BEST 4K TRANSFERS OF ALL TIME | Reference Quality 4K Discs Everyone Must Own! | 4K Kings

[@4K_Kings]

What else should be included on this list? What are your favorite 4K's? Let us know below! 00:00 Intro 01:34 What does "Best" mean? 02:36 Best 4K's the Format Has To Offer 08:21 Our Personal Favorites

[@sean7899]

Dune Part 2 is now my #1 reference 4K

[@redrock425]

The "best" ones are always the modern ones, high quality source, great sound and HDR. The best improvement is seen on the restored old films, especially the darker ones. My wife and I were shocked at The Thing, where did all the gore come from 😂 So much clearer than when we last saw it, probably on VHS! The old 70mm stuff looks fantastic on 4K. The one thing 4K does, more than any other format, is it shows up poor source material very clearly. That's when "reference" disks are useful, to check if a new disc is a poor transfer and not your AV equipment having a fit 😉

[@bryanp4827]

Hey boys, what about The Matrix Resurrections? I've not much comes close

[@4K_Kings]

I haven't seen The matrix Resurrections in 4K, how is it? The original Matrix looks outstanding

[@nwilkerson2365]

Gemini Man, Titanic, Ten Commandments, Gran Turismo, The Revenant, Saving Private Ryan, Encanto, Moana, and Elemental. I’m all about the movies that make your family and friends stop and stare at your tv and wonder why their tv doesn’t look that way.

[@frankiepoindexter445]

Me and my Dad recently watched The Thing in 4k and man were we blown away! Dad explained that he watched it with his buddies in the Air Force way back when it came out, then owned it for VHS, then DVD, and now 4k. It was pretty incredible to witness him being so excited about seeing the movie in that high of a quality after all these years, and how far our home media technologies have come.

[@JohnDoe-bz4yl]

Blade runner was the first movie i ever watched on 4K and I was blown away

[@RED_APPLE_-ot1ok]

@@JohnDoe-bz4yl 2049 or the OG?

[@peterlai6503]

I like both😅

[@dljameyson]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but I would add John Carpenter's THE THING to the list of "must-owns." The 4K looks so crisp and clean!

[@tonyorob]

I'm actually disappointed with the 4K transfer of The Thing, it still looks 'fuzzy' to me and I have a top of the line Panasonic 4K player.

[@DinoSpumoni213]

Agreed. The Thing is stunning in 4k for me.

[@battfinkz]

Not to mention the amazing hdr implementation, the explosions at the end contrasted against a pitch black night are phenomenal

[@majorgear1021]

No issues at all? Nothing is perfect, so there must be something that you don’t like.

[@Tooliar]

I was amazed at how good 'The Ten Commandments' looked. IMO the best "classic" 4k (as far as picture goes)

[@branscombe_]

💯 my fav movie of all time

[@robertfaulkner1824]

I own and still haven’t watched. Can it be much better than Lawrence of Arabia?

[@Tooliar]

@@robertfaulkner1824 it's probably not much better but I think it edges LoA. Both are amazing of course.

[@raisedonfiction]

Gorgeous transfer on The Ten Commandments.

[@branscombe_]

@@robertfaulkner1824 once I buy LoA, I'll let you know : )

[@josephagundez5336]

Denis Villeneuve is up there with Christopher Nolan in terms of picture quality and sound design on his physical 4k releases. Dune pt 1 & 2, Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Arrival, Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, Interstellar, and Inception all look incredible and will take your home theater system to its limits.

[@stevenmackay8053]

"Jaws" is phenomenal on 4K. So is childhood favorite "Superman: The Movie." I was 5 when that came out. Loved it. Call me nostalgic.

[@EM-ve9bh]

I’d add “the Ten Commandments”, “vertigo”, “Spartacus”, “my fair lady”, “the matrix” “Django” I’d say Sony has some of the best transfers I’ve ever seen with titles like “Remains of the day”, “in the line of fire” “I know what you did last summer” “taxi driver”

[@southwestkinema9149]

My Fair Lady. Probably the best transfer of a film of that era. It really is that good. Everything pops off of the screen.

