Items filtered by date: February 2026

Boy, I’ve been waiting for this today for years now—one of my favorite titles is finally official, as in the studio has just issued their press release. And there are a bunch of other great title announcements today as well.

But first as always, a few more new disc reviews…

Stuart and Dennis have turned in their thoughts on Kino Lorber Studio Classics’ Peter Sellers: Early Classics Blu-ray box set, which includes Man in a Cocked Hat (1959), I’m All Right Jack (1959), Two-Way Stretch (1960), Heavens Above! (1963), and The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963).

And Tim has reviewed Chuck Russell’s The Mask (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video.

More reviews are forthcoming all this week, so be sure to check back for them!

Also today, our own Russell Hammond has just posted the latest update of the Release Dates & Artwork section featuring all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover art and Amazon pre-order links. As The Bits is an Amazon Affiliate, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking through one of our links, you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really do appreciate it.

And of course, the best way to support what we do by far is to subscribe to our Digital Bits Patreon where we talk about lots of things—including upcoming 4K titles—before we can post all the details here on the website. Monthly subscriptions start at just $6 and you can get discounts on full-year subscriptions too. So thank you, sincerely, for helping us to keep The Digital Bits going as we advocate for physical media and the issues that matter to you! [Read on here...]

Greetings, Bits readers—I hope this finds you all well!

You may have noticed that there have been very few updates here on the site this week, and also that we’ve had a lot of downtime in which the site wasn’t working or was slow to load.

There’s a reason for that, which is that we’ve been the target of relentless scaping by AI companies trying to train their LLMs. We’ve taken steps to prevent it in the past, but they don’t seem to care that when they scrape us, it causes significant disruptions for both us and you as readers. So it looks like we’re going to have to take further steps to prevent this going forward.

In the meantime, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover today, as I haven’t been able to post a news update since Monday due to these disruptions.

We’ll start with disc reviews! We’ve had a bunch for you this week, including…

My looks at Jeannot Szwarc’s Somewhere in Time (1980) in 4K from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, David Lynch’s The Straight Story (1999) in 4K from StudioCanal (a joint review with former Bits staffer Dan Kelly), Michael Crichton’s Westworld (1973) in 4K from Arrow Video, and Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way (2020-23) in 4K from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Tim’s review of Lam Nai-Choi’s The Cat (1991) on Blu-ray from 88 Films.

Dennis’ take on Claude Leloch’s A Man and a Woman (1966) on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.

Stuart’s thoughts on Jerzy Skolimowski’s The Lightship (1985) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films and Jeffrey Dell and Roy Boulting’s Man in a Cocked Hat (1959) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

And finally, Stephen’s look at Dario Argento’s The Phantom of the Opera (1998) and Emmett Alston’s Demonwarp (1988) in 4K from Vinegar Syndrome, and Ti West’s The Innkeepers (2011) on Blu-ray from Umbrella and in 4K Ultra HD from Second Sight. Whew!

Now, let’s get to the news that’s broken since our announcement of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash on Blu-ray and 4K on Monday… [Read on here...]

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Return to Pandora When Avatar: Fire and Ash Arrives on Digital March 31 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and DVD May 19

Featuring Over 3 Hours of Never-Before-Seen Extras

BURBANK, CA (March 24, 2026) – Visionary filmmaker James Cameron invites audiences to return to the breathtaking world of Pandora when 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives on Digital March 31, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. The cinematic event continues as the film becomes available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and DVD May 19, featuring stunning Dolby Vision picture quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio that bring the visually spectacular, action-packed adventure home in breathtaking fashion.

Avatar: Fire and Ash continues the franchise’s extraordinary box office momentum, earning $1.5 billion worldwide and ranking among the Motion Picture Association’s top-grossing films of all time. That global success is matched by powerful audience enthusiasm, including a 90% Verified Hot Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside major honors for Best Visual Effects from the Academy Awards, BAFTA, and the American Cinematheque, among others. Critics have hailed the film as “a movie event unlike any other” (Ross Bonaime, Collider), with some declaring it “the best Avatar yet” (Matt Hambidge, FandomWire), praising its masterful blend of natural wonder, breathtaking action, and emotional storytelling.

