4K UHD and Blu-ray Releases for January-May 2026

Physical media remains a viable option for collectors and movie enthusiasts in 2026, with a robust lineup of 4K UHD and Blu-ray releases scheduled from January through May. The schedule kicks off on January 6 with the complete series of Shameless and Under Siege in 4K.

Mid-January releases on January 13 include 1408, Bringing Out the Dead, and Evil Dead Rise. The January 20 drop is significant, featuring Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Snakes on a Plane, and the Wicked 2-Film Collection. The month wraps up on January 27 with Arcane League Of Legends: Season One in 4K and World War Z in 4K Steelbook.

February brings anniversary editions of Cruel Intentions and Lawrence of Arabia, alongside All the President's Men and Five Nights at Freddy's 2. March features The Running Man and Killers of the Flower Moon, while May concludes the schedule with The Gilmore Girls: Complete Series. The primary difference between formats is resolution: Blu-ray offers 1080p, while 4K offers 2160p.

The first month of 2026 offers a diverse selection of 4K UHD and Blu-ray titles. The schedule begins on January 6 with two major releases: Shameless: The Complete Series and Under Siege in 4K format.

Mid-month, on January 13, several horror and thriller titles arrive:

• 1408 (4K)
• Bringing Out the Dead (4K)
• Evil Dead Rise (4K)
• Thunderheart (4K)

The January 20 release date is packed with notable titles. Criterion releases include Captain Blood and The Dead in 4K. Action films arriving include End of Watch, Knock Off, and Lionheart. Other highlights are One Battle After Another, Roofman, and a Limited Edition of Snakes on a Plane. Music and animation fans can look for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere and The Woody Woodpecker & Friends Golden Age Collection. The Wicked franchise is represented with Wicked: For Good and the Wicked 2-Film Collection.

January concludes on January 27 with high-profile releases such as Arcane League Of Legends: Season One in 4K and Castlevania Nocturne: Season 2. Criterion continues its output with Birth in 4K. Other releases include Cheap Thrills (Limited Edition), The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (4K), Ordinary People (Blu-ray), and World War Z in a 4K Steelbook.

February 2026 begins on February 3 with classic horror: Friday the 13th and Friday the 13th Part 2 in 4K. A Wicked: For Good Gift Set is also scheduled for this date.

On February 10, film enthusiasts can acquire Cruel Intentions (25th Anniversary), Lawrence of Arabia (4K), Seven (4K), and Westworld (1973) (4K).

The February 17 date features a wide variety of titles:

• All the President's Men (4K Steelbook and Standard)
• A Beautiful Mind (4K)
• Ben-Hur (4K)
• Child's Play 2 (4K Steelbook)
• Five Nights at Freddy's 2
• Mean Girls (4K)
• Nightcrawler (4K)
• Scream (4K Steelbook)
• Small Soldiers (4K)

February wraps up on February 24 with Criterion releases of The Man Who Wasn't There and Network in 4K. Other titles include Mimic (4K) and True Romance (4K).

March releases start on March 3 with The Running Man (2025) and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Season 3. On March 10, The Devil's Advocate (Collector's Edition) and Rango arrive in 4K. Mid-March, on March 17, includes The Birthday, The Boy and the Beast, and Solo Leveling: Season 2. The final March date, March 24, brings Hail, Caesar! and Killers of the Flower Moon (Criterion 4K).

Following the busy first quarter, May 2026 offers significant television collections. On May 5, The Gilmore Girls: Complete Series and IT: Welcome to Derry - Complete First Season will be available for purchase.

Additionally, several titles are listed as TBA (To Be Announced) for 2026. These upcoming releases include:

• Anaconda (Steelbook)
• The Housemaid

These dates provide a comprehensive look at the physical media landscape for the first half of 2026, covering genres from drama and horror to animation and classic cinema.

Understanding the difference between formats is essential for collectors. The distinction between 4K and Blu-ray is primarily about resolution. A standard Blu-ray disc typically offers 1080p resolution, whereas a 4K disc offers 2160p resolution. While all Blu-ray players can play 1080p discs, not every machine is equipped to play 4K discs.

For those looking to upgrade their viewing experience, specific TV models are recommended for gaming and movie watching. The LG C5 OLED Smart Gaming TV is highlighted with various size options and price points:

• 83" LG C5 OLED Smart TV - $2996.97
• 77" LG C5 OLED Smart TV - $1996.99
• 65" LG C5 OLED Smart TV - $1396.99
• 55" LG C5 OLED Smart TV - $1196.99
• 42" LG C5 OLED Smart TV - $818.90

While the LG G5 is noted as a top pick, it is described as expensive. A more budget-friendly alternative suggested is the LG C3, which offers a lower price point for the same size. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are mentioned as having 4K Blu-ray playback built-in.