[@peterm.4355]

The encode on The Matrix is terrible.

[@LittleBruno933]

Two 4K’s that blew me away were the Synapse release of Suspiria (1978) and Almost Famous. Those are my favourite transfers so far.

[@breadordecide]

Bladerunner 2049 was my first 4k in 2018 when it first released.

[@pete49327]

DITTO on The Revenant!!! Also my very first 4k and after three years of collecting 4k movies remains my favorite 4k disc, and also one of my all time favorite films.

[@4K_Kings]

Nothing in my collection matches it.

[@karstenquast7503]

Oh man guys i am saving this episode for after work. So lookin fwd to it…and i dont even have a 4K TV 🙈. I am a 41 year old movie lover here in germany with almost 2000 Blu Rays, mostly Steelbooks and Mediabooks but i am thinkin about selling many. But still i have to say yours is my favorite channel atm, i guess its just so relaxing to you 2 funny dudes not taking things too seriously. And since i have kids its great that your vids are not too long. So please never stop whatcha doing. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🙏😎 You guys rock

[@4K_Kings]

Thank you so much for the kind words! We really appreciate it!

[@karstenquast7503]

Well deserved 😎

[@scotttravis8654]

I love this channel! Out of all the channels out there. This aligns itself with my taste in films and is always interesting. Thank you!

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks a lot!

[@444chroma]

I didn't get started until 2019 and Apocalypse Now was my first 4k. Needless to say it made an impression.... 250 discs later here's a few more which I consider standouts. Black Hawk Down Suspria(1977) Barbarella Heavy Metal (best animation I've seen on 4k) Spartacus Django A Few Good Men Jaws The Fugitive

[@4K_Kings]

Great list!

[@Mockmock3]

Two movies I’d add are: the Studio Canal release of the Fifth Element and Criterion’s Princess Bride. Both are great in 4k.

[@johnjrambo1332]

Great list and video!. Another awesome transfers are Jaws, In the Line of Fire, Braveheart and 1917

[@DarkSideOfTheMoon90]

How's it going? Curious what TV's you both use? I currently have a XH95 from 2020, upgrading to the Bravia 7 this year.

[@jcr321]

Great video guys! Love it when you add in some side by side comparison shots.

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks!

[@adamegan8352]

Alien was the first 4k I ever purchased, got me totally hooked. Quick psa that a few of the titles mentioned here are in Amazon’s 3 for $33 4k sale going on right now!

[@fredm4197]

Alien was an amazing transfer! 👍

[@tedmetalhead6177]

Alien was my first also. It really needs to be watched in HDR10+ as intended. My bar was set pretty high for my first 4k.

[@agpablo2885]

You forgot to mention Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo'--absolutely stunning in 4K!

[@DariusSinclair]

I picked up the 4 film collection with that and Rear Window. It's so good.

[@box510motorcycles3]

2001 was one of the 1st 4ks i ever got. Early in the film, when Dave is playing chess with HAL, when they do the close ups of Dave, you can count the hairs of his eyelashes. It's truly amazing. And then Ford Vs Ferrari on 4K may have a better sound track than even Top Gun Maverick. Definitely something to check out if you haven't already.

[@yamasas]

Hi fellas, I was impressed with the new "Once Upon a Time in the West" How about exercising your double influence to get "the Wild Bunch" and "Once Upon A Time in America", two Masterpieces that deserve some premiere box 4K love.

[@russceasetheruss5360]

Day one pick-up on The Wild Bunch...

[@qasimmir7117]

Spartacus. Shot on Supertechnirama 70 and scanned in to 4k. Excellent source.

[@jkong00]

My vote for hands down best 4K transfer I’ve watched has to be Vertigo.

[@aaronrawnsley6726]

For me, as a personal all time favourite movie of mine, JAWS. It got an amazing remaster/restoration and it's a brilliant upgrade to the and my 4K collection

[@poppakellz7183]

Blue Planet II just blew me away with picture quality. The transfer is amazing.

[@satnav1980]

Aren't some of the effects on LOTR enhanced in the latest versions?

[@4K_Kings]

I'm honestly not sure about the granular details of the transfer, but I think it looks wonderful.

