Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker August 18, 2025

The family-friendly 'Casper' arrives on 4K in the new 'Casper 4K 30th Anniversary Edition' courtesy of Universal. Starring Christina Ricci ('The Addams Family', 'Yellowjackets') and Bill Pullman ('Spaceballs', 'Independence Day') and featuring Eric Idle ('Monty Python's Flying Circus') and Cathy Moriarty ('Raging Bull'), the ghostly tale is both funny and heart-felt. This release brings forward the legacy features from the 2014 Blu-ray release, and adds several more theatrical shorts to the list of on-disc supplemental material for Casper fans to enjoy. A Blu-ray disc (identical to that of the previous release), slipcover, and Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere are also included.

For an appreciation of the 1995 film, please follow this link .

Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Given a Dolby Vision pass, the 2160p presentation of Casper is an instantly noticeable improvement over the Blu-ray disc from 11 years ago, and viewers should be generally quite happy, even if the results aren't quite otherworldly. Fine grain is present and resolves naturally, providing the effort with a pleasingly filmic appearance. Colors are well-saturated within the film's slightly muted color palette. As a result, those keeping an eye out for dazzling primaries will find little to scratch that itch - but there are a few moments. Facial, costuming, and environmental details are often available and are most enjoyable in close-ups, but there is a slight, ever-present softness that prohibits the image from resolving to the pinpoint levels of precision found in other transfers. The softness is perhaps more obvious in effects shots when the ghosts are present, but in those instances, viewers will most likely be giving their full attention to Casper and the Ghostly Trio. The ghosts maintain a wonderfully gossamer and ethereal presence, never quite solidifying and possessing soft, slightly indistinct edges. They're a fitting recreation and "real-world" interpretation of their appearance in the original comics and animated material. Whites are never quite brilliant, but blacks are inky, and the image has convincing depth and dimensionality. It's a very solid transfer.

Please note that all screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p disc.

Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Casper's Dolby Atmos track is a delightful upgrade, offering viewers a more immersive viewing experience that is equally capable of dealing with subtle atmospherics as it is with more dramatic and boisterous sound elements. It's well-balanced and lively. Right from the beginning, as two brave young interlopers make their way into Whipstaff Manor to take a Polaroid as evidence of their heroics, Casper's disembodied voice moves spookily but fluidly through the soundfield. This holds true for the duration of the film, as ghosts and other elements swirl from fronts, to sides, to rears, and back again. Bass is more than sufficient to support slamming doors and falling bodies, and grander sounds as well, such as the wrecking ball Eric Idle errantly deploys in the early goings of the film, and the booming gunshot as the trio of ghosts shoot "skeet". Surrounds are used to craft a realist echo in the dilapidated home's most cavernous rooms, and support ambient music and underscoring as well. Whether at lower levels or when allowed to dominate, music is precisely rendered. Dialog is normally housed front-and-center and is properly prioritized. Directionality is accurate. It's an engaging and frequently impressive track.

Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The following legacy features have been brought forward to the new 4K disc. To learn more about them, please follow this link.

• Revealing 'Casper' (47.10)

• Deleted Scene #91: Lucky Enough to be a Ghost (3.15)

• Feature Commentary with Director Brad Silberling

One new feature of sorts is added to this release. While the previous release included one vintage short, six more have been added to the roster here, as below.

• Original Theatrical Shorts - New to this release are: 'Casper's Spree Under the Sea' (8.04), 'Once Upon a Rhyme' (7.06), 'Boo Hoo Baby' (7.15), To Boo or not to Boo' (6.21), 'Boo Scout' (6.52), and 'Spooking with a Brogue' (6.080). The short, 'Penguin for your Thoughts' (6.58) has been brought forward as well as the final short in the list. They are playable individually or as a group by selecting the "Play All" option. As these shorts are from the early 1950s, the humor, themes, and sensibilities may not be perfectly attuned to those of modern audiences.

Casper 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What this 30-year-old film lacks in genuine scares it makes up for with solid production values and an entertaining and approachable story that is punctuated with some surprising cameos (and ghosts). Christina Ricci (who was 15 at the time) turns in a believable and spunky performance as the long-suffering young daughter who is forced to criss cross the country with her unusual father in what is her best early post-Addams Family role. Co-star Bill Pullman is certainly convincing as the awkward and occasionally bumbling parent and ghost expert searching to reconnect with his wife. The effects, which were innovative at the time, are still charming, and bring the ghostly inhabitants of Whipstaff manor to life with cartoonish gusto and energy. For fans of the film, or those looking for overlooked family fare from years gone by, the Casper 4K 30th Anniversary Edition comes recommended.