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They Live (1988)
They Live (1988) poster
Letterboxd

3.8

Best English-Friendly Release

Pick your poison between the 3 UHDs or maybe the remastered Shout! Factory Blu-ray?

Best Video Release

Italy Eagle Pictures 4K Blu-ray has consistently mediocre encoding + no original audio. StudioCanal encoding is better a lot of the time, but is terrible in others. Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has good encoding but wrong colour space

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Solid
Shout Factory:

better encode than StudioCanal/Eagle Pictures with consistently good encoding and original audio

caveat: wrong color space

Good in DV Only
Studio Canal:

better encoding than Eagle Pictures in certain places, but worse in others

Disappointing
Eagle Pictures:

mediocre encoding + no original audio

TSPDT

2026: #903
2025: #899
2024: #915
2023: #977
2022: #977

Length

93 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

They Live!, John Carpenter's They Live

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release

Pick your poison between the 3 UHDs or maybe the remastered Shout! Factory Blu-ray?

Best Video Release

Italy Eagle Pictures 4K Blu-ray has consistently mediocre encoding + no original audio. StudioCanal encoding is better a lot of the time, but is terrible in others. Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray has good encoding but wrong colour space

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Solid
Shout Factory:

better encode than StudioCanal/Eagle Pictures with consistently good encoding and original audio

caveat: wrong color space

Good in DV Only
Studio Canal:

better encoding than Eagle Pictures in certain places, but worse in others

Disappointing
Eagle Pictures:

mediocre encoding + no original audio

TSPDT
2026: #903
2025: #899
2024: #915
2023: #977
2022: #977
Length
93 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
They Live!, John Carpenter's They Live
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

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Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray possibly teased?

Best Audio:

1994 Criterion LaserDisc

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Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray possibly teased?

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1994 Criterion LaserDisc

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Fabulous Films 4K Blu-ray, some caps

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Additional Info:

disc info

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Sony Columbia Classics Vol 4 4K Blu-ray

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Sony Columbia Classics Vol 4 4K Blu-ray (review)

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Sony Columbia Classics Vol 4 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony Columbia Classics Vol 4 4K Blu-ray (review)

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Italy Koch Media Blu-ray

Best Video:

Italy Koch Media Blu-ray is not stretched compared to US Shout! Factory and UK Arrow Blu-rays

As for the color grade, unsure whether the Italy or US/UK Blu-ray is more accurate to the theatrical colors.

Best Audio:

Arrow Blu-ray has lossless original stereo

Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has the most extras with a lossless isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

Italy Koch Media Blu-ray

Best Video:

Italy Koch Media Blu-ray is not stretched compared to US Shout! Factory and UK Arrow Blu-rays

As for the color grade, unsure whether the Italy or US/UK Blu-ray is more accurate to the theatrical colors.

Best Audio:

Arrow Blu-ray has lossless original stereo

Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has the most extras with a lossless isolated score

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

Universal 4K Blu-ray. Maybe Turbine Blu-ray instead for better audio?

Best Audio:
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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Universal 4K Blu-ray. Maybe Turbine Blu-ray instead for better audio?

Best Audio:
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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has slightly less rolloff of the higher frequencies

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has slightly less rolloff of the higher frequencies

Vampires poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray is a strong upgrade in PQ compared to a poor old Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray sound was improved compared to the old mixes.

Vampires poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray is a strong upgrade in PQ compared to a poor old Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray sound was improved compared to the old mixes.

Ghosts of Mars poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray. caps by cinemaniac, which look great but the old Sony master doesn’t look too bad and Indicator has a Fidelity encode

Best English-Friendly:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray. caps by cinemaniac, which look great but the old Sony master doesn’t look too bad and Indicator has a Fidelity encode

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The Dark Crystal poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

LaserDisc, Shout! Factory's 2.0 is a downmix of the 5.1

Additional Info:

Old Sony DVD has an isolated score

Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

LaserDisc, Shout! Factory's 2.0 is a downmix of the 5.1

Additional Info:

Old Sony DVD has an isolated score

Labyrinth poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray, Shout! Factory doesn't have the low-pass filter that's on the Sony US 4K Blu-ray from 2021 with Dolby Vision (or the worse HDR10 only release from 2016). Shout! Factory retains more high-frequency grain and detail.

