If you’re looking to add some 4K horror movies to your 4K UHD Blu-ray collection, there are lots of great options to choose from this Halloween.
From classics to more campy cult favourites, a lot of horror movies have been released on 4K UHD that are worth considering.
Here are five 4K UHD Blu-ray horror movies you should add to your collection for Halloween 2023.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
There’s no denying the impact on horror that Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby has had. The European feel and style of the film was unique to American audiences when it arrived in 1968, and the haunting storyline has been copied and adapted many times since.
Along with a great cast that includes Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon and John Cassavetes, the brilliant score by Krzysztof Komeda really sets the tone and makes this a classic horror movie all on its own.
The 55th anniversary 4K UHD Blu-ray transfer for Rosemary’s Baby looks and sounds stunning and whether you’re a hardcore fan or have never seen the movie, this is the best way to experience it at home.
Special features include a retrospective on the film, the original theatrical trailer and the 50th anniversary trailer. A regular Blu-ray copy of the movie and a digital code to download it are also included.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist has been scaring the hell out of people since 1973. For its 50th anniversary Warner Bros. has released an amazing 4K remastered version of not just the original film, but the extended director’s cut as well.
Starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max von Sydow, The Exorcist took the possession genre Rosemary’s Baby kicked into the mainstream to a whole new level and really pushed the limits of what was allowed on screen at the time. The end result is a memorable, off-putting chiller that you can’t take your eyes away from.
Just like the Rosemary’s Baby release, the 4K UHD Blu-ray is the best way to experience The Exorcist at home. The 4K transfer is sharp, but still has a good amount of the original grainy feel to it. And the sound, especially the score, is outstanding.
Special features on the 4K UHD Blu-ray for The Exorcist includes commentary by director William Friedkin, commentary by writer and producer William Peter Blatty and an introduction by William Friedkin. A digital copy of the film is also included.
The Funhouse (1981)
Director Tobe Hooper hit the scene in 1974 with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and between that and Poltergeist in 1982 he made a few horror movies most people have forgotten about, including The Funhouse in 1981.
The Funhouse is an odd film as it pays homage to both Halloween and Psycho in its opening, but then takes a real weird turn. It’s not a classic by any means, but there is something appealing to it that makes it very watchable.
For a film that many would have viewed on VHS only, the 4K transfer is very well done, especially since a lot of the movie takes place in a very dark carnival ride.
Special features on the 4K UHD Blu-ray collector’s edition includes audio commentary with director Tobe Hooper, additional scenes, theatrical trailer and TV spots, a regular Blu-ray version of the film, and more.
Halloween III: The Season of the Witch (1982)
Fans of the first two Halloween movies were very disappointed when Halloween III: The Season of the Witch came out and there was no Michael Myers in it. That was the original plan for the Halloween series though, but as we all know Michael Myers reigned supreme and returned in all the future sequels and remakes.
Halloween III: The Season of the Witch is a wild horror flick on its own though. The storyline of masks killing kids as some sort of ritual offering to ancient gods is pretty out there. Add in some over-acting from stars Tom Atkins and Stacey Nelkin along with a few questionable plot points and it makes for a fun standalone horror movie.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of Halloween III is the best you’re ever going to see this movie. Even in spots where they didn’t have much to work from off the original (near the end for instance) it still looks and sounds better than previous versions.
Special features on the Halloween III: The Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray includes audio commentary with director Tommy Lee Wallace, audio commentary with actor Tom Atkins, a making-of featurette, theatrical trailer and TV spots, a regular Blu-ray copy of the movie and more.
Creepshow (1982)
The original Creepshow partners up director George A. Romero and writer Stephen King for an anthology film featuring five different stories, each one memorable in its own right.
Creepshow is a fun watch where each story feels like it has a punchline at the end. That doesn’t mean it won’t freak you out, because some of the stories (“Something To Tide You Over”, “The Crate” and “They’re Creeping Up On You”) are truly haunting (“The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill” and “Father’s Day” are more silly).
Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielsen, E.G. Marshall, Ted Danson, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris and even King himself all star in Creepshow, which makes it even more enjoyable to watch.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray for Creepshow has an excellent new scan from the original negative and it really pops. Special features include audio commentary with director George A. Romero, interviews with the cast and crew, making-of featurettes, deleted scenes, a regular Blu-ray copy of the film and more.
There are lots more great horror movies out there on 4K UHD Blu-ray. Some other worthwhile releases include Pumpkinhead, The Last House on the Left, Poltergeist and Friday the 13th. The Others is also getting a 4K UHD Criterion Collection release this month, and Shout Factory has Tales From the Darkside: The Movie coming in November.
What are some of your favourite 4K UHD horror titles? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
Photo credit: A scene from Halloween III: The Season of the Witch. Courtesy Universal Pictures/Shout Factory.