[@satnav1980]

@@4K_Kings Yea I'm still going to buy them. I only recently heard that some of the special effects were touched up. I was curious to know which and what was done. I have the extended versions on Blu-ray and love them so much that I'm going to buy the latest releases. In fact I'm going to buy the normal (theatrical) versions and the extended ones as well.

[@tedmetalhead6177]

Top Gun: Maverick is my reference disc. The Atmos is incredible and in gratuitous amounts. Received Dune 2 yesterday and just WOW!

[@earledward5763]

Lawrence of Arabia is the first blu-ray I purchased before 4k was a thing. The 4k is considered to be one of best transfers ever.

[@michaelkristensen6622]

Jaws, Vertigo, and A Clockwork Orange also looks Amazing. 😊

[@ItisJG]

Some sleepers that don't get enough credit: Parasite Mission Impossible Fallout Midsommar Deadpool Shadow These are reference discs that don't get enough recognition

[@4K_Kings]

I own Shadow and Fallout personally, and agree. Shadow is especially fantastic

[@themtgdude486]

Glad you mentioned Jaws. That plus Shining and 2001 are my favorites. Lawrence of Arabia too.

[@rcordiner]

Dr sleep is mind blowing too

[@norwegianblue2017]

I'll throw in the recent remake of All Quiet on the Western Front. Absolutely stunning!

[@ThePreciseClimber]

The new colour palette Kingdom of the Crystal Skull got on 4k Blu-ray is quite an upgrade compared to the Spielberg Vaseline original.

[@Nick-4K]

Jaws and Shawshank 100% must own 4ks

[@kane01337]

Great list - interesting about the 2001 Space Odyssey with Nolan's 're-grade' - leaning warmer etc - would love to see a look into the re-grading 4K UHD scan's especially of the Kubrick stuff - as The Shining seems far more accurate than 2001: Space Odyssey - still has a few shots that seem to be divisive etc!

[@CoinOpTV]

lotsa classics made this list! Glad to see no mention of Gemini Man

[@javix2013]

I rescue 2 old movies with excellent remastering: Midnight Cowboy, the award-winning film with Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman from 1969, very good image, good contrast, natural colors and with a fine grain that makes the film feel alive and natural as it was seen in that year and maybe even better, another Criterion's success. And DUEL, Steven Spielberg's first film, another excellent quality remaster that looks like a modern film because of the impeccable image it has, it's hard to believe it's from 1971.

[@mig1017]

Pacific Rim & Black Hawk Down fr me. Amazing transfers

[@TheWaynos73]

Black Hawk Down and Mad Max Fury Road looked incredible in 4K. Two of my favourites.

[@clintongodsall9943]

The very best 4k movies I own in my collection are John Wick (Part 1) Training Day Blade Runner 2049 The Martian Batman Forever The Amazing Spiderman Cruella & The Shawshank Redemption Each of the above films I felt were impeccable and flawless transfers, certainly among the very best titles 4k has to offer.

[@s3any1977]

Dredd is a top notch 4K transfer. It was my first 4K. Alien is really good and I'm one of the people who likes the Aliens 4K

[@johnlira3316]

What tv and 4k player are u using and how far away do u sit from the screen

[@theblakex]

I just recently started upgrading my blu rays to 4k. I thought A Clockwork Orange looked amazing in 4k. Willy Wonka looked really good too.

[@gudmundurThor96Nr2]

The Crow (Brandon Lee) 4K Transfer looks amazing!

[@josephmayfield945]

Apocalypse now is my second fav film, and I just blind bought the 4k last night. It has not arrived yet, and I've been so worried it was going to be a hatchet job. So glad and excited it's on your list -- cant wait!

[@4K_Kings]

It looks stellar

[@kristopheralonge2813]

The 4K LOTR set doesn't deserve the recognition since it was DNRed to death. Wax faces everywhere and people looking like they are floating over the backgrounds due to detail being scrubbed out by the DNR. Such a shame too since the HDR was implemented well. I'd rather have the blu-ray w/o no HDR, but also no DNR tho.

[@Chadceeka]

I agree it's trash. Did they do that to make it look closer to the Hobbit?

