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Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
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4.3

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Comedy, War • 1h 33m

Overview

After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

1994 LaserDisc (marginally)

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

TSPDT

2026: #65
2025: #66
2024: #66
2023: #69
2022: #69

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 8, Extras: 9

Length

93 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

Dr. Strangelove

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

-

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

1994 LaserDisc (marginally)

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #65
2025: #66
2024: #66
2023: #69
2022: #69
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 8, Extras: 9

Length
93 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
Dr. Strangelove
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

-

Featured in National Film Registry

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1998 Criterion DVD Stereo

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

Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

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

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino.

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino.

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

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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

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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

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Sony 4K Blu-ray

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OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas. If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D+97_V" on high seas.

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes. 70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print). There are 16mm rips of the mono mix.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas. If not, Disney 4K Blu-ray

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D+97_V" on high seas.

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K80" or "D+80" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_V" or "D_97_VI" on the high seas. If not, the 4K Blu-rays are generally considered an improvement over the 2011 Blu-rays. (although both restorations are DNR'ed and have issues).

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes. 70mm six-track mix is included in 4K80 (taken from an actual 70mm print). There are 16mm rips of the mono mix.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Best Video:
  • 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (but it's missing the extra scenes in the Ultimate Edition)

  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is 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.

Best Audio:
  • Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix:  Japan Pioneer DVD in DTS/ac3 5.1

  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

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.

Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray 

Best Video:
  • 2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (but it's missing the extra scenes in the Ultimate Edition)

  • 2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray and subsequent 4K Blu-rays are notorius for being heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut is 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.

Best Audio:
  • Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix:  Japan Pioneer DVD in DTS/ac3 5.1

  • Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

differences of mixes on various releases: see thread and more info here.

Additional Info:

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.

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WB Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

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Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

Best English-Friendly:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Upcoming Release:

2027 Original Trilogy restoration/50th anniversary rerelease clips leaked plus release confirmed

Best Video:

OG: "4K83" or "OTD83" on the high seas

Special Edition: "4K97_VI" or "D+97_VI" on the high seas

Best Audio:

OG: LaserDisc audio is the best option for the Dolby Stereo mixes (and usually included in fan restorations). There are 16mm/TV rips of the mono mixes.

Special Edition: Cinema DTS or 1997 LaserDisc for the Special Edition.

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International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

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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

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UHD Blu-ray
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Upcoming Release:

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WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB R1 DVD

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Audio:

1999 WB R1 DVD

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Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Audio:

1997 MGM LaserDisc, 1998 MGM DVD

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UHD Blu-ray
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Universal 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

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Best Audio:

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Additional Info:

Criterion DVD has additional features not found on the 4K Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Audio:

4K Blu-ray DTS:X mix most closely approximates original surround mix

Additional Info:

Criterion DVD has additional features not found on the 4K Blu-ray

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WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

WB 4K 5.1: a remix but has higher fidelity

Mono: 4K Blu-ray/1999 DVD

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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Mono: 4K Blu-ray/1999 DVD

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Upcoming Release:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Audio:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Comparison

Additional Info:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Comparison

Additional Info:

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Best Audio:

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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:

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Best Audio:

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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.

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1080p Blu-ray
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Best Video:

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Additional Info:

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Best Video:

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Additional Info:

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US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Best Audio:

US Sony Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

US Sony Blu-ray

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray is disappointing - caps. Filmout scan with grain management and overall less detail than the Blu-ray.

Best Audio:

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3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

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3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

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3D version: Australia Universal/Sony 3D Blu-ray

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Best Audio:

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Additional Info:

Old Sony DVD has an isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

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Additional Info:

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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UHD Blu-ray
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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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A scream in one scene is missing from both UHD tracks, see post

Best English-Friendly:

Sony MOD 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Best Audio:

Sony 2006 Blu-ray

A scream in one scene is missing from both UHD tracks, see post

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

OOP US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray for uncensored Japanese audio and original 6.1 mix

OOP US Sony Blu-ray for English dub

Additional Info:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray is an upscale of the original 2K DI but has no English subtitles, all past releases are flawed scans from filmout sources.

Best English-Friendly:

OOP US Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray for uncensored Japanese audio and original 6.1 mix

OOP US Sony Blu-ray for English dub

Additional Info:

Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray is an upscale of the original 2K DI but has no English subtitles, all past releases are flawed scans from filmout sources.

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray (theatrical only in 4K)

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray (theatrical only in 4K)

Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray (theatrical only in 4K)

Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

The LPCM 5.1 from the old Extended BD and the DTS-HD 5.1 from the new Extended UHD are exactly the same. The DTS-HD tracks on both of the theatrical UHDs are also the same, and in fact appear to be lossless versions of the Superbit DTS mix with no tampering.

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Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) backdrop

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