Here are my 4 most anticipated new 4K Blu-ray releases from January 2026
We love 4K Blu-ray here at TechRadar and regularly use it as one of our primary sources for testing the latest AV gear.
In November 2024, we launched Blu-ray Bounty, a monthly column where we review the latest 4K Blu-ray releases. But we don’t write about the films themselves. Instead, we use the best TVs and soundbars to evaluate the picture and sound quality of each disc.
We have decided to increase our 4K Blu-ray coverage in the future, and to that end I will regularly preview announced discs that I hope to feature in future editions of the Blu-ray Bounty. Here is my wish list for January 2026:
Captain Blood (1935) – The Criterion Collection
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Based on the 1922 novel of the same name, Captain Bloodstarring Errol Flynn, is a classic and gripping pirate adventure that tells the story of pirate Peter Blood. This is the film that made Flynn a star in Hollywood.
I found in my testing for the Bounty Blu-ray that some of the most impressive discs are 4K restorations of older films. Double compensationone of my favorite discs, really shows what 4K can do for classic titles. Add Seven samurai, Godzilla (1954) And Sunset Boulevard to this list, and the lineup of great older film releases continues to grow.
Captain Blood would be the oldest film I have reviewed to date. Released in 1935, it is ten years older than the oldest current one (Death of the night), so I’m very curious to see if The Criterion Collection has worked its magic once again. As it is shot in black and white, I am hoping for a restoration that demonstrates strong contrast, revitalized textures, and an overall cleaner look, but with some film grain retained.
Dead Man (1995) – The Criterion Collection
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Described as a “psychedelic western” by director Jim Jarmusch, Dead man follows William Blake (Johnny Depp), an accountant on the run who meets a Native American named Nobody (Gary Farmer) who becomes convinced that Blake is the reincarnation of the famous poet of the same name.
Two highlights of Dead man are its black and white photo and its score composed by Neil Young. I hope this will be another great disc to demonstrate the contrast, and it will be interesting to do a comparison of a modern title shot in black and white with an older title, like Captain Blood.
Young’s score for Dead man is one of the most unique I’ve heard, as it’s played almost entirely on a single electric guitar. Played by Young, it features big catchy riffs, clever Western-sounding solos and some magical guitar effects. I’m excited to hear this remastered soundtrack delivered through our flagship soundbar system, the Samsung HW-Q990C.
Tron: Ares – Disney / Buena Vista
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The third film of Tron franchise, Tron: Aresstarring Jared Leto, follows the story of Ares, a digital entity brought into the physical world by Dillinger Industries, a rival of ENCOM.
I tested both Tron And Tron: Legacy in the September 2025 Bounty Blu-ray and both discs were excellent. Even though its CGI seemed dated, Tron was arguably the most impressive, with brilliant color details and an impressive soundtrack. It was the same for Tron: Legacywhere the real highlight was the superb Daft Punk soundtrack.
While Tron: Ares received mixed reviews upon release, its visuals and sound were praised, and that’s what drives us here at TechRadar. I can’t wait to see if Tron: Ares can follow its predecessors as an excellent showcase drive for home theater systems.
Yi Yi – The criteria collection
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From director Edward Yang, Yi Yi is a Taiwanese film that tells the story of an engineer named NJ, his struggles and those of three generations of his family. This won Yang the Best Director Award at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival.
While it’s not a film I’ve personally watched, a quick Google image search yields some striking visuals, particularly a shot of a bright red room. This could be a perfect disc for testing a TV’s color reproduction, and I can’t wait to see if The Criterion Collection’s 4K disc captures the film’s vibrant colors.
Below are the major 4K Blu-ray release dates for January 2026, those above in bold. All dates are based on US release dates, with UK releases in parentheses if different.
4K Blu-ray Release Dates – January 2026
January 6
- Tron: Ares (January 12 in the UK)
- Dead Man (January 12 in the UK)
- Besieged
- Bullet in the head
- The cracked mirror
January 12
- Yi Yi (January 19 UK)
- Snakes on a plane
- Cruise
- Dante’s Peak
- Bringing out the dead
- Rise of the Evil Dead
January 20
- Captain Blood (January 26 in the UK)
- The Girl Who Spent Time (1983 live action)
- One battle after another (January 26 in the United Kingdom)
- The Dead (1987) (January 26 in the UK)
- Death on the Nile (1978)
- Evil Under the Sun (1982)
- Diva (1981)
- Guardian (2025)
- Modified (2025)
January 26/27
- The smashing machine
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Birth (2004)
- Once a thief
- The Mechanic (1982)
- Wild Beasts (1984)
- Dam breakers
- Party at home
- Troll 2
- American graffiti (UK)
- 45th anniversary of The Blues Brothers (UK)
- Field of Dreams (UK)
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