10 Movies That Deserve a 4K Remaster (But Still Don’t Have One)

From cult horror classics to epic action blockbusters, these films deserve a proper 4K remaster—but for some reason, they still don’t have one.

Some of cinema's greatest films have been remastered in 4K over the last 10–20 years. Not only does this improve the quality of home video and streaming versions, but it’s also a crucial part of film preservation. Many classic films have been lost due to fires, degraded film reels, the dreaded "vinegar syndrome," or by simply disappearing over time. It’s a scary thought that some movies exist only as fragile film reels, with no high-quality digital backup, but this is still true for so many films.

Thankfully, restoration and preservation groups continue their work, digitizing films in at least high definition. Ideally, the restorations would be in 4K if possible, but 4K restorations aren’t cheap, and HD is sufficient for many films. However, selfishly, I want 4K for my home theater and to potentially see these films in all their glory on the big screen with new theatrical 4K releases as well. To be fair, some of these movies might not have film elements in good condition, so maybe a 4K remaster isn’t truly possible. It is hard to say without that insider knowledge. But without any limitations like that in mind, here’s my list of 10 movies that deserve a 4K remaster for preservation, quality, and, yes, my own selfish reasons as a movie and home theater enthusiast.

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1. King Kong (1933)

I love the original King Kong. It was one of the first movies I remember watching as a kid on VHS, and even today, its stop-motion effects and production design remain groundbreaking. The film has been restored in HD and is available on Blu-ray, but a new 4K remaster with HDR would make the black-and-white cinematography truly pop. I was hopeful that we’d get something for its 90th anniversary in 2023, but maybe we’ll see a 95th-anniversary edition in 2028. Fingers crossed, as this is my number one most wanted 4K disc.

2. The Village (2004)

Roger Deakins deserves to have all of the films he has worked on in 4K, and The Village is no exception. Whatever your thoughts are on the movie itself, there’s no denying that it’s visually stunning, with gorgeous cinematography and colors (those reds and yellows especially) that would benefit immensely from a new HDR grade. The way Deakins captures the eerie forests, warm candle-lit interiors, and striking color contrasts would shine with a new 4K remaster. At this point, I would even take a Blu-ray, since this film has never been released on a format past DVD. It is a real shame!

3. The Thin Red Line (1998)

The Criterion Collection put out a solid Blu-ray release of The Thin Red Line some years back, but I think it deserves more. Terrence Malick’s sweeping war epic is filled with breathtaking landscapes and incredible visuals that feel tailor-made for a 4K release. Malick’s films have always had a special artistic quality, and a proper 4K remaster with HDR would bring out the richness of the natural lighting and the depth of the battle sequences.

4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

I truly believe that this film should be on the same level as Gladiator and Braveheart when it comes to epic movies from this time period. Master and Commander is a beautifully shot film, and the combination of HDR and upgraded resolution would elevate the film even further. The ocean battles, roaring cannons, and sweeping seascapes would look incredible in 4K, and the sound design—already one of the best of its era—deserves a Dolby Atmos mix. If it’s done right, it could stand to be one of the best sounding Atmos discs on the market and a true home theater demo disc.

5. The Perfect Storm (2000)

A dark, intense movie like The Perfect Storm would benefit immensely from HDR, not to mention a quality upgrade from the original 35mm master. The deep blues of the ocean, the night storms, and the dramatic lighting would all be enhanced with a proper remaster. Plus, it would probably be easier to see what was going on! The soundtrack and score are both fantastic, so with an upgraded Dolby Atmos mix included, this could be one of the best overall audio-visual experiences in 4K. 2025 marks the film’s 25th anniversary, it would be the perfect time for a special edition release. Warner Brothers, I know you are reading - let’s do this!

6. The Great Dictator (1940)

As one of the most important films ever made, The Great Dictator deserves the highest possible quality preservation. Like King Kong, a proper HDR color grade would make its black-and-white cinematography shine. This is a film that should never be lost or forgotten, and a 4K remaster would help ensure its legacy is preserved for future generations. The Criterion Collection has a great Blu-ray release already on the market, but this feels like a no brainer to take to the next level and re-release in 4K.

7. The Master (2012)

Anything shot for 70mm needs a 4K release at a minimum, yet there are quite a few films that don’t have one! The Master is an underappreciated masterpiece, featuring some of the best cinematography of the 21st century. Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Philip Seymour Hoffman's powerhouse performances, combined with the film's meticulous visuals, deserve better than a standard Blu-ray. A new 4K remaster and subsequent 4K Blu-ray release would not only do justice to Paul Thomas Anderson’s vision, but could also bring renewed interest to a film that remains criminally underseen.

8. Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur is another 70mm Panavision epic that screams for a 4K release. Many films from this era (Lawrence of Arabia, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Ten Commandments) have received stunning restorations, and Ben-Hur should be next in line. The insane chariot race, the rich Technicolor palette, and the scale of the production all deserve the best possible presentation. A proper 4K remaster would be a game-changer for this legendary film, and would be one that I would love to see shown on the big screen for the best possible viewing experience.

9. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter is easily one of the best slasher movies ever made. It has a great Jason, incredible kills, and is just pure fun from start to finish. It’s a fan-favorite entry in the franchise (including my personal favorite in the series) and it would benefit massively from a proper 4K remaster with HDR, enhancing the dark, moody cinematography and making the kills even more visceral.

But while we’re at it, can we just do the whole Friday the 13th series in 4K? We know it will sell. The previous Blu-ray box set was a huge seller. These movies have a massive fanbase, and a complete 4K box set would be an instant hit. We are getting bits and pieces of the franchise in 4K, but it is time for the whole thing to come out in a beautiful collectors edition. The Halloween and Scream franchises already have 4K releases, and A Nightmare on Elm Street was recently announced as well, so it’s time for Jason to get the same treatment.

10. The Rock (1996)

Michael Bay movies are made for 4K. The Rock is one of the best action films of the ‘90s, featuring incredible set pieces, a phenomenal cast (Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris are all at their peak), and Bay’s signature visual style. The over-the-top action, explosions, and large scale production would look absolutely stunning with a proper 4K remaster. If I can’t get the old Bond films in 4K yet, then this would be a nice consolation prize.

Beyond the visuals, the sound design in The Rock is also amazing. A Dolby Atmos mix would elevate the experience, making the legendary Hans Zimmer’s score hit even harder and fully immersing viewers in the chaos of Alcatraz. This is exactly the kind of movie that deserves a high-end physical media release, and another one I would buy a ticket to see remastered on the big screen.

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The Future of 4K Remasters

As much as it is fun to talk about what we want to see on 4K, the reality is that most films will never get a 4K release. As we moved from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray to 4K, countless movies got left behind. Tens of thousands of films exist only on DVD, never making it to Blu-ray, let alone 4K. It is also an expensive process, so the dollars really have to make sense for a studio to undergo a 4K restoration.

But I know people in the industry watch and read my content, so maybe we can make some noise about these titles. If studios see demand for 4K remasters, they might reconsider. Theaters and studios can generate extra revenue by screening classic films in 4K, and a well-done collector’s edition can be a solid seller, either through their own label or by working with a partner like Criterion, Arrow Video, Vinegar Syndrome, Kino Lorber, Shout Studios, or any of the other fantastic indie labels out there.

So let’s make sure the right people hear us. Drop a comment with the movies you want to see remastered in 4K. The more we talk about it as a community, the better chance we have of making it happen.