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Frankenstein (1931)
Frankenstein (1931) poster
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3.8

Frankenstein (1931)

Drama, Horror, Science Fiction • 1h 10m

Overview

Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.

Director: James Whale

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

1993 CIC Video LaserDisc

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Solid
Universal

Featured Lists

TSPDT

2026: #619
2025: #647
2024: #646
2023: #675
2022: #675

Length

70 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Frankenstein: Anniversary 75th Edition

Last Updated

4 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

1993 CIC Video LaserDisc

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Solid
Universal
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #619
2025: #647
2024: #646
2023: #675
2022: #675
Length
70 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Frankenstein: Anniversary 75th Edition
Last Updated
4 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
Love Finds Andy Hardy poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive DVD

Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray in October

Best Video:

Warner Archive DVD

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive DVD

Upcoming Release:

Warner Archive Blu-ray in October

Best Video:

Warner Archive DVD

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

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

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

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

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

Upcoming Release:

Capelight 4K Steelbook and Mediabook announced for 2026

Best Video:

2013 MGM Blu-ray for non AI transfer, 2001 MGM DVD for a purist version with original colors and the international mono mix

Best Audio:

1991 Image Entertainment LaserDisc for the US mono mix, 2001 MGM DVD for the International mono mix

Comparison between the US and International mixes: https://vimeo.com/246332731

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-Ray and the 2001 MGM DVD have exclusive extras.

The Prisoner of Zenda poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros DVD

Best Video:

Warner Bros DVD

Additional Info:

New restoration is completed

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros DVD

Best Video:

Warner Bros DVD

Additional Info:

New restoration is completed

Some Like It Hot poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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:

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

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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:

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

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Singin' in the Rain poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

The Silence of the Lambs poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

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

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original 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 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 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 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 space)

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

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

Blade Runner poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

Blade Runner poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

Forbidden Planet poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

MoC 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC 4K Blu-ray. Here are some screenshots that include the Cohen Blu-ray and the poor Germany 4K with terrible fake HDR. David’s DV grade is way more subtle and doesn’t blow out the highlights

Best Audio:

MoC 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

MoC 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

MoC 4K Blu-ray. Here are some screenshots that include the Cohen Blu-ray and the poor Germany 4K with terrible fake HDR. David’s DV grade is way more subtle and doesn’t blow out the highlights

Best Audio:

MoC 4K Blu-ray

Bride of Frankenstein poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

?

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

?

By Candlelight poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray, no comparison available with Elephant Films Blu-ray

By Candlelight poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray, no comparison available with Elephant Films Blu-ray

Show Boat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K scan

Show Boat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K scan

The Kiss Before the Mirror poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray marginally better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray, see DVDBeaver caps. Both use new Universal restoration.

Additional Info:

Indicator, Imprint and Kino Lorber BDs each have exclusive extras. Indicator commentary is superb. Imprint adds SD copy of the remake.

Best English-Friendly:

Indicator Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator Blu-ray marginally better than Kino Lorber Blu-ray, see DVDBeaver caps. Both use new Universal restoration.

Additional Info:

Indicator, Imprint and Kino Lorber BDs each have exclusive extras. Indicator commentary is superb. Imprint adds SD copy of the remake.

The Invisible Man poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

More from Universal

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The Incredible Hulk poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 

France M6 4K Blu-ray has Dolby Vision, but is inferior with more washed out colors and inferior encoding plus no hardcoded subtitles for the Portuguese language parts

comparison

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray has the original DTS-HD 5.1

For the 7.1 remix, the DTS-X of the Universal is clipped on the front speakers while the Atmos of the M6 is a very tame mixdown.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 

France M6 4K Blu-ray has Dolby Vision, but is inferior with more washed out colors and inferior encoding plus no hardcoded subtitles for the Portuguese language parts

comparison

Best Audio:

Universal Blu-ray has the original DTS-HD 5.1

For the 7.1 remix, the DTS-X of the Universal is clipped on the front speakers while the Atmos of the M6 is a very tame mixdown.

