxset was DTS-HDMA.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray Purist choice: Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray new improved master with color grading and slight issues. Blu-ray is old master with original color grading

Best Audio:

Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K Blu-ray has a much better new scan that removes the original extremely dated color grading. This is an improvement on one hand but a definite revisionist change on the other. There is the expected grain management and slight HDR issues in addition to encoding quirks from Paramount. It is a giant improvement over the original Blu-ray but the color change and other issues means that the Blu-ray is one to keep for purists to have the as-is original iteration of the film's presentation. Audio wise the film has been remixed into Atmos but it merely seems like a slightly tweaked and frankly tamed version of the original 5.1. Of the two I prefer the Blu-ray 5.1. The original Blu-ray was Dolby TrueHD and the reissue Blu-ray in the four film Blu-ray collection boxset was DTS-HDMA.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time. There was also a rare SVHS release using the letterbox LaserDisc master.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release, Last Crusade had Dolby 70mm with stereo surrounds, Dolby Stereo SR for 35mm and was mixed in a THX sound theater to ensure the ultimate in technical quality in 1989. The DVD was supposedly made from the 70mm mix and the Blu-ray 5.1 seems to bring that into lossless. This is unconfirmed but each seems to be a healthy and accurate version of the original audio. However, the LaserDisc despite only having matrix PCM stereo is punchier and livelier as a listening experience. Despite not being discrete it arguably sounds better than the 5.1 versions. Some who remember seeing each of the original release versions claim to remember the 35mm Dolby DR as sounding better than the 70mm Dolby.  This is a case where both sound great and it's up to fans to decide which they prefer. Both are essential for any Indy collection and the LaserDisc is very cheap. The VHS hifi seems to be the same 2.0 matrix with format differences so it can also be compared against the DVD and Blu-ray 5.1 versions.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc

Best Audio:

LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time. There was also a rare SVHS release using the letterbox LaserDisc master.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release, Last Crusade had Dolby 70mm with stereo surrounds, Dolby Stereo SR for 35mm and was mixed in a THX sound theater to ensure the ultimate in technical quality in 1989. The DVD was supposedly made from the 70mm mix and the Blu-ray 5.1 seems to bring that into lossless. This is unconfirmed but each seems to be a healthy and accurate version of the original audio. However, the LaserDisc despite only having matrix PCM stereo is punchier and livelier as a listening experience. Despite not being discrete it arguably sounds better than the 5.1 versions. Some who remember seeing each of the original release versions claim to remember the 35mm Dolby DR as sounding better than the 70mm Dolby.  This is a case where both sound great and it's up to fans to decide which they prefer. Both are essential for any Indy collection and the LaserDisc is very cheap. The VHS hifi seems to be the same 2.0 matrix with format differences so it can also be compared against the DVD and Blu-ray 5.1 versions.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Audio:

Letterbox LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release Temple of Doom had 70mm, 35mm Dolby Stereo and mono mixes. The mono was for 16mm and other outlets and is presumably close to if not a mixdown of the stereo. It is seemingly the last Lucasfilm title that had a mono mix made. The Dolby Stereo is one of the most aggressive matrix mixes ever made and is still a blast to this day on the letterbox LaserDisc release. It is more aggressive than any of the 5.1 discrete versions which is either due to studios taming the audio later or the 35mm mix being handled a bit differently to the 70mm mix. In terms of releases today, the LaserDisc still sounds better than DVD, Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray because of this factor.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

Best English-Friendly:

35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Video:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray heavily revisionist. Purist option: 35mm scan, Blu-ray, DVD or LaserDisc.

