Moonwalker (1988)
Fantasy, Music • 1h 33m
Overview
This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.
Directors: Colin Chilvers & Will Vinton & Jerry Kramer & Jim Blashfield
Cast: Michael Jackson, Joe Pesci, Sean Ono Lennon, Kelley Parker, Brandon Quintin Adams, Ben Aaron, Bilal, Brent Kelly, Danial Brown, Khiry Abdul-Samad, Jose Chaidez, Garland Spencer, D.J. Dellos, Dylan Stewart, Dove Dellos, Tajh Abdul-Samad, Amaris Dupree, Dion Turner, Hakeem Abdul-Samad, Cory Tyler, Tony Williams, Reggie Williams, Dionysio Basco, Eric Ryan, Nikki Cox, Maurissa Tancharoen, Kimberly Duncan, Tisha Tucker, Jermaine Jackson II, Terrance Williams, Frank DiLeo, Cindera Che, Tina Landon, Alif Sankey, LaVelle Smith, Miko C. Brando, Jennifer Batten, Paul Reubens, Clancy Brown, Taryll Jackson, TJ Jackson, Brenda Barrett
Director: James Cameron
Disney 4K Blu-ray's artificial smoothening of facial textures making actors look unnatural, grain reduction and other changes to make the film look less like a product of its time
Old WEB-DL or HDTV rip for non AI version
Director: James Cameron
Disney 4K Blu-ray's artificial smoothening of facial textures making actors look unnatural, grain reduction and other changes to make the film look less like a product of its time
Old WEB-DL or HDTV rip for non AI version
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Stuart Baird
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833
Director: Stuart Baird
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
US Cut: old Warner Bros DVD (first pressing from 1997, pre 2010), alleycat's preservation better
International Cut (censored): Warner Bros Blu-ray
International Cut changes: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=2965833
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Director: Michael Bay
Director: Michael Bay
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Disney 4K Blu-ray for the 4K Theatrical Cut or 2002 Vista Series DVD for the Director's Cut, alleycat's DC restoration better
Theatrical Cut: Disney 4K Blu-ray caps
Director's Cut: 2002 Vista Series DVD, alleycat's DC restoration better
Closest to original: 1994 Hollywood Pictures LaserDisc, other LDs are probably the same
Blu-rays only have 5.1 upmixes but probably fine
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Disney 4K Blu-ray for the 4K Theatrical Cut or 2002 Vista Series DVD for the Director's Cut, alleycat's DC restoration better
Theatrical Cut: Disney 4K Blu-ray caps
Director's Cut: 2002 Vista Series DVD, alleycat's DC restoration better
Closest to original: 1994 Hollywood Pictures LaserDisc, other LDs are probably the same
Blu-rays only have 5.1 upmixes but probably fine
Director: Wes Craven
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray
The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes.
The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325
Director: Wes Craven
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
Theatrical: Paramount 4K Blu-ray
Uncut Director's Cut: Either the Germany Kinowelt DVD, the Japan DVD, the Scandinavian DVD, or the US LaserDisc. Fan preservation is likely better quality.
2011 Blu-ray/2021 4K Blu-ray
The 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray is incredibly poor for every Original Trilogy film; older processed older DVD-era masters with heavy use of DNR, sharpening and edge enhancement with a really dull color grade. The 4K Blu-ray is miles better. The DTS-HD 5.1 across all three films appears to be the same on both the Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, and they appear to be the untouched theatrical 5.1 mixes.
The Uncut version has more violence: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=256325
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is heavily denoised and smoothened, best Blu-ray is the 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed), 35mm scan for the theatrical cut also available.
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak CDS mix likely on the Artisan DVD and other Japan DVD.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is heavily denoised and smoothened, best Blu-ray is the 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed), 35mm scan for the theatrical cut also available.
For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.
Original Kodak CDS mix likely on the Artisan DVD and other Japan DVD.
Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.
2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.
Director: James Cameron
2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix
The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.
Director: James Cameron
2013 MGM Blu-ray, or 4K Blu-ray if you MUST have the mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix
1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix
The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.
Director: James Cameron
Resen 2020 Spain Blu-ray, old WEB-DL (pre 2023/2024 transfer), HDTV rip, or 35mm scan
Resen 2020 Spain Blu-ray, old WEB-DL (pre 2023/2024 transfer), HDTV rip, or 35mm scan better than 4K Blu-ray with terrible "AI" upscale: screenshots
Director: James Cameron
Resen 2020 Spain Blu-ray, old WEB-DL (pre 2023/2024 transfer), HDTV rip, or 35mm scan
Resen 2020 Spain Blu-ray, old WEB-DL (pre 2023/2024 transfer), HDTV rip, or 35mm scan better than 4K Blu-ray with terrible "AI" upscale: screenshots
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
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.
International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.
International Warner Bros 4K Blu-ray
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.
International Cut contains alternate, more violent shots in the final act.
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
1991 Warner Bros LaserDisc (for original mono track)
1996 Warner Bros 25th Anniversary LaserDisc has isolated music and effects track (incorrectly labeled "music minus vocals") not present on any other release
Director: John Waters
Director: John Waters
Director: Mike Hodges
Director: Mike Hodges
Director: Nicholas Ray
Director: Nicholas Ray
Director: Bob Clark
Director: Bob Clark
Director: Martin Scorsese
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
Director: Martin Scorsese
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
2024 Second Sight 4K Blu-ray
Director: Chuck Russell
Director: Chuck Russell
More Fantasy on Blu-ray
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
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.
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
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.
Director: Vincent Ward
Director: Vincent Ward
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray
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
2011/2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray for original 6.1 audio mix, Cinema DTS for the English dub
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
2011/2014 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray for original 6.1 audio mix, Cinema DTS for the English dub
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Director: Ken Hughes
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.
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
Director: Ken Hughes
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.
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
Directors: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Directors: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Director: Richard Fleischer
Arrow 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has solid encode but controversial colors by Hiventy
Director: Richard Fleischer
Arrow 4K Blu-ray > StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has solid encode but controversial colors by Hiventy
Edit History
6/4/2026
Best English-Friendly Release
From
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
From
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
Best Video Release
From
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
From
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Film Whisperer's restoration is better
5/2/2026
Additional Info
From
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
To
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
From
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
To
Censorship changes for Blu-ray: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=224122
5/2/2026
Best English-Friendly Release
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
Best Video Release
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
To
OG Version: 1989 US Image Entertainment LaserDisc
2005 Edited Version - Re-Edited and Censored: UK Warner Bros Blu-ray
2005 Edited Version - Uncensored: UK Warner Bros DVD
12/1/2025
Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
12/1/2025
Format
Added
1080p Blu-ray
Added
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly Release
Added
UK Warner BD
Added
UK Warner BD
Blu-ray.com
Added
https://www.blu-ray.com/Moonwalker/27274/#Releases
Added
https://www.blu-ray.com/Moonwalker/27274/#Releases