[@kristopheralonge2813]

@@Chadceeka Yeah, Peter Jackson, much like James Cameron, has become obsessed with trying to make their old work shot on film look like their digitally shot work, by any means necessary.

[@Mowglibaloo2]

Just because

[@nicolascourtecuisse8201]

Yes, and LOTR have not a 4k DI ! The version of this vidéo have a 2k DI so it's a upscaled 4k, but, a new release arrive, with a 4k DI ! 🙌🏽

[@kristopheralonge2813]

@@nicolascourtecuisse8201 Wait, are you saying they released a fixed version w/ proper 4K scan and DI (and hopefully no DNR)?

[@Joe_Brig]

Do a list of the best 16x9, no black bars, 4Ks.

[@absolutium]

That would be amazing.. I really dislike watching blackbars with an Oled display.. Miss the days of a full screen version of any movie.

[@oliviersavard1390]

Excellent list! I own and agree with most of them. Got the same Shining steelbook which I had to pay a premium to import it here in Canada and I'm glad I did. Phenomenal disc for my favorite movie. I would also add: Jaws, Vertigo, 1917, Malcolm X, JFK, M:I-Fallout, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman Returns, Paths of Glory, The Raid, Ran, and yes of course, Lawrence of Arabia (get it guys, it's sooo good!)

[@4K_Kings]

Great list!

[@jkong00]

Upvote for the Paths of Glory mention

[@crxdave]

Just here to say you two doing an awesome job. Can really see you on top of the “physical media niche”

[@4K_Kings]

Thank you so much!

[@Adeniyidairo]

35k views take a bow. Great video 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks, Adeniyi!

[@goat-of-neptune]

all quiet on the western front from 2022 is so much better on disc than the netflix stream. mi dead recogning looks and sounds superb. Dont look now got a splendid restauration as well as lawrence of arabia. and dont forget rope and vertigo from hitchcock.

[@Ringmaster138]

No love for Suspiria (1977) or Dawn of the Dead (1978)?!! They are the best 70s horror 4k discs out there!

[@kirksmith6791]

Love your Blowfly shirt. I saw him every chance I could in Houston. Got to be at a birthday party show for him one year. Another year got to hang out with him backstage after the show in which he gave a few of us another whole show.

[@patricklena9062]

Oppenheimer is my favorite in my collection, amazing transfer

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

That movie was soooooo boooooring :)

[@patricklena9062]

@@interdimensionalsteve8172 for those that might have a short attention span Maybe due to the amount of stuff that is going on in it there's a reason it took best picture just saying

[@mr_movieguru]

The revenant was also one of my first 4k's in 2018.

[@reinkorthalsaltes9310]

You should check out Suspira by Synapse. Other bests are Wizard of Oz, Sining in the Rain and Drive (Second Sight)

[@torrolfjohansen]

1917 (2019) - 4K, Goodfellas (1990) - 4K, Saving Private Ryan (1998) - 4K, All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) {4K}, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - 4K, Halloween (1978) {4K}, The Big Lebowski (1998) - 4K, Sicario (2015) - 4K.... a few from my collection.

[@keithwashburn5062]

Jaws 4K looks absolutely incredible, also the Shout 4K of Halloween, and the Arrow 4K of RoboCop look amazing as well

[@ANDRE1mang]

Love your picks and just other 4K blu ray enthusiasts out there :) my personal 4k favorites include 300, Tenet, Interstellar, Top Gun: Maverick, Oppenheimer, and The Batman (2022). Btw Christopher Nolan's 4K releases are my personal favorites hands down :)

[@4K_Kings]

Great picks. I (Matt) haven't seen the Batman but Russ has.

[@RenePeraza]

I'm with Russ on Criterion! I contacted Jon Mulvaney at Criterion back in Feb 2020 (he goes back to the Laserdisc days at Criterion), asking him about all these cool Blurays in 4K scans I'd been buying (Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, etc.). He told me, I quote: "as much as I hate to say it - there are no immediate plans for 4K releases." They then began releasing UHD discs in November 2021! It felt like a big bait-and-switch!