Best Audio:

Letterbox LaserDisc 2.0 matrix stereo, DVD 5.1, Blu-ray 5.1

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K master is HEAVILY revisionist in that all of the effects and opticals were redone and tweaked with errors and issues. There has been grain management (moments of stagnating grain and haloing) and the encoding isn't great hence the typical Paramount noise in the image. (especially skies) The HDR is a bit bright in the highlights. The Blu-ray is showing its age but does not have any of these digital alterations. It is from the scan done by Laser Pacific and is the highest quality unaltered master we have. The DVD was done by Lowry Digital and had much scrubbing and processing of grain in addition to edge enhancement. The letterbox LaserDisc was the first widescreen release and is very good for its time.
The 4K Blu-ray audio is seemingly an Atmos remix of the 5.1 found on the Blu-ray which itself is very similar to the DVD 5.1. All are presumably based on the 70mm Dolby six track mix. The Atmos is more processed and moves the sound around more so it is inferior to the older 5.1 iterations. On release Temple of Doom had 70mm, 35mm Dolby Stereo and mono mixes. The mono was for 16mm and other outlets and is presumably close to if not a mixdown of the stereo. It is seemingly the last Lucasfilm title that had a mono mix made. The Dolby Stereo is one of the most aggressive matrix mixes ever made and is still a blast to this day on the letterbox LaserDisc release. It is more aggressive than any of the 5.1 discrete versions which is either due to studios taming the audio later or the 35mm mix being handled a bit differently to the 70mm mix. In terms of releases today, the LaserDisc still sounds better than DVD, Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray because of this factor.

DFIC extensive review: https://youtu.be/evsrJOTIjdA?si=wtdWGxZBfhPYTIeW

The Lost World: Jurassic Park poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray Trilogy Steelbook 2025, but has more DNR than old 4K

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray Trilogy Steelbook 2025, but has more DNR than old 4K

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23286334&postcount=7340

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray Trilogy Steelbook 2025, but has more DNR than old 4K

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray Trilogy Steelbook 2025, but has more DNR than old 4K

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=23286334&postcount=7340

Duel poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

"Director's Cut" (Theatrical cut with minor changes): Universal 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: VHS

TV Cut: Fan restoration

Best Video:

"Director's Cut" (Theatrical cut with minor changes): Universal 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: VHS TV Cut: Fan restoration

Best Audio:

1993 MCA LaserDisc (with EQ adjusted)

Duel poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

"Director's Cut" (Theatrical cut with minor changes): Universal 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: VHS

TV Cut: Fan restoration

Best Video:

"Director's Cut" (Theatrical cut with minor changes): Universal 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: VHS TV Cut: Fan restoration

Best Audio:

1993 MCA LaserDisc (with EQ adjusted)

Minority Report poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray or Cinema DTS-ES

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Paramount 4K Blu-ray or Cinema DTS-ES

Hook poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US Columbia Tri-Star Video LaserDisc [70606]

Hook poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US Columbia Tri-Star Video LaserDisc [70606]

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Disney 3D Blu-ray or Disney+/Apple TV Vision Pro Streaming

Best Video:

2D version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Disney 3D Blu-ray or Disney+/Apple TV Vision Pro Streaming

Best English-Friendly:

2D version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Disney 3D Blu-ray or Disney+/Apple TV Vision Pro Streaming

Best Video:

2D version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D version: Disney 3D Blu-ray or Disney+/Apple TV Vision Pro Streaming

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Digital re-render: 2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray, caveat: no Dolby Vision metadata from 4K Streaming

Original theatrical 35mm render: WOWOW HDTV broadcast

Best Audio:

1999 Disney DVD for original theatrical mix

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Digital re-render: 2020 Disney 4K Blu-ray, caveat: no Dolby Vision metadata from 4K Streaming

Original theatrical 35mm render: WOWOW HDTV broadcast

Best Audio:

1999 Disney DVD for original theatrical mix

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Best English-Friendly:

High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut

Best Video:

High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

2000 Japan LaserDisc AC3 audio

Best English-Friendly:

High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut

Best Video:

High seas for the recreated Theatrical Cut, Disney 4K Blu-ray is disappointing

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

2000 Japan LaserDisc AC3 audio

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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.

Additional Info:

2000s DVD releases include a commentary omitted from Blu-rays.

Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

3D Conversion: Disney 3D Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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.