Fans can explore the world of Avatar: Fire and Ash on a deeper level with more than three hours of never-before-seen bonus content, offering an expansive look at the creation of Pandora. The extras dive into the development of Na’vi culture, including the language, design, costumes, and environments, while also taking viewers behind the scenes of the filmmaking process with in-depth looks at performance capture, visual effects, and groundbreaking 3D technology that bring the immersive experience to life. [Read on here...]

All right, as you can see by that headline, we’ve got some big release news for you today! But first, a few more new disc reviews…

Stephen has reviewed William Friedkin’s Jade (1995) in 4K Ultra HD from Imprint Films.

Tim has offered his thoughts on Rod Amateau’s The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.

And Dennis has shared his perspective on a Jack Benny Comedy Classics double feature of Raoul Walsh’s Artists and Models (1937) and Mark Sandrich’s Man About Town (1939) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

I’ve also got a couple of additional reviews coming tomorrow, so be sure to watch for those.

Now then… you know how lots of people a few weeks ago were saying that if Netflix won the bidding war for Warner Bros. that might mean the end of physical media?

Yeah, maybe not so much.

Not only has Netflix recently let Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and the animated K-Pop Demon Hunters be licensed to Criterion for Blu-ray and 4K release, today we have even bigger news.

Arrow Video just announced on social media that they’re bringing the most popular Netflix Original series of all time—the Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things: The Complete Series—to Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD in July (street date 7/28)! [Read on here...]

We’ve got a pretty exciting post today, if I do say so myself. At least, it’s full of things for which we here at The Bits have serious enthusiasm. And really, what’s a life without enthusiasms anyway?

To start, we’ve got two more new disc reviews for you…

Stephen has taken a look at Ben Wheatley’s Kill List (2011) in 4K Ultra HD from our friends at Severin Films.

And Tim has offered his thoughts on Martin Campbell’s No Escape: Collector’s Edition (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Umbrella Entertainment.

Now then… and speaking of 4K Ultra HD… the good folks at Lionsgate have just dropped new titles on their Lionsgate Limited website today!

They include Roman Polanski’s The Ninth Gate (1999) in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Steelbook, which streets on 4/21. It’s available here for the first time in 4K with Dolby Vision, and includes a new interview with cinematographer Darius Khondji as well as a ton of legacy extras.

Also available on Blu-ray only is the next Vestron Video Collector’s Series title, James Melkonian’s The Stöned Age (1994). Look for that on 4/20 (naturally).

And more new warehouse finds are now available on the Lionsgate Limited website, including Angel Heart, Punisher, Hacksaw Ridge, Ender’s Game, Highlander, and more. [Read on here...]

As we so often do, we’re starting the new week here at The Bits with more new disc reviews, including…

Tim’s look at Riccardo Freda’s The Ghost (1963) in 4K Ultra HD from Severin Films, as well as Louis Malle’s The Fire Within (1963) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment.

Stephen’s thoughts on Can Evrenol’s Baskin (2015) in 4K Ultra HD, also from Severin.

Dennis’ take on Kenneth Branagh’s Dead Again (1991) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I (1987) on Blu-ray from Imprint Films, and Olaf Ittenbach’s Garden of Love (2003) on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films.

And finally, Stuart’s reviews of George Marshall’s Hold That Blonde! (1945) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, as well as Warner Archive’s Robert Taylor Collection on Blu-ray, which includes Devil’s Doorway (1950), Westward the Women (1951), Ivanhoe (1952), and The Last Hunt (1956).

Watch for more new disc reviews here all this week!

Now then, last night was the Academy Awards, and I think it’s safe to say that there weren’t too many surprises in terms of winners and losers. I was certainly glad to see Autumn Durald Arkapaw become the first woman to win Best Cinematography for Sinners, and to see Michael B. Jordan to win Best Actor for the same film.

While I’m talking Michael B. Jordan, this is a good time to mention that he was great in the very first thing I ever saw him in as well, which was NBC’s Friday Night Lights (2009-2011) TV series. The show is fantastic, and it doesn’t get nearly the love it deserves. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. The series brilliantly chronicles small town life in America, and it’s about a lot more than just high school football (though that part is great too). Do give it a look—I think you’ll really enjoy it. [Read on here...]

We start today with two new disc reviews for you to enjoy, including…

Stephen’s look at Richard Rush’s The Stunt Man (1980) in a great limited edition 4K Ultra HD release from Radiance Films.

And Tim’s thoughts on Arrow Video’s excellent 4K Ultra HD release of New Line’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy (1990-93).