[@disastervillain]

Great list I own most of these - I would add Drive (second sight), John Wicks, Dune p 1 and 2 obviously, Joker, Matrix 1, Mad Max Fury Road, The Green Knight

[@Frikkieman]

Three 4Ks that hit me like a hammer with the step-up in quality, in no particular order are: 1. The Fifth Element 2. Bladerunner 3. Scarface

[@FrenzyV3]

Loved this video , will be definitely adding some to my collection I don’t have yet !

[@4K_Kings]

Awesome! You can't go wrong with any of these

[@gnarwhal7562]

Cool Hand Luke has to be the best that I've seen. Enter the Dragon is another great one as well, but more so because that movie is in my top 10 haha

[@leslieyeo9720]

Arrow's Bruce Lee 4K transfers were amazing. I wish Warner Bros allowed them to do Enter the Dragon

[@JohnDoe-bz4yl]

I have top gun maverick on 4k but haven't got around to watching it yet as i have a big backlog of movies

[@4K_Kings]

You won't be disappointed

[@airem5861]

Great list, I will like to recomend the studio Kino Lorber for making amazing 4K tranfers!

[@Hossmcpizza]

You left a couple off the list. Dune, Tenet, aquaman, casino, vertigo, mortal engines, 1917, Batman 89, jaws, misery, pacific rim, coraline, Wonder Woman 84, joker. To name a few 😅

[@4K_Kings]

Great list! Maybe we'll come back with a part two at some point

[@RetroCRTified]

The Crow is at the top of my list, what a transfer. Others include Kurosawa's Ran, and Mad Max Fury Road and any of the Godzilla films!

[@WeberEnthusiast]

Great upload , a lot of movies I need to upgrade and see in 4k. Thanks for the reviews

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks! So many great titles out there to check out. A great time to be a Physical Media collector!

[@lepixelbleu]

Great picks !

[@jamied1579]

Was going to get Bloodsport, but it was insanely expensive for some reason, even more so when you have to import it You should have a look at Mortal Engines - that flick is the very definition of Reference Quality Also great is: Alita: Battle Angel Misery Hugo The Frighteners Barb Wire 1917 Aquaman 1+2 Avatar - The Way of Water Flash Gordon Chaos Walking District 9... To name but a few

[@TheLastSamurai813]

What equipment did you do the viewing on for your list

[@Mr.77776]

The Shining, Titanic, Aliens, The Green Mile, The Crow, Saving Private Ryan, Willy Wonka,Wizard Of Oz, and 13 Hours. All great reference 4K Discs.

[@carlrutherford1618]

Apocalypse Now looks amazing. I’m on the side that loves the Aliens 4K transfer

[@Gothic55]

Great list - I am glad to say I have them all - you need to add Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai. 🎉🎉🎉

[@michaelcollier9893]

My picks: 1. Dunkirk (simply stunning) 2. The Ten Commandments 3. Suspiria (amazing colors) 4. Jaws 5. Lawerance Of Arabia Side note: LoA was the most I ever paid for a 4k $130.00 on ebay when it was out of print. I'm such a sucker😂

[@jkong00]

Thank you for your service. I picked it up last week for $26 :)

[@MichaelSTaylor]

Sorry, not a fan of Jaws 5 (Cruel Jaws). The rest of your list is pretty good though.

[@NoCreamedCorn]

Have you seen what Sony did with Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me, and Misery? They are gorgeous and imo belong on this list.

[@FrederickLopez]

Great list! I love The Godfather Trilogy and Top Gun: Maverick on 4K. Other film transfers that are impressive are Real Genius, Lawrence of Arabia, Scream 2, Conan The Barbarian, Young Guns, The Crow, The Matrix, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and The Karate Kid.

[@TheAlexZorba]

Russ your plan for the Criterion 4k makes perfect sense to me. That packaging is garbage not made for people who actually watch the movies. I sent mine straight back to Amazon and picked up the far superior WB UK box set. Matt I also picked up the giant Godfather Album packaging and then had to double dip for the individual steels. Like you guys I actually watch my movies and like easy access.