Additional Info:

2000s DVD releases include a commentary omitted from Blu-rays.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

OG broadcast version: Disney UK DVD for OG 1.78:1 aspect ratio

Extended version: Disney US DVD or Disney+ HD Streaming (caveat: both cropped to 1.33:1)

Best Video:

OG broadcast version: Disney UK DVD for OG 1.78:1 aspect ratio

Extended version: Disney US DVD or Disney+ HD Streaming (caveat: both cropped to 1.33:1)

Best English-Friendly:

OG broadcast version: Disney UK DVD for OG 1.78:1 aspect ratio

Extended version: Disney US DVD or Disney+ HD Streaming (caveat: both cropped to 1.33:1)

Best Video:

OG broadcast version: Disney UK DVD for OG 1.78:1 aspect ratio

Extended version: Disney US DVD or Disney+ HD Streaming (caveat: both cropped to 1.33:1)

Aladdin poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc

2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc

2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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")

Aladdin poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc

2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

OG theatrical version: Disney Deluxe Edition LaserDisc

2004 restored version: Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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")

Poor Things poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Streaming

Best Video:

Streaming: Kaleidescape > Movies Anywhere > Disney+

Best Audio:

Streaming has the original theatrical Dolby Atmos mix
Disney/Fox Blu-ray only has a 5.1 downmix

Kaleidescape is lossless (TrueHD 7.1), others are all lossy (E-AC-3 5.1 JOC) at varying bitrates.

Best English-Friendly:

Streaming

Best Video:

Streaming: Kaleidescape > Movies Anywhere > Disney+

Best Audio:

Streaming has the original theatrical Dolby Atmos mix
Disney/Fox Blu-ray only has a 5.1 downmix

Kaleidescape is lossless (TrueHD 7.1), others are all lossy (E-AC-3 5.1 JOC) at varying bitrates.

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

Tales from Earthsea poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2015 US Disney Blu-ray

Best Video:

2011 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japanese audio: 2015 US Disney Blu-ray

English audio: 2015 US Disney Blu-ray

Additional Info:

US GKIDS Blu-ray has bonuses not on the Disney Blu-ray, but the latter has some bonuses of its own not on the former.

Best English-Friendly:

2015 US Disney Blu-ray

Best Video:

2011 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japanese audio: 2015 US Disney Blu-ray

English audio: 2015 US Disney Blu-ray

Additional Info:

US GKIDS Blu-ray has bonuses not on the Disney Blu-ray, but the latter has some bonuses of its own not on the former.

Beloved poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Disney+ is streaming in HD with OAR

Best Video:

Disney+ is streaming in HD with OAR

Beloved poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Disney+ is streaming in HD with OAR

Best Video:

Disney+ is streaming in HD with OAR

More Drama on Blu-ray

The Mothman Prophecies poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK 88 Films 4K Blu-ray in October

Best Video:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Germany Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray is disappointing with AI upscaling

Best Audio:

Germany Concorde Blu-ray has lossless DTS-HD 5.1

Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK 88 Films 4K Blu-ray in October

Best Video:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Germany Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray is disappointing with AI upscaling

Best Audio:

Germany Concorde Blu-ray has lossless DTS-HD 5.1

100 METERS poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netflix Streaming

Best Audio:

Japan Pony Canyon Blu-ray for original 7.1 mix

Netflix Streaming for English dub

100 METERS poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Netflix Streaming

Best Audio:

Japan Pony Canyon Blu-ray for original 7.1 mix

Netflix Streaming for English dub

Drive poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

The Corruptor poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Toy Robot 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

The Corruptor poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Toy Robot 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

The Skeleton Key poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray

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

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Video:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

US LionsgateFrance Metropolitan, and Germany Blu-ray have a 7.1 track, Australia Imprint has stereo only.

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

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Video:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

US LionsgateFrance Metropolitan, and Germany Blu-ray have a 7.1 track, Australia Imprint has stereo only.

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

Imprint AU Blu-ray

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

Imprint AU Blu-ray

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

Sony Blu-ray

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

Sony Blu-ray

The Bucket List poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

The Bucket List poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Shock and Awe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Vertical Blu-ray

Shock and Awe poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Vertical Blu-ray

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West Side Story (2021) backdrop

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