Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 22, 2026

Some wise guru once stated "mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow", but you know what those acorns need to sprout into full fledged trees? Water. And if Eli Roth might be thought of as only at "tiny acorn" stage when he helmed Cabin Fever in 2002, the central conceit of this film, i.e., contaminated water, did in fact at least help propel Roth to the status he currently enjoys in the horror film arena. Cabin Fever had a somewhat circuitous gestation, as documented in an appealing new featurette included with this release, but part of the production process and eventual release of the film ended up with Roth's original version being somewhat redacted for its theatrical exhibition. Despite that editing, the first 1080 Blu-ray Lionsgate released back in 2010 was this Director's Cut (see below for a review link), and now Lionsgate Limited is revisiting the title in its Director's Cut in both 1080 and 4K UHD, with some new supplements and SteelBook packaging.

As mentioned above, the theatrical cut of Cabin Fever had a 1080 Blu-ray release in 2010. Dustin Somner's Cabin Fever Blu-ray review of that version provides plot information, a list of supplements (mostly ported over to this release), and Dustin's reaction to the technical presentation.

Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package.

Cabin Fever is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films' Lionsgate Limited etailer with an HEVC / H. 265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. As with some other recent 4K upgrades from Lionsgate, the short but appealing Establishing Shot featurette with Eli Roth in the 4K editing suite helps to at least partially elucidate some of the changes that are on display in this new version. Color temperature throughout is considerably warmer and better suffused, and certain scenes like the vignette on the floating dock have a more nuanced accounting of light values and especially hues toward the yellow side of the spectrum. The Dolby Vision / HDR grades add noticeable highlights throughout and, along with some of the tweaking Roth is shown doing in the above referenced featurette, really help to offer more shadow definition, as in a climactic moment in a cave. Detail levels can be squirm inducing once the flesh starts peeling off various characters. Grain is nicely resolved throughout, though probably is at least a bit chunkier looking at times at this resolution in some of the darkest moments.

Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Cabin Fever gets a Dolby Atmos upgrade in the audio department, and if the track is arguably not at the hyperkinetic levels of newer horror fare, it's often quite effective in both width and height in establishing the outdoor environments in particular. Relatively subtle ambient environmental effects frequently dot all of the surround channels, and even some of the more cloistered material in the cabin benefits from the general chaos and cacophony that ultimately unfolds, with the side and rear channels regularly engaged. Startle effects resonate powerfully. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: Both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs in this package sport the same slate of bonus material. More information on the ported over supplements from the first 1080 release by Lionsgate is available in Dustin's review, linked to above.

• Scratching the Surface: A Look Back (HD; 56:29) is an appealing retrospective with some very interesting interviews providing a lot of background and context for the production.


• Establishing Shot with Eli Roth (HD; 8:05) features Roth in the 4K editing / mastering suite tweaking the original look of the film.


• Legacy Special Features

Audio Commentary with Director Eli Roth and Cast Members (2010)




Audio Commentaries from 2004

Director's Commentary




Commentary with The Guys




Commentary with The Girls




Commentary with The Filmmakers




Commentary with Rider Strong

Beneath the Skin: Making of Cabin Fever (HD; 28:57)




Family Friendly Version (HD; 1:14)




Director's Shorts: The Rotten Fruit (HD; 27:26)




Pancakes! (HD; 1:46)




Chatting On Set with Eli (HD; 11:51)




Chatting with Eli Roth (HD; 13:05)




Exclusive Featurette with Director Eli Roth (HD; 38:59)




Deleted Scenes (HD; 5:13)




Mad Dog (HD; 4:28)




TV Spot (HD; 00:32)




Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:29)

Lionsgate Limited is offering this is some fun if gory SteelBook packaging. A lenticular Mylar O ring offers the first disturbing images, albeit variances that require tilting the cover to see the changes. One of those images is repeated on the front panel of the actual SteelBook, with the back panel offering a composite illustration of several of the ultimate victims and the weird little girl at the gas station. The inner panels offers an illustration of the remains of a body. A digital copy is also included.

Cabin Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A lot of would be directors get their start with horror films, but few have had the kind of technically proficient and generally well written debut as Eli Roth did with Cabin Fever. Lionsgate Limited is offering a release with solid technical merits, an appealing array of both new and archival supplements, and some fun SteelBook packaging. Recommended.