Darkest Hour poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Darkest Hour poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Born to Be Blue poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Universal Blu-ray is the only English-friendly release

French Blu-ray has forced subtitles, and no comparison available

Best English-Friendly:

UK Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Universal Blu-ray is the only English-friendly release

French Blu-ray has forced subtitles, and no comparison available

Cape Fear poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray or 4K master on streaming

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray or 4K master on streaming

Cape Fear poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Universal Blu-ray or 4K master on streaming

Best Video:

Universal Blu-ray or 4K master on streaming

Kindergarten Cop poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Plaion German 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Plaion German 4K Blu-ray > US Kino Lorber see comparison and caps

Kino Lorber has an exceedingly poor encode, only slightly improved by the DV layer.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Universal US Blu-ray
Dolby Atmos remix: Plaion DE 4K Blu-ray

Universal's BD uses the same transfer as the old LaserDisc and sounds a bit better than Plaion's, which has worse dynamics.

Plaion's Atmos remix is tastefully done and preserves the original mix's characteristics, the 5.1 track on Kino's release is overly aggressive and unbalanced.

Best English-Friendly:

Plaion German 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Plaion German 4K Blu-ray > US Kino Lorber see comparison and caps

Kino Lorber has an exceedingly poor encode, only slightly improved by the DV layer.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Universal US Blu-ray
Dolby Atmos remix: Plaion DE 4K Blu-ray

Universal's BD uses the same transfer as the old LaserDisc and sounds a bit better than Plaion's, which has worse dynamics.

Plaion's Atmos remix is tastefully done and preserves the original mix's characteristics, the 5.1 track on Kino's release is overly aggressive and unbalanced.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

DreamWorks/Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

DreamWorks/Universal Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

DreamWorks/Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

DreamWorks/Universal Blu-ray

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

House of Flying Daggers poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray has a superior MPEG-4 AVC encode over the US Sony Blu-ray's MPEG-2 or France/Australia Universal Blu-ray's VC-1. Open matte version also included

Best Audio:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray has a Dolby Atmos remix and the original audio in DTS 5.1.

Korea Blu-ray for lossless original 5.1 audio mix.

Additional Info:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray is completely uncut and uncensored, having none of Sony US's PG-13 edits or Pathé UK's BBFC horse trip cuts.

Best English-Friendly:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray

Best Video:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray has a superior MPEG-4 AVC encode over the US Sony Blu-ray's MPEG-2 or France/Australia Universal Blu-ray's VC-1. Open matte version also included

Best Audio:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray has a Dolby Atmos remix and the original audio in DTS 5.1.

Korea Blu-ray for lossless original 5.1 audio mix.

Additional Info:

Germany Turbine Mediabook Blu-ray is completely uncut and uncensored, having none of Sony US's PG-13 edits or Pathé UK's BBFC horse trip cuts.

The Fast and the Furious poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 25th Anniversary Edition (with Dolby Vision), comparisons: #1, #2

The 2026 re-release corrects cropping and grading on some VFX shots, otherwise it's the same master with better encoding.

Best Audio:

Original 5.1 mix: Universal Blu-ray

The old BD (2009 with many later identical re-releases) is very good, compared even to the theatrical DTS track, over which it has a slight edge thanks to discrete LFE (as theatrical DTS tracks derive LFE from other channels).

The 2018 4K includes a relatively tasteful DTS:X remix, the 2026 #4K includes a more revisionistic Dolby Atmos remix, with more added foley effects and a significant frequency roll-off. Neither of the remixes is as punchy as the original mix.

Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Universal 4K Blu-ray 25th Anniversary Edition (with Dolby Vision), comparisons: #1, #2

The 2026 re-release corrects cropping and grading on some VFX shots, otherwise it's the same master with better encoding.

Best Audio:

Original 5.1 mix: Universal Blu-ray

The old BD (2009 with many later identical re-releases) is very good, compared even to the theatrical DTS track, over which it has a slight edge thanks to discrete LFE (as theatrical DTS tracks derive LFE from other channels).

The 2018 4K includes a relatively tasteful DTS:X remix, the 2026 #4K includes a more revisionistic Dolby Atmos remix, with more added foley effects and a significant frequency roll-off. Neither of the remixes is as punchy as the original mix.

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