More reviews are on the way, so be sure to keep checking back for them!

Also today, we’ve just uploaded our own Russell Hammond’s latest update of the Release Dates & Cover Artwork section here at The Bits, featuring new Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links.

As always, whenever you order literally anything from Amazon after clicking to them through one of our affiliate links (like this one), you’re helping to support our work here at The Bits and we really do appreciate it.

Now then… our friends at the Warner Archive Collection have just revealed their terrific April slate of Blu-ray catalog titles, and it includes a great new 4K title as well! [Read on here...]

I’ve been fortunate to attend a number of great film industry events over the last thirty years, but I can tell you... none of them is more fun than the Saturn Awards.

While the Oscars, Golden Globes, and SAG awards tend to get all the mainstream media coverage, the Saturns are the sort of nerdy-fun party that Hollywood filmmakers actually like to attend.

Founded in 1972 by the late Dr. Donald A. Reed, a film historian, educator, and longtime scholar of genre entertainment, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror is a non-profit organization that has a single goal: to support and encourage filmed genre entertainment.

What makes the Saturns so great is that there’s no ego—people attend because they love the work they do, and they love each other’s work even more. Things tend to be very relaxed, everyone mixes together before and after the awards—even during dinner—and you can easily find yourself unexpectedly chatting with people you’ve admired for years.

This year’s event was a whopper; in attendance to either present or accept awards were Tom Cruise, George Lucas, James Cameron, William Shatner, Mark Hamill, Christopher McQuarrie, Kathleen Kennedy, Guillermo del Toro, Bryan Fuller, Laurence Fishburne, Terry Matalas, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, and many more. The Star Trek franchise was recognized for its 60th anniversary, as was Aliens for its 40th, and the TV series The Boys was given a Spotlight Award. It was definitely a fun evening. [Read on here...]

This has been a very busy week here at The Bits, tracking upcoming titles, talking with industry sources, and the like, thus the lack of posts.

But we’ve definitely got both new disc reviews for you today as well as some release news worth sharing. Let’s start with the latter first.

Today we’ve got…

Tim’s reviews of Chor Yuen’s The Sentimental Swordsman (1977) on Blu-ray from Arrow’s Shawscope: Volume Three box set, Severin Films’ Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection in 4K Ultra HD, and Michael Curtiz’s Captain Blood (1935) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.

Stephen’s reviews of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Quest for Fire (1981) on Blu-ray from Umbrella Entertainment, Dario Argento’s Sleepless (2001) in 4K UHD from Vinegar Syndrome, Michael Cacoyannis’ Iphigenia (1977) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films, Corey Yuen’s She Shoots Straight (1990) on Blu-ray from 88 Films, and John Woo’s Once a Thief (1991) in 4K from Shout’s HK Cinema Classics line.

And Dennis’ take on Raoul Walsh’s Manpower (1941) and David Butler’s By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) both on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.

Now then… before we get started on news today, I’m going to be joining my friend Tim Millard on his next The Extras podcast to talk about the latest developments in the ongoing Paramount/Skydance, Warner Bros., Netflix saga. Looks like we’re going to be recording the episode this weekend, so be sure to check Tim’s social media for news on the episode drop, and I’ll share the details on my own as well when I have them. [Read on here...]

All right, we have one new disc review for you today, with more coming later this week...

My look at Dan Trachtenberg’s audacious Predator: Badlands (2025) in 4K Ultra HD from 20th Century Studios.

Turns out, it’s pretty damn good! And the 4K disc has a blisteringly excellent Dolby Atmos mix that’s well worth your time.

Now then... we’ve got some new release information for you here at The Bits today, and then we’re going to talk a little bit about that Warner-Paramount-Netflix news from last week.

We’ll start with Warner Bros... the Wachowski’s Speed Racer (2008) is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and pretty much everywhere else. The street date is expected to be 5/19. And I’ve been able to confirm that the disc will include Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio! The official announcement hasn’t yet been made, so we don’t have the final cover art, but I expect that to happen in the next couple of weeks. I also do believe that there will be a regular 4K SKU in addition to the 4K Steelbook, and obviously there’s an even more elaborate 4K version in the UK with swag. Anyway, here’s the US Amazon link.

Also today, our friends at Arrow Video have announced their May Blu-ray and 4K slate, which includes multiple titles that should make catalog fans happy. [Read on here...]