Labyrinth poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Shout! Factory replacement 4K Blu-ray, Shout! Factory doesn't have the low-pass filter that's on the Sony US 4K Blu-ray from 2021 with Dolby Vision (or the worse HDR10 only release from 2016). Shout! Factory retains more high-frequency grain and detail.

Misery poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray no comparison available 

Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't 

The initial release of the Capelight 4K mediabook had some playback issues with Dolby Vision on Panasonic devices due to an encoding error, the HDR10 apparently works fine, see Capelight’s official response here.

Misery poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray?

Upcoming Release:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray release date September 21 2026 

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Germany Capelight 4K Blu-ray no comparison available 

Additional Info:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray has exclusive extras the Kino Lorber/ Capelight release doesn't 

The initial release of the Capelight 4K mediabook had some playback issues with Dolby Vision on Panasonic devices due to an encoding error, the HDR10 apparently works fine, see Capelight’s official response here.

Miami Vice poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

88 Films UK Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming, Director's Final Cut premiering October 3rd; will receive home video release in the future

Best Video:

88 Films UK Blu-ray for both cuts 

Best Audio:

88 Films Blu-ray is missing Michael Mann commentary for the DC found on other BDs

Miami Vice poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

88 Films UK Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray upcoming, Director's Final Cut premiering October 3rd; will receive home video release in the future

Best Video:

88 Films UK Blu-ray for both cuts 

Best Audio:

88 Films Blu-ray is missing Michael Mann commentary for the DC found on other BDs

Coraline poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D Version: Laika/Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

3D Version: 2011 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D Version: Laika/Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

3D Version: 2011 3D Blu-ray caps 

Coraline poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2D Version: Laika/Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

3D Version: 2011 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

2D Version: Laika/Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

3D Version: 2011 3D Blu-ray caps 

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

JFK poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Theatrical Cut 4K Blu-ray in August

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (included with collector's edition)

Best Audio:

Theatrical Cut: The Shout UHD DTS-HD 2.0 seems to be the same mix overall as the 1992 laserdisc PCM 2.0 but its not a straight port.  Even though there are some minor differences, it does not seem to be a downmix of the 5.1.  It could possibly be a new mastering.  It has just a tiny bit more dynamic range than the laserdisc, but the laserdisc has a bit more presence in the lower and midrange frequencies.

JFK poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Theatrical Cut 4K Blu-ray in August

Best Video:

Director's Cut: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray

Theatrical Cut: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (included with collector's edition)

Best Audio:

Theatrical Cut: The Shout UHD DTS-HD 2.0 seems to be the same mix overall as the 1992 laserdisc PCM 2.0 but its not a straight port.  Even though there are some minor differences, it does not seem to be a downmix of the 5.1.  It could possibly be a new mastering.  It has just a tiny bit more dynamic range than the laserdisc, but the laserdisc has a bit more presence in the lower and midrange frequencies.

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray > US Shout! Factory

Arrow has a slightly better encode, edging out SF even with FEL, and has done some additional damage cleanup. Caps

Best English-Friendly:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Arrow 4K Blu-ray > US Shout! Factory

Arrow has a slightly better encode, edging out SF even with FEL, and has done some additional damage cleanup. Caps

Audition poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original matrixed DTS Stereo mix: 2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray
5.0 surround remix: 2009 Shout! Factory US Blu-ray

Arrow includes three audio tracks, matrixed stereo, discrete 4.0, and a 5.0 surround remix. Unfortunately, only the first one is usable. The 4.0 desyncs partway through. The 5.0 has incorrect (lower) pitch. Fortunately, the matrixed stereo track sounds great, but it is still a major disappointment.

There has been no replacement disc announced. See nicwood's BR post.

Audition poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original matrixed DTS Stereo mix: 2026 Arrow 4K Blu-ray
5.0 surround remix: 2009 Shout! Factory US Blu-ray

Arrow includes three audio tracks, matrixed stereo, discrete 4.0, and a 5.0 surround remix. Unfortunately, only the first one is usable. The 4.0 desyncs partway through. The 5.0 has incorrect (lower) pitch. Fortunately, the matrixed stereo track sounds great, but it is still a major disappointment.

There has been no replacement disc announced. See nicwood's BR post.

