Skip to main content

Warner names first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases, including Mad Max and San Andreas

warner home video 4k ultra hd blu ray releases mad max fury road
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Joining Sony Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Home Video has announced the first four titles it will release on the new Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format: Mad Max: Fury Road, San Andreas, The Lego Movie, and Pan. The news comes in the anticipation of the release of what is expected to be the first available Ultra HD Blu-ray player coming stateside from Samsung, likely to be shown at CES next week.

Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, expected to deliver the best picture quality available to consumers yet, will support a wider color gamut, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and higher bitrates than current 4K Ultra HD streaming services, designed to work with the latest enhancements for 2016 4K Ultra HD TVs. In addition, the content will be less compressed than today’s 4K streams, which should assure less compression noise and fewer gradients in darker scenes.

“With the anticipated proliferation of Ultra HD televisions in the coming years, our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray product offerings will truly complement the stunning capabilities of this new generation of home entertainment hardware,” said Warner Bros. exec Ron Sanders in a statement (via Variety).

While a release date has yet to be set, Warner told Variety that, soon after the release of these first four titles on Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, the studio will issue new releases for the format alongside regular Blu-ray Disc and DVD releases. Warner also plans on releasing catalog titles on the format throughout 2016, including Man of Steel and Pacific Rim, and expects to have over 35 titles available on the format by the end of 2016. Dolby Atmos surround and, presumably, DTS:X will also be included on select titles.

Twentieth Century Fox, the first studio to announce Ultra HD Blu-ray disc releases, will also release new films on the format the same day as standard Blu-ray and Digital HD. In addition, the studio plans to reissue recent hit films including Kingsman: The Secret Service and X-Men: Days of Future Past on the format.

Sony Pictures’ initial slate will include The Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Smurfs 2, and Pineapple Express; Lionsgate plans to remaster “its top 100 movies” in the format, according to Variety. That said, the proliferation of  Ultra HD Blu-rays will likely be a slow and steady one, so those raring to go on a new Ultra HD Blu-ray player for 2016 may want to give the content some time to catch up.

Editors' Recommendations

Chris Leo Palermino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Leo Palermino is a music, tech, business, and culture journalist based between New York and Boston. He also contributes…
These are the best 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays to show off your home theater
Bask in the glory of your home theater with these 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies
ready player one review reaching

When 4K initially burst on the home theater scene, there was little 4K content for early adopters to enjoy. Fast-forward a couple of years and not only are 4K TVs the new normal, but High Dynamic Range (HDR) is everywhere, providing stunning contrast and color shading via a rushing river of new content.

To help you build a respectable 4K Ultra HD library, we're constantly sifting through the Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog to find the best of the bunch. The list continues to grow every month and we're on the case. So pop some corn, slap a disc in the Blu-ray player, and prepare to be blown away by an ultra-sharp picture, brilliant colors, and surround sound so real you'll swear you're inside the movie.
John Wick: Chapter 3

Read more
Samsung will stop releasing new Blu-ray players in the U.S.
Samsung 4K UHD Blu ray Player 6

Samsung will exit the U.S. Blu-ray player market -- and has abandoned plans to introduce a new high-end 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray model that was originally meant for release later this year.

"Samsung will no longer introduce new Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray player models in the U.S. market," a Samsung spokesperson confirmed to Digital Trends. The statement implies that the company might continue to offer the devices in overseas markets like Europe, or even in neighboring markets like Canada and Mexico.

Read more
Arlo ups the ante with Ultra, a flagship 4K wireless security camera
arlo utra security camera 04  beauty shot spotlight

Previous

Next

Read more