[@creatora123]

I've got THE GODFATHER book as well it doesn't fit anywhere but i still love it :)... My first 4K was Saving Private Ryan and i was hooked for good, great movie and even greater transfer, and the ATMOS... oh my.

[@richardansley]

Great reviews guys! Awesome movies. James Caan’s shoulders never looked so broad - indeed! 👍😁

[@alexinanalogue2645]

I've got several of these releases in 4K. I'll give you props on that German version of Never Ending Story, absolutely insane level of detail when seeing it in person.

[@bdso9593]

My top 3 4K so far: The Fifth Element. Robocop. Halloween 3

[@johnquinn8796]

Great list. How's the audio on these?

[@ARMediaOfficial]

Awesome Video and great suggestions. Glad to be back in the 4K game

[@4K_Kings]

Welcome back!

[@thomasschlieben5945]

Picnic at Hanging Rock looks and sounds terrific.

[@4K_Kings]

I'm super curious about that film. Would you strongly recommend it?

[@thomasschlieben5945]

@4K_Kings absolutely swear by it and also Don't look now is another great example. Obviously it's a personal opinion.

[@branscombe_]

13:45, wow... damn my late brother was in the hospital a lot as a child, and the only two movies they had on the movie cart was never ending story and the say no to drugs all-star cartoon. we watched this everytime he was in.

[@dankairgadam8841]

Best 4K Dics: 2001: A Space Odyssey Top Gun: Maverick Alien Blade Runner Blade Runner 2049 Interstellar Dune (both parts) The Dark Knight Rises Django The Ten Commandments Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Apocalypse Now The Shining

[@MusclesMustache]

The best 4k movie I have seen so far is "Inglorious bastards"

[@wesrm1]

My one problem with the Raiders of the Lost Ark disc is it is labeled "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark." That's not the title of the movie! So they clearly took the same disc that came with the boxset but at least we get a better case with the actual title with the steelbook.

[@russceasetheruss5360]

Damn you... I never noticed that and now I'll never un-notice it 😂

[@adamobrien1945]

LOTS of great live-action transfers, but as far as animated/CG movies transfers, don't sleep on Criterion's transfer of Wall-E. It's freaking stellar.

[@branscombe_]

Raging Bull 4k (Critertion) is at my local record shop for 70$ CAD.. if it''s THAT good Matt, I'll pick it up today

[@4K_Kings]

You won't regret it

[@branscombe_]

@@4K_Kings Russ sold me on the Shining and the Exorcist 4k's and I did not regret

[@kennethgross8079]

Great list! My two 4K demo movies are Dunkirk and The Dark Knight.

[@mss490]

While the quality of the movies themselves is debatable, Detective Pikachu and Colour Out Of Space really make the most of a 4K set. Throwing in some classic movies, The Wolfman and the ‘50s War Of The Worlds look just amazing as well.

[@Adeniyidairo]

Lol I'm cracking up Matt holding those Indian Jones steelbooks like a gangster. 😂😂😂

[@4K_Kings]

It was fun pretending they were mine for a few moments.

[@gabrielepati6572]

I would have added scream 1996 too, the difference between the blu-ray and the 4k is MASSIVE

[@raisedonfiction]

Starship Troopers is a solid transfer. Micheal Ironside's closeup shots are unreal.

[@4K_Kings]

"Really..?"

[@raisedonfiction]

@@4K_Kings must be the lenses and film stock they used but the film looks amazing and the practical shots of the ships look incredible. The CG stuff is obviously a little wonkier but it's a must watch 4K. The Crow 4k is my most recent favorite transfer. That disc looks perfect.

[@4K_Kings]

Wow, that's great to hear about the Crow. People would have been pissed if that got screwed up.

[@southwestkinema9149]

I heard Starship Troopers was a meh transfer. I gonna pick it up then

[@sethm.woodiwiss786]

THE FUGITIVE 4K UHD #1, 8K SCAN!!!!!

[@purefoldnz3070]

I do suggest checking out the Tomorrow Never Dies 4K which is stunning.

[@TheAlexZorba]

Another excellent video. You boys do a fantastic job.

[@4K_Kings]

Thanks a lot, Alex!