Wild at Heart poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Censored US version: Shout! Factory or Twilight Time Blu-ray

Uncensored version: old DVD

Upcoming Release:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray upcoming included in After Dark Neo-Noir Cinema Vol. 4

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Censored US version: Shout! Factory or Twilight Time Blu-ray

Uncensored version: old DVD

Wild at Heart poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Censored US version: Shout! Factory or Twilight Time Blu-ray

Uncensored version: old DVD

Upcoming Release:

Australia Imprint Blu-ray upcoming included in After Dark Neo-Noir Cinema Vol. 4

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Censored US version: Shout! Factory or Twilight Time Blu-ray

Uncensored version: old DVD

More Science Fiction on Blu-ray

Backrooms poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Canada Elevation 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Canada Elevation 4K Blu-ray > US A24 comparisons

Best Audio:

US A24 4K Blu-ray

Backrooms poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Canada Elevation 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Canada Elevation 4K Blu-ray > US A24 comparisons

Best Audio:

US A24 4K Blu-ray

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.

Project Hail Mary poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon MGM 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Amazon MGM 4K Blu-ray SteelBook with mixed aspect ratio 1.43:1/2.39:1

Best English-Friendly:

Amazon MGM 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Amazon MGM 4K Blu-ray SteelBook with mixed aspect ratio 1.43:1/2.39:1

The Fifth Element poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray vs 2017 Sony 4K Blu-ray (20th annivesary) vs 2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray (Luc Besson Box Set). The first two have totally different texture.

  • StudioCanal: More natural looking. Better defined grain. The white balance is rather yellow/orange. Some say it is closer to the original theatrical release.

  • 2017 Sony: More vibrant and impactful. The white balance is rather neutral. While color noise and grain can look busy because it had been sharpened and had micro-contrast boosted.

  • 2025 Sony: Supposedly an improved version of the 2017 release? Shows around 20mbps-higher overall video bitrate. caps

Best Audio:

2025 Sony US 4K Blu-ray has the original 5.1.

The Atmos on the Sony release is reportedly better than StudioCanal's.

Additional Info:

Disc info of the box set discs. This film have recieved multiple encode/versions in different regions over the years. The 2017 Germany4K Blu-ray is encoded differently than the 2017 Sony but not better. Also, the same can be said to 2024 France Gaumont 4K Blu-ray while comparing to the 2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray omits all the extras from previous releases, being barebones.

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal UK 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray vs 2017 Sony 4K Blu-ray (20th annivesary) vs 2025 Sony 4K Blu-ray (Luc Besson Box Set). The first two have totally different texture.

  • StudioCanal: More natural looking. Better defined grain. The white balance is rather yellow/orange. Some say it is closer to the original theatrical release.

  • 2017 Sony: More vibrant and impactful. The white balance is rather neutral. While color noise and grain can look busy because it had been sharpened and had micro-contrast boosted.

  • 2025 Sony: Supposedly an improved version of the 2017 release? Shows around 20mbps-higher overall video bitrate. caps

Best Audio:

2025 Sony US 4K Blu-ray has the original 5.1.

The Atmos on the Sony release is reportedly better than StudioCanal's.

Additional Info:

Disc info of the box set discs. This film have recieved multiple encode/versions in different regions over the years. The 2017 Germany4K Blu-ray is encoded differently than the 2017 Sony but not better. Also, the same can be said to 2024 France Gaumont 4K Blu-ray while comparing to the 2020 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray omits all the extras from previous releases, being barebones.

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.

Sorry to Bother You poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Fox Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox 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

28 Days Later poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray see caps

Recovers quite a bit of highlight detail, looks less harsh and clipped in the video footage than the old BD.

Best Audio:

Dolby Atmos Remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1 mix: old OOP Fox Blu-ray

5.1 on the 4K is a downmix of the Atmos remix.

28 Days Later poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray see caps

Recovers quite a bit of highlight detail, looks less harsh and clipped in the video footage than the old BD.

Best Audio:

Dolby Atmos Remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1 mix: old OOP Fox Blu-ray

5.1 on the 4K is a downmix of the Atmos remix.

The Saint poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Audio:

Old Paramount Blu-ray

The 4K has lowered dynamic range.

The Saint poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best Audio:

Old Paramount Blu-ray

The 4K has lowered dynamic range.

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They Live (1988) backdrop